Talk me into buying a Tacoma

[18seeds]

Please talk me into buying a Tacoma

I'm downsizing all my toys and am considering an 09 Double Cab Taco with Shortbed as my DD and camping vehicle. Coming from a full size diesel and truck campers this is going to be a big jump. I am thinking a Tacoma and Flippac would make a great combo.

Is the Tacoma short bed toooooo short?
How much will i miss the power of a DIESEL? Can a Supercharger solve that?

Anybody else make the switch from a full size to mid size set up.

One of the reasons why I am considering this change is the fact that I can't get out and camp as much as i used to. I can't see myself driving a sedan as my DD and it just doesn't make sense to have an expensive diesel truck sitting in my driveway.

 

[bigreen505]

Let me be the first to say that I'm not sure this is a very good idea. First of all, the Toyota is not a small vehicle by any stretch. I think length is pretty close to a Suburban, but they are narrower. Second, while they have enough power for most needs, and still probably acceptable with a Flippac, there is no way it has the power to drag around a fully loaded truck and loaded snowmobile trailer. Further, I doubt the over the road gas mileage will be significantly better than an American pickup of your choosing. Toyotas have legendary reliability, but the Tacoma cannot match the durability of a 2500 Dodge diesel. Of course, if the snow mobile is not getting out as much as it used to, this may be less of a consideration.

While I am all for downsizing, I think you have to figure out where the happy medium is. Now, what you have to decide is if this will be your only vehicle, where you draw the line between daily driving efficiency and weekend capability. Just deciding to move to the Flippac is a pretty significant downsize right there.

Do the math, but I think you will be better off with the expensive diesel truck in the driveway and putting commuter miles on something fuel efficient ... like a WRX :smiley_drive: For my money, I think I would put the Flippac (or Fourwheel Camper) on the Dodge and get something fun to commute in. I'm assuming the commute has not changed.

 

[RusM]

DO IT! But don't buy new. http://tacomaterritory.com/forum/showthread.php?t=132339

 

[78Bronco]

They are cool trucks. The 4.0L with a 6 speed would be nice. Kind of mid size which is nice. The 4.0L is 266ft lb and 236hp. Not bad.

After the SC... TRD's numbers are as follows ($4k)...

HP 304@5400rpm / Torque 334ft-lbs@3600rpm

I think you'll miss the diesel but could adjust easily.:smiley_drive:

 

[hoist00]

Last year I sold my 99 F350 Diesel 4x4 to my boss and bought a 2004 solid front axle supercharged Tacoma. The reason I did this was because I wanted a smaller vehicle for rock crawling and camping. The gas mileage was better in my Ford and the cost wasnt much different. If I was only going camping I would rather have the big truck (I'm 6'5") but I like the Taco because I can take it places the Ford couldnt go. Its all about what you are going to use it for and as for power the Taco with the supercharger does great even towing but mine is also regeared.

 

[4Rescue]

Personaly... If it were me... I'd take ALLLLLLL that money you're going to pay for a new truck and build an Older rig with a non-spec Diesel and manual tranny. You'll still probably come out under the price of a stock truck but you'll have a built truck that can pull hills and run trails. I think with all that added gear in trailers and slide-in-camper you'll be right at max capacity for the Taco even with an SC. They're strong trucks but that;s alot of weight to be haulled around by a 4.0L Gas motor no matter who makes it eh.

You're still gonna feel cramped coming from a FS domestic to an Import unless you step inot the Tundra but then why sell the old truck you have right
So really for what you want you NEED a FS truck. The Tundra's great, but no SFA and no HD Diesel option leave it kind of wanting in my book compared to the Domestics. Too bad becuase it's built like a tank and I'd be willing to bet it'd out do them all with the above mentioned changes... Something along the lines of a big 6+ Litre Hino sourced Diesel and a sweet new front axle to match that monster of a rear diff and give the swap crowd something to lust after

I've always thought for a big SUV that the Excursion would be kind of good to have. Was there ever an 05 Model??? One with front coils, manual hubs and a 6spd/"bugs more worked out" 6.0L??? That would be a great family hauler that you could convert ala' Sports Mobile and not need the drop in. But I get the feeling you need the Pick-up sometimes and the Slide in is a good "removable" solution for added flexibility of the truck.

Good luck in whatever you buy, it's a hard choice sometimes eh.

Cheers

Dave

 

[tacollie]

The taco won't match mpg to the diesel. The taco should be cheaper to maintain. Coming from a full size I wouldn't go any smaller than an 05+ taco. I love the older trucks but they are a lot "cozier" inside. I would plan for either a regear or a supercharge for the taco. The 3.73s a little to high for them, at least with the auto. The tacomas are supprisingly capable.

The flippac is sweet. I miss mine a lot.

 

[Rusty-Ford]

what about a 2004ish Tundra doublecab? Before they changed to the newer fuller size..whatever year that was?

They are bigger than a tacoma but not too big. more roomy and it at least has the v8 with plenty of power for hauling a trailer?

My thoughts at least!

 

[Applejack]

You're going to miss the torque, there's no other way to paint it. However, I drive a double cab short bed and find the power at the very least adequate. It's got it. It will cruise right up mountain passes with no problem. I pulled a trailer with a Subaru Loyale on it up the Siskiyou pass and had no problem holding 65. It could have done 70 I'm sure but I had the auto tranny held in 4 and it was already revving pretty good. So it's no slouch but it's not race car either. The bed is small, I don't mind. If it's just me out camping then I sleep in the back with the tailgate down. There's enough room for me and my 100lb German Shepherd or my wife when she goes, otherwise it's a tent.
What you will like is how versatile the truck is. It is a little wide and you know it when on tight trails, but other than that the little guy can go darn near anywhere you point it. I have many a friend who are amazed at it's capability. At least with the TRD off road package. It can definitely get you into some places that leave you a little uneasy but it makes it up to you by getting you out just as easily. But hey, if this is not what you're looking for in a truck, than you could probably do better with what you already have.

 

[Bains98]

what about a 2004ish Tundra doublecab? Before they changed to the newer fuller size..whatever year that was?

They are bigger than a tacoma but not too big. more roomy and it at least has the v8 with plenty of power for hauling a trailer?

My thoughts at least!

Oh yea!!! Those are my favorite Tundras:drool:

 

[18seeds]

Bill. I am leaving GS hopefully by the end of the month. I may go work for one of my clients or start my search for a new opp. So no more commuting to boulder

The new set up will not need to tow much. Ill leave the towing and winter camping accommodations to my friends

4k for a SC? Plus install? Seems a little pricey for amount of HP gain but my experience with turbos and blowers is limited to snowmobiles

Some other factors in my head

- my dodge has a lot of hail damage and the amount to fix it is a lot. I could sell it and pocket the insurance money and make out pretty good

- in the past I had another car as my DD and that will not have that luxury going forward

- the only towing will be with a small trailer fir gear and 1 to 2 dirt bikes. Or hold a dirtbike on the receiver hitch.... Or on occasion tow 1 snowmobile

 

[TEJASYOTA]

I think you will miss the Torque factor the most.
Since your towing duties as you described above is not too heavy, the Taco will handle it well.
As for the SC, 4K, is if you bought new with all the accessories (injectors, gauge, etc.)... but if you check out TTORA or other Toyota sites, there are guys that do sell theirs for at least half that price and they are usually have very little miles on them.
Just need to be paitent on it and then if you are worried about the install, from what I heard, it is fairly straight forward and you could always enlist the help from us...with a bribe of beer and food! :wings:

The Taco is a very capable machine, even in stocker mode....believe me, I had my Taco for many many years with the stock suspension and it got me into places I never thought I could make. The only mod, was to change out to MT or AT tires. Of course now, it no longer looks or acts stock.

If you are worried about the suspension, check out my thread HERE!!!

Or go with an airbag suspension, I have been thinking about adding that to my Taco to help on the increased weights, without getting a newer set of leafs. Check out WHeelers.com for they sell them.

Here is a link to an install.
FIrestone airbag system-click here
Below is a pic of him towing and hauling.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[robert]

I can't honestly recommend a Tacoma right now unless you just want a small/midsized truck. Gas mileage is worse than most of the domestics including some of the V8s and build quality is on par with them- read poor. If you plan to tow I'd definitely go with the larger truck- the brakes on the Taco are alright for stopping itself under normal driving but drive it hard or tow and they aren't really up to the task (smallish front calipers and it still has drums in the rear for some reason). If you get the Off-Road package it comes with the weaker 8" rear-end also (stupid considering the extra stress from a locker).

JMHO- I'm honestly not impressed with any of the current crop of trucks out there that I've looked at.


ETA- Mine tows my utility trailer with a couple of motorcycles fine but a load of lumber and you definitely know it's back there. I've got new Hawk pads sitting in the garage, just haven't put them on yet and I'm going to swap in braided lines when I change the fluid. I'm still looking for a wrecked FJ Cruiser to steal the rear disc off of.

 

[Applejack]

I respectfully disagree. While the brakes may not work that well at stopping heavier trailer loads, a motorcycle or snowmobile would not be a problem. I've towed much heavier loads and they stop just fine. Mine has the EBFD maybe that helps. When I first bought my Taco I was a little concerned about the build quality as well, but after logging 75k on it with zero problems I feel it's still a genuine Toyota truck. It's not as tight of a truck as you might expect Toyota to have produced but it's superior to any domestic competition IMO.