JCMatthews
Tour Guide
I think he meant the Tacoma is designed to tow more weight.
I think he meant the Tacoma is designed to tow more weight.
A good comparison of Tacoma vs. hilux would be a side by side picture of both trucks with the beds off to compare the frames and leaf packs.
Why would you want the lower rated engine in vehicles designed to tow greater loads? Emissions? Torque curve?
And then I started looking at GVWRs and GAWRs and found less clarity. So, for example, if the front end of the Taco, the later 4Runners, and the FJCs are largely the same, why do they have different front GAWRs? Why does the Taco have higher front and rear axle weight ratings, but a lower GVWR and net capacity?
OK- The main reason for the Tacoma to continue using the older engine is cost. The dual VVTi engine costs more. All the while Toyota is selling every truck for a very dear sum (lotsa profit margin)
The axle weight rating vs GVWR is from 2 things- springs and brakes. The Factory front springs are very stiff, so (while riding rougher) the front end can carry more weight than the FJ or 4Runner. With the tow package, the rear springs hold up more weight than the SUV rear axles as well. BUT.... there's always a but: The Tacoma has rear drum brakes, while the SUV have disks. All vehicles need to meet certain stopping requirements when loaded to GVW. the lesser braking system on the Tacoma can't stop as heavy a vehicle, thus lower GVW.
The next Hilux and Tacoma are supposed to share more components, including a diesel- probably an updated 1KD with SCR technology (yay DEF!) That, along with a DI V6 should come with the A760 transmission. Hopefully they'll keep Toyota T-case, instead of the BW unit now found in the Tundra.
Number 3 does seem to make sense. I recall the Taco was initially introduced as a premium fuel vehicle, so perhaps early tests were based on high octane fuel.
Are there any reliable methods for increasing the braking capacity of the Tacos? Opinions are all over the place on Tacomaworld
Sent via fat thumb
I put crossed drilled and slotted rotors on mine, huge improvement for not too much coin. Braided lines will help with the feel too, since they don't expand like the stockers.
Could also do a disk brake conversion on the rear.
Tire choice also helps, my Cooper STT's stop better than the BFG AT and MT's did. Stickier tires tend not to last as long though. Getting roughly 40K out of the Coops...BFG's will go 60K+