School me on '05> Tacos

[66fj40x2]

I've started looking at '05 and later 4x4 double cab Taco's.

What kind of fuel mileage are you getting from the I4's and the V6's. What re your likes and dislikes?


It's see mainly highway miles. I'm 6'2", 280 and comfort will be a must.... this will be my new office most of the time.

Thanks,
Mike

[amp2oo1]

I get about 15/16 mpg from my v6. The best I ever did was 18mpg, just once though. I had to drive like a grandma to get that.

If I had to get a car that I'd be traveling a lot in and considering it to be my office, this truck would NOT be that vehicle.

I do love my truck, but it's $$ to mod and feed gas to. I've been debating selling it for an older, cheaper truck so I can buy a house sometime this year.

[66fj40x2]

I'm not sure it would be an every day use, but the the 4x4 would get used from time to time.... snow, ice, natural disaster, muddy roads, etc. Other days would be car for sure.

Anyone got one witht he 2.7L?

[coonass]

I have an ' 06 double cab. I drive it daily roughly 70 miles round trip.
I'm 6'1" it is pretty comfortable for a mid-sized truck. Roughly 15-17 mpg. I have about 26,000 miles on it and I'm very happy so far.

[Jacket]

I think from a comfort perspective, it's important to get a TRD package with the Sport seats (TRD OR or TRD Sport). These seats are nice, and a significant improvement over the SR5 package seats.

Before I modded my truck, I could get 21mpg on 90% highway driving. Best I ever did was 22.4 on 340 miles driven, all highway. With the bigger tires and steel additions, I'm down in the 17-19 range, worse if I wheel. The 4cyl would be better, but with the 4x4 components, not a huge improvement (maybe 24mpg IIRC).

THe 05+ saw a lot of creature comfort upgrades from the prev generation trucks. From a road-driving perspective, the cockpit is much improved. And the rear seating of the dbl cab is pretty comfortable, even for a moderately sized adult (probably not for you though). That said, it is still a mid-size truck, and you don't get all the "premium package" type luxuries you'd see in a 100-series or even a leather-trimmed 4Runner.

I've had mine for 1.5 years and 15000 miles. Other than nit-picky things, it serves me well as a wheeler, daily driver, and weekend camper.

[BlueHZT60]

My 05' Taco is uncomfortable for both of us (5'8" & 5'2"). Stock, with shell it gets over 20mpg. I find it noisy inside also (relative). The seats suck in my opnion, but then I really, really like my Recarro's in my 60 series.

One thing I also do not like is that my left knee leans on the door and just the right spot to hit nerves/tendons.

Last year I promised not to modify anything. Now I'm thinking a mild lift, slightly larger tires and some different seats. Or I'll sell it and keep driving the blue 60. Bob

[Jacket]

Originally Posted by BlueHZT60

My 05' Taco is uncomfortable for both of us (5'8" & 5'2"). Stock, with shell it gets over 20mpg. I find it noisy inside also (relative). The seats suck in my opnion, but then I really, really like my Recarro's in my 60 series.

One thing I also do not like is that my left knee leans on the door and just the right spot to hit nerves/tendons.

Last year I promised not to modify anything. Now I'm thinking a mild lift, slightly larger tires and some different seats. Or I'll sell it and keep driving the blue 60. Bob

Which trim package do you have? TRD, or non-TRD?

[NxNWLAHAR]

MIKE,
I JUST PICKED UP AN '08 DC TACO SR5 w/TRD OR Pkg (V6 AT 4WD).
ONLY A FEW THOUSAND MILES INTO IT, WORST MPG=19, BEST MPG=23. I DRIVE ALOT OF COMBO MILES CITY/HWY AND USE CC WHENEVER I CAN. STOCK TIRES ARE 265/70R16, NO MODS "YET".
(3" LIFT AND 265/75R16's IN A COUPLE DAYS,AND MORE TO FOLLOW.) I'M 6' 1" 220 LBS AND THIS TRUCK AND INTERIOR ARE PLENTY COMFORTABLE. I JUST SOLD A '00 TUNDRA 4WD 150K MLS (HEAVILY MODDED) AND IT'S NICE TO HAVE FOUR REAL DOORS (GOT A FAMILY NOW);REAR SEATS FOLD FLAT TO STOW EXTRA GEAR WHEN YOU'RE SOLO. OVERALL I'M REALLY HAPPY WITH THE TRUCK.
YOU CAN'T REALLY GO WRONG WITH ANY TOYOTA.
I'VE OWNED/DRIVEN TOYOTA TRUCKS SINCE THE EARLY 80's, AND NONE HAVE THEM HAVE EVER LET ME DOWN ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. I WOULD DEFINITELY AGREE WITH "JACKET" AND CHOOSE ONE OF THE TRD PKGS FOR THE BETTER INTERIOR IF YOU'RE LEANING TOWARD A TACO.

[5280Hawk]

I have 34,000 on my 05 and It has behaved exactly like a Toyota should as far as reliability. Not a single issue. I like the ride and before i converted it to ethanol it was getting 17 or so MPG's. I commute 22 miles every day in it.

The double cab lets you put the seat further back, My friend who is 6-4, sat in it and was shocked that he fit. He has a 2001 Taco extra cab, and had to modify the seat rails to fit comfortably.

[chicago]

This is an interesting read.
I just got an 06 2 days ago for DD duty. I commute 22 miles daily to and from work. It the sr5, V6 ext cab with 13K and not a scratch on it. So far its really nice. Im 6'2" and 230lbs and I fit comfortably in it. I too notice that my knee rests against the door as well, however, I did that in my other dd too.
Im amazed at how much like a CAR it handles. My former DD was a 97 ford F150, so its a night and day difference between the two.
Im sad to hear that the gas mileage you all are getting is WORSE than what is advertized.
I test drove the 4 cyl...It was pretty GUTLESS IMO, and the gas savings wasnt too stellar as compared to the V6 with the auto. maybe 1-2 MPG.
Mine is staying stock as a pavement pounder.

Chicago

[66fj40x2]

I wonder if some bolt on stuf like a cold air intake, cat back exhaust, a chip/tuner and a tonneau cover would help the fuel mileage?

I'm hoping to get away this weekend to try one on.

[amp2oo1]

Originally Posted by 66fj40x2

I wonder if some bolt on stuf like a cold air intake, cat back exhaust, a chip/tuner and a tonneau cover would help the fuel mileage?

I'm hoping to get away this weekend to try one on.

my cover I used to have did nothing for my mileage.

There are no chips for the 05+ that are worth anything

IMHO intake and exhaust are really only good for the noise. That's a lot of coin dropped for minimal gain. I'd rather dump the ~$800 of intake and exhaust into my gas fund. Money better spent IMO.


btw, went for a road trip this weekend... averaged 13mpgSeats were comfy though, and I dont even have a TRD

[5280Hawk]

I get 13 mpg's with E-85. That is LOW.

[amp2oo1]

I was cruising along at a pretty good clip My foot is pretty heavy.

However, just to be safe, I am going to check over the truck in the next day or so to make sure nothing is out of whack possibly leading to low mpg.

[chicago]

btw, went for a road trip this weekend... averaged 13mpgSeats were comfy though, and I dont even have a TRD[/quote]

That is BULLSH*T!
If I get that, Im sellin this bitch and getting a frickin GEO METRO or something. I did better than that in my ford V8!
I havnet gone through an entire tank of gas in mine yet...Im down to about 1/4 tank and I have 260 on the trip ODO.
Im commuting to and from work...20 miles round trip, mix hwy and stop and go, so Im really curious as to what im getting.
Ill post up my results when I get em!

Chicago

[ken_79-fj40]

I have 63k on my 05 sr5 4cyl 4x4 extracab. I drive about 90 miles a day, pretty much all highway. The trunk is driven daily from November to April-May. Then I usually drive my Mustang and occasionally my FJ40. I seem to get a pretty consistent 23-24 mpg. I've never had any trouble with it. I really wish they would make a 4 cylinder 4x4 double cab. Having a car seat in the back for my daughter makes the passenger seat absolutely useless. My brother in law has an 05 TRD sport with the six speed, and it's awesome but I don't think could swing 19MPG for a daily driver. 23 is borderline now.

[Jacket]

Originally Posted by chicago

If I get that, Im sellin this ***** and getting a frickin GEO METRO or something. I did better than that in my ford V8!
I havnet gone through an entire tank of gas in mine yet...Im down to about 1/4 tank and I have 260 on the trip ODO.
Im commuting to and from work...20 miles round trip, mix hwy and stop and go, so Im really curious as to what im getting.
Ill post up my results when I get em!

Chicago

The only time I've done that bad is during an entire weekend of wheelin. Amp - You must have had a brick tied to your foot.

Keep a couple things in mind if your first tank mpg measures low: winter mileage almost always lower than what you would get in the summer time. And the truck will probably get better mpg after you break it in a bit.

My first 10 tanks - stock truck, mostly highway:

19.8 20.2 21.4 21.3 21.0 21.6 22.4 19.9 20.1 19.7
The last 3 tanks were after I moved, and my driving switched to 70% around town.

[chicago]

First fill up today...
Here's the damage!
Again, its an 06, V6, 4WD, SR5, ext'd cab and nothing fancy....PAINFULLY STOCK (and keeping it that way) with 13K on the ODO!

I drove 327 miles in 10 days, used 17.9 gallons which put me at 18.26 MPG.
Im quite happy with that!
That is 6 and 1/3 MPG more than my ford did and, less on the fill up as the tanks is smaller.
I drive like an old lady to begin with, so I didnt adjust my driving style at all.

I can look it up, but does anyone happen to know the size of the tank on these rigs?

Chicago

[NxNWLAHAR]

2005 Thru 2008 Tacoma Fuel Tank Capacity Is ( 21.0 Gl ) .

[chicago]

Originally Posted by NxNWLAHAR

2005 Thru 2008 Tacoma Fuel Tank Capacity Is ( 21.0 Gl ) .

AYE!

Thank you!

Chicago

[L8Shift]

Originally Posted by chicago

That is BULLSH*T!
If I get that, Im sellin this bitch and getting a frickin GEO METRO or something. I did better than that in my ford V8!
I havnet gone through an entire tank of gas in mine yet...Im down to about 1/4 tank and I have 260 on the trip ODO.
Im commuting to and from work...20 miles round trip, mix hwy and stop and go, so Im really curious as to what im getting.
Ill post up my results when I get em!

Chicago

What color GEO METRO do you plan to get? (sorry, wrong forum)..

I also got 13/14 mg.. when new, it didn't get much better after 10k mile but it did... that is with a 2wd, and lead footing. Running up 95 to NY/NJ and hitting all those expansion can take a toll (NJ) on one's back (TRD?).. I aired the tires down a bit to get a smoother ride. Mom's back ain't what it used to be..

I sure wish the seats had more adjustments... it's definitely a negative..

Do you 'need' the utility of a pick-up?

[Lindercruiser]

Here's a few pics of our 2005 double cab, its a wheelin' machine!!!
We Love this truck and haven't had an ounce of trouble with it since we bought it. I have had a few friends in it that are 6'5" and 6'4" and they were comfortable in it. I would definitely recommend the double cab just for the pure space factor.

Cheers,
Linder

[Jacket]

Nice truck Linder! Glad to see the Tacoma towing the VW, and not the other way around

[chicago]

[quote=L8Shift;2981114]What color GEO METRO do you plan to get? (sorry, wrong forum)..

Im kinda partial to the purple...It reminds me of "skittles"....
I LOVE SKITTLES!

Chicago

[chicago]

Originally Posted by Jacket

Nice truck Linder! Glad to see the Tacoma towing the VW, and not the other way around

X2 on both statements!

Chicago

[BlueHZT60]

SEATS = not comfortable for long distance. That is coming from 5'8" & 5'2" users in otherwise good health - ie we shouldn't be as sore as we are after a day in the Tacoma - versus - the 84-60 that has Recaro's