Looking at a Tacoma , got questions

[Weber Sarge]

I've found OEM TRD sets for less than $400 , looks-wise they seem to fit the truck well . Hoping to find something that might help protect the doors from idiots in parking lots . Someone dings thing I'd have a hard time not losing me temper in a bad way - no kidding on "not a scratch anywhere" .
Drove it some yesterday , this thing puts the same smile on my face as the old '77 40 series , honestly .
Didn't expect that .
Only complaint so far is the really odd location of brake/gas pedals - who did they build these for , anyway?
Sarge

 

[mooker82]

I've found OEM TRD sets for less than $400 , looks-wise they seem to fit the truck well . Hoping to find something that might help protect the doors from idiots in parking lots . Someone dings thing I'd have a hard time not losing me temper in a bad way - no kidding on "not a scratch anywhere" .
Drove it some yesterday , this thing puts the same smile on my face as the old '77 40 series , honestly .
Didn't expect that .
Only complaint so far is the really odd location of brake/gas pedals - who did they build these for , anyway?
Sarge

Look on tacoma world for the steps. Lots of guys ditch them for cheap.

 

[Weber Sarge]

Will do , thanks .
Sarge

 

[dusty husky]

You need to move out of the rust belt!

Growing up in iowa and moving to oregon 20 years ago, I love rust free rigs out here.I only make it home every 3-5 years, and its sad seeing the new cars my family bought the last time i was there are already rotting away. I think you should petion your local government /dot to use less harsh chemicals on the roads as they cost everyone lots of money, cars that can last 40-60 years are destroyed to 5-10 there.I have friends originally from N.Y. state that buy a classic car here each year and drive it home for Christmas, and flip for an impressive profit. pays for there trip and plane ticket home. A clean rust free 1965 skylark gransport with Oregon plates just driven 4000 miles sells for a premium quickly.Your asking for a clean long lasting truck that will obviously rust out long before its intending lifespan. You should buy a plane ticket to Portland, Seattle, las vegas, buy a truck and drive it home, thats the only way your going to get what you want.

 

[Weber Sarge]

The '08 TRD I bought is perfect , not a scratch/mark anywhere and driven less than 3,000 miles per year . The frame is even showing original semi-gloss paint - I crawled everywhere under this vehicle before buying due to it's original life in Wisconsin which as bad or worse than Illinois . I'd love to move but that would require transplanting a large extended family . I have ways of dealing with salt corrosion and prevention , most of my vehicles last at least 10yrs at minimum if not longer .
Guess I need to post some pics ....
Sarge

 

[ken_79-fj40]

I've had 4 1st gen tacomas and 2 second gens. Without a doubt the first gens are a better built truck but the second gens I feel are far more comfortably and certainly more powerful. As far as the 3.4 getting better mileage than the 4.0 I actually found the opposite to be true. It wasn't a big difference though. My 05 double cab got 20.5 highway and my 96 I have now gets 19.2. Both automatics. What I really miss right now is my first 05 which was a 2.7 4x4 5 speed extracab. Decent power (but I wouldn't tow with it) and the thing no kidding got 24 MPG on the highway. The factory steps on the 05-on trucks bolt directly to the floors underneath the truck. I took a set off my double cab. I would strongly suggest you take measures to protect the underside from road salt. My first one looked horrible, huge chunks flaking off, surface rust everywhere, after 3 New England winters. I even have a garage and wash my vehicles a few times a month in the winter too. The second one I bought was used and actually had more miles but spent all it's winters in Florida. So the underside was very clean. I spent some money at eastwood on chassis paints and over the next few years it didn't progress much at all. There is a way to make the rear locker on the second gens engage at any time with a relay. I did it on my double cab. If you find yourself not being able to stop in the snow you can put a switch inline with the ABS fuse too. I did that on mine after rolling into intersections repeatedly on slippery roads.

 

[laxaholic]

I'm actually considering selling my 100 series, that gets horrid fuel mileage, for a 2005+ 2.7l 4x4 Access Cab Tacoma. Would love if it was as good on fuel as you say. Is that really possible? I live in rural, south Georgia for university. Town speeds range from 30-45 and highway is 55-65 max. Pretty flat ground. I would use it in the snow in the NC mountains (where my parents live) and to haul a small sailboat from time to time.

Think it would fit the bill? Real world fuel mpg? Cost to fill tank? Range?

Thanks!

 

[Weber Sarge]

So far no complaints on stopping with the ABS system , have tried pretty hard to make it slide through a stop sign in both snow and ice and it's worked excellent despite the crappy bfg's on it currently .
I've read the writeup on the locker mod and will someday do that relay after the warranty is gone . For now it works fine as-is for what I need overall , mostly nasty work sites and daily work around here and occasionally pulling a trailer or two . The 4.0 has plenty of bark , considering adding the TRD cold air kit and exhaust , maybe it can help it breathe a bit better . Haven't run it long enough to fuel mileage figures yet but will this week . If it's better than 17-18 average I'll be quite happy , the old 40 series Cruiser will do 15-16 average so it better beat that at least .

The tubular step bars bolt to the body ????
Looks like the bracketry goes to the frame...?
Sarge

 

[Weber Sarge]

Ok , first reported issue :

When taking off from a dead stop I get a "shudder" in the driveline . Almost feels like clutch chatter in the trans but not quite . Talked to the local dealer , turns out there is a TSB on it - something to do with engine/trans mounts and rear drive shaft . Goes in Thursday , will report the bulletin number and results .

I love having a warranty , lol .

BTW-
Checked their "prices" on tires , tubular step bars and such (TRD porn equip) and WOW , are you kidding ?? I can buy this stuff for nearly half online with shipping included . With that in mind , I'll install my stuff , thanks very much....
Sarge

 

[ken_79-fj40]

Check craigslist for the side bars. I see them on there pretty frequently. In fact my 05 double cab had them on it and I don't like them. So I sold them for $80 on craigslist. Yes the factory tube steps do in fact bolt to the floor of the truck. They do appear to be frame mounted but they are not. The factory steps are aluminum I think. They were really light. If you go aftermarket don't buy steel ones. Even the powdercoated steel steps seem to rust really quickly. I just put a set of stainless steel powdercoated steps on my dad's 02 tacoma. Hopefully they hold up good.

And yes the 05 extended cab 4 cylinder 4x4 I had really did get 23-24 mpg when it was new. Shortly after buying it I ditched the stock 245/75/16 tires and put on some Michelins in 265/70/16 instead. No change in mileage. But a few years later I swapped those tires out for General Grabber at/2's which are a heavier and much more aggressive tire. Mileage then dropped to 22.5 average. I commute 90 miles a day and keep track of my gas mileage regularly. My commute is about 90 percent highway.

 

[laxaholic]

That's good to hear, very interested in those trucks for their efficiency

 

[Weber Sarge]

So far I'm pulling a solid 17mpg despite driving it fairly hard and a lot of warm-up time , pretty happy with that for a 4x4 . Can't get over how hard this V6 pulls from a dead stop , wonder what tires it would take to stop it spinning so much , lol .
Sarge

 

[ken_79-fj40]

So far I'm pulling a solid 17mpg despite driving it fairly hard and a lot of warm-up time , pretty happy with that for a 4x4 . Can't get over how hard this V6 pulls from a dead stop , wonder what tires it would take to stop it spinning so much , lol .
Sarge

I had that "issue" with my double cab when I first got it. And actually the craptastic pepboys tires my 96 came with make it impossible to take off quickly with also.

 

[Weber Sarge]

I'm amazed at just how bad the OE BFG Rugged Trail tires grip - in any condition including bare concrete . It's almost like wheelspin at-will and evidently it has a pretty deep low gear to boot . Hate to see how it would behave with the blower added ....
Sarge

 

[laxaholic]

With gas prices increasing again, would y'all say that it's worth seeking out a 2.7 4x4? I know the 4.0 is a great motor, but even when driving my father's farm truck, an 05 f250 diesel that is tuned to produce close to 500hp and 800ft/lbs of torque..(pulls horse trailers). I still bitch about fuel, even though it'll get 18-19mpg on the road and 13-14 in town and pulls like a freight train.... Granted diesel is 1$ more per gallon (almost), but you get my drift..

 

[ken_79-fj40]

With gas prices increasing again, would y'all say that it's worth seeking out a 2.7 4x4? I know the 4.0 is a great motor, but even when driving my father's farm truck, an 05 f250 diesel that is tuned to produce close to 500hp and 800ft/lbs of torque..(pulls horse trailers). I still bitch about fuel, even though it'll get 18-19mpg on the road and 13-14 in town and pulls like a freight train.... Granted diesel is 1$ more per gallon (almost), but you get my drift..

My advice would be to drive one for a while around town and especially on the highway. They certainly aren't a powerhouse but unloaded get around fine. Had I driven a 4.0 before I bought the 2.7 I probably would have bought a 4.0. But gas was a lot cheaper back then too. Personally I'm hoping they come out with a direct injected 4 for the next generation in a 4x4 double cab with a manual. That would be about perfect for what I need. My 96 should last a few more years until I can afford a new truck again.

 

[Weber Sarge]

I would think the 4cyl would be just fine for most duty other than pulling a trailer ...
Sarge

 

[ken_79-fj40]

I would think the 4cyl would be just fine for most duty other than pulling a trailer ...
Sarge

Exactly. Mine was fine. But when I got my doublecab with the V6 I was VERY pleased with the power increase. But that 2-4 MPG difference sure adds up over time. My brother in law has an 05 TRD sport extended cab with the 6 speed manual that I've driven quite a bit also. As much as I love a manual transmission I actually preferred the automatic in my double cab over his manual. Just seemed better suited to the truck. But that 2.7 with an auto would have sucked. That truck with a 5 speed was quite nice to drive. If only they made a 2.7 5 speed 4x4 double cab it would be the perfect truck for me. Or just an extended cab with a better back seat.

 

[Weber Sarge]

Took it in today for the vibration issue , they ordered a new engine mount - my guess is it's the rear one . Service manager says every one they have done to date that mount was the issue - 3 different steps to this bulletin according to him . I'll try to get the number on it when they install the part .
Sarge

 

[jgallo1]

I have 03' V6, Trd. I run the thing pretty much stock, besides some shocks and tires. The best truck I have owned. Its handles great on the highway and I have never been stuck in snow, mud, or sand.. The maintenance is so easy. CHANGE THE OIL ha ha..
Best Trucks!!!