What to look for in a 2005+ taco (1 Viewer)

[Junk]

Need something for longer trips pulling the boat. Not ditching the 45, but need something the boy and I can drive 6 hours in for trips to Erie, Champlain, 1000 islands etc.

Do the TRD packages still include a rear locker in the 2005+? I assume the 6 is strong enough to pull a trailer/boat?

What else do I need to look for/consider?

This will also split dd with the 45. The car is getting tossed.

 

[Junk]

WOW. Busy forum.

 

[hoch]

Hey, what year Tacoma are you looking to get specifically? Yeah, the Tacoma will be tons more comfortable for the 6 hour drive.

As far as problems, the only one that I know of is that there were some 05/06 rear ends that have blown up for some of the owners. Check out the thread HERE.

The 05+ TRD Off-Road (not Sport) still has the rear locker. Other than the above problem, it is a solid truck. The 4.0L V6 is plenty powerful to pull the trailer/boat you posted. I also love the fact that the 4.0L V6 has a timing chain vs. a belt in my 3.4L V6. Also, the factory oil filter relocation was genius on Toyota's part. Good luck with the search!

Oh, and I have *heard* that the 6-speed manual transmission is actually weaker than the auto. Some have had problems with the 6-sp.

 

[Junk]

Cool. Thanks for the info. No manual trans here. Between traffic and light offroading, the auto will better suit the needs. Prob going to end up with something like an 06 or 07. Thx.

 

[beaufort-fj60]

also check out the old (2001-ish or newer) base v6 tundra... they are cheap. I pull a 22ft boat with one. they are also very easy to work on... huge open space under the hood.

 

[D'Animal]

Junk

I don't know what the effected years are but toyota had a problem with the frames rusting. They are buying the truck back from the owner if there is a rust hole in the frame.

 

[beaufort-fj60]

by the way.... your red boat trailer is very cute.




lol...

 

[hoch]

Junk

I don't know what the effected years are but toyota had a problem with the frames rusting. They are buying the truck back from the owner if there is a rust hole in the frame.

Only 95.5 - 00 Tacoma's are affected and a very few 2001-2004's. No issues reported for 2005's. There is a sticky thread at the top of this forum about this.

 

[D'Animal]

Only 95.5 - 00 Tacoma's are affected and a very few 2001-2004's. No issues reported for 2005's. There is a sticky thread at the top of this forum about this.

Thanks for the clarification.

 

[bulldog-yota]

Not sure if they include a transmission cooler on the Tacomas, but it you get an AT it will be a good investment for towing a boat. Talking about a proper transmission cooler, not just the line running through the radiator. If they don't it might be worthwhile to have one fitted for long towing trips.

Also keep in mind the 05+ Toyota AT use the new fancy ATF-WS. Don't have any shop put in anything else, not sure if there is a certified alternative aftermarket ATF yet.

 

[Junk]

by the way.... your red boat trailer is very cute.




lol...

It came that way

 

[Junk]

also check out the old (2001-ish or newer) base v6 tundra... they are cheap. I pull a 22ft boat with one. they are also very easy to work on... huge open space under the hood.

Good to know thx.

 

[Jacket]

I travel with my 2006 all the time - its very comfortable and a huge improvement in comfort from the prev gen Tacomas. And unlike many, mine spends a good bit of time off-road, and continues to impress. It has been problem free for 2.5 years.

The TRD OR package will get you a rear locker, upgraded seats, an upgraded alternator and battery, plus so other stuff. The rear end problems have been narrowed down to early production 2005 models; otherwise the problems have been somewhat random and limited.

I agree with the other poster that recommends an aux transmission cooler if you will tow a lot. A few folks have measured their tranny temps when towing large loads and the numbers are a bit higher than you would like to see.

 

[Salvo]

I've got an 07 DC that I beat on quite a bit. The only issue I've had is the blower motor on the AC having to be replaced because of a clicking sound. Try to find one that has had the rear suspension TSB done. If you're hauling loads in the bed, or maybe even while towing, the rear end will bottom out very easily. The new leaf pack will prevent this. If the rear has two springs and one overload, it's the old one. I think the new leaf pack has two springs and two overload springs. If you get one under warranty, the TSB shouldn't be an issue.

As far as long trips, I've done several 1200+ mile trips from AZ to Louisiana and it was more than comfortable. The cruise control can get a little confused on hills, but nothing major. Pretty impressive offroad too.

HTH

 

[5280Hawk]

You could tow that Boat 90mph up hill.

Not that you should.

Im with Jacket, He and I have almost the exact same set-up, and Mine's about to turm 44,000 and has had Zero problems.