Toyota Tacoma Questions

[T_Pott]

What do you guys like about the Toyota Tacomas? What year/model would you recommend?

[Taco280AI]

Some people like the new 3.5, but I hated the 2017 I had after having the older 4.0 V6. It has more peak hp, but less usable power where you actually drive. With a headwind on the freeway it couldn't stay in 6th gear on flat ground. When I was at high elevations in CO (8000+ feet) with a headwind it sometimes couldn't even maintain 5th gear on flat ground. But the old 4.0 and the 4Runner I got after it could maintain their highest gears in the same conditions. Mine, along with many others, came low on transmission fluid with their sealed unit. The Techstream check isn't accurate, they have to manually check which takes a few hours. Also had quite a few transmission TSBs while I had mine. After a few months I hated driving it so away it went. Love the 4Runner, much more usable bottom end power with an overall average of 21.4 the first 30k miles. Toyota really needs to step up the Tacoma's power.

A lot of people are gearing theirs for better performance while others are tuning theirs.

Was just reading Ford is offering a factory tune for the Ranger which bumps up power to 310hp and 370 lb ft with a warranty, for about $800.

[teanawayslayer]

What are you going to be using it for? Commuter, hunting rig, putting around town? I’ve owned quite a few Tacoma’s and one 4 runner. I used the Tacoma’s for commuting/hunting rig. I always liked the 4 cylinder with the manual transmission. Can’t go wrong with that choice. But if you want to tow anything I wouldn’t advise a Tacoma period. Go with a tundra if you want to tow.

[bustedoldman]

I had a 2001 2.7, auto, 4x4 ext cab, great little commuter/mountain rig, dependable and would go anywhere. Last year I sold it and I bought a 2017 crew cab TRD 3.5, auto, 4x4, leveling kit with 33's, I put a borla exhaust and a intake on it. It tows my 18ft Tracker Targa fine, even tows the 17ft Hideout camper. I get a solid 17 mpg around town and back and forth to work. Went to Montana hunting last year and got 24 mpg on the freeway. I drove up a road this winter where only tracked vehicles had gone, I had 4x4, chains and factory locker and went everywhere they had gone. Great rigs but they ( like all cars now!) Are at a premium.

[ljsommer]

The functionality of the truck is unrivaled - I have a truck that can haul dirt, concrete, wood, tools, swampy/dirty dogs, garbage/dump runs but also a truck that I can park in a Seattle parking garage when I have to go there for work. The gas mileage is fine and the power is fine, but the automatic transmission is completely garbage and if I were to do it over again I'd get the manual. Engaging ECT (electronically controlled transmission remapping) button modifies the timing of the gear changes and makes life much more bearable, but is a pain at low speeds.
Overall I love the truck but hate the transmission.

2017 TRD Off-road with technology package, purchased new. I have a canopy on mine and it's about the most functional thing I can imagine.

[blacktail378]

I have a 21 and have been looking into the OVtune. It is supposed to get rid of the transmission always hunting for gearsYou can find all kinds of info on you tube.
Also have 07 v6 with 202,000miles. Regular maintenance and a couple front wheel bearings and no issues.

[Sandberm]

Eh, I'll be the negative nancy. Nothing I type matters if you are buying new but oh well, gotta get my post quota in for the day.

My brother had a couple of 4wd Tacomas, a 95 and 08. Before that  he had a 88 2wd Toyota pickup. All 3 were 4 cylinder with manual transmission.

-The 88's engine was GREAT. Tons of low end, shifted super smooth, and was reasonably comfortable. Clutch was going out at 130k miles so he got rid of it

-He sold that for the 95 4wd Taco. The engine went from easy to drive low end power to more of what I called a"zingy" engine. We lived on a gravel road. You had to rev the engine out a bit when getting going from a dead stop which then you would 9 times out of 10 spin the rear wheels on the gravel. Gone were the comfortable seats in the 88 that were replaced with what felt like Plywood seats with a layer of cardboard for padding, sewed over with fabric. The aluminum impellor on the waterpump deteriorated due to electrolosis at 170k miles. He got rid of it. I think he paid $17k for it and sold it for $9k 13 years later. Thats resale value kids

-Enter the 08 4wd Taco. The one that supposedly had the frame rusting through problem. He never saw anything on his. Back was a more user friendly 4 cyl engine and the seats regained some padding. This truck was alright, but God the blindspots were terrible. The toolbox he put in didn't help. Check engine light came on at 25k miles and he never did anything about it, ran fine. He got rid of it with something like 125k miles and bought a half ton chevy in 2018 I think.

RESALE VALUE WAS GREAT on all 3 and they were pretty RELIABLE I must say compared to my Chevy S-10s I had at the same time. My S-10s were just so much more comfortable and easy to drive.

[Machias]

I'm still driving a 2002 Taco, 285,000 miles and still going strong (knock on wood!).

[JakeLand]

My 7th Toyota truck now is a 2011 with the 4.0 with 308,000+ miles now ! Only replaced shocks,tires,brakes and both front hubs and anyone knows me knows this truck is worked year round in the woods ! With the new Tacoma’s are great as long as you put a pedal commander on it

[deerhunter_98520]

I'm driving an 05 double cab and it has about 240k miles and running strong. I've replaced the fuel pump and the shocks and gave it a tune up. Its do for brakes and tires soon. The only thing I don't like about it is the 5' bed but you would be suprised how much you can pile in there lol I pull a 24' camper with it just fine. I've been debating trading it in for a tundra but I just love the truck and not sure what I'm going to do

[pianoman9701]

Love mine but the mileage blows (avg. 18 Hwy/city). 2019 TRD Off-Road

[KopperBuck]

Got an '01 with 210k. 4cyl manual. As long as it's running it's not leaving my possession.

[pianoman9701]

I'm driving an 05 double cab and it has about 240k miles and running strong. I've replaced the fuel pump and the shocks and gave it a tune up. Its do for brakes and tires soon. The only thing I don't like about it is the 5' bed but you would be suprised how much you can pile in there lol I pull a 24' camper with it just fine. I've been debating trading it in for a tundra but I just love the truck and not sure what I'm going to do

Make sure if you get a Tundra that it has a back-up cam, especially if you need to park in a city. Full size are quite long. I loved the roomy front seat and the mileage was almost the same as my present Tacoma.

[fishngamereaper]

This thread is worthless without pics ..
Gen 1 Taco is the way to go ..easy to work on.., 6 cyl auto. Bilstein 5100s 1.5 lift 32s.

My kids truck... Im secretly making him spend his own money to do the mods so when he gets ready to sell it's just how I want it...

[Jake Dogfish]

What do you guys like about the Toyota Tacomas? What year/model would you recommend?

Interesting first post.  Are you a dealer?  I’m looking for a Highlander.