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Pickups Toyota Tacoma Toyota Tacoma (2004 and earlier)
539 messages, Last post on Nov 30, 2009 at 9:33 AM
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| The new 2005 model is being unveiled there...the Chicago Auto Show is in the first half of February. | |
This may not be the best place to post this, but here goes. I have a 98 4 x4 taco x-cab v-6 auto. I am planning a trip to the Outer Banks of NC and would like to take it on the beach. Any tips on what to do so I don't see my truck float out to sea with the tide? I read about lowering tire pressure to 20lbs and following in others tracks to keep from getting in trouble, but has anyone else ever done this and if so, what advice can you give me. Thanks
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1. Be smart and don't go into water holes you don't know. 2. 20lbs?? Whoever said that is out of their minds. In sand, typically you need less than 10. It all depends on overall conditions, how many rocks you are gonna see, etc. Many people will tell you to lower the pressure as much as possible without risking the tire breaking the bead. I'd say start with 15 lbs, drive around a little and see how it feels. If you don't like it, lower it some more. |
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| This may seem obvious BUT....don't forget to bring an inflator with you to air back up. Don't laugh; I've seen it happen..... | |
I recently purchased a new '04 Tacoma Dbl. Cab with the V6. I have noticed what sounds kinda like spark knock when accelerating. I just passed 1000 miles but it has done this since day one. To see if this is spark knock, I put a tank of 93 octane in but still hear the "noise". I definitely don't want to have to use 93 octane and would like to stay with 89. I traded in a Jeep Cherokee that would knock unless I used 93 octane so I figured 93 would stop the noise in the Tacoma but it didn't. I'm not sure if this is a real problem or just normal for a Tacoma V6. Also, I am very picky so this may just be normal. Just curious if anyone else has noticed this. I'd rather ask you guys than the dealer. I have the extended warranty so I'm not too concerned but would still rather prevent than have to fix a problem. I would also rather avoid the dealership and their "expert diagnosis". Thanks in advance for any responses.
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No unusual noise in my Tacoma with V6. Maybe you can listen to some other Tacoma engines next time you are at dealer and also have the mechanic listen to the noise. Here is some info. on detonation I just read http://www.misterfixit.com/deton.htm interesting |
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emt, I've got a 98 Taco 4x4 x-cab also (5-spd though) and have taken it on the beaches down there plenty of times. 15-20 lbs. is fine. From what I can recall, nearly all of the gas stations south of Nags Head have free air compressors but the ones in and north of Nags Head seem to charge $$. Get yourself a tire gauge at the very least, your own compressor would be a good idea too. Make sure you know the tides and also pay attention to how far the last high tide came up. It'll be noticeable enough. Try to minimize your time on the wetter sand/mud. Don't park too close to the water (in the mud), park closer to the dunes (but not in/on them). Also make sure you have the name of a local towing company just in case. One time I was down there I saw a group of people get their 4wd suburban stuck in the mud and the tide was coming in. They were trying to dig the mud out from underneath to try and get more clearance. They were yelling at me for not helping them but I saw what was happening. Their truck sank deeper into the mud with each shovel/hand full of mud they dug out. A guy in a 2wd F150 offered to pull them out but couldn't. He nearly ruined his rear axle and got stuck in the mud himself. Yep, two for the price of one. A tow truck driver eventually came to their aid for like $75 apiece or something like that. Not more than 20 minutes later, about 1/2 mile down the beach a guy in a jeep got stuck and the same tow truck came out to bail him out too. $225 for that guy in less than an hour! I started shopping tow trucks the next day. Have fun and I hope it goes well 4 ya'! |
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Thanks to everyone who responded to my request about beach driving. I just thought while I am there, I might as well have some more fun in the sand. Jeff(indacurl2k), I will be doing my beach driving on Hateras Island, in the area south of Salvo. I will keep my cell phone and tow truck service number handy! Hopefully I will not need it. Take care everyone Joe |
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| I also have a 2004 Tacoma V6, in my case a Prerunner Xtracab with an automatic. I've got about 1000 miles on it. I've noticed a lot of engine noise when accelerating with the engine cold. I don't know if it's the same thing that you're hearing. It sounds like valve lifters or something, its very loud, and I'm guessing that it's normal. The noise is still there when the engine warms up, but it's not as loud. More bothersome to me is a subtle engine vibration that seems to occur when the engine is running at about 2000 rpm, about 50-60 mph. This is also much more noticeable when the engine is cold, but it happens all the time. I noticed the other day that if I rev the engine up to about 2000 to 2500 rpm and hold it steady, with the truck in neutral, I can feel the vibration fade in and out. I've seen reviews that describe how smooth the V6 in the Tacoma is, but the engine in mine seems to be anything but smooth. If what I have is normal, this is the noisiest, roughest V6 I've ever driven. For the most part, I really like the truck, but between the engine noise, vibrations, and 14.5 mpg I'm getting so far, I'm not sure I can live with it for very long. | |
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