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Toyota Tacoma (2004 and earlier)

539 messages,  Last post on Nov 30, 2009 at 9:33 AM

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#31 of 539 dancer by sc0rpi0 Nov 21, 2002 (1:31 pm)
1. Deflate the tires to 28-30. Having so much pressure means you're not riding on the entire width of the tire, but on the center (do a chalk test to see what I'm talking about). 2. Get better tires if above does not help.   I've driven at 90 and truck felt fine, but I ride around with 28-32 psi pressure max.   Improving upon the ride: 1. Replace coils to better ones (OME makes them, if you don't want lift, you'll want 880 coils. www.arbusa.com), you can buy a setup with 880 coils and shocks from them. 2. Tire slippage: put 3 50-lbs bags of sand in the bed. 3. If you don't want to spend money on new coils (should be around $250-300), you can buy used TRD coils off someone on ebay who put a lift on.
#32 of 539 2001 tacoma 4x4 by whatnow2 Nov 23, 2002 (10:21 pm)
Own a 2001 tacoma 4x4 6cyl 5M TRD. No major complaints. 18-20 mpg on mixed highway/local. "notchy" shift from 1st to 2nd when cold. whiny sound from engine in low revs. whine from cab fan at setting 3 and above. driver seat fabric wearing prematurely. I like the stability on hwy in high winds at 75 mph. definitely get rubber floor mats - the fabric ones are crappy. less than professional finish on truck bed metal. Engine noise will not remind you to shift into 5th - you need to get used to this. When I drove the automatic, I hated the lack of "punch" compared to the manual.
#33 of 539 Got my Tacoma by moparbad Nov 27, 2002 (12:01 pm)
Picked up my new Tacoma this week. It is 2K3 Extended Cab, 4WD, Silver, auto, TRD, SR5 w/ color key, cruise, power pkg, sliding rear window,sunroof, and hitch. The cruise control is the Toyota add on cruise and is installed on the left side of the steering column. When I went to pick up the truck it did not have cruise and I was told it would when I ordered it. Major headache and frustration ensued and when the dust settled the dealer installed cruise. Does anyone have any comments about the Toyota non-factory cruise control good or bad?   So far very happy with the truck. The seats are too soft for my liking and the steering wheel is slightly off center and will need to have it adjusted by dealer so that the truck will go straight when the steering will is centered but those are my only issues.
#34 of 539 Tacoma - std. cab - 2-wheel drive... by autonuts Nov 27, 2002 (4:58 pm)
could someone tell me if the new Tacoma's still have the column shifter on the automatics? Thanks!
#35 of 539 autopnuts by sc0rpi0 Nov 27, 2002 (5:25 pm)
Nope. Auto shifters are now mounted in the center like manual shifters.
#36 of 539 Thinking of buying 03 Tacoma by esunders Nov 30, 2002 (2:49 pm)
I have been considering buying a new Tacoma after my 1989 Nissan 2WD was totaled. I am looking at a 4WD Xtracab manual transmission, but I am undecided on 4 cyl or the V6. The EPA estimates are 18/21 for the 4 cyl, and 17/20 for the V6. What is the typical mileage that people have gotten? The 2.7L 4 cyl is rated at 150 HP, and the V6 is 190 HP, and there is only 1 mile a gallon difference? I typically got 25 mpg in my nissan, but that was a 2WD vehicle, of course.   The models I have looked at have all had bucket seats. Just how comfortable are these seats for extended periods of time? The bench seat in my Nissan was dreadful for more than short distances. I have been driving a Honda Accord until I get my truck, and have been spoiled by the comfortable seats. Of course this is a truck and not a car, but I would prefer some comfort. This vehicle will be used as my daily driver.   My last question is about TRD. It seems that almost all the V6 vehicles I have seen have TRD. I have seen one V6 without, however. How does this affect the ride? I really don't have serious plans to offroad, but it would be nice to have 4WD, as I have gotten stuck a couple of times on back roads in my 2WD truck, and the few times it does snow here (I live in NM), a 2WD truck is a pain on slick roads, especially on an incline.   So, I guess I am probably leaning toward the 2.7 4 Xtracab w/o TRD for mileage and comfort reasons, but wanted to get some feedback from Tacoma owners.
#37 of 539 Good choice. by sc0rpi0 Nov 30, 2002 (7:07 pm)
1. Milage: I have a 2002 V6 4WD manual. Last tank was 18mpg, all of it city driving (few 10-mile freeway runs). On highway, at 75 I get around 19-19.5, at 85 I get 18, 90-17mpg. I got 20 once, but I'm not the law-obiding type to drive the speedlimit and got it because of heavy traffic. I was doing about 70-75. As far as I4s go, they get much better gas milage. They always go into 300-mile on each gas tank, while I usually have to fill up when I hit about 280. It's not 1mpg, it's a lot more. I've heard of some getting 24mpg.   2. Seats: to each their own. Nearly everyone in TTORA complains about how bad seats are, but I don't get it I drove from TX to KS few times this year (700 miles each way), and I felt fine. I also made a run from Austin, TX to Chatanooga, TN once (17 hours), and didn't have any problems. But the problem is that you have to try it out yourself and see how you like the seats. 15 minute drive won't do it. Statistically, I think, you'll find them somewhat uncomfortable. If you are mechanically-inclined, you could install more comfortable seats.   3. TRD. Everybody now has TRD. 99% of people don't know what it is and don't use it. TRD is a nice package if you're going for an offroad truck. The #1 reason to get TRD is the locker. HOwever, it is available on some models as a stand-alone option...#2 reason is better suspension. Progressive coils and better shocks make ride better and firmer. Again, you have to try it yourself. I think you'll find non-TRD a little too soft. Worst case, if you don't like non-TRD setup, there's always plenty of people who sell their TRD suspension (coils and struts) brand new or very little used because they install lifts. I know because I just sold mine on ebay today for $170, complete front coils+strut setup ready to bolt on plus rear shocks. For more info, go to www.ttora.com , it's a nation-wide club of Tacoma owners/offroaders. Check the message boards, ask away. You'll find loads of good info there.
#38 of 539 ecm button by mattttt25 Dec 01, 2002 (10:21 am)
have a 2002 tacoma 4x4 sr5 double cab, fully loaded. love it. question- what exactly does the ecm button do? i know it smehow changes the shifting, but can someone explain it better? does it wear on the engine more to run it often? anything would be helpful. again...love the truck in every way, pulls my big boat just fine, move the clock and its flawless...
#39 of 539 ECM actually ECT button by toyotaken Dec 02, 2002 (6:27 am)
The ECT button does change the shifting. It actually stands for "electronically controlled transmission". What it does is when it is in the power mode indicated by the "ECT PWR" on the dash when engaged, the transmission will downshift more readily with less pedal travel on the gas and when accelerating with the pedal depressed more heavily, it will stay in the lower gear longer before upshifting. With the HP and Torque bands on the Toyota engines extending higher into the RPM range, it gives a nice boost to the acceleration on the vehicle, at the expense of gas milage if you're a bit of a lead foot.   Hope this helps.
#40 of 539 hey, esunders by oregonboy Dec 02, 2002 (2:21 pm)
I also had a Nissan 2wd that was recently totaled. Mine was a 1990, however. I replaced it with a 1996 Tacoma V6, extended cab, 2wd.   The seats in the Tacoma are a big improvement over the bench seat in the Nissan. The side bolsters, center armrest and adjustable seatback angle all are major improvements over a fixed-angle bench. The taco seats are still firm after 83,000 miles. I just made a 300 mile (one way) Thanksgiving trip and have no complaint with the seats. I don't like the door mounted armrest though.   Gas mileage for the trip with the 6 cylinder was 21 MPG. My Nissan was getting about 22 with the four banger and a smaller, lighter truck (std cab). If you go with the 4x4, you will naturally take a hit on the gas mileage.   I have to say that the V-6 is really nice... smooth and torquey. It effortlessly climbs hills in 5th that the Nissan needed 4th to hold its speed. The newer Toyota 4 is more powerful than my old Nissan (134 HP), but the six is soooo nice.   One thing that I miss about the standard-cab Nissan is the nimble handling. The long wheelbase of the ex-cab Toyota makes for a much larger turning diameter and far less agile feeling handling.   Whatever version of the Tacoma you choose, I don't think you can go wrong. They are well designed, solidly built trucks.   -james

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