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Toyota Tacoma (2004 and earlier)
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Comments
I would like the 4 door, but they are spendy. Once again, any help would be helpful.
Thanks
Question: Why does the 3.4L V6 in the Tacoma have LESS power than the smaller 3.3L V6 in the 2004 Toyota Sienna? (The Sienna 3.3L V6 has 230 HP and 242 Lb-Ft Torque while the larger 3.4L V6 in the Tacoma has only 190 HP and 220 Lb-Ft Torque).
Will the Tacoma 3.4L V6 last longer since it is not tweaked as much for power output?
1)If i am using FULL synthetic oil is it ok to change the oil every 5k miles(norm driving conditions)?
2)I am looking at buying some good quality car seats and a tonneau cover--any recommendations or websites?
3)I also am looking at having the bed lined with the spray on "Rhino" lining(approx $430.00)--any opinions?
4)What should I keep the tire psi's inflated to? Some people say 32--but i believe the tires say 35 or 36 psi??
5)Should i be driving 4Hi at least 10 miles monthly. And if so, can I drive in 4HI on dry pavement w/out ruining anything?
Thx again. I really enjoy reading all the posts!
Mike
However, I do off-road and you can't drive in 4WD on dry pavement. Definite no-no - can cause problems because your front and rear tires are locked together and if you go around a curve, they won't travel the same path.
If you have a 4x4 and want to take it out each month, find a nice dirt forest service road somewhere and enjoy some time alone. I've heard that it is best to use 4WD each month, though I don't know if it matters how far.
Sienna 3.3L V6
230 hp at 5600 rpm, 242 ft-lb at 3600 rpm
Tacoma 3.4L V6
190 hp at 4800 rpm, 220 ft-lb at 3600 rpm
I would imagine there are two good reasons. One, a dyno would probably show that the Tacoma generates more torque at lower RPMs (3600 is just where it peaks). Two, the Tacoma needs an engine update. Although, engine intake/exhaust systems may have different requirements due to the operating environments that may affect performance.
1. Change it at 5K first, see how good oil looks. I use Amsoil synth oil, and in general, I change oil filter every 5-6K miles, and keep oil running for twice that long...so 10-12K with a filter change in between.
2. Corbeau seats, I suppose. Then there's a number of seats from Celica, Volvo, Eclipse that fit into Tacomas but require tinkering.
3. Sounds too expensive, I was quoted $300 for Rhino. You could do spray-in yourself for about $100 using Herculiner, but from what I hear, it's worth paying someone else to do it.
4. Do a chalk test on your tires and find out where optimal pressure is for them. Some people ride at 28, some at 30, I inflate mine (BFG AT KO, not stock) to 35.
5. You do not want to run 4WD on dry pavement....if you want to, do it in wet conditions, or just find a decent easy trail around town and go there everyonce in a while.
Ford will soon go the route of Packard, Studebaker, Hudson, Nash, DeSoto, Plymouth, Edsel, etc. if the buying decisions of my friends are any indicator of a trend in the general population.
Americans will not continue to buy unreliable, shoddy merchandise when Toyota quality is an option.
I have a vortex spray in liner. It is OK. After having it installed I've seen some older Vortex liners that do not look like they handle weather well.
Oil change? 5k with synthetic seems early to me. I would say 7500 miles with synthetic.
Seats are a weak point in the Tacoma. Beard or Corbeau offer replacement seats that have good reviews from Tacoma owners.
During the summer I drive in 4 Hi every once in a while on dry pavement. Only in a straight line, at low speeds and for a short distance (200 ft) to keep everything lubricated.
I saw a truck last year that had a Vortex Liner and became interested because it seemed like it was harder than a rhino but less rough than a line-x.
Could you elaborate for me what you like and don't like about it? Is yours colored? What are the weathering problems you saw?
Thanks,
Cyberdad Steve
I commented on this and asked if there was UV protectant in the product. Answer was no. Since my truck will have a tonneau that covers the sprayed surface on it for 95% of the time I went ahead and had the liner sprayed.
I've seen Rhino and other brands chalk out after a year or two in the sun also, but this is with early spray in liners and I'm pretty sure that current Rhino and Line-X have UV protectant incorporated into the liner material.
I have a 4 banger 5 speed 2WD 2000 Tacoma (not a Prerunner) and find it adequate for most of my needs. I drive up steep freeway grades (the I-5 Grapevine is part of my daily commute) in 4th gear because it won't hold 70 mph in 5th. It doesn't have much grunt at lower RPMs but does fine higher up. I would not want to have the same engine in an automatic, so if that is a consideration, get the 6.
It is easy to drive, and ours has been reasonably reliable. I can get 28-30 mpg with almost all freeway or mountain rural road driving. It won't turn on a dime, but isn't all that hard to park (nothing is as easy to park as my Wrangler).
I would also recommend taking a longer than normal test drive. The 2000 has very uncomfortable seating for me (my husband isn't as uncomfortable) which I didn't realize until about a month after we bought it. I understand that they changed the seating in either 2001 or 2002, but the best thing to do is try it for yourself.
I have an extra cab, 1998. The seats in the back are rapidly becoming too small for my two 10 year olds, much less my 13 year old. Crack open the wallet and get the DC or a used Tundra with the rear opening doors. I have sat in them and they are reasonably comfortable. You will not be happy with only an extra cab. I do like the Pre-runner option, except for the automatic only transmission.
Thanks!!!
I believe if you research CRs and other periodicals you'll find out that Tacomas are the most reliable vehicle (especially the 4 cylinders). Of course several Toyota vehicles(Corolla & Camry) have reputations of being very reliable but being RWD Tacoma rules.
BTW, I don't own a Tacoma ... but I will.
Just goes to show that not everything is "it's supposed to knock like that".
I did a number of 10-11 hr drives and a 17 hr drive in last 1.5 years, and did not have any problems with seats in my 2002 (same as 2001).
I far prefer the seats in my Wrangler to our 2000 Taco. The Taco is OK for less than an hour. Since my commute is normally at least an hour and a half, it gets hard to take, and I definitely want more comfortable seats!
What model is the muffler? Is this the two exhaust pipe system out of a single muffler?
Thanks
According to the dyno tests that TTORA guys have run, a pass-through muffler and TRD filter add at most 5-10hp. So I'm surprised that you got so much power.
On the other hand, I have Amsoil oiled foam filter (which has never needed cleaning in 30K miles) and magnaflow muffler as well. I didn't notice great power or mileage increase, but it's there.
Maybe you got power increase b/c you finally cleaned your air filter? 8P
Seems like the Tacoma is getting long in the tooth. Camry, Corolla, Sienna, 4Runner all have been redesigned with little change to the Tacoma during the same time frame.
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.
Here is some info. on detonation I just read http://www.misterfixit.com/deton.htm
interesting
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'!
Joe