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Comments
In March we drove down to Padre Island National Seashore by Corpus Christi and drove 30 miles down the beach to go camping. The Sport suspension handled the bumps and jolts with no problem and the 17 inch tires were great in the deep sand.
I have used the long bed capacity numerous times and would have been screwed if I had gotten the short bed.
I am also towing a 21' camper with my tacoma and I think that the extra wheelbase of the long bed helps with towing. I do use a weight distribution hitch and brake controller for towing and that helps with handling.
Anyway, I would go with the Sport package as well as the long bed option for your Double Cab.
Honestly, I would decide whether you need a rear locker or LSD. Also, even though it sounds trivial, consider the color packages. It's not cheap to get a color matched grille, rear bumper and door handles after purchase. Do you like the hood scoop or not? All of that stuff will amount to a lot more later if you decide you want to change something.
The Sport is for on-road driving. The stiffer suspension will allow it to handle better. You can always put on 16" wheels and different tires afterwards to soften the ride if it's too much for you.
If you're looking at a short bed DC (5' box), it's the same length as that access cab you drove (6' box). The DC is a little heavier. It will probably handle the similarly.
The decision is obviously up to you but I disagree that the tire/wheel combo should be a major deciding factor.
My 2005 v6 4x4 access cab came equipped with Dunlop AT20 16" tires. With 17,500 mostly highway miles there is 55% tread remainng. I rotate ev. 5K mi. and maintain 33psi.
Whatever you buy, remember to dynamic balance (not static balance), rotate ev. 5K service, and keep a psi that suits your ride and terrain best.
Since I don't do serious off-roading, I believe I get a lot more benefit from the limited slip rear on the Sport than I would get from the locker on the Off-Road. You can really tell the difference on slick or bumpy surfaces where an open differential would spin a tire.
On the note of the liking the truck, other than that ride issue, I love it. What I will be looking for at this point is a good suspension option for replacing the factory Bilsteins, because they are garbage. I need to take the truck out of town in two weeks and I am dreading it.
My opinion is save the money on the Sport package and put it into a better aftermarket suspension. The Toyota engineers to do better on their homework on this one.
My vote, SR5 DC V6 4x4 with Limited Slip. It's option #C in the Northeast. The SR5 has a nice "middle of the road" suspension. If the Sport is too rough and you don't off-road, I think this would be a suitable option.
- Aluminum Wheels (AL)
- 50 State Emissions (FE)
- Deluxe ETR Audio w/6 CD In-Dash Changer & 6 Speakers (DZ) - Limited Slip Differential (LD)
- SR5 Package #2: Sliding Rear Window w/Privacy Glass, Power Windows/Door Locks/Outside Mirrors, Remote Keyless Entry, Cruise Control, Bucket Seats w/Driver Lumbar & SR5 Fabric Trim, Chrome Grille Surround & Rear Bumper, Color-Keyed Front Bumper & Overfenders, Metallic Tone Instrument Panel Trim, Leather Steering Wheel & Shifter, Variable Speed Wipers, SR5 Badging (SL)
- Towing Package (TO)
How does picking the SR5 package over either TRD package mean that you're going to have paint chipping?
I've had my truck for 15 months now. Removed the mudflaps. Added Westin side steps. One New England winter. Not one paint chip.
Does anyone have any suggestions of better shocks that would improve the ride? I still would just assume fix the too stiff suspension issue also. And I mean too stiff based on that I think this suspension is too stiff for the factory weight of the bed, empty, which in my case is how the truck with be 80% of the time. I don't want to turn it into a girl truck with fluffy suspension, but there has to be a good progressive shock that will do a better job absorbing the initial jolts and then hold strong when weighted down.
-I have been toping up the power steering fluid ever seance I got the truck almost 1 liter so far.
-Went to the dealer and they did not see ant problem whit it then.
I was driving it last week and got a massive oil leak from one of the seals of the rack and pinion got it towed to the dealer and they replaced it on warranty told me it was a first time they saw that.
-Ever noticed that the original power steering fluid on your tacos from factory is not dextron III . It’s a clear oil.
My 2006 4cyl tacoma is also making the cycling noise when the a/c is on. In addition, I would describe:
1) the cycle period as also 20 second interval
2) the noice is more like a "whirling" sound like a solenoid or pump cycling on
3) not only the noise but the vibration of it can be felt almost like the source is below the passenger side floorboard.
4) when on, the sound and vibration exists for about a 4 second length of time.
Ardvark -- did you ever get a resolution on this or what it was truely diagnosed as? Anyone else have suggestions?
Yes, some hydra fluids are light in color, some are red, the only thing for sure, if the fluid look dark rusty/brown it needs to be replaced.
The sticker said the interior is gray. Looks taupe to me. My husband mentioned it to the salesman who said it was the lighting...still looks taupe to me. Anyway, was vacumming it out and noticed the carpeting seemed kind of cheap...didn't think much of it until I noticed some staples under the dashboard...the taupe carpet is stapled to gray carpet underneath it. What is the carpeting like in your 2006 tacomas?
Thanks, Joann
I live in Texas, and the place where I work, I have to park in uncovered parking, for about 9+ hours a day.
I've noticed several times now, in the dead of summer, around 105+, that when I first start the truck, and switch the A/C on, once the compressor kicks in, it's almost like the clutch on the compressor is not working, because it makes this loud clunk noise, and appears to be fairly hard on the engine. Almost like the clutch engages, but has no slipping, almost like what happens when you let out the clutch too fast on the transmission.
This is repeatable, but only happens on the first A/C cycle, after a very hot day. I normally park with the front end of the truck facing West, so that my sun shade provides the best benefit. This week, I am parking my truck facing East, to see if it's related to engine compartment heating.
I'm sitting at almost 33K miles, so if I'm going to do anything, I need to take it in quickly.
Being that new, the carpet should not have needed to be replaced (or covered over). Your best bet, is to remove one of the door sill covers (plastic--it comes off by just pulling up on it), and lift the carpet to look for water lines, or see if moisture has been in it.
Does it appear that the carpet has a fragrant type of shampoo in it? Most flood cards will stink pretty bad, but usually, this is fixed by cleaning the carpet with strong cleaners. I'm surprised that they would leave the old carpet in, if they were replacing the original. It's almost a dead giveaway, if someone found the old carpet, as you have.
If the car is a flood car, then you should be able to find some way to get your money back, since it would have been sold without telling you, but it could be a long and painful ordeal to get sorted out.
I have a 4WD SR5#3 05 DC 6 speed manual Taco. I put a Borla Cat-Back exhaust, alpine IVA-W200 dvd player with Sirius and iPod and a plug for GameCube. I love this truck so much, I want to get a window tint, component speakers, and change out the grill. What does everyone think about the different grills you can get for the Tacos?
I started parking towards the East the last couple weeks, and have not had the issue anymore. And, the past few days, have been some of the hottest Texas days we have had.
So, I'm not sure what the problem is, except that it may be engine compartment heating. It would be a difficult thing to reproduce at the dealer, since it only happens the first time the truck is started, after having sit for several hours. Basically, they would have one chance per day to see what the problem is. I would hate to have something eventually break, because at 33,000 miles, it will happen when there is 36,001 miles on the truck.
I agree. I also don't know why you'd purposely want the higher ride height and associated handling detriments if you didn't need the clearance and didn't get the benefits of 4WD.
But for some reason, Toyota sells a lot of PoseRunners.
If I didn't need 4WD, I'd want a lowered, great handling truck not a tall one with an artifically high CG.
Also there is not better gas mileage (I'm not saying you said this wooddorker, just don't want to put two replies in because I'm lazy like that) just because it is 2WD. It's only better when you're actually DRIVING in 4WD vs 2WD. I like the 4WD because at least I have the OPTION to use it (and to engage it just takes a twist of a dial). Someone else said they like the ride height better - fair enough, I mean I feel weird riding in anything that's not an SUV or truck. But you can get the same ride height with a 4WD!
If I had a "PoseRunner" as you aptly named it, I would probably tear that silver "Pre-Runner" sign off. Most non-Toyota drivers know that 4WD Tacos will always have a "4X4" emblem on the mudflaps.
Basically, if you want an improved ride height, get a Ford 500. Why bother buying an SUV or truck (especially a Tacoma, because they're BUILT for off road, they don't ever make moonroofs because it is not conducive to offroading) that can't drive through the mud? Unless, you're a woman or someone who would never even CONSIDER going offroad, then I can kinda see, but if that was the case, you wouldn't get the O/R package in the first place. I'm really only ragging people with O/R packages and 2WD, not people with just 2WD.
http://redlinetuning.com/QL-TOY-TACOMA-95+.html
I am very happy with my kit. This is a great chance to get $13 off any model they offer for the 2005+ Tacomas.
Please come and ask any questions or add your name to the list if interested:
http://toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=122904&page=25
Thanks.
To get all snobbish like some are doing here about the 4x4 thing and calling 4x2’s PoseRunners, please, get a life, it’s a truck. 4x4’s are great for traction and many other things, but if you really want to start comparing on a 4x4 Tacoma handling slick surfaces, I will put my Audi A6 Quattro up against anything. The American and Japanese manufacturers don’t have a clue when it comes to active slip control. That being said, I wouldn’t load a motorcycle in the back of my Audi and go into the hills with it, so there is still room for the 4x4 trucks in the world.
it's my money not yours, i have the choice of where to spend my hard earned cash don't i?
Yeah, and 4WD are DEFINITELY not for handling curves, sorry if it sounded like that!
The question is, why do people buy them? Now there's a discussion. I believe the reasons that have been stated before are all valid - looks like a 4WD, more ground clearance, better sight lines while driving, lower insurance and a little better mileage than 4WD. Maybe even add "chicks dig 'em" to that list. It's a unique vehicle as well. The push-button Electronically Locking Differential is great for sand, mud and rocky terrain, and reverts back to 2WD for better mileage and lower insurance. Oh, and it costs thousands less to buy, and additional hundreds less for insurance over it's lifetime.
I've got a friend that has had one for 7 years, and he loves it. It gets him and 1-3 friends up to Big Bear for snowboarding just fine. That ground clearance is a real help there.
For some, I'm sure it's sort of a "Practical Poser" of a 4WD. Perfect for some, not for others. But a good alternative for lots of people.
I wish they'd put that EDL on as an option for all models.