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Comments
I talked to a Wisconsin Chevy dealer after I got my PreRunner. He said that they sell a lot of 4x2 Z71 trucks to farmers and construction guys because they don't like 4x4 (extra things to break, worse millage, extra cost) and that a 4x2 works fine for them. He said they like the extra ground clearance because that gets them into the areas that they need to go to.
I bought a PreRunner because it has the ground clearance I need to get into some of fishing holes I visit, but in 12 years of visiting never needed 4x4 to get into.
The thing is that for 95% of 4x4 owners, they only use 4x4 maybe 1% of the time. A 4x2 with limited slip (or a locker) and a little extra ground clearance will usually get you through that 1%. 4x4 is nice, but it's a lot of money to spend for something that I don't really need.
Can't remember if that is still true, or ever was, but I remember hearing something about it.
I've got a 4x4, and am probably one of the 1% people. We drove to Colorado last year, but never even put it in 4x4, because the couple we stayed with, did the driving. Had we done it, it would have been used on the way to Copper Mountain.
I've used it in a handful of situations here in Texas, in the 1.5 years I've had it. A couple days of icy roads, the rest, very slick wet roads.
The PreRunner got it's name from the trucks that they pre-run off road races like Baja. They're 4x2 trucks with "big" suspension.
It's interesting that the off-road trophy trucks are 4x2.
Thanks
It also came in handy this past summer when I saved alot of digging to yank out a couple of 5 ft. nuisance trees. Merely fastened a tow strap from the tow hitch to the tree trunk.
I feel that 2 vs. 4WD is a matter of geography and lifestyle.
I have a 4wd. Its great for those that need it. Its only used for off-road and snow traction. How many miles do you 4wd owners have IN 4wd? seriously. (I have just under 1000 miles in 21 months, I consider that alot)
Off-road, I'm surprised myself how far I can got without using 4wd. If your not mud bogging Prerunner is a great choice for light off-roading. You still have the clearance.
Snow, well I have 4wd and will be the first to tell you, its about the tires, not the drivetrain. I run snow tires in winter, and often find myself on packed roads still in 2wd. Braking and cornering are the same, only acclerating espeically up hills and tracking (back end not coming around) are better in 4wd.
If given the choice of going out in a snowstorm in a prerunner (with LSD rear) and snow tires, or a 4wd with stock tires, I'd take the prerunner.
In the end if you really don't need 4wd, then your saving $2500 bucks off the price, more maintence, 250 lbs, and gallon of gas every fill-up.
If I didn't live in a hilly lake-effect snow area, and find myself out before the plows, I'd have a prerunner.
Make sure you choose one of the kits for your correct model year. The 95-04 Tacoma kits are on the top, the 2005+ kits are on the bottom.
The pricing looks like this:
QTY 30+ Redline Tuning QuickLIFT - $56.95 ($13 discount) + shipping
QTY 30+ Redline Tuning QuickLIFT PLUS - $71.95 ($13 discount) + shipping
QTY 30+ Redline Tuning QuickLIFT ELITE - $96.95 ($13 discount) + shipping
The discount has already been applied, shipping will be applied at check out.
You will receive an email confirmation after you purchase the kit. You will also receive a FedEx tracking number. That tracking number will not be valid until 30 kits have been purchased and your kit has been shipped. The faster you place your order the faster everyone gets their kits. The URL will be open until 30 orders have been placed and then as long as orders continue to come in. If a day goes buy without an order, the group buy will be over and the URL will be invalid.
Anyway, I have a 2006 4x4 and would definitely have gotten the Prerunner 4x2 if I could have gotten away with it. I mean, it's cheaper, less parts to break and gets 1 mpg better mileage..and it has the cool looks of a 4x4. But the deal is this, where I hunt quail in California, I only get about 1/8 mile before getting stuck in 4x2 in the sandy creek-beds etc. where I hunt. A quick switch to 4x4 gets me on my way the extra miles I need to go. Unfortunately, I've even needed a 4x6 a few times! (that's why I always carry a shovel, tow strap etc.)
Here in So. Cal, it's almost funny the people driving 4x4's - trucks & cars, since you know that very few ever see anything but pavement - and it's not like you need 4WD for the kind of rain we get, and even the skiers don't really need a 4x4 (ok, maybe once every couple of years).
It is really a no-brainer, if you don't REALLY need a 4x4, get the PreRunner....
We are doing some reorganization of topics here, in an effort to make things a little more focused and easier to follow. For those of you who regularly read this discussion, we invite you to check out the new focused discussions here at the Toyota Tacoma Group. We would like you to use these discussions first, based on your particular question or comment. This discussion will continue to be where owners can hang out and make general comments about their Tacos, but if you have specific component questions, we'd like you to use some of the others (e.g. Body Accessories for things like grille guards, side steps, tonneaus).
Thanks!
kcram - Pickups Host
Please let me know if you got a fix.
Tom Clark
vmiman@earthlink.net
kcram - Pickups Host
I was biking near Toyota of Rancho Santa Margarita today. Just for fun, I took a look at the big line-up of new 4-cyl. Tacoma Access Cabs there; then I saw something I hadn't seen before. I'd gotten accustomed to seeing mileage ratings of 20/27 for the manual, and 21/26 for the four-speed auto. This auto showed 21/27. Looking closer at the sticker, I saw that it was a 2007. Not a a lot more mpg, but it's a change in the right direction. Just FYI, FWIW. I've also read that side airbags and VSC & TRAC may be more available this year...
I have a 2005 Tacoma, that has about 15,000 miles on it. Over the last couple of months, I have experienced a starting problem. It only does it once in a while. When I go to start it, it just cranks and cranks. The second turn of the key and it just starts up. I have noticed it more, after the vehicle has been running for a while and I turn it off and then go to start it 5-30 minutes later.
Doesn't sound bad, until it happens to you. I have over 35K miles on mine now, and haven't noticed it since the first couple times it happened. Could be weather related, but I'm not sure.
They did everything in the service booklet, except replacing the limited slip differential fluid, and they drained and flushed the engine coolant?! What the heck. I said that they should have done the LSD, and they looked at me puzzled.
I wasn't sure I had the right service schedule, so I didn't really say much else. Well, the engine coolant isn't supposed to be flushed until 100K miles!?
They also did other crap, like added a fuel additive, and cleaned the injectors. I'm pretty ticked off about it, and am waiting for them to call me back for their "survey."
I feel that they should at least do the diff service for free, since they did an unnecessary treatment on the truck, and cause me to have to bring it back in.
I guess next time, instead of just telling them to do the 30K mile service, I'll just bring MY service schedule in, and tell them to do what's on it, anything extra, and the dealer gets to pay for it...
Are there any implications to not having the LSD fluid changed until 60K miles?
I drove an '07 4 cyl 2WD Access Cab last Friday, and thought it was even quieter than the '06 I had driven previously. I think they fixed some window/door seals, and the seats are a little more comfortable as well. I'm still on the fence about whether to get a truck or another small SUV.
My tip (and I used to work at a dealer), check your maint book before you go. Then go over what they will and won't be doing. You dont need to be charged 20 bucks to add a bottle of STP injector cleaner.
I did my 30K major myself at 20K a and replaced rear & front diff, transfer case, and transmission oil. The LSD rear was pretty dirty. If you do indeed have a Mech LSD, I would change it if you are at or above 30K.
I do have the mechanical LSD. I guess I should take it back in to have that service performed. Better yet, how hard was it to do it yourself? What steps are involved...guess I could break out the service manuals and find out...I may find I have all the tools needed to do it.
You'll need 3 quarts of 80w-90 gear oil. Make sure is its a GL-5 hypoid good for Limited slip too. I ran Pennzoil semi-syn, was about 5 bucks each quart. Have a six inch piece of tubing that will fit on the nozzle or a pump.
There are two 24mm bolts on the back of rear diff. Place catch container under diff. Loosen top (fill) one first, then loosen lower (drain) bolt. let drain.
Now retighten the lower bolt to 27-30 ft/lbs. Ready to refill. If you have pump, pump away, otherwise put tubing piece on gear oil nozzle, hold upside down between axle and spare, let gravity fill it up. It will take all 3 quarts. You know its full when it starts spilling out. Tighten top bolt 27-30 ft/lbs. Your done, and spent less than 20 bucks.
Take used oil to any auto store or garage for proper disposal.
thanks
That said, I was looking at Mobil's web site, and they have some 75W-90 fully synthetic oil. It says that it is designed for limited slip differentials, but that in some cases, an additive may be needed. Wonder if the Tacoma would need anything along with this oil, or if 75W is just not right for it?
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Other_Products/Mobil_1_Fully_Synthe- tic_Gear_Lube_75W-90LS.aspx
I'm also wondering about retoruqing the shaft. I'll have to look that one up. I'm sure it requires more torque than the torque wrench I have can measure...
Thanks for the assistance on the diff oil change. Can't believe it's that easy.
I remember earlier in this thread, that some people had some starting problems where it just wouldn't ever start. I don't remember exactly how they got the problem fixed, or what it was, but you might want to search the thread. It was way back when only the 2005's were out.
I can run 87, 89 or 93 in my 2005. The '07 is still going to "recommend" premium, as all Toyota V6 engines do. I do get noticeably better gas mileage and acceleration running 93. However it still ran fine (i.e. no knocking) on 87.
Here is the list of changes from Toyota for the 2007 model Tacoma:
1. 2TR-FE ENGINE
The tailpipe emission regulation except for the California models complies with the Bin5.
The shape of the exhaust manifold has been changed.
The capacity of the TWC (Three-Way Catalytic converter) has been optimized.
The generator pulley with the one-way clutch is used.
2. 1GR-FE ENGINE
The capacity of the TWC has been optimized.
The same generator pulley as in the 2TR-FE engine is used.
3. Brake Control System
The brake control system (ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, TRAC, VSC, Auto LSD) is available as optional equipment for the X-Runner.
On the models with the VSC function, the Auto LSD switch has been discontinued, and the VSC OFF switch and the VSC OFF light have been provided.
The VSC/TRAC warning light has been discontinued. As the VSC/TRAC warning light has been
discontinued and the VSC OFF light has been added, the illumination patterns of the respective warning lights and indicator lights during the operation and the malfunction of the brake control system have been changed.
4. Tire Pressure Warning System
The illumination pattern of the tire pressure warning light during the tire pressure warning system
malfunction has been changed.
5. Combination Meter
The following indicator lights have been newly added or discontinued in the combination meter.
The RSCA (Roll Sensing of Curtain shield Airbag) OFF indicator light has been added for the models with the RSCA.
The VSC/TRAC indicator light has been discontinued.
6. SRS Airbag
The RSCA has been newly provided on the models with the curtain shield airbag.
The RSCA OFF switch, which turns OFF the RSCA, is also used.
The passenger airbag manual ON-OFF switch, which was provided for the regular cab type models with the front bench seat, has been discontinued.
7. Audio System
The neodymium speaker is used to reduce the speaker body weight.
Nothing too groundbreaking here. It's the same truck, as expected.
What is the difference here? Is a clutch not used in the 2005?
I just wonder if this is perhaps the reason that sometimes in the dead middle of summer in Texas, that when I start the truck, and engage the AC for the first time, that there is this loud noise generated...
Not sure, but I guess since my truck just passed the 36,000 mile mark this week, I'm hosed.
In addition, the 4-cylinder EPA Mileage Rating went up (see Toyota's site for more info) - like 1 mpg - not a huge deal.
They also changed the seats. More info at link title
I drove a 2007 Access Cab 4-cylinder Auto a few weeks ago, and it also seemed that the wind noise is less than in the 2006 I drove awhile back. The seats DID feel more comfortable. But that may be because I'm a pretty big, wide guy.
Marcus
http://www.TacomaWorld.com