Toyota Tacoma 2005+

drey2

thanks for the input - I'll try pushing out on the passenger window at freeway speed to see if that's it and if it is this will make it easier to put the dealer on the spot...

wooddorker

PIE Interface:


I have no connection with these guys other than this one transaction. The interfaces are also available elsewhere.

This device connects into the "data port" on the back of the factory 6 disc changer. Since the changer is built into the radio, one of the ends of the PIE cable dosen't get used. If you had a separate changer, the unit would plug in between the radio & changer. The device has L&R RCA inputs on it, where the XM, Sirius, or MP3 player can connect. I stuck the interface box up behind the glove box, and left the 1/8" end of a 1/8" to dual RCA cable hanging out under the dash.

To get at the back of the radio, you have to pop the climate control panel off from the bottom, and remove (4) 10mm bolts. That's it! Be careful not to scratch the dash when popping the climate control panel off. I usually use some cardboard, like a shirt box might be made of, to protect the plastic.

My Roady II is currently on the center console, but I'm considering different locations. I have a 6 speed, which uses a different console than automatics. The factory radio's tuner sound quality isn't great, the XM unit sounds just like a CD using the direct connect.

wooddorker

"Within the next few weeks, I would like to purchase this vehicle. I would like to know a few things before that time comes. Does it seem that many of the initial problems this truck had when it first was released are addressed at this time?"

My truck was built in March and delivered 3/28, and is perfect. That circumstantial fact is about as useful as someone reporting a problem.

Remember how many of these trucks have been sold, and that while it sucks if it's yours, there are very few who have actually reported problems.

wooddorker

I forgot to mention:

To USE the interface, you simply set the CD changer to DISC 1 - TRACK 1, and if no disc is in the #1 slot, you'll hear the sat rad or MP3 player. Inserting a disc in slot #1 plays the disc. Discs 2-6 still work as they always did. To load slots 2-6, you need to load slots 1-6, and then remove the #1 disc to use the aux input.

The only downside is that if you remove, say disc #5, the next disc inserted will go into slot #1. If there is a way to load a disc specifically into a slot, I haven't found it yet. The changer automatically loads each CD into the first empty slot. The simple workaround is simply to load a disc into slot #1, the ones you WANT to listen to in the next slots, and then remove # 1. It's less of a pain in actual practice than it sounds like when described. Especially since I don't really listen to many CD's now that I have XM! :shades:

wooddorker

Somehow the link to a vendor got dropped. Here it is:
http://www.logjamelectronics.com/pietoy03aux.html

jackhammer

I am around 6'1" 195 pds and have had no problems. I went from a 95 T-100 which is bigger to the Tacoma and it has been fine. The only difference I noticed is that my left leg has less room now as the T-100 didn't have any power options and the Tacoma does, taking up some room on the door.

wooddorker

I'm 6' 1", and an athletic 225, and love the fit of the Taco. I think Toyota makes some of the nicest bucket seats around.

Have you driven both? A size 10 shoe often fits differently from different brands. Try them on, get in them for real, and stop reading specs! Buy the truck that cradles your loins the way you expect.

I love my Taco, but the Frontier is a sweet ride as well.

rgreen165

Not driven both yet, been meaning to go by and get in a Tacoma, but haven't yet. I'm feeling better now though since the last two responses. Just got bored at work and started looking at the specs. Well, I wear a size 13 shoe, can probably fit in a size 12 though, hopefully that won't make too big of a different. Hopefully the Tacoma will cradle my loins the way I expect

centralcal

If you test the Taco, I would make sure you look for the sport ed.. I don't like the hood scoop, but the sport seats are absolutely fantastic. I almost went with the Taco because of these seats, the SR5 seats are not that comfortable IMHO.

volley

You get the sport seats on the TRD Off Road package as well. Love them!

bjw1

I am 6 ft and I dont have the seat all the back, a couple of notches from the farthest position, and I am really comfortable for me, dont know what everybody else is at, maybe someone else could chime in, but on my side I fit really well.

robl2

I was experiencing a wind whistle around the driver's side window. I discovered that if I applied some tape around the outside window glass seal that the whistle would stop. Through the process of elimination I figured out that the area that was leaking wind was the frontmost edge of the side window glass, perhaps at the corners. This is immediately in front of the outside mirror. I had my dealer's parts department order in a replacement seal in advance so I would only have to make one trip. It was an easy and quick repair requiring no door dissasembly. I have had no further whistle since the seal was replaced.
The part number listed on the exploded view drawing at the parts department was 68151C (LH, driver's side) or 68141C (RH, passenger's side)

pb2themax

Check the "Prices Paid & Buying Experiences" forum for more info.

Find out the exact MSRP of the truck you want. You can go to www.toyota.com and build the truck, and it will give you the MSRP. $2000 or more off of the MSRP is a pretty good deal right now. I got $2,315 off of the MSRP. The deals might get better as they get closer to receiving the 06 models in a few months.

And just because the dealer doesn't have the truck on the lot doesn't mean you can't get one. Dealers trade vehicles with eachother. My dealer traded one of his Tundra's to a dealer in Indiana in return for the exact Tacoma that I wanted. They send out faxes to the surrounding dealers to see if one of them has the vehicle that they need to get. Just decide on the specifics of the truck, then work on the price, and then the dealer will find the truck you want.

nbtacoma

6'1, 220 (all muscle....ahem...) and I don't have the seat all the way back either. I can barely depress the clutch fully with the seat all the way back.

howdy1

I think Toyota will resolve most of the problems, except for the paint, which unfortunately is big deal breaker for me. Those who have not noticed paint chips, squeaks, bumps, and leaks are probably going to. If Toyota were just honest about the issues and fixing them, then I would have no problem buying one.
I would understand in 3 years after 36K miles when they aren't as helpful, but within the first 5K miles? I see post after post of dissatisfied customer not being taken care of by the dealership. I don't have time for that BS. I guess Toyota cannot be honest because if they told you when these things got fixed, then the current models would get blacklisted. It all comes down to sales and the almighty dollar.

"Remember how many of these trucks have been sold, and that while it sucks if it's yours, there are very few who have actually reported problems."

True, but wouldn't you be really pissed at yourself when you buy a $30K truck with loads of "issues" and then you find yourself having to deal with them? Because I am an engineer, and I have done my homework, I am doomed to get a :lemon: . In some cases ignorance is bliss.

lewis4

Get me a price live in N-Calif

deluxechev

Got pictures of the vent shades installed on your truck? I'm thinking of doing the same on my truck, along with the hood protector. Only thing keeping me from doing it is I saw the hood protector on a little silver 4 banger in a parking lot and I wasn't really feeling it if you know what I’m saying. If my truck was a darker color, and not silver, I wouldn’t hesitate, but judging from the little truck I saw it on, it kind of sticks out. But then again, that truck was a stripped down base model that did not have paint and chrome on the front bumper and grill.

wooddorker

"True, but wouldn't you be really pissed at yourself when you buy a $30K truck with loads of "issues" and then you find yourself having to deal with them?"

Of course! I'd be pissed with a $12k truck with issues.

However, by reading surveys such as this:
http://www.consumerreports.org/main/content/display_report.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=40255- 7&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=333137&bmUID=1114518891676

I realize that I'm far less likely to be disappointed. Nobody ever said Toyota was perfect. However, take a look at which brands seem to appear over and over.

You pays your money.... :confuse:

hammaa

"robsatx" - That's funny...I was supposed to get the JBL setup too, but they sent me the tow package instead...! Question: why did you purchase off e-bay instead of the website? The DC package is $99 on ebay, but only $93 on their site...

johndeerejoe

I am wanting to install a westin bull bar on my 05 dc taco. I am wondering if i'll have to remove the skid plate before the install. Could someone with the Bull Bar or a similar setup take me a picture of how it mounts to the truck. Thanks joe

gramps2

A local dealer tells me that Toyota has quit manufacturing the 2005 Tacoma Access Cab PreRunner in a 4-cylinder, 5 speed configuration. Can anyone confirm or dispute this claim? I like the V6, but I'm not willing to pay an extra two thousand to have one.

krok_32

What octane are you using? Sounds like decent mileage...

stevemr1

I have my dibs in for the exact pickup at my local dealer. I have had mine on order for almost a month. My dealer is telling me they are still trying to obtain one but they have to wait for the allocation. I'm in the Chicago region and they are checking other regions as well. I'm not sure if my dealer is being upfront with me.I called the largest dealer in my state and they told me that I would most likely have to wait at least 3 or 4 months and it would probably be a 2006 model. This isn't one of the most popular models. I'm with you though-I don't want to pay thousands extra for the V6 and I want the extra mileage of the 4 cylinder. I have the silver Access Cab Prerunner with SR-5 package#2 and DZ stereo upgrade on order.Let me know if you hear anymore.

whitepipe

I just bought a 2005 tacoma double cab. I too hear a whistle while driving around 80 or 90 mph. what speed was your taco whistling?

larry10

80 or 90??? lol

troutdoorsman

I will be towing a boat with a tongue weight that is fairly light (I can pick the tounge of the trailer up using one hand somewhat easily). I don't have a hitch package on the truck.(4cyl. 4X4). I asked the service manager at my local dealership if it would be ok to tow this using only the hitch ball through the hole in the bumper. He told me as long as it was that light, it would be ok. I asked the same question to someone in the parts dept. and he told me he wouldn't reccommend towing anything using just the bumper. Immediately I thought the parts guy was just saying that to get me to buy the class IV hitch and everything that goes with it. My question is this: Does anybody know the max. the truck can haul using just the bumper? Are there any suggestions? And isn't a class IV hitch too much for my little 4 cylinder?!?!

megamole

Nope you just slap it right on the truck, no problems putting it on either. It looks really hot on the truck, plus they send you free lights if you buy before june. post your email if you want go back a couple pages, there is a picture of my silver double cab with bullbar and platinum step tubes.

rsj

engineerboo,

What octane gas are you burning? I have the V6 and average around 18-19. One my third tank now.

Thanks,

Randy

gra

can anyone tell me if the tray[bed] size on the tacoma the same as the toyota sr5 dual cab as just [2005] seen here in australia, ide like to order a tonneau cover which is made for the tacoma from the states and the pics look same but dont know about rear bed sizes on the dual cab, can any one tell me if these 2 cars are the same just renamed for the countries or supply detailed bed dimentions.
thanks

bearcrkrd

" judging from the little truck I saw it on, it kind of sticks out"

Bought a Hood Protector today at a Toyota dealer. $79.95, part #PT427-35060, has a small 'toyota' off towards one edge.
I've never cared for hood protectors, thought they were funny looking. Kind of sticks out is accurate. I was told this thing would redirect the airflow to send a good portion of the bugs up and over the windshield. Also, I had to use touch-up paint on a flat toothpick 3-4 times on the front hood of my last truck, 2001- Reg Cab- 4x2- 5spd- 78,000 trouble free miles
I now have the bottom of the line 2005 model, Reg Cab, 4x2. This thing looks good on there. It goes with the dark grille and big black plastic bumper. It is smaller than many I've seen on other vehicles, has a low profile. Was plenty worried it would look bad, so thought I'd respond to your post.

profcarbuyer

Remember Toyota dealers are independent from Toyota. They purchase the vehicles from a middle man then sell them to the public. I have just placed an order for someone and I usually only order from the factory. The process is:Toyota creates truck based on what packages sell the best together in a region. I sometime go and order a vehicle from a dealer in a different region so that my customer can get what they want. Its usually takes 3-4 weeks for the factory to build it.

Good luck!

gramps2

Well Steve I hope yours finally arrives someday. Except for the stereo, you've ordered the exact same truck I was looking at. Unfortunately, I didn't anticipate having to order it, particularly in the Houston area. So here it is almost May and with a 3-4 month wait, it looks like I'll be lucky to take delivery by Thanksgiving. Maybe this is Toyota's way of saying "Can I interest you in a Tundra, we can't GIVE those away right now?".
Thanks Toyota..

jdvailco

MIINE IS BEING BUILT OT THOSE EXACT SPECS ON MAY 2 AND DELIVERED TO EAST COAST

tjyoder

Someone posted that they could negate the wind noise by pushing on the passenger window. Has anyone else found this to work for them? And if so, any chance that installing the window vent shades might negate some of the problem?

deluxechev

That’s the problem, my bumper is painted silver to match the car and has the chrome looking grill. My fear is that the dark hood protector on my truck will look funny on my silver truck. How do you like how it functions? Any difference in bug kill count as apposed to when you ran without one? The one I saw on the 05 reg cab 4x2 didn’t have a real nice smooth profile that ran well with the front end. But I’ve seen some that look real nice. Especially on black and dark blue trucks. I’ll see what they’ve got at the dealership tomorrow when I go for the Info session they are holding for new Tacoma owners.

robl2

My wind whistle would start at speeds as low as 40 mph.

toytruck

Sent my form in to file for arbritration today on the paint chipping. Finding new chips weekly.

nbtacoma

I have a silver tacoma with a hood deflector and can send you a pic if you want.

stevemr1

Profcarbuyer- I am still a bit confused about this ordering process.When I said I have my order in, I meant that I have my order in with the dealer. They tell me they have to wait for the correct allocation. Dealers tell me you can't order direct from the factory so I called up Toyota corporate and they said the same, yet you say that you usually only order from the factory. Can you please explain? What can I do to speed this process up. My dealer is telling me they are checking other regions.

bearcrkrd

This is the first full day for the hood protector. It looks good on my Base model Desert Sand Mica, and I can also understand your concern with it going with silver.
I went 25 miles one-way on two different State Hiways to get to a park and take a walk in the woods. Just got back a short time ago. I'm not sold on the 'bug deflector' part of this. Looks like Hood Protector is what it was called and what I got. Nothing final after one day, though. I got a funny feeling those big ugly ones probably do the job better. I did discover if you concentrate real hard you can sure see the bugs coming at you!
bearcrkrd

carbon12

stevemr1,

Each dealer earns an allocation of vehicles based upon the number of vehicles they sold the previous month. If the dealer you ordered from is doing poorly with sales then they will not be able to help you because their vehicle allocation number will be low. It seems they are asking you to wait while they sale enough vehicles to earn a Tacoma allocation. The allocation numbers for next month will be known this Friday.

Contact Toyota headquarters via the 1-800-GO-TOYOTA number and ask them for the top three dealers in your "Zone" (the region in the US where you are). Use the www.toyota.com site and build your vehicle with your zip code. Your zip code will place you in your zone and give you the options available for your zone. If you want options not available in your zone then you will have to ask a dealer's fleet manager to place a "Preference Order" on your behalf.

Another route to take is to enter a zip code to an adjacent zone and see if that zone will give you the option combinations you desire. If so make the deal in that zone and pay for the vehicle to be transported to you or pick it up yourself.

dr_turbo

What is the dealer charge for this option? Can't get it in my region with the sport package so I was going to have the dealer install it but I am concerned about them screwing something up in the process. Is it a difficult installation? Is it worth it after the fact?
I might just tell them to forget it and I will deal on some step bars. What do ya think?
This is for an 05 taco double cab.

PAUL

msibille

They are both right to some degree.
The step bumper should have tow and tongue weight ratings on it.
Don't exceed those.

Next, your vehicle has tow ratings as well. Ref the owner's manual, and the sticker inside the driver's door frame. Keep in mind (ref owner's manual) limits for your engine/transmission without aux. coolers. However, there is no doubt that you can tow SOME trailers w/ your engine/transmission and no "tow package". The question is what is the limit. Also relevant is how far, what speeds, terrain, and elevation. If you're towing a 1000 Lb gross weight utility trailer around the family farm, that's one thing. Anything that calls itself a pickup truck should be able to do that. If you're going up and down hills for hours at a time, issues with cooling and brakes become important. Again, refer to the manufacturer's specs.

The other thing to consider is tongue height. My PreRunner step bumper is far too high to tow my sailboat trailer. Even my receiver hitch requires a deep drop ball mount to get the trailer frame level.

volley

I have the same truck and have the hood protector and I actually like it. I think it goes well with the black mirrors, door handles, ect.

jsand

Has anyone let their gas tank alarm come on? Mine came on today and when I went to fill up, it took less than 18 gallons to fill up. Looks like there was about 3 gallons (in 21.1 gallon tank) (50 to 60 miles) left in the tank. Just wondering if anyone else has checked this out.

pb2themax

Yet another reason to love the Taco.

Tow Vehicle of the Year

bjw1

I never had the light come on but from what i understand when light comes on there are about 2-3 gals left to give you a chance to get to the gas station, most vehicles do that, makes sense than just light come on and then run out, but nice to know that just in case

2005taco

I have a 2005 Tacoma. For now, I would like to modify the existing inverter so that it will work with the truck turned off, be 400 watts when the truck is on, off or driving and have an outlet in the cab. Do you know if there is a mod posted on this?
Also, where are you planning to mount the 2nd battery? There is not a lot of room under the hood, but it is a pretty long run to go to the bed. Any thoughts?

thanks

gr8blue1

gra, you can check out the tacoma specs from www.toyota.com/tacoma. as for the hilux specs, look at hilux.toyota.com.au.

if anyone cares to look, yota has a 4.0L turbo diesel vvti v6 overseas. would have been nice if it's sold here in the US. those diesel engines are brutal and fuel efficient.

bearcrkrd

I had to fill up for the first time this morning. I ran around a dozen mostly freeway miles after the light came on before filling. It took 17.88 gal. I topped it to 18gal.
435 miles @ 24mpg. Maybe 60%+ freeway/hiway. I haven't seen 3,000 rpm yet. Hit 2,500 a few times. Will keep watch and also keep reading here.