Toyota Tacoma 2005+

19293959798149

Comments

  • msibillemsibille Member Posts: 275
    YES!

    Everytime my 5ft 110 lb daughter drives the truck, she not only moves the seat fwd, but moves the tilting back of the seat up. If I forget, my back ACHES after a while.

    Try tilting the seat back aft a bit. You'll start to feel much better support in the lower back. Even though the seat back didn't feel like it was "folding me in half", that small difference makes a huge difference in how my back feels.
  • mainetacomainetaco Member Posts: 3
    I have an 05 Tacoma Double Cab that I bought in mid July - great truck except that I have noticed some flaws in the dash vinyl that I was wondering if others have noticed too and have raised as issues with their dealers. In the dash vinyl piece just above the glove box that covers the air bag, there are a number of slightly raised ridges and swirls that are definitiely noticeable from the driver's side but not so noticeable if you look straight on from the passenger side seat. This is hard plastic so I don't think they are ridges caused by folds in the airbag underneath. They look like plastic molding defects. Kind of drives me nuts. I haven't raised this as an issue with my dealer yet and was curious to know if others have and what the results were. I think this piece is part of the dash board which would need to be replaced in its entirety and I would be worried that if the dealer did that, I probably end up with dash rattles or something worse. Any opinions? Thanks...
  • lamikelamike Member Posts: 27
    I have the same problem except that mine is a mark that was put there by careless handling. I brought it to the dealer's attention and they had no problem with replacing it. My problem is that they DO have to replace the entire dash cover so, rather than take a chance with them screwing up something, I left it as is. It's on file with the dealer and he said that if I change my mind he'll replace it anytime as long as it's in warranty. I got that from the service manager.
    :shades:
  • mainetacomainetaco Member Posts: 3
    Thanks, sounds like a good idea to get the issue on record just in case I can't take it anymore and want to get the dash replaced before the warranty is over!
  • kaumanuakaumanua Member Posts: 1
    I just saw an '05 PreRunner Sport with dual exhaust on the road today. Heard different views as to whether this hurts or helps performance and MPG. One thing for sure... it does look nice! Anyone know if there is a cat-back dual exhaust kit out yet or do we need to visit our local muffler shop for a custom weld up?
  • aztacoaztaco Member Posts: 36
    My roommate finally talked me into letting him drive my new Taco to the store last night. When I got in the truck this morning it was in 4 Wheel Hi. The store is about 5 miles away. He says he didn’t turn it on but it was on. When I first got the truck, I mistakenly turned it on a few times when reaching for the A/C, but caught my mistake because I know what that little light on the dash means.

    This being my first 4 Wheel Drive, here is my question: Did it hurt anything? It was driven in 4 Wheel Hi on dry pavement either 5 or 10 miles.
  • boone88rrboone88rr Member Posts: 194
    Take a deep breath, you don't need to castrate your roommate.
    This is why nobody drives my truck, nobody. Especially not if I'm not there.

    As far as 4WD High, the manual actually suggests that you should drive the truck 5 to 10 miles a month in 4WD in order to keep everything lubricated. Being the first time he "borrowed" your truck, he probably opened it up. Not ideal in 4WD on dry pavement but he probably didn't hurt much other than your gas budget (almost $3 a gallon!?!).

    Hell, at least it wasn't in 4WD Low. ;)
  • pb2themaxpb2themax Member Posts: 471
    I can't find that same transistor anywhere. Got a spare one? Click on my name and e-mail me. Thanks
  • tacoma2tacoma2 Member Posts: 8
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  • aztechianaztechian Member Posts: 31
    California considers any pickup truck to be a "commercial" vehicle. I asked about this when I got my first truck (a Ford Ranger) and thats what I was told. Don't worry... its probably only so that they can justify the higher fees on it :D
  • aztechianaztechian Member Posts: 31
    I really like the meguiars vinyl/rubber spray. I believe it's this one:
    http://www.meguiars.com/estore/product_detailpage.cfm?product=Gold-Class-Vinyl/Rubber-Prot- ectant&sku=G10624&sectionID=12101

    Anyway, it's thicker than armor-all and aerospace 303 and works really well for the new toyota dashes because you can wipe it across without the dash sucking it all up and limiting it to a small spot.
  • white05tacowhite05taco Member Posts: 17
    "I routed my xm antenna wire thru the 3rd brake light and then down the side under the moulding to the center console any question feel free contact me was real easy to do"

    Can you expand a little on this. I took the reflector (cover) off the third brake light last weekend, and got as far as the silver piece underneath (that has the 3 bulbs in it). Is that piece just held on by double-sided tape or something? I pulled on it gently, but it didn't pop off like I thought it might, and I was too big a coward to force it out.

    Also, can you talk a little bit about how the moulding inside the cab comes off? Is it held in by clips, double-sided tape, or what? Lastly, once you got the antenna inside past the brake light, what is the routing path into the center console area?

    Thanks (sorry for all the questions, but I'm a doofus..)
  • lamikelamike Member Posts: 27
    It's not easy. You need to join a service like ImageShack and start a photo blog. Once on there upload your pictures and use the links they provide to share your photos. I use the direct link to share mine. You can use the Img button to capture the image link that ImageShack provides.
    :shades:
  • lonwlonw Member Posts: 29
    That's true about California considering any pickup as a "commercial" vehicle for money sucking registration purposes. However, if you put a cap or camper on it, you can change it to a cheaper registration called "house car".

    Just go to the Dept.of Motor vehicles (take your registration and pink slip with you) and tell them you want it changed to "house car". They'll look at it to confirm that the cap or camper is installed. I think you pay a small fee, they process the paperwork, give you the new registration and plates and send you a new pink slip after 2-3 weeks.

    I did this with my new '05 Taco after I had a SnugTop installed.

    Lon
  • bigandybigandy Member Posts: 70
    Having commercial plates on my truck here in Northern California means I can park in any yellow zone, usually for extended periods. Parking is tight around here and whatever the extra cost may be seems well worth it. I too have a SnugTop Super Sport on the truck, but I'll keep the commercial registration.

    Andy
  • flatflat Member Posts: 1
    Is it worth buying the factory made roof rack? Can you adapt a Yakima or Thule rack to it? I want to haul some 2x4's occasionally, angling from back of roof rack to tail gate. I like the look of the truck with out adding a lumber rack to it.
  • boone88rrboone88rr Member Posts: 194
    Did valleytoyotaparts send you a confirmation or tracking number email? I ordered the bed mat over a week ago, they haven't claimed my PayPal payment and they don't respond to my emails. I didn't expect it the next day as I'm on the other side of the country, but I have no idea if it was shipped or anything. I just have a $65 charge on my credit card that hasn't been claimed. I'm getting pretty impatient. :mad:
    I would like to have it when I move in about 3 weeks so crap doesn't slide all over the place.
  • thistlethistle Member Posts: 16
    Boone88rr,
    You might want to check with PayPal or contact the seller by phone to make sure that your in the clear with your payment... I had a similar situation and PayPal blocked my payment attempt (at random) since it was my first time ever trying to use them.
    It was a real irritation and most likely will never use PayPal again because of they way they handled the whole thing... They never contacted me to indicate that they did this, and it delayed my order by more than a day!

    I resolved the matter (at least I hope) by calling the seller directly and paid without using the middle-man. (I haven't received my stuff yet, but it's been less than a week. I and did receive an invoice via email to confirm that my order was placed, however.) Maybe we'll both get screwed... I know how you're feeling!
    Keep us posted, but you should see about other ways to follow up before it's too late.
    -Thistle
  • aztechianaztechian Member Posts: 31
    Do you have something different than a "standard" looking licence plate? Or are you just hoping a cop would run the plate an notice "commercial" before writing a ticket?

    ...Not that parking in yellow zones is very dangerous thing ;)
  • aztacoaztaco Member Posts: 36
    I had the same issue when I lived in California (92 - 95). I parked in yellow zones and commercial loading zones in downtown San Diego. I got a parking ticket and went to court. The judge said that just because it SAID commercial on the registration didn't mean it was REALLY a commercial vehicle. I disagreed and paid the ticket.

    Lee
  • jdvailcojdvailco Member Posts: 26
    Hi all
    Just took my 05 Prerunner 2wd 4 cycl access cab manual in because the check engine light and VSC Trac Control light was on. They said the Crank Position Sensor was malfunctioning. Any ideas what this is or how it would impact the perfomance of the vehicle?

    Thanks

    JD
  • tacoman05tacoman05 Member Posts: 37
    Hi all,

    I posted about this a while back and never got any replies, I guess it got overlooked. Anyway, I'm wondering if anyone has any information or opinions on whether or not the Westin bull bar has any effect on air bag deployment in the event of a collision.

    I really like the looks of the bar and would love to have one, but being a little on the anal side I don't want to have a negative effect on such an important safety feature as the air bags.

    Anyone?....anyone? :confuse:
  • aztechianaztechian Member Posts: 31
    This is just a guess, but I would think that it would take much more of an impact to trigger the airbags if there was a bull bar installed - only because it would sheild the bumper itself from the impact. Whether that's offset by the protection the bull bar offers would be another question.
    I'm assuming that the bull bars mount to the frame, and not to the bumper. If they did mount to the bumper somewhere, then the impact force should be transferred to the bumper also, and little difference in the airbag system would result.

    Again, just my thoughts. I haven't even looked at the bull bar installations... but you solicited opinions too, so there you go ;)
  • aztechianaztechian Member Posts: 31
    Aztaco, based on the name, I'm guessing you're a fellow SDSU alum??
  • tacomunchertacomuncher Member Posts: 6
    I believe I did receive an email from them with shipping numbers.
    Valley Toyota
    742 Academy Ave
    Sanger, CA, 93657
    just realized phone numbers are not allowed here, you'll have to google this information. That's how I got the phone number. Give them a call. My transaction went flawlessly. I sent a follow up email to them telling them how happy I was with the deal and that I had posted that here. They answered that email and sent me a list of available parts for my truck.
  • lonwlonw Member Posts: 29
    I think the California commercial registration system for pickups is set up to allow only those trucks that are associated with a permit to do business, to be able to park in a yellow zone while doing the work of that business (delivery & pickup of goods, etc.)
    They're usually referred to as loading zones anyway.

    If it was open to all pickups to park in yellow zones, the ones that had to do business would be out of luck finding that parking spot near the task they need to perform.

    However, something needs to be done about charging for commercial plates on pickups that aren't business associated. It's just another way for the state to get at your money.

    Lon
  • jkjohnjkjohn Member Posts: 11
    I ordered a mat from valleytoyotaparts thru Ebay & PayPal (first time) several weeks ago. I received a confirmation e-mail the next day and my mat six days later (to SD). The whole deal worked good for me.
  • outlaw704outlaw704 Member Posts: 4
    A Google search produced an interesting mix of answers to your good question... It looks like the Australian government actually did some real studies.

    http://motorcare.com.au/airbag.htm

    The gist of all the articles seems to be that a bull bar may delay the activation of an airbag. But they go on to say that reputable manufacturers are beginning to address the problem and are attempting to produce "airbag safe" bars; if they are properly installed.

    Personally, I owe my and my son's life to an airbag save in a bad accident. No Bull (bar) for me...

    :(
  • streaksstreaks Member Posts: 64
    Called my dealer yesterday about the TRD exhaust...it is in fact authentic!! However he told me it was around $600!! Ouch!! I still feel (although it may be a wait for some ) more comfy using TRD parts..as my dealer told me.."if you install aftermarket parts and something goes wrong, it is up to the dealer as to the warranty issue"

    I know alot of you out there had made modes and/or used AM parts..Thats ur call....I'll stick to TRD.My luck is bad enough!!

    Dealer WILL install exhaust if I buy from www.trdparts4u.com. Said labor would run about $60. I'm ordering today!
  • volleyvolley Member Posts: 298
    Got mine from Ebay too. Don't remember the vendor as it was months ago but smooth transaction and quick shipping. The bed mat is a must have IMO!
  • volleyvolley Member Posts: 298
    Your dealer is giving you a crock of crap, no offense. At cat-back exhaust does not void a warranty. The only way they could void something is if you messed with the cats. The TRD exhaust is not worth $600 IMO, but that's just my opinion. I certainly don't mean to bash TRD products either, but for a 1/3 of that price you can have a completely custom exhaust made for your truck. I've changed the exhaust in every truck I've ever owned (cat-back) and never had a problem getting service and believe me some of the dealers I have had to deal with are jokes.

    My 2 cents = not a darn thing! :-)
  • tacoman05tacoman05 Member Posts: 37
    Interesting article, outlaw. Thanks! :shades: It brought up some things that I hadn't even considered. I think I'll try to email the manufacturer and get their take on it, it's now become one of those things that my curiosity has the better of me on! I'll post whatever reply that I get from them.
  • dcab1dcab1 Member Posts: 15
    If I get the Toyota upgraded skid plate, can I still get a bull bar? Some of the pics don't show holes to mount the bar. Any info on the upgrade skid plate I have the black one now and you can bend it easy, and I think it rattles when you hit a sharp bump in the road, or is that noise coming from somewhere other then the skid plate? :D
  • aztacoaztaco Member Posts: 36
    Actually I a grad of SHSU (Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX), but I do have a few friends from SDSU. I chose Aztaco for Arizona Tacoma.
  • demoncleanerdemoncleaner Member Posts: 82
    Woa, $600? That website had it at $379 I think. Like to see true HP & Torque #'s gains posted on the offical TRD website, as this part isn't listed as of yet.Keep us posted, like to hear you results!
  • aztechianaztechian Member Posts: 31
    after some reading it would appear that I was WAY off (HA!). Physical impact has little to nothing to do with airbag deployment. It's usually based on acceleration (usually in the negative direction, although it'd be mighty fun in the positive! ) and trigerred by a sensor on the vehicle. So a "properly manufactured" bull bar shouldn't interfere with airbag deployment. I can't imagine what wouldn't be considered properly manufactured though.

    It does appear that only some bull bars are denoted as "airbag tested" though, so tacoman05, it sounds like you're already on the right path by asking the manufacturer.
  • thistlethistle Member Posts: 16
    Speaking of Bull Bars, I just got mine about 30 minutes ago!
    I guess it was delivered to my neighbor's place by mistake... he had it for 2 whole days!
    Maybe he wanted to pine over how sweet it will look on my truck! ;) I guess I'll give his Audi a little nudge next time I see him!

    Anyway, It's getting dark out (and food is almost ready) so I decided to hold off until tomorrow.

    Anyone have any advice for me before I put it on tomorrow afternoon?

    I lined up the brackets and held the unit in place and it seems super easy to install... Is it really necessary to remove the toe hook? Maybe they say to due to vibration? -It doesn't seem to be in the way.

    Any advice before Friday 8/19 afternoon would be a help!

    Regards,
    Thistle
  • nmtaconmtaco Member Posts: 4
    Hi there,
    I'm new to the forum but glad to see other Taco enthusiasts out there! I bought my 05 Tacoma on August 6, 2005. List price was $16413; I got it for $15636. They said their invoice price was $15136 so I got it for $500 over invoice. I had to go to NM to find one!!! I had originally wanted the silver, but for some reason the silver did not really look silver, it looked more like a white metallic. I got the impulse pearl red and I could not be happier. I also got the $400 off college grad rebate (I just finished my Masters) but I did not let them until we were in financing and the price was set. The people in financing are a whole other set of vultures, as they wanted $1800 for an extended warranty (c'mon, I'm buying a Toyota, not a Kia). and another $133 for vin etching. I said no deal They took that price off. They would not honor the graduate program incentives, like no down payment and no payments for 90 days and 1 year roadside assistance, so I called the Toyota Financial and they are going to fix it. The dealer did get me for a mandatory $249.50 for a dealer service transfer fee (They send in your registration). I am sending a letter to the Attorney General for the state of New Mexico. Has anyone ever experienced this? Anyway, I was going to wait for an 2006 but called the factory and found out that they are going up quite a bit. As the regular cab 4x2 standard and no air is now $13,415; it will be $14,680; so at least a $1200 difference.
    Hope everyone enjoys their truck, btw, I was going to get an extended cab V-4 but a no go....the extended cabs really need a v-6 for any get up and go....
    NMTaco
  • goofballgoofball Member Posts: 20
    Just an FYI if you do decide to have the darker upper portion of the dash replaced:

    Make sure that your service writer knows to order a clip kit along with the dashboard piece. I just took mine in today to have the upper part of the dash replaced and they had to stop everything and put it all back together after discovering that the replacement doesn't come with clips.

    According to my service writer the replacement dashboards for the < '05 models do come with the clips attached and they assumed the '05 was the same way. Now I get to wait another week for the clips to come in before they can install the new dash. I will post rattle results after the replacement is complete and let everyone who may be contemplating a replacement know what they can expect.

    If it rattles after I get this done I will be back at the dealer ASAP to make them fix it. This is one of the most quiet trucks I have ever owned interior noise wise.
  • megamolemegamole Member Posts: 22
    It's really easy. I put mine on in about 25 minutes. Only advice is to have a deep socket and short socket of the right size and have someone hold it in place when you are trying to get the bar onto the brackets and at the right angle. Have fun they look great. I finally got the lights they were supposed to send as the spring promotion the other day, at least they were free!
  • vincewood30vincewood30 Member Posts: 48
    Tomorrow will be the 3rd time I will have to take my '05 Prerunner Access Cab in for a noisy/squeeking clutch. The 1st time at 3,200 they lubed it with some grease. I had in it Tuesday for it's 5,000 mile service and the same clutch problem. They put some other grease on it but now it's squeeking away again. I've never had this many problems with a Toyota with 1 thing. It's annoying and kinda embarassing if you have someone else in the truck with you. I'm going to tell them to keep the truck until the find out what the problem is this time. Hopefully I'll get it back sometime before Christmas. The mechanics at Toyota were kinda throwing they're hands up with it when I was there Tuesday. I have a '04 Camry with the 5 Speed and it doesn't make a bit of noise.
  • bearcrkrdbearcrkrd Member Posts: 167
    Thanks to everyone for the tips (3 weeks ago?) on toyotaparts.com
    Didn't read on time to save on the Taco Bed Mat, but saved a bunch on a set of carpeted OEM floor mats for a 2001 Camry this week.
  • boone88rrboone88rr Member Posts: 194
    My clutch pedal was squeaking and groaning for a few weeks. I went and bought a tube of lithium grease. If you lay flat on your back and look up at the pedals you see a spring that connects the truck to the clutch pedal. The part of the spring that is attached to the truck is wrapped around a white plastic ring. I globbed a whole bunch of grease on the white ring and worked the pedal in for about 10 minutes and then wiped away the excess. It's been a week and I haven't heard a peep out of it. I'm sure they probably greased up everything they could but that was definitely my problem. It was very annoying.
  • boone88rrboone88rr Member Posts: 194
    Thanks to everyone that replied to my question on the bed mat. Well after a few more days of calls and emails, I finally got a generic email from Valley Toyota Parts. Apparently, the parts guy that had all the eBay accounts in his name either quit or got fired. The message basically said that they were in the process of setting up new PayPal accounts and that they wouldn't be getting current orders out for about 2 or 3 weeks as of yesterday.

    So if you're awaiting something or plan on ordering something from valleytoyotaparts on eBay it's going to be 2 or 3 weeks and you may or may not get any notification of that fact.

    Just my luck. I better get it before I have to move. I may try and get a dealer to match the price, since I have zero patience.
  • mainetacomainetaco Member Posts: 3
    Thanks for the tip! It would be like my dealer to not be aware of that important detail so I will mention it to him when I go in...

    Also, I agree that this is a very quiet truck, however, at 2200 miles, I have now started noticing some vibration and rattling coming from what I believe is the passenger side door. Don't notice it until I hit some bumps on pavement or drive on a dirt road both of which is mostly what we encounter in Maine. Hope this isn't a sign of things to come because I like a quiet ride!

    Curious to hear how they do when they replace your dash cover...
  • thistlethistle Member Posts: 16
    Did you need to remove the tow hook before you put yours on?
  • streaksstreaks Member Posts: 64
    Thanks for the input "volley". Did you install Cat back on your Tacoma? If so,what brand and how much? The TRD will cost me around $450 or so installed. I'm willing to take a look at some others and weigh the costs vs. peace of mind!!
  • ujbrakrujbrakr Member Posts: 10
    Are you sure you want it lifted that high then? I saw a 06 Taco on a showroom floor that had what they called a stabilizer kit. Apparently it makes the front level with the back and gives it an extra inch. They had I think 30 tires on it but I'm sure it would look great with stock. I'm trying to find more info.
  • thistlethistle Member Posts: 16
    RE:
    If I get the Toyota upgraded skid plate, can I still get a bull bar?

    The Westin Bull Bar comes with a skid plate attached already.
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