Making Sense of Our Death Valley Results - 2016 Toyota Tacoma Long-Term Road Test

Edmunds.comEdmunds.com Member, Administrator, Moderator Posts: 10,315
edited July 2017 in Toyota
imageMaking Sense of Our Death Valley Results - 2016 Toyota Tacoma Long-Term Road Test

Our 2016 Toyota Tacoma suffered an unexpected shock absorber failure on a washboard road in Death Valley, but we have a good idea why it happened.

Read the full story here


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  • sxty8stangsxty8stang Member Posts: 58
    This is one of the better Edmunds pieces I've ever read - really interesting insider knowledge there, Dan. Thanks for sharing!
  • igve2shtzigve2shtz Member Posts: 12
    I love when Dan is able to interject some science and technical knowhow into these posts. Now bring back Suspension Walkaround!
  • actualsizeactualsize Member Posts: 451
    We're working on it ...

    Twitter: @Edmunds_Test

  • skisurf1skisurf1 Member Posts: 13
    I agree one of the best ever, what size does the Honda have?
  • willin58willin58 Member Posts: 38
    Dan, what was the price difference at the time between the 36mm and 46mm? What does the Colorado/Canyon Z71/ZR2 use?
  • agentorangeagentorange Member Posts: 893
    willin58 said:

    Dan, what was the price difference at the time between the 36mm and 46mm? What does the Colorado/Canyon Z71/ZR2 use?

    My Xterra Off Road has 46 mm Bilstein dampers. Maybe I should check for fit and price on some 51 mm pieces after reading these accounts.

    The ZR2 uses Multimatic dampers with spool valves in external tubes. That design should dissipate heat very well. See here:
    http://www.motortrend.com/news/2017-chevrolet-colorado-zr2-dssv-shocks-tech-spotlight/
  • longtimelurkerlongtimelurker Member Posts: 455
    Pretty much agrees with what I've been saying about this truck...that Toyota's been phoning this one in with a lightly-updated 2005 model. So actually it's a lightly-updated 1990s model.

    Hey, Toyota - you going to make the 2018 model available with the direct-injection version of this engine that you're putting into the Camry, so that at least it can get out of its own way,and maybe get better fuel economy? What's that - no? Because the Toyota-forever crowd will buy every one you build anyway?

    I guess I can understand that...LOL.
  • 5vzfe5vzfe Member Posts: 161
    This truck has direct and port fuel injectors. It's the same 2GR-FKS motor used in the refreshed Highlander, Sienna and the new 2018 Camry.
  • longtimelurkerlongtimelurker Member Posts: 455
    Really? Why does it have 278 horsepower rather than 301, then?
    5vzfe said:

    This truck has direct and port fuel injectors. It's the same 2GR-FKS motor used in the refreshed Highlander, Sienna and the new 2018 Camry.

    Really? Why does it have 278 horsepower rather than 301, then, like the Camry?
  • 5vzfe5vzfe Member Posts: 161
    edited August 2017
    longtimelurker said:

    Really? Why does it have 278 horsepower rather than 301, then?

    5vzfe said:

    This truck has direct and port fuel injectors. It's the same 2GR-FKS motor used in the refreshed Highlander, Sienna and the new 2018 Camry.

    Really? Why does it have 278 horsepower rather than 301, then, like the Camry?
    Your guess is as good as mine, I have no idea why performance is so different between the two, unless they're factoring in drivetrain losses?
    Or perhaps during the process of adapting the motor for light truck applications, they had to make internal changes that restrict how quickly the engine produces power.
  • thinkingmanthinkingman Member Posts: 1
    longtimelurker said:

    Pretty much agrees with what I've been saying about this truck...that Toyota's been phoning this one in with a lightly-updated 2005 model. So actually it's a lightly-updated 1990s model.

    Hey, Toyota - you going to make the 2018 model available with the direct-injection version of this engine that you're putting into the Camry, so that at least it can get out of its own way,and maybe get better fuel economy? What's that - no? Because the Toyota-forever crowd will buy every one you build anyway?

    I guess I can understand that...LOL.

    I've been saying the same thing since I purchased my 2006 Tacoma TRD.

    Me: Hey Toyota, my rear suspension sucks, flat springs, crappy shocks.
    Toy: You're crazy, we don't make vehicles with flaws.
    3 years later....
    Me: Toyota, you just released a TSB on the flat rear springs I reported a few years ago.
    Toy: You still under warranty?
    Me: No, not any more.
    Toy: Pound sand.
    3 years later....
    Me: Hey, I see there's a recall for the rears springs, FINALLY. I replaced mine because you couldn't care less.
    Toy: Oh yeah....We still don't care....You have your receipts?
    Me: YES I DO!
    Toyota: Send them with a cover letter for reimbursement.
    3 months later....
    Toy: DENIED!!! Where's your letter from the dealership stating you needed new springs?
    Me: You told me to get lost!.....I didn't take it to the dealer!
    Toy: HA! SUCKER! YOU LOSE!
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