I'm not bashing Toyota's only stating my personal observations.
While I'm at the last Taco I looked in the floor of the bed was 2-3 weird shaped metal pieces caulked and bolted (maybe welded too) together. I didn't love that either.
Mike
It's a known fact that they are not making them like they used to. Less payload and not as "heavy duty". The 3.5 is not as good as the 4.0. Last good Taco's were the '15 models, according to 2 different Toyota managers I've talked to. One reason I'm going to keep my rust free 2004 double cab and first gen Tundra. As for the Ranger, you guys can keep those. Fords have too many issues, most times requiring the dealership to service. A simple flashing of the computer will run upwards of $200.00. They got you by the balls. An example: If the EPAS goes bad on your ranger, you will need the dealership to replace it. You can do the work, but the computer will need to be flashed by a Ford dealership. As it was explained to me when I actually had to replace one in an Escape, the dealership can flash it for $200.00, but if it has any issues, its on you. They will not cover or guarantee it will work. You are out the $800.00 in parts and $200.00 for diagnostic and flashing. You'll end up putting $1,200-$1,500.00 into it, if Ford does the work for you, but you get a 1 year warranty. Some of these new vehicles are a fu cking joke. Glad you boys have the money to throw at them. The older Toyota's have been nothing but dependable and reliable for myself and most of my buddies. I have one buddy that has owned the same Taco since new in '98. He has 170,000 on it and just recently had the original brakes changed. He's changed the Timing belt and has kept it maintained well. It really hasn't cost him much to own over the last 20 years. The same can be said for my '04 Tacoma and 00 Tundra. Damn reliable vehicles, one of the reasons they hold their value so well..
