Home Forums Gear Hunting Trucks and Four-Wheel Drives Tacoma Gen 3 - Any Issues?

Gen 3: a truck designed for folks who don't do truck-like things.

Boring mini-van v6 engines that get dog sht fuel economy, oftentimes worse than half ton pick ups.

Rear leaf spring packs that can't even handle more than 500 lbs of stuff.

Just like every generation of tacomas.

It has its place. It can bring a washer home from lowes, bring deer corn to the property, fetch water at the spring, and hold one of these. “Truck” things is subjective.








It can get me here:

https://www.dangerousroads.org/north-america/usa/7005-monjeau-peak.html

I’m new to Tacomas but I believe it will work, or work for my needs, until it doesn’t. Just like any other tool.

Its up to the individual to buy the proper tool for their particular job.

It’d be cheaper to buy a Prius and a 3’x5’ trailer to pull behind it. Think of all the fuel savings.

Can’t get where I need to go with 2 wheel drive.

What? you don't have boots?...

My '21 used to hunt for gears. I press the "ETC POWER" button and it no longer does so.

Thats how I get to the best places

TAG

Not even front wheel drive?

Front Wheel drive is formidable but I gotsta have that ground clearance.


So, potential issue I have right now is these damn General grabbers in 265/70-17 are 11” wide, way more beefy than specs show. The stock Firestone 265/65-17 are exactly what it specs out at 10.4” wide. The Generals say the same but thats Bull Scat !

I have 1/4” clearance from my nearest suspension components which probably is ok but will look at getting 245/75’s or 255/75 this week if the tire shop honors their satisfaction guarantee.

I could go offset or spacers but I don’t like putting extra stress on bearings are components.

Taco's are more than enough truck, for those that buy Taco's.

Like people that shoot "deer at 400 yards all day long" - people vastly over estimate the weight and work they ask of their truck on a day to day basis.

Lots of guys out there with a dead deer, a cooler, rifle case and 2 bags of hunting clothes in the bed bragging on their diesel's payload. 75% of those with a 1/2 ton will never see more than 700lbs in the bed or 4k behind it.

I'd just get a set of 8-10mm spacers that slip over the lugs. Had to do that on a Tacoma when the new steel wheels were causing brake interference. Never had a problem out of them, and I highly doubt 3/8" of extension is going to hurt the bearings.

Some of you guys are under the mistaken assumption its my only truck. It has a place just like my side by side or 3500

I considered it but probably will just change tires, or do nothing.

Lot's of truth there. I've always been amazed Toyota can't come up with a small 4wd truck that gets over 25 mpg.

I'm a General Contractor - I don't especially like trucks. I have one because once in a while I need to pick up some stuff for my guys, and 4WD and good ground clearance is critical on most of my build sites. Otherwise I'd sooner have a small SUV.

Toyota could get there (24-25mpg) with a turbo inline-4, but they are reluctant to do it for some reason. The extra torque on the low end would help the transmission be less prone to shifting so much. Torquey turbo engines more easily push through gearing situations that would prompt a downshift in an naturally-aspirated small displacement engine. If a 5500lb turbo F150 4x4 can average 22-23mpg, a compact Toyota sure should be able to beat that.

Can’t say I’m dissatisfied with the new Taco other than all of the electronic chit. It goes over the terrains smoothly that a Jeep and other trucks knock your dental work loose.

I’m keeping my General Grabber ATx’s, the more you look at them the more technologically you see. They also don’t hold stones for some reason and 2wd goes up stuff I definitely needed 4 high in my GMC. They do have something called “Comfort Balance”, if that is contributing to the better ride, I don’t know. The tire literally has what looks like a cap on it about 3 1/2” down the sidewall and adds over 1/2” to the tire width in that area with outer and inner combined, not just extended lugs either.

So far, so good.

Interesting on the tires. I've heard a ton of good things about the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/Ts as well. Much quieter than you'd think I guess.