Any opinions on the new 4WD trucks? I'm growing more wary of the newer trucks and all the electronics...haven't a good experience with our 2009
Tacoma, it just hasn't held up to the rigors of off-road. Maybe go retro and get a 90s Toy---my 1992 was bullet proof---let it go at 225K but looking
back maybe I should have kept it.
Full size GM trucks have ball joint issues if driven hard off-road, especially if it's lifted. I've replaced the ball joints on my 04 GMC several
times. But on my 93 Toyota and 04 Tacoma which I've hammered harder off road I've never had a front suspension problem, other than shocks until I went
to Bilstein. I have broke rear leaves on the Tacoma which I think I have now solved with my new modified leave pack.
Mexitron, which model '09 (Base, SR5, Off Road, or Sport) Tacoma?
What issues are you having?
Do you read TacomaWorld.com forums to find answers, upgrades, info?
My 2010 has been stellar off road and I have the best time with the traction systems that are on the Off Road TRD. Once they are understood, the 2009+
Off Road 4WD Tacomas are simply unstoppable for a stock truck.
Owned Toyota my whole life, so I don't have experience with any other makes. But even in Baja I still prefer solid front axle trucks. They just last
longer, less moving parts, etc.
My current ride is a 97 FZJ80 Land cruiser, with front and rear electric lockers. Coil sprung in each corner (4" Old man emu springs). Thing drives
like a Cadillac. Problem is ... its not a truck
If me I'd probably try driving a full sized DIESEL GMC, Chevy, Ford... Whichever has a solid front axle. Plus the diesels have less electronics and
more reliable in general (in my opinion)
Originally posted by David K
Mexitron, which model '09 (Base, SR5, Off Road, or Sport) Tacoma?
What issues are you having?
Do you read TacomaWorld.com forums to find answers, upgrades, info?
My 2010 has been stellar off road and I have the best time with the traction systems that are on the Off Road TRD. Once they are understood, the 2009+
Off Road 4WD Tacomas are simply unstoppable for a stock truck.
My friends had an 2011 Tacoma and had
problems with busted leaf springs, trim falling off, windshield leak, and broken welds in body panels, after 3 years in BCS, the truck was falling
apart.
Originally posted by BooJumMan
Owned Toyota my whole life, so I don't have experience with any other makes. But even in Baja I still prefer solid front axle trucks. They just last
longer, less moving parts, etc.
My current ride is a 97 FZJ80 Land cruiser, with front and rear electric lockers. Coil sprung in each corner (4" Old man emu springs). Thing drives
like a Cadillac. Problem is ... its not a truck
If me I'd probably try driving a full sized DIESEL GMC, Chevy, Ford... Whichever has a solid front axle. Plus the diesels have less electronics and
more reliable in general (in my opinion)
IFS (Independent Front Suspension) is perhaps much better than before? None of my three Tacomas had solid front axles, but my '75 Jeep did. Know what
is going to freak out Jeep owners? IFS is coming to the Wrangler in a couple years.
If me I'd probably try driving a full sized DIESEL GMC, Chevy, Ford... Whichever has a solid front axle. Plus the diesels have less electronics and
more reliable in general (in my opinion)
Not anymore, the new diesels are overly complicated beasts.
Originally posted by David K
Mexitron, which model '09 (Base, SR5, Off Road, or Sport) Tacoma?
What issues are you having?
Do you read TacomaWorld.com forums to find answers, upgrades, info?
My 2010 has been stellar off road and I have the best time with the traction systems that are on the Off Road TRD. Once they are understood, the 2009+
Off Road 4WD Tacomas are simply unstoppable for a stock truck.
My friends had an 2011 Tacoma and had
problems with busted leaf springs, trim falling off, windshield leak, and broken welds in body panels, after 3 years in BCS, the truck was falling
apart.
you know if he would have limited his baja trips to an annual shell island excursion, his truck
would still be like new!....
Originally posted by David K
Mexitron, which model '09 (Base, SR5, Off Road, or Sport) Tacoma?
What issues are you having?
Do you read TacomaWorld.com forums to find answers, upgrades, info?
My 2010 has been stellar off road and I have the best time with the traction systems that are on the Off Road TRD. Once they are understood, the 2009+
Off Road 4WD Tacomas are simply unstoppable for a stock truck.
Before 60K the ABS Brake system had to be replaced, the AC went out, radio knobs sometimes don't work, severe steering column rattle........then, when
driving out to Oregon (and then to Baja) last week, long story short, the engine seized---something blew out and the oil drained out....no sensor
lights were on. Warranty folks are tearing the engine down to see what happened....thank goodness I bought the extended warranty.
Originally posted by David K
Mexitron, which model '09 (Base, SR5, Off Road, or Sport) Tacoma?
What issues are you having?
Do you read TacomaWorld.com forums to find answers, upgrades, info?
My 2010 has been stellar off road and I have the best time with the traction systems that are on the Off Road TRD. Once they are understood, the 2009+
Off Road 4WD Tacomas are simply unstoppable for a stock truck.
Before 60K the ABS Brake system had to be replaced,
Originally posted by David K
Mexitron, which model '09 (Base, SR5, Off Road, or Sport) Tacoma?
What issues are you having?
Do you read TacomaWorld.com forums to find answers, upgrades, info?
My 2010 has been stellar off road and I have the best time with the traction systems that are on the Off Road TRD. Once they are understood, the 2009+
Off Road 4WD Tacomas are simply unstoppable for a stock truck.
My friends had an 2011 Tacoma and had
problems with busted leaf springs, trim falling off, windshield leak, and broken welds in body panels, after 3 years in BCS, the truck was falling
apart.
you know if he would have limited his baja trips to an annual shell island excursion, his truck
would still be like new!....
My Tacoma has done more than you give it credit for...
It went through this too... twice!
Usually we are solo (the Tacoma is so reliable, I don't need to travel with others for safety), but when we are with a group is when I can get some
photos of my truck in action.
Here is my Tacoma pulling a 2WD Tacoma out of being stuck in the sand, then up the Diablo Dropoff in Anza-Borrego...
This was in L4 with A-TRAC and the rear locker both on.
Toyota would not have the best selling truck in its class if it was junk, sorry!
I know what you mean David---Toyotas (and my full size Chevy Silverado, now at 200K) have been great off-road trucks for me. Just wondering if
they're still the way to go though---the off-road racing package ain't cheap.
Originally posted by Mexitron
I know what you mean David---Toyotas (and my full size Chevy Silverado, now at 200K) have been great off-road trucks for me. Just wondering if
they're still the way to go though---the off-road racing package ain't cheap.
Tell me about it....Thinking about a new Taco myself and although the prices have not been released on the new 2015 "Taco Supreme" [Yep, they may call
it that ] with all the off-road bells and whistles, the word on the street is that they will likely begin in the $35,000 to $40,000 range.
Ouch!
But if it lasts almost 20 years like my '96...It's not really too bad on the per year cost....
Truth generally lies in the coordination of antagonistic opinions
-Herbert Spencer
Purchase a new 2014 Tacoma standard cab base model 4WD for $23,100 +T&L. One Baja trip so far, no off road but some marginal dirt roads. Handles
well. Roll up windows and manual locks, less to go wrong. I probably would do dual cab if I had to do it again. Miss having storage area.
Originally posted by BooJumMan
Owned Toyota my whole life, so I don't have experience with any other makes. But even in Baja I still prefer solid front axle trucks. They just last
longer, less moving parts, etc.
My current ride is a 97 FZJ80 Land cruiser, with front and rear electric lockers. Coil sprung in each corner (4" Old man emu springs). Thing drives
like a Cadillac. Problem is ... its not a truck
If me I'd probably try driving a full sized DIESEL GMC, Chevy, Ford... Whichever has a solid front axle. Plus the diesels have less electronics and
more reliable in general (in my opinion)
IFS (Independent Front Suspension) is perhaps much better than before? None of my three Tacomas had solid front axles, but my '75 Jeep did. Know what
is going to freak out Jeep owners? IFS is coming to the Wrangler in a couple years.
Wranger IFS!!?? That would be crazy. Wasn't last year an IFS/IRS buggy won King of the Hammers? Doesn't surprise me at all. Still feel that
solid/straight axles are stronger in the long run though.
Yeah and my last IFS was a 3rd gen 4Runner... I mean, worked great. I even had put in Icon front coilovers... But I still like the ride in the
Cruiser!
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The stone mountains pile up to the sky and there is little fresh water. But we know we must go back
if we live, and we don't know why." - Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez
"People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." - Theodore Roosevelt
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