22 replies to this topic

[moveinon]

Sharx, I am always looking for ways to improve my Taco.  What kind of MPG difference have you gotten from the K&N?  Also think it is great that we have so many options for the Tacoma to adapt to a camper.  I also agree the Bilstein 5100 really improve the ride even with air bags, much less bounce. 

[Sharx]

I have had great success buying a 1 yr. old vehicle on another dealer's used lot.  I bought my Taco at a used Ford lot.  I have known a few car dealer guys and they have always said, buying a used vehicle at dealer saves because they only keep the good stuff that is traded in because they don't want a customer gettting a lemon then the headaches and bad word of mouth it causes.  They check the vehicle out thoroughly and give the seller a low amount so they can profit.  Yes, you pay sales tax (why on a 2nd sale I have never understood), but it's worth it in the long run.  Buying a one year old saves the drop in value after you buy new and drive it off the lot.  Buying at another dealer (not the MFG's one) helps because Ford (or non-Toyota dealers) don't want a nice looking Taco sitting on their lot for long.  They want their own ones.  I knew I got a great deal when I found out that two years after I bought it, the blue book was $2k OVER what I paid originally.  Someone chime in if they can match or exceed that with a pickup truck (bought at a dealer) known to pretty much depreciate progressively over it's lifespan.  It's not a collector car.  Let's face it, buying privately is risky, more so these days too.

 

But when I test drove my 2013 V6, I knew right away why it was traded in.  For some crazy reason, the back end (unloaded) bounced all over the place.  Just like they had said, the rear suspension stock, was a joke.  The buyer must have utterly hated driving it. Even my friend who followed me in it home complained his back ached after he got out.  If you put weight in, it was better, but still not right.  But after putting in the 5100's it was incredible how different it was.  Unloaded, loaded, it didn't matter.  Heck, I didn't even have to remove the wheels to install the shocks it was so easy.

 

As for the K&N Induction (not to be confused with just an air cleaner replace), I had to wait until it was legal in CA (C.A.R.B.).  I had one in my '99 and it made a huge difference in the top end and mileage.  As for my '13, I did not see as much of an increase in mileage (2-4 MPG) but did feel more top end.  My '99 sounded and felt completely different.  I still believe in separating the air intake off from a hot engine compartment, it's proven the colder the air intake the better.  I personally am a "lead-foot" so I don't think you can get a real good comparison when you drive all types of conditions before and after to see what gain you can achieve.  It certainly saves weight over the stock unit(s).  The filter is pretty much lifetime, once cleaned and re-oiled so that could end up making it practically free eventually.  Bulletin boards tend to show believers and non-believers.  I cannot see the thing making it worse that is certain.

[RC Pilot Jim]

Don, I seem to recall from past posts that you currently have a FWC mounted on your 2006 Tacoma 4 cylinder, 4WD though I don't recall if its a Fleet or an Eagle - shell or regular camper. Your original post mentions "supporting the Fleet" like it is already doing it? Is the 2006 already carrying it?

 

Cor'ts comments about the TRD package are true, at least in my case. When I had the '99 Type one, 4 cylinder, 5 speed 4WD NO TRD package and the "Flip-Pac It went everywhere I needed to go offroad with no problems, As I've aged the foilks I used to go with have all stopped "wheeling" leaving me to solo explore... still off-road, however mild 4 wheeling...now mostly to the hot springs...or base camping and exploring with the Samurai.

 

Then there is the resale argument. The perception is if you buy a Tacoma 4WD you need the TRD and the trailer towing package because its a truck and ..."Ta-da-di-da"  (drum-roll) a TACOMA.  Must work. I depreciate my vehicles. The Acura drops about 10% per year ...The Tacoma 6.1%

 

Our 2013 Tacoma - V6, aut, 4WD, TRD, Trailer towing pkg now has over 45,000 miles on the original brakes. The Truck/modified Eagle shell rides very well loaded for camping and not to bad when empty. (mounted full time with rear suspension to support 1500 pounds replaced when new and "E" rated tires) . I used the Locking rear once and "played" with the downhill assist couple of times. The trail would have to be really, really steep to get use out of it. Mostly I put it the automatic in  low range and  first or second gear to stay off the brakes...Works well.

 

Towing: small trailers, Jet-skii's, currently the Samurai

 

Brakes: the weight with me in it is at Gross (5,500 pounds...I've lost a little weight). Camping for a week in the desert - 6,200 pounds. This past week (after returning from our 2,120 mile Oregon trip) I had a minor service with my mechanic. Front brakes have 5.5 mm left. Rears (drum) 4 mm. We change the transmission fluid every 15,000 miles (no filter) Just a screen. We manually down-shift to 4th or 3rd coming off freeways and towing using the transmission to slow down the vehicle.

 

Lastly, we  buy new and keep our vehicles at least 10 years. The 99 was 14 years old and in excellent condition at 164,000 miles, when it was sold for $6,000 (paid $18,000 when new)

We would have kept it except with the 4 cylinder and the new Eagle shell there was no performance over 60 miles an hour and dangerous to drive on the freeway, At age 73 this is probably my last truck. When I'm in my 80's and its time to sell it a young man will remember all the hype about TRD and pay me an extra "thousand or two" because its installed - whoopee !!!