Tacoma Off Road Performance

[NewMexico2008]

First post. I'm considering trading in my '04 Wrangler for a new Tacoma due to a job change which will demand a 2 hour commute 2-3 times a week. The Wrangler is pretty awesome off road, of course, but a highway machine it just ain't. That said, I don't want to give up the off roading either. I don't do insane rock crawling or want my vehicle to run under water or anything, just power line roads and mountain trails, which can be tricky in places. I would give it a suspension lift high enough to put at least 31" tires on it and get a kit to install the Warn 9000i winch I just bought for the jeep. I can see a lot of you guys are off roaders and it's my hope you can give me some idea about how the Tacoma performs off road in comparison to a Wrangler and also comments on Tacoma overall reliability in comparison to the Wrangler if you have experience with both. Thanks in advance!

[jpsmith]

You can fit 31s on the stock suspension. The OE tire size is about 30.5". If you want to put 32s (265/75/16 or 265/70/17), you should install a small lift. You can fit 32s without any lift, but you might experience some rubbing.

For the type of off-roading you do, a stock Tacoma with some good tires will certainly suit your needs. The Tacoma is hand-down the best off-road pickup available today. Certain vehicles are better at it, but they're all wagons, such as the TJ, JK and JKL Wrangers and the FJ Cruiser.

As far as quality goes, the Toyota is leaps and bounds better than a Jeep. Here's a list of the problems I've had with my cars:

2006 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 V6
* Weak rear springs, addressed under warranty by TSB
* Paint scratches easily

2006 Jeep Liberty Renegade 4x4 V6
* Recall: Body Control Module turns on unexpectedly while vehicle parked and drains battery
* Recall: Lower Ball Joint failure could lead to suspension seperation which could result in death
* Recall: Heater on Max temp and fan on Max blow could catch fire
* Serpentine Belt Tensioner failed at 30k, had to have Jeep towed to dealer to be fixed under warranty.
* Could not climb a hill in reverse without disabling stability control software. Fixed under warranty by TSB.
* Rear seats rattled like mad on their latches. Delearship fixed this by wrapping the latch in electrical tape.
* Tailgate window struts not strong enough to actually raise the glass.
* Front brake rotors warped and pitted at 25k.
* Decorative rock sliders rusting at 30k.
* Headlamp out at $30k. Bought new bulbs and when I went to replace the bad one found that the bulb was OK. It was the wiring connector that was not getting a good connection due to light corrosion.

[NewMexico2008]

Originally Posted by jpsmith

You can fit 31s on the stock suspension. The OE tire size is about 30.5". If you want to put 32s (265/75/16 or 265/70/17), you should install a small lift. You can fit 32s without any lift, but you might experience some rubbing.

For the type of off-roading you do, a stock Tacoma with some good tires will certainly suit your needs. The Tacoma is hand-down the best off-road pickup available today. Certain vehicles are better at it, but they're all wagons, such as the TJ, JK and JKL Wrangers and the FJ Cruiser.

As far as quality goes, the Toyota is leaps and bounds better than a Jeep. Here's a list of the problems I've had with my cars:

2006 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 V6
* Weak rear springs, addressed under warranty by TSB
* Paint scratches easily

2006 Jeep Liberty Renegade 4x4 V6
* Recall: Body Control Module turns on unexpectedly while vehicle parked and drains battery
* Recall: Lower Ball Joint failure could lead to suspension seperation which could result in death
* Recall: Heater on Max temp and fan on Max blow could catch fire
* Serpentine Belt Tensioner failed at 30k, had to have Jeep towed to dealer to be fixed under warranty.
* Could not climb a hill in reverse without disabling stability control software. Fixed under warranty by TSB.
* Rear seats rattled like mad on their latches. Delearship fixed this by wrapping the latch in electrical tape.
* Tailgate window struts not strong enough to actually raise the glass.
* Front brake rotors warped and pitted at 25k.
* Decorative rock sliders rusting at 30k.
* Headlamp out at $30k. Bought new bulbs and when I went to replace the bad one found that the bulb was OK. It was the wiring connector that was not getting a good connection due to light corrosion.

Yeah, this is kind of what I was expecting to hear, about excessive repairs to the jeep. I've already replaced the tie rods with more heavy duty ones because the stock tie rod got bent on a dirt road ($750) and then the throwout bearing on the clutch was giving out which required a new clutch ($760). This was in the last 30 days after spending over a $1000 a month on mods since January...

I think the 30" stock tires would be fine for the trails I run. How is it on the highway in terms of smooth ride? The jeep is loud with wind noise, and the soft top flaps around even when the top is up and secure all the way around. Then you look down and see you are only going 68 mph. The Tacoma has got to be better than that...

[jpsmith]

The Tacoma is louder than, say, a Mercedes on the road, but it's a lot quieter than a Jeep. My brother has a '97 TJ and I had a '96 XJ Cherokee. Both of those were much louder than the Tacoma when it comes to wind noise. My '06 Liberty is only slightly louder than the Tacoma, and that may be due to the light bar on the roof. I'd say the Tacoma is on par with any other modern brick-on-wheels regarding wind noise. It's not silent by any means, but if you're coming from a TJ, it will seem like sensory deprivation.

[NewMexico2008]

Originally Posted by jpsmith

The Tacoma is louder than, say, a Mercedes on the road, but it's a lot quieter than a Jeep. My brother has a '97 TJ and I had a '96 XJ Cherokee. Both of those were much louder than the Tacoma when it comes to wind noise. My '06 Liberty is only slightly louder than the Tacoma, and that may be due to the light bar on the roof. I'd say the Tacoma is on par with any other modern brick-on-wheels regarding wind noise. It's not silent by any means, but if you're coming from a TJ, it will seem like sensory deprivation.

I'll bet it will. Well, I'm already working on a deal in El Paso. Wasn't quite ready for that drum beat to start after car dealing just in January, but I'm thinking get out from under the jeep now and just write off all the money spent as an educational experience...

Thanks so much for your comments. Chances look good I'll be posting as a Tacoma owner really soon.

[Marazzito]

Make sure you get the off road package. You will get a little better articulation and a diff lock which is a huge plus. It also comes stock with the 31" tires (30.6") but if you look at 31x10.50R15 specs they measure out at about 30.5-30.8". If you don't get a TRD package it will come with 30" tires that are a little more narrow as well. The Tacoma will ride much better than your J**p will and have much more power. If you get a TRD Off-Road it will go any where your Heep will assuming it is stock and not a Rubicon.

Good Luck!

[NewMexico2008]

Originally Posted by Marazzito

Make sure you get the off road package. You will get a little better articulation and a diff lock which is a huge plus. It also comes stock with the 31" tires (30.6") but if you look at 31x10.50R15 specs they measure out at about 30.5-30.8". If you don't get a TRD package it will come with 30" tires that are a little more narrow as well. The Tacoma will ride much better than your J**p will and have much more power. If you get a TRD Off-Road it will go any where your Heep will assuming it is stock and not a Rubicon.

Good Luck!

Thanks for the advice. That's a pretty expensive package. Can the locker be added aftermarket? Another poster has suggested the 31" tires will fit on the stock Tacoma 4x4. It would be better to get the package, but I think adding the $4,600 is just enough to put this vehicle out of my range at the moment.

[jpsmith]

You can get an LSD (limited slip differential) on a non-TRD truck for $360, at least that's what it says on my '06 sticker. My truck is an SR5, not a TRD, and it came with an LSD. While not a locker, an LSD will get you out of most everything, especially on a 4x4. IMHO, a locker is essential if you want to four-wheel in a pre-runner, but if you have a transfer case and front axles, you can get by with an open diff out back, so having an LSD is a nice bonus. A locker is a true luxury on a 4x4 if you're not hard-core crawling or swamping. Since a TRD-OR is out of your price range, I'd focus on getting a 4x4. If you find one with an LSD, score! If not, you'll be alright with an open diff out back. My Jeep has an open diff in the back and while I wish it was a limited slipper, I can live with it. I haven't gotten it stuck doing the same kind of off-roading you described.

[NewMexico2008]

Originally Posted by jpsmith

You can get an LSD (limited slip differential) on a non-TRD truck for $360, at least that's what it says on my '06 sticker. My truck is an SR5, not a TRD, and it came with an LSD. While not a locker, an LSD will get you out of most everything, especially on a 4x4. IMHO, a locker is essential if you want to four-wheel in a pre-runner, but if you have a transfer case and front axles, you can get by with an open diff out back, so having an LSD is a nice bonus. A locker is a true luxury on a 4x4 if you're not hard-core crawling or swamping. Since a TRD-OR is out of your price range, I'd focus on getting a 4x4. If you find one with an LSD, score! If not, you'll be alright with an open diff out back. My Jeep has an open diff in the back and while I wish it was a limited slipper, I can live with it. I haven't gotten it stuck doing the same kind of off-roading you described.

Yes, it's going to have to be that way. They only had one 4x4 here in Cruces with 6-speed transmission, though, so it's off to El Paso this weekend. I did learn at the dealer here that it's possible to get a used one with very low miles and still get the 3 yr/30,000 warranty, with an extended waranty from Toyota, bumper to bumper, for 100,000 miles, from the manufacturer.

The Jeep is running/shifting great now, and my resolve almost weakened after a drive in the mountains this afternoon with the windows out. It will be a sacrifice to give up that open air feeling. But I had a Fiat sports car like that once. You thought you had everything fixed, and then along would come some wierd noise, with another $500-$1000 repair bill right behind it...

I'm going to check out the warranty information from the salesman with Toyota before heading to El Paso this weekend.

[jpsmith]

Yeah, I do want that open air feeling. We wanted to replace our KJ with either KK Liberty with sky slider roof or a JKL Wrangler Unlimited as soon as our 60k extended warranty is up. But we've had so many problems with the KJ that we're scared to buy another Chrysler product. I really like Jeeps, but I'm not a fanboy. So I'm not going to buy another pile out of brand loyalty. Right now I'm hoping that the 2011 re-designed FJ Cruiser looks better than the current one. That's an awesome truck, save for the panzer-style cabin. I don't want to feel like I'm driving a mobile bunker.

[stevencrosbie]

Which dealer in El Paso? I dealt with Dick Poe and had a wonderful experience.

Good luck with the Taco.

[Marazzito]

You can add an aftermarket automatic locker for under $500.00. However it will engage while driving on the road when making slow speed turns. It is also a pain to drive with on snow covered roads because it will make you fish tail on every turn. An aftermarket manual locker like the ARB and your looking at about over $1,000 installed. What about a used 4x4 TRD? You will have 31's, a Locker, better suspension, nicer interior. Don't get me wrong you will be happy with any Tacoma I am sure, especially over your current vehicle!