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TacomaGeneral discussion forum for the 2005 and later Toyota Tacoma.
This is a discussion thread titled "1 gen vs 2nd gen", within the Tacoma forum, part of the Truck Forums category.
Not to knock the second Gen Tacoma guy's but the Bed is a huge concern with buyer's myself reviewed buying a new Tacoma 4wd double cab back in late 2005 but I didn't feel it was solid on my opinion or close to the first Gen Tundra. (coming soon)
I thought we were comparing 1st-gen Tacoma's to 2nd-gen Tacoma's? But regardless, I am not sure what you mean by not as solid as the 1st-gen Tundra. Have you ever compared the drive train components? They have the same proven Toyota 8" or 8.4" rear axle. The new Tacoma has a stronger front axle. The suspension on the new Tacoma is improved over the 1st gen Tundra's. The Tacoma's 5 speed auto is much stronger than the 4 speed that you have in your 2004 and 2000. The drive shaft is pretty darn solid for a mid sized pick up. I don't mean to bash the 1st-gen Tundra's, I love them I think they are great trucks. But I would like some clarification on what you mean by not as solid... are you going back to the SMC Bed?
__________________ 2007 Tacoma DC 4x4 V6 TRD Off-Road
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1967 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40
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Funny, I remember asking the same question when I went from my 85 to my 96. Now I have an 08.
Do I think quality/durability has gone down between 85-96-08? Absolutely, but in my opinion you are getting alot more truck for the money. Compared to my 85, and even my 96, I'm getting an extra 100 horses and alot more options.
Although time will tell, I still think Toyota makes one of the best small-mid sized trucks out there (although I think Nissans are pretty good as well).
And like someone else posted, if you want a smaller truck go get a 1st gen, although it will have to be used. If your looking for brand new/or newer and a more comfortable yet capable ride then a 2nd gen is your only choice.
I have no regrets getting my 08, but it still is new, talk to me in 10 years, I'm sure (hope) I feel the same!
I thought we were comparing 1st-gen Tacoma's to 2nd-gen Tacoma's? But regardless, I am not sure what you mean by not as solid as the 1st-gen Tundra. Have you ever compared the drive train components? They have the same proven Toyota 8" or 8.4" rear axle. The new Tacoma has a stronger front axle. The suspension on the new Tacoma is improved over the 1st gen Tundra's. The Tacoma's 5 speed auto is much stronger than the 4 speed that you have in your 2004 and 2000. The drive shaft is pretty darn solid for a mid sized pick up. I don't mean to bash the 1st-gen Tundra's, I love them I think they are great trucks. But I would like some clarification on what you mean by not as solid... are you going back to the SMC Bed?
I wouldn't say that Tacoma is stronger vs the first Gen Tundra that's not a debate in my opinion.build quality is what i define as solid my Tundra door's have a solid feel Tacoma feels cheap and always has (first gen and second ) . I wouldn't say the new aisin built Tundra 5 speed (05/06) is much improved over Tundra 4 speed it's just another gear and suited better for each application.The 2005-06 Tundra with 5 speed didn't really offset any towing gain figures at all on the v8 from 00-04. Yea the Tundra is a Totally different Truck having a V8 but this topic is about Tacoma none the less.
There are a few point's i'll say on the First Gen tacoma and second Gen. The First gen Tacoma really was an "ok" truck but I avoided them then too. I recall back in 2000 when I got my first brand new Tundra and looking at the 00 Tacoma and the seat's were horrible the Interiors were badly dated to the point the cloth looked well El cheapO. Second Gen really defined better in term's or interior quality and look's. I think Toyota addressed many key issues I didn't like in the old Tacoma yet really did some cost cutting I didn't define as great either esp the bed.Yea i am a little pickey but you get what you pay for and in this case I wanted something to kept long term not sure the truck market will be the same now...
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Last edited by Tundrav8yamaha; 08-01-2008 at 07:06 PM.
I wouldn't say that Tacoma is stronger vs the first Gen Tundra
I think as a pure work truck the 2nd gen Tacoma is the stronger truck.
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build quality is what i define as solid my Tundra door's have a solid feel
Build quality IMO is good on both but the 1st gen Tundra wins on interior materials and design when equipped in Limited trim.
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The drive shaft is pretty darn solid for a mid sized pick up.
I think if both trucks were tested and abused I honestly think the 2nd gen Tacoma would come out the winner and last a little longer. I think the Tacoma is an over built mid size truck while the Tundra is a slightly underbuilt full size truck....
It depends on what you want to do with it. We can sit here and debate specifics of each vehicle and each one has its strengths and weaknesses. It all depends on what you want to do with it.....
Yeah Pagemaster that's a really good way to put it.
IIRC the rear end on the 2nd-gen Tacos was updated as well. They should handle better than the 1st-gen Tacoma due to the shock placement...and better than a 1st-gen Tundra, which is a valid comparative vehicle, sizewise.
The body style of the 2nd-gen trucks has yet to grow on me, but the suspension and drivetrain of the 2nd-gen Tacoma is an improvement over the earlier trucks, and IMHO meets the needs of people who would still like a truck sized like the 1st-gen Tundra, but with an updated design bumper to bumper, and a more efficient engine.
It's a nice truck. Personally I think they designed the 2nd-gen trucks and SUVs in general to cater to the NorAm road segment more than the outback and offroad segment they deliver to the rest of the world, but they are all quite capable of delivering the offroad performance we've come to expect from a Toyota...and they have a dedicated aftermarket for both street and dirt.
Not to knock the second Gen Tacoma guy's but the Bed is a huge concern with buyer's.I myself reviewed buying a new Tacoma 4wd double cab back in late 2005 but I didn't feel it was solid on my opinion or close to the first Gen Tundra. There are a few shortcut's Toyota need's to address before I would consire this Truck. Number is bed payload is very important as a truck buyer thus I do reserve the fact my Truck bed will be used and abused I don't want to fear breaking some plastic smc Bed like people have experinced.
Those are you with the Tacoma i'm sure can Line X right over that plastic just like a steel bed. I Personally don't like Plastic inferior part's it's very brittle isn't as strong thus some pro's and con's. I can see why Toyota changed to an Smc bed and that is weight reduction material to use.
About your comments on this"which i did a quick search on and didn't find any"
5 reported cases is enough in my viewpoint to express some concerns including a friend in michigan. sorry toyota took a direction el cheap vs having an option.I use my bed for heavy stuff a tacoma is a power wheel with a plastic bed..
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5 reported cases is enough in my viewpoint to express some concerns including a friend in michigan. sorry toyota took a direction el cheap vs having an option.I use my bed for heavy stuff a tacoma is a power wheel with a plastic bed..
Didn't Toyota recall the Tundra for peeling tailgate?
5 reported cases is enough in my viewpoint to express some concerns including a friend in michigan. sorry toyota took a direction el cheap vs having an option.I use my bed for heavy stuff a tacoma is a power wheel with a plastic bed..
me too! i've hauled my 750lb 4 wheeler countless times, and also load the bed full of firewood till the bumpstops are nearly touching,(and i have the TSB done) hauling it 15 miles to home about once every two weeks. hell, i've even had a couple fat chicks back there with no problems. so you hauling dozers, or cubes of cinderblocks back there?
me too! i've hauled my 750lb 4 wheeler countless times, and also load the bed full of firewood till the bumpstops are nearly touching,(and i have the TSB done) hauling it 15 miles to home about once every two weeks. hell, i've even had a couple fat chicks back there with no problems. so you hauling dozers, or cubes of cinderblocks back there?
I haul sportbike's, tool's boxes,large boulder's for my waterfall project.It's just a vast arange of item's that are extreamly heavy for most application (yea i have a bed liner/line x). Last i need to worry about is premature bed failures to occure on a mid sized Truck that is designed to haul with a v6. Listening to the 05 Tacoma owner's complaint about what happened really shouldn't have taken place at all. I often wonder if Ford explorer track owner's or even the Honda Ridgeline have similar design flaw's? I haven't read any report's to date coming for the other truck's out there so i can't comment there. To single out the Tacoma as a bad Truck is not my overall intention's because I like the design it's just not the truck for myself or other's seeking to haul stuff.
This might be a midsized Truck but buying a truck in the first place is designed to hauling (heavy stuff included) plus interior volume which to some degree Tacoma has now covered in second generation.Now if Toyota just raise the bar on the bed offering (steel) or provide a v8 too this would be one killer truck.
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Last edited by Tundrav8yamaha; 08-04-2008 at 04:30 PM.
i don't know why they don't offer the 4.7 in these trucks. great milage and from what i know, very dependable. i myself would prefer the 3.0 diesel that the Hilux guys overseas get. i've got a beater (88 chevy F/S) for any rough hauling i have to do. the new Tacoma isn't for the guy who does a lot of heavy hauling. it's been great for most everything i've needed it for. i still don't think they have cheaped out on the bed. it's plenty strong for reasonable applications on this truck. i like the fact that toyota is thinking outide the box (pun intended). they took a lot of grief for years and years B/C of rusty beds. this composite material eliminates that problem, saves weight (fuel) and doesn't have to be protected like a steel bed does. someone will always find a way to break anything, but with the few instances that have occured, i think they are on the right track.
Every time I see a 1st gen access cab tacoma I think "That's a well proportioned machine and I could really set that thing up for off-road work"
Every time I see a 2nd gen four door tacoma I think "I sure would like to own one of those but it looks more like an SUV with a bed" Plus I hate those irregularly shaped rear fender wells. I was still salivating over a 2006 TSS at my dealer today. But It's not what I want in a truck.
I disagree with the comment made earlier about the 2nd gen being the same size as the 1st Gen Tundra. You still have more interior room in the 1st Gen Tundra than the 2nd Gen Tacoma. They look like the same size truck from the outside but I parked next to one the other day and there is just plain more room in the 2005 Tundra.
Which is better? I like my 4.0 2005 Tundra. It looks and acts like a truck. It has more room than the access cab tacoma and I'm not hauling around a 4.7 that I don't need. I like to think of my V-6 tundra as the perfect tacoma
Now if I can just talk the wife into getting ARB lockers for the rear...
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[quote][
I haul sportbike's, tool's boxes,large boulder's for my waterfall project.It's just a vast arange of item's that are extreamly heavy for most application/QUOTE]
This mostly sounds like that stuff that should be used with the full size Tundra. The Taco should have no trouble hauling one sport bike and I doubt the bed would be damaged. Now more than one bike and you should step up to the Tundra.
As for large boulders...come on Erik..You know that the Taco is not built for that and the Tundra should have no trouble hauling boulders or a least towing a trailer full of them.
I disagree with the comment made earlier about the 2nd gen being the same size as the 1st Gen Tundra. You still have more interior room in the 1st Gen Tundra than the 2nd Gen Tacoma. They look like the same size truck from the outside but I parked next to one the other day and there is just plain more room in the 2005 Tundra.
I didn't know that. Does the Taco have side airbags and other stuff now? The early Tundras didn't.
Offroad, they're near-identical except the Taco comes with more goodies .
Re: 1 gen vs 2nd gen
I don't want to fear breaking some plastic smc Bed like people have experinced. 
.Now if Toyota just raise the bar on the bed offering (steel) or provide a v8 too 
this would be one killer truck.
Re: 1 gen vs 2nd gen
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