Just picked up a 2009 Tacoma four door short bed TRD Offroad 4x4. Like it a lot. Are there any issues or problems I should be watching out for? What kind of mileage is typical?
2009 = 5th year out for the Tacoma. I'd sure expect Toyota to have all the bugs out by now. Of course, there can always be "manufacturing flaws" ... but the design should be tweaked by now I'd think.
My '05 4x4 with V6 has been getting about 18~19 mpg with 70%/30% hiway/city driving and about 23 mpg with all hiway driving.
The only real issue that Toyota voluntarily fixes based on a consumer complaint is the rear spring issue or bottoming out with a heavy load in the truck bed. I'm not sure if the 09s are running higher rate 3-leaf springs or not, but the updated 4-leaf springs made my Tacoma's rear feel less sloppy, for sure.
AFAIK, the TSB covered Access Cab and Double Cab Tacomas up to 08. I'm not sure if they added the 09s or not.
^ that and watch your mudflaps. It would be a good idea to load up the bed with a good amount of weight and make sure it's not resting on the rubber stops. If it is, take it in like that and just complain. Don't mention "TSB" or they'll just say "the 09's aren't covered" but in reality they would still have to fix it.
As for mileage, you should see better than the EPA estimates if you're running stock tires. If you switch to larger tires, obviously that would decrease. And it depends on whether you're in an "ethanol added" State. Expect 1-2 mpg drop if they're using 10% ethanol in gas in your area. That's a frequent question of people when winter comes around..."my mpg dropped..."
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'05 4x4 DC LB SR5 Tow Pkg BFG All-Terrain T/A KO, Leer Tonneau, Westin Platinum Nerf Bars, Fog and Map Light Mods, Orig. Owner 12/3/04
Haha oh yeah, forgot about those damn mudflaps. Speaking of which, I just recently lost my driver's side rear 4x4 marked one. I'm not planning on replacing it either.
You should also get used to the fact that the climate control system was designed for a single cab, and is woefully inadequate on the doubles.
This is most apparent if you have four people in the truck in winter (for instance, going to the rink). The climate control system is completely overwhelmed by any moisture in the cab.
Expect icing on the inside of the windows and lingering high humidity if there is any snow tracked into the cab.
The climate control system is weak, weak, weak.
The only real issue that Toyota voluntarily fixes based on a consumer complaint is the rear spring issue or bottoming out with a heavy load in the truck bed. I'm not sure if the 09s are running higher rate 3-leaf springs or not, but the updated 4-leaf springs made my Tacoma's rear feel less sloppy, for sure.
AFAIK, the TSB covered Access Cab and Double Cab Tacomas up to 08. I'm not sure if they added the 09s or not.
I'm having problems with my 07 dble cab, short bed bottoming out when there is a moderate load in the bed. You're saying Toyota is voluntarily fixing that?
I'm having problems with my 07 dble cab, short bed bottoming out when there is a moderate load in the bed. You're saying Toyota is voluntarily fixing that?
Yes, there's a Technical Service Bulletin to replace the rear 3-leaf pack with a 4-leaf pack. If you have a non-TRD model (SR5 only) then they also replace all 4 (yes, all 4) shocks to those of the TRD. The extra leaf in the rear will add an extra 1.5 inches of height in the back, so many replace their shocks with the Bilstein 5100s in order to level out the truck after the TSB is done.
Here's the link to all the TSBs at the top of the forum. The rear leaf TSB is the first one posted.
Yes, there's a Technical Service Bulletin to replace the rear 3-leaf pack with a 4-leaf pack. If you have a non-TRD model (SR5 only) then they also replace all 4 (yes, all 4) shocks to those of the TRD. The extra leaf in the rear will add an extra 1.5 inches of height in the back, so many replace their shocks with the Bilstein 5100s in order to level out the truck after the TSB is done.
Here's the link to all the TSBs at the top of the forum. The rear leaf TSB is the first one posted.
Wow, I just remembered that Toyota did that same very thing way back on my 96 Tacoma accesscab non-trd, that is, I complained about getting a creaking noise in the rear suspension and they ended up replacing the rear leafs and all 4 shocks.
When it;s obvious that the tacomas have had this problem basically since they first went on sale in 95, why does Toyota continuely keep putting the same springs on the trucks year after year instead of swithing to the better ones at the factory. It's a little rediculous.
You should also get used to the fact that the climate control system was designed for a single cab, and is woefully inadequate on the doubles.
This is most apparent if you have four people in the truck in winter (for instance, going to the rink). The climate control system is completely overwhelmed by any moisture in the cab.
Expect icing on the inside of the windows and lingering high humidity if there is any snow tracked into the cab.
The climate control system is weak, weak, weak.
There is a TSB out that may address this. It is TSB-0072-09 (decreased air volume from HVAC when set a maximum heat). It may be worth talking to the dealer about it,
You should also get used to the fact that the climate control system was designed for a single cab, and is woefully inadequate on the doubles.
This is most apparent if you have four people in the truck in winter (for instance, going to the rink). The climate control system is completely overwhelmed by any moisture in the cab.
Expect icing on the inside of the windows and lingering high humidity if there is any snow tracked into the cab.
The climate control system is weak, weak, weak.
On modern vehicles, moisture accumulation in the wintertime is controlled by periodically running the A/C system in conjunction with the heat/defroster, this is the reason the A/C compressor comes on in the "defrost mode".
If there is a problem with your A/C (or you disconnect it in the winter), you will definitely have a problem with condensation..
It's a GM air conditioning/heating system, so you get GM performance & quality, not the superb Nippondenso performance & quality of the 1994 and earlier models.
What to watch out for, and mileage
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