Converting from an F-150

[afphinfan]

Hey everyone,
My name is Mark and I'm an alc... whoops, wrong place! Anyway, I thought I'd poke around here ... thinking of trading my 04 Lariat F150 SuperCab for a Tacoma DoubleCab. I really need the real four doors and my F150 will barely fit in my garage lengthwise. I'm also hoping the mpg will be a little better as well. I'm sure most here will dog Fords but I'm here to tell you the Tacoma will have big shoes to fill as the F150 was the best vehicle I'd ever had and if I had a bigger garage and a SuperCrew then I wouldn't care about the gas mileage.

For what it's worth I've been in Alabama for 15yrs transplanted from Rochester, NY via the Air Force. Got out about 6yrs ago and now work for a contractor on an AFB as a software engineer. Married w/two munchkins and waiting for retirement (only 28 more years!!)

[Dana_15]

Originally Posted by afphinfan

. Married w/two munchkins and waiting for retirement (only 28 more years!!)

Me too (the married and two kids part) I got 37 more years before I can rest in piece .
I traded my full size Silverado (03) for my 04 Tacoma and it is much easier to drive around. Tacomas are nice trucks. Welcome BTW.

[El_Madmaster]

Welcome to the boards. I just moved to the south (Florida) from Syracuse, probably not gonna miss too much up in upstate NY, especially the economy.

Anyways, haven't had too much experience with Tacomas, but from what I've heard they're the best mid sized pick up you can get. Very tough, reliable, etc. MPG in trucks may not be a huge difference, but Tacoma will be a little better. Definately should be easier to drive as well. I usually drive a Sequoia around, can't say i'm very fond of garages either heh.

[bowhun2r]

Hi, I currently own an 05 taco 4X4 dcab 6sp/short bed. Great truck, I love everything about it except the mpg. I travel about 60 miles/day and gas just hit 3.05 here in Pgh.

I put a 3" toytec lift (www.toyteclifts.com) on it and 75 series tires. It actually rides better than stock.

For the past two months I've been keeping/tracking mpg using different oct. The truck really runs better on 92, and it's not just my mind telling me that. I'm also getting a bit better mpg on 89-92.

My commute is city all the way and my best mpg was 17.2 on 89 and 92. My worst was 16.4 and that was on two consecutive 87 tanks. I don't putt around, but I also don't constantly have my rpms up over 4k all the time either.

I have 21K on the truck already and I have not had one issue with it. No squeaks or rattles. Wind noise is a little more than I would like, but that is being petty. My really only complaint is the terrible stock BF tires they put on them. Same ones that were on my 02 dcab. The tread is like half gone compared to a new aftermarket tire. Those tires lasted about 17K miles before wet driving became a bit scary.

If you have any questions let me know.

last thing: my two munchkins fit perfectly in their car seats in the back. Much improvement over the previous model.

Scott

[afphinfan]

Thanks for the replies and the welcomes!

I only drive ~20 miles a day and most of it is 65 mph ... I get ~13 mpg in the F150 on that ... yuck! If I can get 16 city/19hwy on 87 then I'll be happy.

Thanks,
Mark

[timothyc1984]

the tacomas usually average 18-20 overall. discovered that when i worked at a toyota dealership a year ago. you might not be as happy with the accleration and sheer towing power (not sure if you're into that kind of stuff) with the taco but overall it should be a better vehicle for you. and ford does make damn nice vehicles parents both own them and never have problems. *waits for the bashing to commence*

[Dana_15]

Originally Posted by timothyc1984

and ford does make damn nice vehicles parents both own them and never have problems. *waits for the bashing to commence*

Your right FOrd does make nice vehicles, the F150 is a great truck, but it all depends on your needs. Driving a full size when your not using the bed or interior space at all is a waste (I know all too well from my last Siverado). The Tacomas size seems just right (at least for me) and it is FUN to drive. My 02 cents.