Re: '04 Tacoma Early Impressions

I have 8,400 miles on my 04 extra cab 4x4 TRD with manual trans.
I've had it only since November of 04. I'm getting about 20-21 MPG.
My daily commute is about 90 miles from 3,500ft to sea level and back.
Not much city driving. I use the AC 50% of the time.

That's my contribution to this.

Steel Pig wrote:[color=blue]
> Eddie <no@spamatall.com> wrote in
> news:pan.2004.07.20.07.43.42.265448.6824@spamatall.com:
>[color=green]
> > I think the lunge and bounce thing is because of the TRD package.[/color][/color]
My[color=blue][color=green]
> > '93 SR5 has a much smoother ride then a friends '04 Prerunner 4x4.
> > Mine is stock with KYB shocks in the front and he has the TRD[/color][/color]
package.[color=blue][color=green]
> > It could be that my springs are old and warn out, but I can keep up[/color][/color]
a[color=blue][color=green]
> > much higher speed on the dirt roads. He gets bounced around much[/color][/color]
more.[color=blue][color=green]
> >
> > Can anyone verify that the TRD package is more then just shocks and[/color][/color]
a[color=blue][color=green]
> > locking rear diff? Not counting the stickers.[/color]
>
>
> On the 03 you got alloy wheels, were forced into power windows and[/color]
locks[color=blue]
> along with SR5 package. but mechanically sping packs and front coils
> were softer also giving a half inch lower ride height. Shocks ended[/color]
up[color=blue]
> being stiffer too for better onraod handling and work great when[/color]
banging[color=blue]
> the bumps. Running lower tire pressures is good but makes the truck
> kinda sway in the corners.
>
>[color=green]
> >
> > Also, lowering your tire pressure helps a ton. I run 26psi fronts
> > (what it says on the door) and 26 rear(says 36 on door). I don't[/color][/color]
hull[color=blue][color=green]
> > rocks in the bed. :)
> >
> > -Eddie
> >
> >
> > On Fri, 16 Jul 2004 22:32:08 -0700, Steve wrote:
> >[color=darkred]
> >> Well, I've had my 2004 Tacoma Prerunner, 2WD (with TRD package)[/color][/color][/color]
for[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >> about a month now. Here's my early impressions of it. This is[/color][/color][/color]
the[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >> first truck I've owned in years after nothing but 4-door sedans,[/color][/color][/color]
the[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >> last being a Mitsubishi Diamante.
> >>
> >> Pros
> >> Somewhat comfortable ride with seats that are not too stiff like
> >> those on the Ford Ranger but not mushy either. Half way decent gas
> >> mileage. Overall, it's getting about 17 mpg. No rattles, squeaks[/color][/color][/color]
or[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >> leaks yet. Nothing cosmetic or mechanical that I had to bring back[/color][/color][/color]
to[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >> the dealer to fix. Amazing that I can't find a thing wrong with[/color][/color][/color]
it.[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >>
> >> Cons
> >> Engine or transmission howls especially at sustained 30 mph.[/color][/color][/color]
Howls[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >> is the best word I could come up with to describe the sound. Very
> >> irritating. Air conditioner doesn't seem to keep the cab cool[/color][/color][/color]
enough[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >> even with the fan set on high.
> >> Boring. With the bland interior and mediocre exterior styling,[/color][/color][/color]
the[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >> Tacoma just does not do much for me.
> >> The ride is comfortable but on some stretches of the highway it[/color][/color][/color]
has a[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >> tendency to lunge and bounce. I've never felt this before on the
> >> same stretches of highway in our sedans.
> >> Center arm rest is too small and too far back. No rear entry doors
> >> (XTRACAB). Now I know why Ford put them on the Ranger and later
> >> F150. They would be real convenient, not having to re-adjust the[/color][/color][/color]
seat[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >> every time putting things in the back. No rear cargo light. I[/color][/color][/color]
can't[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >> honestly say that I needed it yet but knowing that it's not there
> >> bugs me especially when other manufacturers include them. Bucket
> >> seats don't have any side supports. I find myself pushing me left
> >> knee against the door for support around turns. What is that[/color][/color][/color]
little[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >> 2-hole platform thing in the back on the passenger side?
> >>
> >> Well, that's it for now. Please feel free to add or subtract from
> >> the list to match your experiences.[/color][/color][/color]