Lighter Taco & Less Quality - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

gahunter · 11-22-2006, 11:46 AM

I've been evaluating my 05' Taco compared to my old X cab 98' Taco, the 05' seems to have more plastic and seems cheaper made. I wonder what the weight difference is. Both are 4x4. i wouldn't be susprised to find the 98' weighs close to or more than the 05'. The plastic material in front of the front tires are especially flimsy on the 05'. We all know about the cheap thin material on the tail gate. On a ratio of size vs weight, I'd be willing to bet the 05' doesn't have the material weight the 98' has. My SO hit a squirrel in her Corolla and the buger went thru the fog light blank cover and went out thru her wheel well area in front of her front tire. To keep it from tearing up futher and draging, she had to use wire ties to tie it up and out of the way and eventually had to replace all of the plastic. Tacos aren't built like they once were.

cwhiley · 11-22-2006, 12:34 PM

So get rid of it. I'm a bit tired of these types of threads. I'm perfectly happy with mine. As long as the drivetrain reliability is there I'm happy. I plan on keeping my truck for at least 10 years.

pointerDixie214 · 11-22-2006, 12:39 PM

I agree, if you don't like it, sell it. The reliability is still there and that's what matters most to me. I do wish, however, that they offered a steel bumper like my Ford Ranger had... that thing didn't have a scratch on it but I sure hit a lot in it...

TnTitanz · 11-22-2006, 02:15 PM

Everyone has their opinion and the right to express it.
You can learn from anyone...

Now to the meat of the subject:

Let's take a '98 Ford F150 and place it against an '05 F150. Which one do you think would be heavier built?

I have worked in the automotive industry for most of the last 20 years and as a supplier have always gotten beat up on cost reductions.

How do you reduce cost? You design and build lighter with less costly materials.

So if you were using metal maybe you use plastic instead. Form, fit and function remain constant but maybe not squirrel proof anymore.

rpmspeedyBlue · 11-22-2006, 02:42 PM

True the Taco has its drawbacks but it also has some good advantages. The style is great, HP, Handling, overall design are very good to name a few. If I were to buy another truck I would definitely buy another compared to the trucks that are out there today.

BillBrasky · 11-22-2006, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TnTitanz

Everyone has their opinion and the right to express it.
You can learn from anyone...

Now to the meat of the subject:

Let's take a '98 Ford F150 and place it against an '05 F150. Which one do you think would be heavier built?

I have worked in the automotive industry for most of the last 20 years and as a supplier have always gotten beat up on cost reductions.

How do you reduce cost? You design and build lighter with less costly materials.

So if you were using metal maybe you use plastic instead. Form, fit and function remain constant but maybe not squirrel proof anymore.

Great post.

cj99si · 11-22-2006, 03:31 PM

Im still trying to figure out how the squirrel and corolla fit in...

mikeg281 · 11-22-2006, 03:46 PM

More weight means longer stopping distances, slower acceleration, poorer gas mileage. Why make wheel well covers any thicker than they need to be? All they do is hide what is behind them. Why make a fog light blank super duty. It's just filling a hole. Cosmetic items only need to be as strong as the purpose they serve.

Mike

crusty · 11-22-2006, 03:53 PM

. We all know about the cheap thin material on the tail gate.
Compare the tailgate of your truck to a 05 F150, the ford tailgate is just as light if not lighter then the taco.

coloradotaco · 11-22-2006, 03:53 PM

a squirrel and a corolla leave two cities at the same time, travelling directly toward each other. if the squirrel is driving a 98 tacoma and the corolla is drafting an 05 tacoma....

cj99si · 11-22-2006, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coloradotaco

a squirrel and a corolla leave two cities at the same time, travelling directly toward each other. if the squirrel is driving a 98 tacoma and the corolla is drafting an 05 tacoma....

they probably disintagrate before they meet

Fitz235 · 11-22-2006, 04:16 PM

Did she hit the squirrel because was she swirving out of the way of a pidgeon?

forbye · 11-22-2006, 04:45 PM

colorado,,nice post...some of you guys gotta lighten up... this is just factual shit..the original poster probably would buy another taco..upon my first creeper crawl under, i picked up on a lot of the bracing is pretty flimsy compared to US stuff, however there is always an upside..they werenot rusting already !! the final index will be total cost of ownership when i throw it away..ask me what i think then..happy thanksgiving everyone...we have plenty to be greatful for taking this ride..

yrffej · 11-22-2006, 04:59 PM

probably a bionic squirrel....

TucsonTRD · 11-22-2006, 05:14 PM

this post is shit, i'm tired of reading about people complaining about the taco like it is the worst truck ever made. "the dash is so cheap, the tailgate is so flimsy, the paint chips, etc". wtf, fill your dam tailgate with freakin cement if you want a heavy ass tailgate. these forums are to share and pass on knowledge for taco owners everywhere. everyone that wants to bitch about the taco needs to go start there own website.

my guess is, no one that is bitching about their taco has called TOA to voice their opinion. i'm not saying that will change anything, but do you think toyota will all of the sudden start to use heavier/sturdier tailgates if they don't know people are unsatisfied with the current setup?