I have a 2005 Tacoma with 22,000 miles on it, i also own a '99 Toyota Epic X-22. it seems as though my truck has just enough power to tow it; i'm always at high RPM's or constantly running through the gears though. I was considering buying a few parts such as a CAI and Exhaust to help with towing; however, i have read that you also need a MAF sensor calibrator to really get full power out of the new parts and that just resetting your ECU won't do to much. i have heard from a few people that getting aftermarket parts will end up ruining my truck in the long run. will afetrmarket parts help? am i risking it, towing a boat? can you recommend parts that won't void my warrenty? thanks.
Aftermarket parts and towing
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i don't think you have to worry about an exhaust and cai hurting your truck in the long run, but they also won't give you noticably more towing power either
a supercharger would be the best power mod, but that will cut down your long term reliability
a supercharger would be the best power mod, but that will cut down your long term reliability
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If you have a tow package with the Tranny cooler you should be good as long as your load is balanced and within wieght ranges of the SPECs for the V6
i honstly don't know if i have a tranny cooler. how do i find out? Also, would adding a leaf in the rear help with the sag when towing without compromising the ride when not towing?? i already have a 3 inch lift so the stance is pretty level.
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I really don't know how much an exhaust and CAI, even with the split second thing, could noticeably increase towing power. If power is your concern, the supercharger is what you want.
It's hard to really increase the hp without having to worry about voiding warranty. Safest mods would be the exhaust and CAI. The split second device and the supercharger are more prone to be used against you if anything goes screwy engine wise.
Adding a leaf will help with the sag, but the ride is definately stiffer. Well, according to me. I know it's a little too late..but why didn't you buy a Tundra (or something else) if you only have just enough power to tow it?
It's hard to really increase the hp without having to worry about voiding warranty. Safest mods would be the exhaust and CAI. The split second device and the supercharger are more prone to be used against you if anything goes screwy engine wise.
Adding a leaf will help with the sag, but the ride is definately stiffer. Well, according to me. I know it's a little too late..but why didn't you buy a Tundra (or something else) if you only have just enough power to tow it?
thanks for the feedback. i think i'm going to invest in a CAI and exhaust soon... but the boat came after the truck hah. if i would have known i was going to invest in a boat i would have purchased something bigger. i may look into it though. i just love my taco too much to get rid of it!!
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If your Taco came with the factory tow package, then you have the aux tranny & oil cooler. If you just have an added trailer hitch to the back (either by you or dealer, etc.), then you probably don't have them.bsacks77 said:
You really should know how much the boat/trailer set up weighs. I tow my 22' boat and on the trailer it weighs in at 5100lbs. She pulls it fine but I really wouldn't want to pull too much more, especially up hills.
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The Factory Tow Package is a tricky one. I have an 06 TRD DBL CAB that had a "Tow Package" listed on the sticker. However, it was not the full blown ClassIV package with tranny cooler & 7-pin connection. It was (most likely dealer added) Class III hitch with factory 4-wire.
Check your trailer plug. If its the 7-wire (flower) then youve got the full tow package with coolers and stuff. And then i would say that your just simply pulling too much weight.
If you have the 4-wire like I did, then youve got even more concerns. Just my experience.
Check your trailer plug. If its the 7-wire (flower) then youve got the full tow package with coolers and stuff. And then i would say that your just simply pulling too much weight.
If you have the 4-wire like I did, then youve got even more concerns. Just my experience.
There was a hitch option at my dealer for approx $400 that most trucks had. It was factory and listed on the sticker but it was not the full-blown tow package with coolers, class 4 hitch, upgraded alternator and battery. I ordered the ~700 full tow package on my truck.
Keeping it in 4th is key as is running premium gas when towing. Only look to really tow the advertised 6500 (with tow package) if you live in a flat state. From my experience this truck is barely capable of pulling itself over a mountain. This is the 1st car/trcuk I have ever owned that had to kick down out of over-drive on a trip up route 17 to upstate NY.
Skip the upgrades it will do nothing for you. If you really want to upgrade buy something with a v8 that makes some torque or go diesel.
Keeping it in 4th is key as is running premium gas when towing. Only look to really tow the advertised 6500 (with tow package) if you live in a flat state. From my experience this truck is barely capable of pulling itself over a mountain. This is the 1st car/trcuk I have ever owned that had to kick down out of over-drive on a trip up route 17 to upstate NY.
Skip the upgrades it will do nothing for you. If you really want to upgrade buy something with a v8 that makes some torque or go diesel.
The tow pkg on the sticker that is not the "full-blown factory tow package" is often the one added by the "Distributor" (vs. the "Dealer"). The "Distributor" is what I would describe as a regional wholesaler of the vehicles. From the factory, the vehicle goes to the Distributor. Options are often added and it then goes to the Dealer.
It's something that I've only seen w/ Toyota, and it's really screwey.
It's the reason why you can't really order what you want from the factory, you can sometimes order what you want from the Distributor - but there's no guarantee you'll get it.
My hitch is listed on the sticker as option code DH, $415 list price and consists of the receiver, drop hitch ball mount, and the harness (4 wire). It does not include the coolers, and it was not added by the dealer. It was installed by GulfStatesToyota, the distributor for these parts, prior to shipment to my dealer. On the GST stickers (the only sticker on the vehicles), the factory installed options are listed in one column, the Distributor installed options in another. If the dealer installs options, they get listed on another sticker -if at all.
I can't say that's how it works elsewhere in the country, but it's similar to what my daughter had with her Toyota she purchased in Kansas. (I don't recall which distributor that is, but it's not GST.)
Hope that adds clarity.
It's something that I've only seen w/ Toyota, and it's really screwey.
It's the reason why you can't really order what you want from the factory, you can sometimes order what you want from the Distributor - but there's no guarantee you'll get it.
My hitch is listed on the sticker as option code DH, $415 list price and consists of the receiver, drop hitch ball mount, and the harness (4 wire). It does not include the coolers, and it was not added by the dealer. It was installed by GulfStatesToyota, the distributor for these parts, prior to shipment to my dealer. On the GST stickers (the only sticker on the vehicles), the factory installed options are listed in one column, the Distributor installed options in another. If the dealer installs options, they get listed on another sticker -if at all.
I can't say that's how it works elsewhere in the country, but it's similar to what my daughter had with her Toyota she purchased in Kansas. (I don't recall which distributor that is, but it's not GST.)
Hope that adds clarity.
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