New Tacoma, old Nissan driver

1664 Views 10 Replies 9 Participants Last post by spawnman, Apr 21, 2009

spawnman

Discussion Starter · Apr 17, 2009

Well I traded in my 2005 Frontier for a new 2009 Tacoma DC 4x4 with TRD upgrades. I have a few questions to see if what I'm experiencing is normal Tacoma stuff.

1. The engine feels like it's being limited by something, feels like something is holding it back from really going. Normal??

2. Speed drops fast when you cancel the cruise. Normal??

3. With the tow package, will this really pull up to 6500 lbs with out getting the spring TSB done?

4. While driving in 5th, it hunts for gears often going up slight hill inclines. I don't remember my 5 speed Frontier doing that.

I guess that's it for now. Overall I like the truck but it's very different then the Frontier. There's things I like and things I'm still getting used to.

Any comments or suggestion would be great!!

Thanks

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STLTaco09

· #2 · Apr 17, 2009 (Edited)

spawnman said:
1. The engine feels like it's being limited by something, feels like something is holding it back from really going. Normal??

I certainly don't think it feels like the engine is being limited by something. I have a 2009 TRD Sport, and when I want to get goin, just mash the gas pedal to the floor and that thing takes off. I am coming from an Infiniti G35 too. I think these trucks are quick for what they are... trucks. However I did go through the recommended break-in noted in the manual. That limits RPM up through 1000 miles. But ever since, I'm quite happy with the performance!

spawnman said:
3. With the tow package, will this really pull up to 6500 lbs with out getting the spring TSB done?

It's my understanding that Toyota came out with the TSB to allow you to haul the advertised amount without bottoming out. Depending on how much your trailer pulls down the back of the truck, I dont know if the TSB would help as much when towing as it would when actually loading up the bed.

But yes, if you are going to be hauling to the truck's limits, then you'll want the TSB.

Congrats on the truck. I've never had a frontier, but I sure don't care for their looks. They're too small, too low, and not nearly as aggessive looking! Good choice in going with a Tacoma :thumbsup:

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TurDonor

· #3 · Apr 17, 2009

spawnman,

1. The taco A/T likes to shift up as soon as it can, and as you press the accelerator, it seems to bog down before it reluctantly downshifts, trying to maximize fuel economy, I guess. Is that what you're feeling? If so, it's real.

2. It doesn't drop so hard if you tap off the cruise by pulling the stalk toward you instead of pushing the button to turn it off. But the taco also uses a lot of engine braking, more than any other vehicle I've driven. After a while you'll appreciate it.

3. I think it depends more on the payload and tongue weight than towing weight, but the rear springs are quite soft from the factory. Drives nice when empty, IMHO, but I put on some helpers and I'm still on my stops alot.

4. Mine doesn't hunt so much as stay in 5th for longer than it should, I think. Drive for a while, let it learn your habits, and see if it doesn't get better.

Good luck with the truck. I wonder what made you move to the Toyota?

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el_smurfo

· #4 · Apr 17, 2009

Mine seems to really stick in 1st when you first start out, lurching into second...is this the hesitation you mentioned?

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capita

· #5 · Apr 17, 2009

el_smurfo, my truck does the exact same thing. Really hesitates at first. Seems to take a few seconds to accelerate

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toto

· #6 · Apr 17, 2009

I agree that it seems like you really have to stomp the gas pedal in order to get quick acceleration from a stop. Otherwise, it seems OK - it's responsive to the pedal when you need it to be. It probably is a transmission computer feature for fuel economy like TurDonor mentioned.

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asgard 1976

· #7 · Apr 18, 2009

I'm coming from a 2000 Frontier to a 2006 Tacoma.

1. Toyota's transmission seems a lot more active than the Nissan, as soon as you come of the gas it downshifts giving you that 'holding back' feeling. I remember with my Nissan you come of the gas it would literally coast without shifting down, you had to step on the brake hard for it to downshift.

3. Weak springs seem to be the trademark of the Tacoma, the Nissan can handle much more weight. Get the TSB done or get Timbrens.

4. One of the reasons why I stuck with Nissan over the years is because they make good engines. The Frontier's engine is more powerful than the Tacoma's that's why it doesn't have to hunt for gears as much going uphill.

I owned three Nissan trucks before I made the switch to Toyota, I was sick and tired of Nissan's reliability issues. My dad is still a hardcore Nissan man, everytime I visit for dinner and pull up in the garage the first thing he says is 'I can't believe you bought a Tacoma'. I have no regrets.

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WilsonTheDog

· #8 · Apr 18, 2009

asgard 1976 said:
4. One of the reasons why I stuck with Nissan over the years is because they make good engines. The Frontier's engine is more powerful than the Tacoma's that's why it doesn't have to hunt for gears as much going uphill.

That has more to do with the computer than it does power output.

asgard 1976 said:
I owned three Nissan trucks before I made the switch to Toyota, I was sick and tired of Nissan's reliability issues. My dad is still a hardcore Nissan man, everytime I visit for dinner and pull up in the garage the first thing he says is 'I can't believe you bought a Tacoma'. I have no regrets.

I feel the same. I came from an '05 Altima 3.5SE, one of the few non-trucks I've owned, and it had so many issues, I ditched it in favor of the Tacoma at only 28K miles. As I've said many times, great engine (that VQ is awesome) in a turd package.

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ksj

· #9 · Apr 18, 2009

asgard 1976 said:
I'm coming from a 2000 Frontier to a 2006 Tacoma.

1. Toyota's transmission seems a lot more active than the Nissan, as soon as you come of the gas it downshifts giving you that 'holding back' feeling. I remember with my Nissan you come of the gas it would literally coast without shifting down, you had to step on the brake hard for it to downshift.

3. Weak springs seem to be the trademark of the Tacoma, the Nissan can handle much more weight. Get the TSB done or get Timbrens.

4. One of the reasons why I stuck with Nissan over the years is because they make good engines. The Frontier's engine is more powerful than the Tacoma's that's why it doesn't have to hunt for gears as much going uphill.

I owned three Nissan trucks before I made the switch to Toyota, I was sick and tired of Nissan's reliability issues. My dad is still a hardcore Nissan man, everytime I visit for dinner and pull up in the garage the first thing he says is 'I can't believe you bought a Tacoma'. I have no regrets.

What happened to #2?

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asgard 1976

· #10 · Apr 18, 2009 (Edited)

ksj said:
What happened to #2?

#1 was a 1992, transmission died and I sold it in 1998.

#2 was a 1998, that got wrecked in 2000, but it had a power steering leak and a brake cylinder leak. 1992 had same problems.

#3 was a 2000, had the same leaks plus engine overheating problems and when the transmission started slipping I sold it in 2006 and bought the Tacoma.

Also w/ all three Nissans the fan belt would squeal, I could never get it adjusted.

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spawnman

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 21, 2009

Thanks for all the input. I had a friend who has an 09 Tacoma also drive mine and see what he thought of it all and he thinks it drives great just like his!! So I guess the difference is it's just different! So that's cool, it's just every truck until now for me has been a Nissan.

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