Reg. cab & 2.7 question

3265 Views 40 Replies 15 Participants Last post by Subaruguy86, Jan 29, 2007

HomeGrown

Discussion Starter · Jan 26, 2007

I'm thinking about getting a regular cab 4x4, 5-speed Taco maybe next year. I was really disappointed to see the lack of available options for the regular cab truck.
In fact, the ONLY option package is for A/C and floor mats.

I know there are extremely few members here who have the regular cab (I looked at ALL 100+ pages in the "show your truck" thread), but I was just wondering how you like them. Are there any bolt-on power adders for the 2.7 engine? How strong is the 2.7, in terms of internal components?

On a side note and totally unrelated, I work for Toyota in a department that specializes in new equipment installations. I previously worked at the Tundra plant in San Antonio doing weld robot programming. Now I'm doing weld jig quality confirmations, and am going to the Taco plant in Mexico next week to install a new radiator support and left side inner fender weld jigs. Really looking forward to seeing the plant and all the new Tacomas.

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Jredneck480

· #2 · Jan 26, 2007

i have an 05' 4x4 reg cab, and love it, i just wish i would have waited for the '06 so the bugs could have been worked out.

tim.powerbook

· #3 · Jan 26, 2007

i don't have the reg cab, but i have the 2.7L in a prerunner.....the engine is pretty good for a 4 cylinder

Subaruguy86

· #4 · Jan 26, 2007

Theirs more members with them over on www.ttora.com

The Tacomas are made in fremont CA by the UAW so I dont know why you think their made in mexico.

I'm sure the 2.7 is strong enough to handle what ever you throw at it stock. If your planing on boosting it I have no idea about that, im sure the motor is all cast like the 4.0

mikemoto81

· #5 · Jan 26, 2007

I have a 4cyl prerunner too. Its a pretty tough 4cyl. I love mine so far. There's a lil lag on acceleration due to the a/t tires but no biggy.

CasaTaco

· #6 · Jan 26, 2007

I just bought my 07 2.7L ext. cab 2wd Taco, Tuesday this week and I know what you mean about Toyota not offering much for regular cabs. They figure that you would only want a regular cab as a work truck so you get stuck with a bench seat and only a/c as an option. If you want more than that then it kind of forces you to buy an extended cab where now you can get the convenience pkg. or the SR5 package. Anyway I really like my truck even thou it's gonna take a little getting used to it's size. My trade-in was a 2003 MINI Cooper S. The 2.7L is very adequate, should getting a little better gas mileage the 4.0L and with the SR5 package it appointed very well inside.

CasaTaco
DFW, TX.

HomeGrown

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 26, 2007

Subaruguy86 said:
Theirs more members with them over on www.ttora.com

The Tacomas are made in fremont CA by the UAW so I dont know why you think their made in mexico.

Toyota press release said:
TMMBC (Mexico plant) began operations in 2004 and produces Tacoma pick-ups for sale in the United States and Mexico. The plant also makes all Tacoma truck beds.

Most Toyota models are produced in more than one plant.

Thanks for the info, and for the ttora link. I'll definately be checking that out.

Wrxman69

· #8 · Jan 26, 2007

HomeGrown said:
I'm thinking about getting a regular cab 4x4, 5-speed Taco maybe next year. I was really disappointed to see the lack of available options for the regular cab truck.
In fact, the ONLY option package is for A/C and floor mats.

I know there are extremely few members here who have the regular cab (I looked at ALL 100+ pages in the "show your truck" thread), but I was just wondering how you like them. Are there any bolt-on power adders for the 2.7 engine? How strong is the 2.7, in terms of internal components?

On a side note and totally unrelated, I work for Toyota in a department that specializes in new equipment installations. I previously worked at the Tundra plant in San Antonio doing weld robot programming. Now I'm doing weld jig quality confirmations, and am going to the Taco plant in Mexico next week to install a new radiator support and left side inner fender weld jigs. Really looking forward to seeing the plant and all the new Tacomas.

What I find really ridiculous is light colored interiors in these trucks. Light grey seats and carpeting that stain if you look at them? In a pickup truck? Come on Toyota, you can research your customers a little better than that. Tailgates that can't take a load for fear of bending?

I like my '05 reg cab and it gets the job done, but between all the miscellaneous quality issues this truck has had plus the blunders mentioned above, I think it gets more credit than it deserves and is definitely benefiting from having the "Toyota" name on it.

Make sure you really want one of these vehicles and do drive ALL of the competitors vehicles out there. You'll like the Tacoma to be sure, but it's far from perfect, as is any other vehicle.

mclaysa

· #9 · Jan 26, 2007

Hey there,
Just a few words on the 2.7Liter Regular cab.

I own a 2007 2wd Regular cab w/ 2.7L engine and manual transmission....have had it for about 2 months now. And what do I think of the truck? I really like it alot...plenty of power for such an efficient engine. Of course there will be a difference in owning a 4X4, with the added weight of the transfer case, front differential, larger tires, etc.

As far as the interior is concerned, I don't mind that it's basic....I mean it's a truck, not my living room. My theory is the less electrical gadgets (power locks, windows, mirrors, heated seats, fog lights) the better...less electrical components that could fail, less relays that may need replacing, less strain on the alternator and thus the engine itself (in turn better fuel economy). That's just me though...toyota obviously offers these comfort options because there's a demand for them.

The regular cab caters to the "utilitarian" personality....basic, reliable transportation. Bottom line is go for what will make you happy...not for the immediate, but for several years of ownership.

-sm

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ScubaGuy

· #10 · Jan 26, 2007

HomeGrown said:
I'm thinking about getting a regular cab 4x4, 5-speed Taco maybe next year. I was really disappointed to see the lack of available options for the regular cab truck.
In fact, the ONLY option package is for A/C and floor mats.

You can get the SR-5 package. Push them a little harder and be willing to wait a little. If they won't do it, find another dealer.

daniel240

· #11 · Jan 26, 2007

I just ordered my 07 regular cab 4x4 2.7L on Wednesday. I got the SR5 package that comes with painted fenders, grill, chrome bumpers, bucket seats and different colored interior, along with a few other things. I would of rather had the extended cab but the extra $3k or more is not worth it to me. I was worried the reg. cab would be too small after driving my dad's 91 tacoma but it was surprisingly much much bigger. When I moved the seat back all the way I could barely touch the pedals, but in the 91, with the bench all the way back, I still felt cramped. And when I test drove it, it had plenty of power, not to mention the better gas mileage that it will get. Im just graduating college and don't have kids so the reg cab works fine for me. I will trade it in down the road when I really need an ext. cab.

HomeGrown

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jan 26, 2007

Very good info here, thanks for the input guys.

Toyota didn't do a very good job on their website, because they totally don't mention the SR5 package on the reg. cab. I would like PW, PL, fog lights, tach, and a limited slip rear axle, and that's about the extent of it. I'll take what I can get though. Do any of these options magically become available if you order the SR5 package? Or is the SR5 package a predetermined group of options?
Extended cabs are nice, but I want the extra room in my garage more than I want it in the cab.

Subaruguy86

· #13 · Jan 26, 2007

http://www.uaw.org/uawmade/auto/2006/uawtrk.cfm

http://www.nummi.com/

My truck has the nummi words on the window sticker and its made in fremont, Im sure some parts are made elsewhere but the truck is all american as is the new tundra

HomeGrown

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jan 26, 2007

Looks like NUMMI produces 163k Tacoma's per year, and the Mexico plant is in a ramp-up phase where they will produce around 55k (I think) annual production.

As far as I know, NUMMI is the only UAW plant that produces Toyotas.

ScubaGuy

· #15 · Jan 26, 2007

HomeGrown said:
Very good info here, thanks for the input guys.
Toyota didn't do a very good job on their website, because they totally don't mention the SR5 package on the reg. cab. I would like PW, PL, fog lights, tach, and a limited slip rear axle, and that's about the extent of it. I'll take what I can get though. Do any of these options magically become available if you order the SR5 package? Or is the SR5 package a predetermined group of options?
Extended cabs are nice, but I want the extra room in my garage more than I want it in the cab.

I think all those options come with the SR5 package except the limited slip. The dealer is going to tell you they cannot get the SR5 package for you because they want you to take what is in the pipeline. But push them and it will happen.

Subaruguy86

· #16 · Jan 26, 2007

HomeGrown said:
Looks like NUMMI produces 163k Tacoma's per year, and the Mexico plant is in a ramp-up phase where they will produce around 55k (I think) annual production.

As far as I know, NUMMI is the only UAW plant that produces Toyotas.

The Corolla and the Tacoma are the only UAW cars. Mine wasnt made in mexico maybe the ones they sell their are. They might not even be the same as the us trucks. Mine was made by the UAW in fremont. very intresting. I think the CAW might make some too.

HomeGrown

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jan 26, 2007

Actually, when the time comes I will be ordering directly from Toyota North America. They have a couple of dedicated ordering computers set up, but I haven't looked at or priced anything yet, other than on Toyota's general website.

I just picked up an '07 Taco brochure. The SR5 package #1 (SE) that is available on the Prerunner and 4x4 includes:

Air conditioning
Sliding rear window (non-privacy glass)
Bucket Seats with center console
Chrome grille surround and rear bumper
Color-keyed front bumper
Color-keyed overfenders
Metallic-tone instrument panel trim
Variable speed wipers
Fabric trimmed sun visors with extenders and mirror
SR5 seat fabric
SR5 badging

No PW/PL, fog lights, or leather wrapped wrapped steering wheel.
Fog lights are ONLY available with a V6. :whatthe:
That's really over-the-top stupid.

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cddallara

· #18 · Jan 26, 2007

HomeGrown said:
No PW/PL, fog lights, or leather wrapped wrapped steering wheel.
Fog lights are ONLY available with a V6. :whatthe:
That's really over-the-top stupid.

Tell me about it! I got the "nicest" 2wd I could, and no fogs. Or cd changer. Or compass/temp, mirror or overhead. Or limited slip. Or bed mounted power outlet....

Subaruguy86

· #19 · Jan 26, 2007

I didnt get a brochure so I dont know the option combos but If I were you I would get a access cab if you can afford it.

I had a 03 TRD access cab and it was awsome. Your back seat was for gear not people but its still nice to have the extra room. Remember you dont have a trunk!

The dubble cab can hold a "normal sized" adult easily. I'm 6'3'' but ive never tried to get in the back. The interior is going to be mega cheep with the reg cab too. Its hardly the same truck that I have.

Droppedmytaco

· #20 · Jan 27, 2007

You can make the base trucks look nice with a little elbow grease and some determination.
As far as power goes they have plenty for a 4 cyl. Mine seems to run better with age. Could be my imagination but it feels like it has more power now than when I bought it.

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