Hi there. i love Toyota's and own a 1982 toy pickup. its great. I recently enlisted into the Army and am wondering about upgrading my old truck to a 05+ tacoma. I would buy a manual transmission and a access cab. I really like the hood scoop too. what models come with the hood scoops? I know there are 2 engines they put in the truck. a 4 cylinder and a 6. which engine is better? Are there any problems with these trucks?

please list your opinion on cons and pros.

Thanks

 

Bump for ya... I remember reading something about rear differential problems on the 05's and maybe 06's with the V6?
I'm pretty sure the hood scoop is only on the trd sport, but it's not functional.

I like that even the 4x4 4 cyl access cab for 09 has a limited slip rear diff.. used to have to get the V6 with the towing package or a trd sport for a lsd.

Something to think about if you get a V6, the automatic actually gets better gas mileage.

 

Honestly, While I am not able to even get near an 09 taco to even think about buying heres what I have concluded seeing 57821qjas987u548q29 of them around...

The access cab and larger...WAYY too big..
I would only get a single cab manual 4x4...The single cab doesnt come v6...I have an 09 taco brochure right next to me...

As for the access cab with a 4 banger...its got 159 HP with the 09 2.7 , And in my dads 99 4runner with less probably 15 less HP and 2x4...IDK about weight..But with the 5 Speed, It gets up and goes when I drive it...

I just think an access cab+ is too long and too wide to do any good trails without body damage...although I know some of the trails I do can be done with a much wider truck...

Cant comment on rear diff problems as I havent heard much about that...

 

The L/S that the '09's come with is not a diff type L/S, instead it's a ABS actuated system, and it works pretty well. Not sure if the 4 cyl model works the front and rear like mine though. If so you find that many times when you'd think you need lock the rear, you don't . I have and '05 D/C, short bed, TRD off-road, I got all the opts, and have been very comfortable and happy with this truck. 62k with 0 problems. moving from a 3rd gen 4runner to this, you do notice the larger size while on the trail at first, but you get used to it. I feared that I may not fit on some of the trails I used to frequent, but have squeezed through them all just fine. Fold your mirrors, slap on some sliders and let'r'rip. If I didn't have a kid I'd have gotten a single cab too, but honestly whenever I think my truck is going to be a cow on tighter trails, it surprises me with it's agility.

 

That would be pretty misleading if that's the case.. the 09 access cabs I've seen on the lot have a separate sticker on the rear window listing the new features, one of them being a limited slip rear differential.

I just checked on the web site and they're calling it "automatic limited-slip differential".. maybe the automatic part means electronically controlled then eh?

Then under safety they list "Star Safety System™ – includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control with off switch, Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist".
So if you turn traction control off do you no longer have a LSD? =p
Guess the only way to know for sure is if someone with an 09 is willing to turn traction control off and see if they can lay down two strips of rubber =D

 

Correct! with trac off, you no longer have a limited slip. Just curious, does the sticker say limited slip differential, or just limited slip?
I wish mine had a way to shut down the trac, other than locking the rear diff.

 

I may be all washed up, i just visited the website and it said "Limited Slip Differential" which would indicate a true limited slip. Sorry for any confusion. I wonder though, if you can get the LSD if you order the package with the traction control, which is the brake type limited slip?

 

You're right.. I stopped by there tonight and read the print below where it says automatic limited slip rear differential. It says something to the effect of that it automatically applies the brake to the slipping wheel and transfers power to the wheel with traction.

 

It's funny because I always thought that the ones with the tow package and the trd sport from 05 to 08 had a true limited slip, but I guess all those worked like this also then?

 

Well now that you mention it, my buddy had an '08 TRD sport long bed and he had an LSD but no traction control. I think the ones with trac had a "Auto LSD on/off" button, which would indicate a ABS based system, because you can't turn off a mechanical one, be it clutch packs or gears.

 

I have an '08 TRD Sport with the LSD and I don't have traction control.

 

I've got a 2009 Reg Cab 4X4(2.7/5 speed). When you press the trac off button, the traction control off light comes on as well as the "Auto LSD" light. In this mode the truck will lay twin streaks of rubber, but only to a certain point. at so much slip angle traction control will still kick in.