[qk94dawg]

Just curious why I see so many threads with people bashing or angry about the '05 Taco's. Just curious, thats all, I really could give a rats ass.


Seriously though, as a former '00 4runner owner (lifted/SC'd), a former 2nd gen 4runner owner (4inch/35's), this truck is a HUGE improvement over the previous years. I mean, its not even in the same catagory anymore IMHO. I just can't wait to see some modd'd ones hitting the trails. -on another note, does anyone know of any lift kits coming besides the spacer lifts/coilovers. (something in the 4-6 inch range?) I'd like to skip the 32/33inch tire that may rub and go right to a nice clearing 35.

 

[tenntaco]

I haven't really noticed any anamosity. I think most people are just concerned about the direction Toyota is taking with Tacomas. That being said, Toyota is a business and they have to make money. While their recent decisions may not be the most pleasing to this type of crowd, they were sound in the sense that they are catering to the largest market possible.

 

[Bear]

Just curious why I see so many threads with people bashing or angry about the '05 Taco's. Just curious, thats all, I really could give a rats ass.


Seriously though, as a former '00 4runner owner (lifted/SC'd), a former 2nd gen 4runner owner (4inch/35's), this truck is a HUGE improvement over the previous years. I mean, its not even in the same catagory anymore IMHO. I just can't wait to see some modd'd ones hitting the trails. -on another note, does anyone know of any lift kits coming besides the spacer lifts/coilovers. (something in the 4-6 inch range?) I'd like to skip the 32/33inch tire that may rub and go right to a nice clearing 35.

I am not exactly sure I understand your statement about the anomosity towards the 05's, I wouldn't say it is rampent or anything. But a lot of the times people just don't like change. Also there was an issue with the new "plastic" beds. People were having issues with them cracking with toppers and such that were not intended for them to begin with.

Toyota is trying to fill a market that they believe has a void. Many people around here liked the size of the older Tacos and think Toyota is selling out making the 05 model bigger.

I haven't really thought about all this, so I probably should not comment but maybe those are some ideas for thought.

As for ideas of lifts. Again I don't have much to say about it, other than I remember when I first got into the club back in '99. The way I found the club was because I was doing searches for aftermarket options for my '97 because back then there still wasn't many. I am sure the natural evolution of the 05's will also promote more options for lifts like it did with the other models. Patience may be the prescription for this delimma.

 

[GreenTaco4x4]

Its bigger, longer wheel base(i think), lower ground clearance, no SFA, plastic bed. Also I think it looks ugly as a dried up piece of pig shit. But thats just me, your entitled to your own opinion.

 

[Ted]

I've seen a few on the road, I would'nt having one for a DD. People don't like different, but after a while it will grow on them.

 

[Dieseler]

Personally I love the '05 ( save for the funky wheelwells). It's bigger than the older ones, but not the size of a fullsize truck. Perfect balance for what I want. More power and a better ride, and I love the idea of a composite bed, though time will tell more on that.

I'm not a hardcore off-roader, but I like trails and places/activities that a 4x4 truck just make thing easier and more accessible.

Its a new model vehicle and as such will be waiting for aftermarket parts for awhile. I can't think of a single time that I've seen any new model come out and have everyone cry out "YES! This is better" you just can't make everyone happy.

And in case you're wondering... no I don't own one yet. I will not be a beta tester by buying a 1st year production of any vehicle. But I will own an '06!

 

[05'DCTaco]

Im new here but got an 05 taco dec. 27, 04 and it was still on the semi truck when we saw it at the dealer! Love it my mom mostly drives it to work though. it works great for us because we live over a mile off a paved road and in the winter when it rains / snows the road gets hard to drive on and it was time to retire our 94 camry and upgrade for something able to drive on a dirt rd. It has a little over 5,000 miles on it havent had a problem with it yet but got the parking break recall saturday... cant wait to get my self a late 90's taco and make it one bad ass taco

 

[bb609]

Because the thing is just uckin fugly! I see them on the streets and try to see something good about them but shake my head each time. I used to think the same about the last models too but am happy with my '03. In time I guess...

 

[Scooby do]

I am just jealous

 

[jdiesel]

Just curious why I see so many threads with people bashing or angry about the '05 Taco's. Just curious, thats all, I really could give a rats ass.


Seriously though, as a former '00 4runner owner (lifted/SC'd), a former 2nd gen 4runner owner (4inch/35's), this truck is a HUGE improvement over the previous years. I mean, its not even in the same catagory anymore IMHO. I just can't wait to see some modd'd ones hitting the trails. -on another note, does anyone know of any lift kits coming besides the spacer lifts/coilovers. (something in the 4-6 inch range?) I'd like to skip the 32/33inch tire that may rub and go right to a nice clearing 35.

Your probably not going to see anyone do much moddin to one for a while. They are so much bigger that previous models. Anyone who is seriously wanting a taco for modding will go with an older model. This new taco is nice looking I will give it that, but Toyota really took away alot of possibilities with this truck. Don't get me wrong I love the truck, but I wouldn't pay the money for something that is limited on what it can do, especially related to its size.

 

[jwol316]

I think it is going to grow on everybody. Heard the same bitching around here when the first 2001s rolled off the lot, as well as the first doublecabs. Forming an opinion on a new vehicle is a long, drawn out process. Many of the guys bitchin today will be driving one tomorrow, as proved true with the frontend redesign in 01 and the crewcabs.

Now, the complaints on the taco going backwards from where we want to be are warranted. But lets face facts, its natural vehicle evolution. Every single new toyota thats come out has been less (offroad/reliablility) than its predecessor, but still a kick in the @$$ to nearly all of the competion.

 

[TACO 4X4]

There are some who trash it and others who love it...Toyota has always had a reptutation of A) building quality cars and trucks and B) having a good off-road capabilities. A) still appears to be intact but people, including myself hate to see Toyota move farther and farther away from the off-road capabilities. Larger and Lower and not good for off-road (at least that's what I hear). I would love to have a 6spd and 245 horses, but wouldn't want it in that size. My wife drives an '05 runner and we love it, but it's our mall wheeler. Only mine will see the trails.

 

[Mike-in-WV]

Don't like the idea that they made them bigger, tacomas are not supposed to be big! The wheel well flares look like someone droped a stick of TNT under the truck and when they blew up Toyota just left them that way. The plastic beds are a real mistake for Toyota and I'm waiting to see where else they cut corners to save money. They haven't been out all that long and you see allot of complaints on this site and others from new owners.Guess we will just have to see where it goes.
Changing the size kind of sticks in my craw more than anything and they just don't look like a Tacoma anymore. :xcrybaby:

 

[05'DCTaco]

There not that much! We only spent 31k on ours got it down from the 35,995 asking price.... its got the trd package sport suspension, 17'aloys... we love that we have a 115V/ 400W 3 prong plug in the bed of the truck... im going to take pics of it tonight when it gets back home... Oh and we beat a new f350 4X4 to the top of a steep hill... it felt like a couple of times it was going to flip over backwards... the cab is very spacious!

 

[qk94dawg]

I dunno guys, its not that much larger, and I bet it proves to be just as good offroad. I know I hated the new 4runners when they came out (still do), but these Taco's are just a cut above. They are a little pricey, but shit, they are unbelievable quality. The interior resembles a lexus far more than a Tercel (as previous years) IMHO.I bet it also does just great in azrocks '06....maybe bigger will BE better? time will tell.

 

[Mike]

I dunno guys, its not that much larger, and I bet it proves to be just as good offroad. I know I hated the new 4runners when they came out (still do), but these Taco's are just a cut above. They are a little pricey, but shit, they are unbelievable quality. The interior resembles a lexus far more than a Tercel (as previous years) IMHO.I bet it also does just great in azrocks '06....maybe bigger will BE better? time will tell.

Well, for lots of trails, bigger is definitely not better! This is Demello on Axle Alley.

Later,
....Mike

 

[Gargoyle]

OK, I am biased, I already have one. But...
Bigger?
2004 (x-cab) length: 202.9", width: 66.5", height: 67.5", wb: 121.9"
2005 (a-cab) length: 208.1", width: 74.6", height: 69.9", wb: 127.8"
So it is 5.2" longer, 8.1" wider (only 4.3" wider w/ d-cab vs. a-cab), and 2.4" taller. I'm sure no one will complain about the extra height. They made it 6" longer, which is not going to have much trail influence, so the only thing is the width. Personally I have an '86 Toyota PU and the size was always a bit sparse until now. Just sit in one of the new ones and you will notice where the extra size went--interior space, which I think was needed (I am 6'2" BTW). That being said, I looked at the Tundra and would rather have the smaller, more fuel efficient, and better trail-ready Tacoma.
Ya, it is not going to fair well on the MIKE's Axle Alley, but I am willing to bet the reason for that picture was the extreme nature of that crux. The new truck will handle 98% of the same off-road trails that the old truck did. For the remaining 2%, you have an extra 55 HP and 62 ft-lbs of stock torque to help you scratch and dent it up. MIKE's footer even says "Build It - Wheel It - Break It - Fix It"!
I think the arguments against the bed are a bunch of hot air. I had only found ONE story on the whole web about the bed cracking and it was quickly replaced. Toyota will stand behind there workmanship. Everyone who isn't extreme enough to bob their tail gets a bed liner or would like to.
What else: shape, fenders, colors? This is all subjective and maybe a bit of regret, jealousy, or just plain opinion.
After market: I have recently learned that patience is going to be my best ally. I am waiting for bumpers, lifts, etc. and it may be a year or more.
Opinions and bias will rule this argument. Drive the old ones, drive the new one, wait for the ’06 if you like, but remember: they are only going to go forward, not back. So the ’05 is the future of the Tacoma, like it or not.
Personally, I like it!

 

[Mike]

OK, I am biased, I already have one. But...
Bigger?
2004 (x-cab) length: 202.9", width: 66.5", height: 67.5", wb: 121.9"
2005 (a-cab) length: 208.1", width: 74.6", height: 69.9", wb: 127.8"
So it is 5.2" longer, 8.1" wider (only 4.3" wider w/ d-cab vs. a-cab), and 2.4" taller. I'm sure no one will complain about the extra height. They made it 6" longer, which is not going to have much trail influence, so the only thing is the width.

Many of our trails are very tight, and every extra inch of width or wheelbase makes it that much more difficult.

Don't get me wrong, I kinda like the new Tacomas, I just think they are too big.

Later,
....Mike

 

[jon_7248]

personally I dont like the style. Toyota for over 20 years had about the same style in pickups/tacoma. Then this modern style was made that I think should be left to SUVs and LUVs mallrunner riggs.

 

[REALM]

Personally all I can say is THANK GOODNESS for the '05! I owned a 95.5 Tacoma, and loved it! However, it was nearly a decade ago that I owned that thing and it was so sad that just months ago Toyota was still building the same truck with the same old interior. On top of that, whenever the Tacoma came up, people would often say something to the effect of, "Man, I would love to have the Tacoma, but it's so small. More like I want one like I would want an ATV, not for every day driving."

I couldn't agree more, it was time the Tacoma grew just slightly, and indeed I have seen one up close and it grew just slightly.

The one thing I think Toyota should have done with the '05 is done away with a console that closes the driver/passenger in. They should have made the console go to the floor like in a full-size truck... would be roomier.

Side opening tailgate as well as vertical... it's just time.

Flat floor in the back. Sure you can turn the rear seats down on the double cab, but they should have had them (IMO) flip up so you could put taller stuff in.