Advice from trading Tacoma for Tundra

My 2016 TRD OR Tacoma AC had more payload than my 2019 Platinum CM Tundra. So don't assume you get more PL going to Tundra. Look at the door stickers.

 

OMG, how awful! You poor thing!

I don't know how I've been managing, but in our 2003 Corolla CE, we have... (brace yourself... wait for it...) manual crank windows on all 4 doors! Oh the horror! And for the last three years I've had to reach across to each one from the driver's seat to roll them up or down myself in the summer because the air conditioner was broken. Finally I couldn't take it anymore and I got the air conditioner fixed. Yep, another first world problem, lol!

And to think that for decades people used to rely on manual crank windows. Just having power windows was considered a luxury, never mind just having auto down on the driver's window. Now it's expected to have auto up AND auto down on all 4 windows or it's not keeping up with the times. This is going to sound crazy, but I actually don't even know if I have auto up/down and on how many windows. Pretty sure I've got auto down on the driver's window at least, I usually just hold the power window button until the window is all the way up or down. Now that you mention it, sometimes it keeps going even after I let go of the button. Maybe there's something to be said for simplicity after all.

 

Don't care about the bed space much so I will be going Crewmax. It seems like I should be going for the 5.7 SR5 TRD off-road package that seems to be most recommended. What exactly is the off-road package? Just wheels and suspension? I'll see if I can get a 2016 or 2017 but If I find a good deal on a 14' or 15' I'll just get a bigger fuel tank and swap them. Never had TSS or any safety features like that so I'm not too interested. I honestly don't like auto up or down windows haha! sometimes I just want windows rolled down a little so usually I get annoyed when it rolls all the way down.

Thanks for reply.

 

Looked it up, looks like I'll only get about 300 LBS more of payload capacity but that's not a big deal. I'm mainly wanting a tundra for the space.

 

Might depend on the year, but on my older 2009 Tundra Crewmax SR5 TRD Off-Road, the Off-Road package added Bilstein shocks, a front skid plate, upgraded wheels and the "TRD OFF ROAD" decals on the side of the tailgate. Mine has a power moonroof and I know that not all Crewmax come with that, I heard it might have been standard on Canadian models which mine is, or maybe it was still optional or part of a package.

The bigger fuel tank would be nice to have, as Tundras are quite thirsty. Would be nice to increase the driving range, especially when towing. I might have to look into the cost of adding a larger fuel tank too. And I'm with you on those annoying auto up/down windows. Sometimes you just want to open or close them a bit and they end up opening or closing all the way. There's probably a trick to getting them to not do that. I find it worse in our Dodge Caravan. It's easy to get the window fully open or fully closed. Anything in between requires precision and luck, at least with me. I don't have the magical touch. It shouldn't be that hard.

 

I dont miss my last 2 Tacomas, the Tundra is by far a better truck.

 

Good to know!

 

I'm with you on the TSS. Less is more in my opinion. I am glad I got a 17. The Off road package includes different wheels, Bilstein shocks, skid plates on engine and fule tank, the 38 gal fuel tank on 16 and up, I believe you also get the tow package which includes a trans cooler, if it is the SR5 "upgrade package" you also get front bucket seats with a center console and floor shifter like you have in your taco. The plain jain SR5 will come with with front bench seat and column shifter. I think the off road comes with some other stuff but I don't know off the top of my head.

 

After doing some research it sounds like an expensive pain to change out the fuel tank so probably will only look at 2016's and 2017's. Off-road package would be nice but not necessary considering I'll buy aftermarket wheels and probably do a suspension lift.

I appreciate the insight!

 

I wish mine had a bench seat and a column shift, but alas I got the upgraded bucket seats and center console. (well, the original owner opted for that, as I bought the truck used - it was hard to find one with a bench seat and column shift). I like everything else that comes with the SR5 upgrade package and TRD Off-Road package. I've got the tow package too (and glad I do, that was important to me), but seems a lot of Tundras have that, maybe it also can be had on its own, or as part of another option package? Seems more Tundras have the tow package than don't have it, or maybe I'm wrong.

Roughly how much would it have cost to change out the fuel tank for a bigger one?

I kept my factory wheels but painted them black and they look pretty good. OE wheels are usually pretty good quality, the correct offset, etc. But I know many people like to customize to a bigger extent than just paint or powdercoat their stock wheels. I opted to keep the stock height as it preserves all of the good towing capacity. I hear you lose a bit if you do a lift, as well as losing a bit of MPG's, as do the larger tires that go with the lift and the more aggressive tread of All-Terrain, Mud-Terrain or hybrid tires. I got hybrid tires in the stock size.

 

The 38g tank is a huge plus over the Tacoma. Almost double the range, I'm only filling up once a month right now. Im hiding from the covid

 

TRD package as of 2020 includes 18 inch wheels, Bilstein off road suspension (Not the Pro Fox Shocks), currently blacked out LED headlights, bed sticker, and a few more undercarriage skids. Depending on the MY that may vary a touch. Not sure on the headlight situation prior to the LED lights hitting the truck. I think the wheels, shocks, bed decal, and skids are with all MY TRD OR trucks at least since 2014. My knowledge base doesn't go back further than that.

 

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Both 2015. Much more space and more power. Same gas mileage too. I do miss my Tacoma sometimes though. It was a sweet truck.

I doubt you’ll be disappointed in a Tundra if you like your Tacoma.

 

Better for what? Gas mileage, driving in the city and parking, off-road, my Tacoma was better. Highway, hauling people, and towing the Tundra wins. Depends on how you use your truck IMO.

 

My 2018 Tacoma was a MT, got an avg of 16 mpg, my Tundra has been averaging the same, maybe less with my 35s now, but stock for stock they were the same there. Then again, once I put 295s on my Taco it dropped to the 15s. Hell, here's a 50 mile trip I did down to Oregon in the Tundra, and before you say it, yes I hand calculate and my digital readout is within a few 10ths +/-.


Driving in the city and parking, the Tundra is more comfortable in traffic, it has better visibility (seat is higher and adjustable), I have no issue parking, YMMV. I live in the city and have no issue with daily use. It does depend on how you use your truck. I cant argue with the fact that the Tacoma would be better for off roading, but the thing is I put maybe 100 off road miles of the 18k total that were on my Tacoma, so yeah I guess for me, the Tacoma was better .5% of the time. I really do not miss it.

 

Sounds like OP is mainly wanting more room, so no debate there. I bought my Tundra to tow, but do miss the Tacoma because this...