Have been considering a Tacoma. Now thinking Tundra.

Hey guys. I'm new to the forum. I've spent a lot of time over at Tacoma World. I had myself talked into buying a 2017 4 door Tacoma, but I'm now considering the 2017 Tundra. The transmission issues with the Tacoma are really scaring me. I'd like to hear from some of you guys if you have experience with both.

I currently own a 3/4 ton Chevy 4x4 Duramax. We recently moved to Montana and driving on the gravel and rock roads in the mountains is beating the crap out of me and my truck. How can I expect the Tundra to do in rough conditions when compared to my 3/4 ton and the Tacoma?

I'm only interested in the double cab because I need the long bed. The one that I'm looking at has 275/65/18 tires. I need to upgrade them to something more aggressive. Can I go to a larger tire on a stock truck and if so what size?

Thank you and I'm looking forward to learning more from you guys.

 

I had a 2016 tacoma sr5 4x4. Because of the rear diff recall, i traded in. I was between a 2017 TRD offroad tacoma and a 2017 SR5 tundra. Drove home in the tundra. Put alot of thought to it and really, I could use the extra room in the tundra crewmax and the 2017 tacos arent safe from the rear diff recall as well, and Ive always wanted a Tundra and an opportunity presented itself to me so I took it. Very happy with my decision.

 

I can tell you truck vs. truck Tundra hands down. I went from a 2016 Tacoma TRD 4x4 quadcab 6speed to the 2017 Tundra Crewmax 4x4 SR5 XP and it really is night and day. The Tacoma was fine, just lacked all the low end torque like I think a truck should have. You need to keep the revs high if you want to get going somewhere, almost works like Vtec in a Honda (Toyota's variable valve timing).
I took the Tacoma off roading a lot more than the Tundra, took the Tacoma all around North Carolina mountains and everything, never had any issues. I moved to Florida and the Tundra has been in the everglades and the sand and done fine (I have the 20inch Nitto Terra graplers). Tundra is great low end torque, size is great, only downfall is lack of storage (Tacoma had under seats, behind seats and in the bed). Still, I would always chose Tundra.
and welcome!

 

I would estimate that over half of us are former Tacoma owners. Tacos are great trucks, but the third gen scared me for the same reasons. Test drive both, but there is a reason why half of the mods on TW own Tundras.

 

I've owned both. I had a 16 Tacoma TRD OR, auto.

I had so many issues with it, including the transmission/drivetrain.

I bought the shift sense pro and pedal commander. That helped but the mpg dropped to 19.

I had a couple brake over ride failures that put the truck in limp mode.

About a month ago I dropped in to see if a new rev on the TSB was out and ended up driving out in a Tundra.

They nearly gave me what I paid for the taco 2 years ago. Also got the tundra Limited 4x4 for 41.5k OTD, after tax. It stickered for 49.5k.

Pretty happy with the deal.

The Tundra is light years better. I'm getting 17mpg at about 1700 miles on the Odometer.

 

Where are you located in Montana? With all the transmission issues and vibration issues I stayed away from a Tacoma and purchased a 2018 Tundra CM....Any Tacoma 2015 or older is a great vehicle....the new ones not so much.....The tundra is twice the truck the Tacoma is...but that's just my $.02

 

Ennis. I see you're from West Yellowstone. If you have any recommendations on getting the lowest price let me know. I've been looking at the dealer in Bozeman. They told me that their "best price" which is posted on all vehicles is the lowest that they will go.

 

I briefly had a '17 tacoma and have switch to the tundra in short order. If you are coming from a Chevy, you will find the taco severely under powered and very small inside.

 

Your truck, your money but I would look into test driving a double cab as well. Don’t get me wrong, the CrewMax has an amazing amount of room, but you can easily get a double cab for equal or less money than a similarly equipped Tacoma and it has more leg room than a double cab Taco does.

 

I am looking at the double cab. I want the long bed.

 

I still have my 2012 Tacoma and I love that truck, wife drives it now that I have the Tundra. Tundra has so much more room in comparison, power is great, truck tows really well and I'm only 1mpg lower city and highway then what my Tacoma gets. I wont even look at a 3rd gen Tacoma, to many issues and I'm not a fan of the engine they use in it now. I traded a my 2014 silvy 1500 for my Tundra and it just does everything better then the silvy, especially towing. The Tundra is so much more composed while pulling a load, my Silverado would bob up and down to much when pulling heavier loads.

 

TUNDRA

I've had 2 Tacoma and 2 tundras

TUNDRA

 

Well, for what it's worth I traded a '17 Tacoma 4x4 DCSB Sport with 6K miles in for a '17 Tundra 4x4 5.7L SR5 Crewmax. Couldn't be happier.

I actually really liked the Tacoma, only reason I traded it in was we had a baby unexpectedly and there simple isn't enough room in the cab of a Tacoma for 2 adults, a rear facing car seat and 2 60 lbs dogs. In the Tundra Crewmax, plenty of room to even include each of their dog beds ha.

No complaints on the Tacoma though. No issues, nice truck. The 3rd Gen issues aren't nearly as bad as you'd read on the internet. Yet to see how the mileage compares, but I will say one thing... the Tundra with it's low end grunt is not even comparable to the Tacoma, loads more power on tap, which is tons more smiles per gallon

Tech/feature wise, the SR5 Tundra is a lot simpler than the Tacoma I had if that's important. I dare say the refreshed Tundras will offer a lot of what the Tacoma currently offers.

Having said all that, won't be going back to a Tacoma. Love the Tundra.

 

In regards to the rough conditions question:

 

Which long bed? 6.5 or 8 footer? I had an 09 Taco. Drove it all the way up to AK. Played around there for about 10 months and drove back. Nice trip by the way. I saw so many Tundras up there it was sick as shit, and Cooper tires, "I want one of them and those freaking tires too!!!" My 2.7L 4 banger was sick too. Wrong kind of sick. Good thing I had a manual transmission. Skip the Taco. Do the capt obvious and get a DC 5.7L 8 footer if the 8 footer is still available. (And give ToyTec a call)

 

I bought my Tundra used. At the time I was also looking at the new 2016 tacoma. Issues were already starting to pop up especially transmission. I went with the current proven Tundra platform instead.
Tundra is big compare to a taco so parking or city driving is a bit more difficult but you live in Montana so you good

 

Plenty of room to park in Montana for sure. I do avoid shopping in downtown Denver. A total PITA. Seems like all the parking is made for freaking Prius'.

 

Thinking there is a 3rd gen Taco crankshaft recall going on now as I "speak". Too much corrosion prevent lube causing serious timing sensor issues.

 

The Tacoma was awesome before they ruined it with the new engine.

I've had five Tacomas and now I'm in my first Tundra. There is NO going back to a Tacoma even if they supercharge it. The cab space alone is worth it.

Obligatory pic:

 

Drive ability in the Tundra is also head and shoulders above the Taco.

When you press the gas pedal, a weird thing happens: the truck actually moves!!

In the Tacoma the truck has to think about it for a while, then when it does decide to move, it's usually associated with a wild downshift that results in a neck snapping movement.

 

Actually, I've given my grandkids several neck snapping moments in my Tundra.

 

I'm wanting the 6.5 foot bed.

 

You mean one of these tires?!?! Lol

 

Well given how it's 2000 lbs lighter you should expect a better ride than your 3/4 for sure.

As far as size, you can go up to 275/70-18 and I think even 285/65-18 on stock suspension without issue. But hell, if it were me driving down some of those rough roads I'd just say fuck it and upgrade the suspension anyway

 

I just traded my 2016 tacoma trd 4x or auto for my tundra and don't regret it for a second. In the year i owed the tacoma the AC went out, tranny problems, rear diff was leaking but my truck was not on recall list, the infamous dash rattle/ rubbing, etc... I have owned a T100, 04/12/16 tacos and now a 17 tundra 5.7, the tundra wins hands down with the T100 a close second.

 

Damn straight on that. I've got a set of STTs' and a set of Maxx'. When I bought my STTs' I asked for some stickers for my truck. Contacted Keri again at Cooper customer service. I jokingly said I just got a set of S/T Maxx', can you send me a Cooper banner? Hoo Wee...banner on the way.......

 

Say whaaaaat?! I love stickers! Calling now...