Thoughts on going from Tacoma to Tundra

[WRO]

I don't understand what you mean?

Every Toyota thread we hear about leaf springs from thinking man.


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[Schmo]

If a set of leaf springs are all that’s really wrong with a truck, that’s a pretty simple fix.

 

[IdahoBeav]

If a set of leaf springs are all that’s really wrong with a truck, that’s a pretty simple fix.

Yep, and it cost about as much as a new set of tires, much less if you did the work yourself.

 

[Thinkingman]

If a set of leaf springs are all that’s really wrong with a truck, that’s a pretty simple fix.

A truck without springs is called a cart, and Toyota should be ashamed for spec'ing the lowest-cost parts like that.
Pathetic.
Luckily I dumped mine before the rust holes in the frame got to 10mm, which is Toyota-speak for 'It's probably not going to collapse going over a speedbump'.
I still feel sorry for the poor suck that bought it while his buddies told him 'It'll outlast YOU!'

 

[OMF]

These truck discussions are ALWAYS interesting. I started with a little '74 Taco SR5 long bed. That thing was great ... expect in the rain/puddles. I replaced a lot of distributor caps and rotors from moisture shorting them out. Then I went to International. You really could sit and watch the rust grow. Then Ford 150. Fuel pump and transmission issues.

Then in 2010 back to a Taco 4x4 long bed quad cab. It's underpowered and has never passed by a gas station it didn't like but it works for me. Based on what the OP specified I think a full size truck would be the ticket. I'm mostly on forest service roads and trails. The Taco is nice for maneuverability, but the lack of size and power outweigh that for me. Full size is the direction I would go when it comes time.

Or, I could get a Jeep.

 

[MikeDeltaFoxtrot]

I have had Toyota’s pretty much forever and have always used them for hunting. My current truck I bought new and is the only new truck I have ever purchased is a 2019 Tacoma DCSB with a 6 speed manual. I only drive it on weekends and for hunting due to having a company vehicle. When I do need to drive in traffic etc it pretty much sucks to drive. Now I am starting to look at Tundra’s this is what my wife thinks we should get. I am only really interested in 2018 to 2021 with the V8. Will I regret the change to a larger truck? Let’s hear your positives and negatives. This truck will be mainly used hunting and trips back and forth over the cascades. Truck will see a lot of dirt logging roads and lots of scratches due to the places I like to go.
Thoughts? Opinions?

I love my Tundra. It is a 2016 I bought new. I am a big guy, 6'4", and the Tacoma is tight for me inside. My double cab Tundra is very roomy, has tons of power, and has always done everything I ask of it off the pavement. It is a large vehicle with a long wheel base, so it is certainly no rock crawler, but for my purposes it is excellent. Has been my daily driver and hunting vehcile for 9 years, and I havr no plans to change that any time soon.

 

[Picoarchie]

Only difference is the size of truck. One is parking- I only back in a spot which easier for tundra and long bed crew cab Tacoma which I have now. Fuel is maybe one two miles better on 2005-2015 Tacoma. Room size preference.

 

[Weldor]

Like MikeDeltafoxtrot said room in the cab is my main thing. 6'4, 240. I drive a 2500 Ram Megacab, but if I had to go over to the dark side it would be a Crewmax for sure. My old apprentice had one, it's a nice cab and bigger than the competition. Plus it's the only 1/2 ton my hounds fit in the backseat , the others are smaller.

 

[BreechFace]

Gas mileage even going from 15 in a Tundra to 18 in a Tacoma is fairly significant. Often people only say well it’s just 3 extra miles per gallon, well while that’s true the % difference provides a different perspective.

If one drives 15,000 miles per year in a Tundra that’s 1,000 gallons and at $3.75/gallon that’s $3,750 per year.

A Tacoma gets 17% better mileage so the cost to go the same distance is $3,112 so a savings of $638 per year. So over 10 years that’s $6,380 difference. So one can weigh for themselves if the benefits of a full size over comes the extra cost just in mileage.

 

[bowhuntercoop]

Gas mileage even going from 15 in a Tundra to 18 in a Tacoma is fairly significant. Often people only say well it’s just 3 extra miles per gallon, well while that’s true the % difference provides a different perspective.

If one drives 15,000 miles per year in a Tundra that’s 1,000 gallons and at $3.75/gallon that’s $3,750 per year.

A Tacoma gets 17% better mileage so the cost to go the same distance is $3,112 so a savings of $638 per year. So over 10 years that’s $6,380 difference. So one can weigh for themselves if the benefits of a full size over comes the extra cost just in mileage.

I’m still averaging 22-23mpg in my 25 tundra. Best half ton I’ve owned yet and I’ve owned a pile of trucks haha. My 18 pro taco was lucky to get 17-18mpg on 33s and the tundra gets its when I straight beat on it with boat loads more room and power. Would be extremely hard to ever go back to a taco after having souped up diesels and half tons.

 

[BreechFace]

I’m still averaging 22-23mpg in my 25 tundra. Best half ton I’ve owned yet and I’ve owned a pile of trucks haha. My 18 pro taco was lucky to get 17-18mpg on 33s and the tundra gets its when I straight beat on it with boat loads more room and power. Would be extremely hard to ever go back to a taco after having souped up diesels and half tons.

Fuelly has 2025 Tundra and Tacoma average MPG's at:

Tacoma = 19.8 mpg (226,000 miles tracked)
Tundra = 17.5 mpg (48,000 miles tracked)

 

[bowhuntercoop]

Fuelly has 2025 Tundra and Tacoma average MPG's at:

Tacoma = 19.8 mpg (226,000 miles tracked)
Tundra = 17.5 mpg (48,000 miles tracked)

Mine also lives in the south with no mtns. And rarely do I go above 60 mph. Can’t compare it a new taco since the last one I had was my 18 pro.

 

[OKHunter84]

Fuelly has 2025 Tundra and Tacoma average MPG's at:

Tacoma = 19.8 mpg (226,000 miles tracked)
Tundra = 17.5 mpg (48,000 miles tracked)

I'm at almost 50k on a '23 tundra and it's at 18.7 mpg. I've never seen it averaging 22 mpg like some claim. Could partially be me, I have a heavy foot at times.

 

[BreechFace]

I'm at almost 50k on a '23 tundra and it's at 18.7 mpg. I've never seen it averaging 22 mpg like some claim. Could partially be me, I have a heavy foot at times.

Still 18.7mpg is pretty good for a 1/2 ton with a periodic heavy foot.

 

[maxwell0700]

Its an upgrade and I doubt you'll regret it. I drive a 2010 tacoma and I love it but man sometimes that thing feels like a dinosaur. No power seats, no bells and whistles. The tundra has the space and the same old toyota reliability. The space is the big thing, I can barely fit a carseat in the back, it should be no problem for the tundra.

 

[tam4511]

I have had Toyota’s pretty much forever and have always used them for hunting. My current truck I bought new and is the only new truck I have ever purchased is a 2019 Tacoma DCSB with a 6 speed manual. I only drive it on weekends and for hunting due to having a company vehicle. When I do need to drive in traffic etc it pretty much sucks to drive. Now I am starting to look at Tundra’s this is what my wife thinks we should get. I am only really interested in 2018 to 2021 with the V8. Will I regret the change to a larger truck? Let’s hear your positives and negatives. This truck will be mainly used hunting and trips back and forth over the cascades. Truck will see a lot of dirt logging roads and lots of scratches due to the places I like to go.
Thoughts? Opinions?

The Toyota V8s are some of the best engines ever made. As a mechanic i always reccomend any Toyota V8 equipped vehicle to everyone. A 200 series Landcruiser would be my vote if you dont have to have a bed.

 

[bowhuntercoop]

Its an upgrade and I doubt you'll regret it. I drive a 2010 tacoma and I love it but man sometimes that thing feels like a dinosaur. No power seats, no bells and whistles. The tundra has the space and the same old toyota reliability. The space is the big thing, I can barely fit a carseat in the back, it should be no problem for the tundra.

I got 3 under 3 and can take all the kids in car seats in the back of the tundra. It’s awesome

 

[OKHunter84]

Still 18.7mpg is pretty good for a 1/2 ton with a periodic heavy foot.

Yeah I should've worded my post different. I'm not complaining, I love the tundra. My last four trucks had been fords, but I think I'm a Toyota guy now. It is going to get a new motor whenever they get a new one in but I haven't had any issues, so I'm just looking at it as a plus.