Thoughts on going from Tacoma to Tundra

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NateO 77

Lil-Rokslider
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Oct 5, 2017
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Location
Stanwood Washington
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 doubt you’d regret it. I recently went from a 3/4 ton diesel(with 1 ton suspension) to a 21 Tundra for my daily driver. Love it.
One note, the 18-21 Tundra is missing an external trans cooler, but you can add one if you plan to tow. Some say it isn’t nesessary.
 
No way to regret going from your Tacoma to a 2.5 gen tundra. Especially if you’re not afraid to scratch it if the trail gets narrow.
 
NateO 77 said:
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?
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I have the 2021 with the V8. It is loud on regular roads, but can carry a lot of stuff.

I didn't fit in the Tacoma because my head kept hitting the roof as I tried to get in.
 
I’ve beat the dog shit out of my 2010 Tundra for 276,000 miles (same engine you’re looking at). Taken down tons of terrible roads and it’s covered in pinstripes. It’s been nothing but great and I plan to buy a 2017-2021 here pretty soon and give this one to my oldest daughter.
 
Go forth with the '18-21 Tundra....great trucks. As was mentioned, add the trans cooler if needed. Not a hard job, many of us have done it.
No substitute for having a full sized truck for getting out there.....
 

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huntnful said:
I’ve beat the dog shit out of my 2010 Tundra for 276,000 miles (same engine you’re looking at). Taken down tons of terrible roads and it’s covered in pinstripes. It’s been nothing but great and I plan to buy a 2017-2021 here pretty soon and give this one to my oldest daughter.
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I have a 2011 and have done the same. I am not afraid to take it on ATV trails and it shows.

The 2011 and similar are no match for the Tacomas in terms of off road capabilities... but maybe they've added proper locking diffs and such on the 2018-2021? That's my only complaint. One of these days I'll get some air lockers, but for now it's a winch and great tires.
 
SonnyDay said:
I have a 2011 and have done the same. I am not afraid to take it on ATV trails and it shows.

The 2011 and similar are no match for the Tacomas in terms of off road capabilities... but maybe they've added proper locking diffs and such on the 2018-2021? That's my only complaint. One of these days I'll get some air lockers, but for now it's a winch and great tires.
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Agreed, I love my 19 crewmax on 35s but my taco would run circles around it off-road.
 
NateO 77 said:
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?
Click to expand...

Yes the Tundra is bigger but it’s so much more versatile. I have had Tundras and Tacos and I love a crew cab Taco but I don’t miss it one bit over a crew cab Tundra.
There are less aftermarket parts for Tundras compared to Tacos.
Fuel mileage is less with a Tundra.
The V8 power is nice when you need it.
If you have kids or dogs the bigger cab can’t be beat. I would agree with your age range.
 
I went from a 2001 Tacoma and got a 2021 Tundra a year and a half ago and could not be happier. Mainly drive it on the freeway to work, camping, hunting and get the same mpg as the Tacoma. Not the best around town mpg but I don’t regret the upgrade at all. Awesome family rig too.
 
F
repins05 said:
What's up with 22 and newer tundras?
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For me, the Tundra is all about reliability, and the newer models have a lot more technology and are unproven. The move away from the V8 was not based on poor performance. It was most likely eco bs IMO. Maybe the latest gen will be known as the best, but I doubt it. My first Tundra had 270k when I sold it, and I had complete confidence in it. I sold it to buy a crew cab Tacoma because I thought I wanted a smaller rig for the woods. Once I came to my senses, I traded it in just as covid started and went back to a Tundra and its proven drivetrain and V8.
 
Jordan said:
I went from a 2001 Tacoma and got a 2021 Tundra a year and a half ago and could not be happier. Mainly drive it on the freeway to work, camping, hunting and get the same mpg as the Tacoma. Not the best around town mpg but I don’t regret the upgrade at all. Awesome family rig too.
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I wish I could say my Tundra got the same mileage as my Taco.
 
If you are wanting to improve the driving experience and keep a smaller footprint a Lexus SUV should be on the table as well. GX or LX. Same capability as your taco and way nicer to drive.
 
I sold my 2001 Tundra TRD when I got my Tacoma.

I wanted another Tundra but was having a hard time finding one.

I decided to test drive a Tacoma and really liked it.

My Tundra was very reliable. I am hoping the Tacoma is as well.
 
neandth said:
I sold my 2001 Tundra TRD when I got my Tacoma.

I wanted another Tundra but was having a hard time finding one.

I decided to test drive a Tacoma and really liked it.

My Tundra was very reliable. I am hoping the Tacoma is as well.
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How was it going from Tundra size down to smaller Tacoma? My crewcab tundra was stolen and I’m still undecided on what replacement to get
 
I wish I had bought a second gen tundra instead of my current Silverado. If you could still get them with a v8 a current one would be my next truck
 
Saw the title though you was driving from Washington to AK. Actually I'm a ol Ford truck guy
 
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