Thoughts on going from Tacoma to Tundra

[Terrapin]

I’ve had three Tundras (01 Access Cab, 2011 Crew Cab & 2020 with the Crew Max… cab size tracked with the size of my kids). I definitely liked the Crew Cab with the 6 foot bed the best. The little bed on the crewmax is just too small.

In between the 2011 and the 2020, I bought a ‘19 Tacoma. I kept it for one miserable year. Too small, too light & felt super squirrelly on gravel and slick roads… which is weird since I’ve had 6 other Tacoma/ 22re sized trucks before the first Tundra.

For me, the Tundra works the best, although I’m sometimes limited by tow capacity & payload. Unless I got back into hound hunting or hunting an area with narrow, brushy roads I couldn’t go back to a taco.


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[Shepherd]

I went from my beloved Tacoma to a 2015 V8 5.7L Tundra 10 years ago, mainly because I needed the extra space to haul my three kids around. Its been great - it now has 215,000 miles and has only had expected maintenance over those years - besides the two deer I've hit. A great truck - has come in handy for hauling as well. Its now beginning to show a few light rust spots but I'm hoping to get 300,000 miles before I consider a new one. My kids are almost grown up (youngest are juniors in high school), so I'm not sure if I'll go with a Tacoma or Tundra when that time comes.

I have had a few issues with the sound system - it regularly turns off for no reason, but automatically restarts pretty quickly. And the poor gas mileage and smaller sized tank have been an annoyance on long trips but no vehicle is perfect.

 

[Oregon]

I went that route in 2018. Had a 2014 Tacoma and wife wanted a bigger camp trailer. So I upgraded trucks to a 2018 tundra. I should have kept Tacoma, but the trade in value was insane. They gave me 23.5k. I paid 29k new.
Tundra was 42k. I love my Tundra, but I still cringe when I run brush down the side or take it to the high desert. I’ve treated that truck awful. My buddies in there 3/4 ton trucks go 5mph down most 2 tracks. I go 20.
Gas mileage is awful when above 75mph, I don’t do any city driving, but I’d assume it would be awful as well.
Very comfortable ride, tows my 5600# trailer well, and does extremely well in 4wd.
85k miles on it with no complaints.

 

[Eagle]

Not a tacoma, but sold my 16 4runner in march and bought a 21 tundra. Honestly couldn't be happier with the switch. If I still lived in Colorado, I could see the tundra being a potential problem on a couple of the rough forest service roads I used to access hunting spots due to it's size compared to the runner or a taco, but full size is great otherwise. As others have said, the tundra will make it in no problem, just have to be willing to accept the possibility to scratch or rough it up on tight roads in the mountains.

 

[Silver Wings]

I’m in the market for a truck to take the pressure off my expensive 3/4 ton diesel, that really has no business in some of the places I’ve put it. I’ve been looking for the right gen 2 Tacoma with 6 cylinder, access cab and 6’ bed. This Tundra conversation has me interested though. If a guy was looking to spend $15k or less what years should I be looking at and which years should be avoided?

 

[Schmo]

I’m in the market for a truck to take the pressure off my expensive 3/4 ton diesel, that really has no business in some of the places I’ve put it. I’ve been looking for the right gen 2 Tacoma with 6 cylinder, access cab and 6’ bed. This Tundra conversation has me interested though. If a guy was looking to spend $15k or less what years should I be looking at and which years should be avoided?

No years to avoid in the 07-21 range. You’ll be in a 2nd gen for that price, meaning 07-13. For example, I’ll be putting up my 2011 for sale in about 3-4 months, and it should go for $16k - $18k in my area.

 

[Silver Wings]

No years to avoid in the 07-21 range. You’ll be in a 2nd gen for that price, meaning 07-13. For example, I’ll be putting up my 2011 for sale in about 3-4 months, and it should go for $16k - $18k in my area.

That’s helpful.
Tracks pretty close with gen 2 Tacoma years/prices.

 

[Schmo]

That’s helpful.
Tracks pretty close with gen 2 Tacoma years/prices.

Likely you’ll be fairly high miles in that price range

 

[Eagle]

I’m in the market for a truck to take the pressure off my expensive 3/4 ton diesel, that really has no business in some of the places I’ve put it. I’ve been looking for the right gen 2 Tacoma with 6 cylinder, access cab and 6’ bed. This Tundra conversation has me interested though. If a guy was looking to spend $15k or less what years should I be looking at and which years should be avoided?

The 07’s had some issues, and anything flex fuel can have cold start problems, but with you price range, you’re likely stuck with a flex fuel truck.

 

[Schmo]

The 07’s had some issues

Can you tell me what they were? I heard that before I bought my 07, and in research, couldn’t find anything definitive. Never had a year-related issue while I had that one.

 

[Eagle]

Can you tell me what they were? I heard that before I bought my 07, and in research, couldn’t find anything definitive. Never had a year-related issue while I had that one.

If I'm recalling correctly I think it was valve and head gasket issues, but in typical Toyota fashion, at least back then, they corrected it by the end of the first year of production.

 

[Schmo]

If I'm recalling correctly I think it was valve and head gasket issues, but in typical Toyota fashion, at least back then, they corrected it by the end of the first year of production.

Gotcha. Makes sense. My 07 had 187k on it when I sold it. Seems like it was from late in the year. Never had any engine or tranny issues out of it.

 

[Silver Wings]

How about 4.6L Vs 5.7L?