Prospective Tacoma Buyer

G

GrantF

Active Member
Hi all,

I'm considering trading in my 2006 Jeep TJ for a new Tacoma and have a few questions. For what it's worth, I'm in Canada and have winters to deal with.

1) Has anyone else gone from a TJ/Wrangler to a Tacoma? Do you regret it? Do you have any comments/suggestions?
2) Is the aftermarket for Tacomas as widespread and full of options as the Wrangler aftermarket?
3) How difficult is it to work on Tacomas? What are wiring jobs like (i.e. wiring in off-road lights or winches)?
4) Manual or auto?

Any suggestions or comments are welcome. Thanks!
 
Welcome to the forum.
There are a lot of aftermarket parts available for the gen three Tacoma’s (2016 up) but of course there are more for Jeeps.
The new Tacoma’s are like all the new vehicles, a wiring nightmare, but you can definitely add a lot of aftermarket parts easier than you can to the new domestics though.
I’m not sure about the Wranglers but with all GM and a lot of Mopars now you have to take them into the dealer for the computer to be “flashed” for OEM parts to work like remote starters or even fog lights.
You’ll never be disappointed with a Tacoma though. They’re great trucks and have earned their reputation. I have drove them for years and currently have a 2017 TRD Sport DCLB Auto. Good luck on whatever you decide.
 
Hi! Welcome to the forum. I traded my 2005 Wrangler TJ last month for a 2016 Tacoma. I don’t regret moving on at all. My truck is so much quieter and comfortable! I still have 4X4 with all the comforts. I think it’s a win win. The only thing I miss is the jeep wave when I pass another Tacoma on the road.
 
GrantF said:
Hi all,

I'm considering trading in my 2006 Jeep TJ for a new Tacoma and have a few questions. For what it's worth, I'm in Canada and have winters to deal with.

1) Has anyone else gone from a TJ/Wrangler to a Tacoma? Do you regret it? Do you have any comments/suggestions?
2) Is the aftermarket for Tacomas as widespread and full of options as the Wrangler aftermarket?
3) How difficult is it to work on Tacomas? What are wiring jobs like (i.e. wiring in off-road lights or winches)?
4) Manual or auto?

Any suggestions or comments are welcome. Thanks!
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1) Have not done this myself but out of the box the Wranger is more capable offroad but you gain ride comfort in the Taco.
2) Plenty out there but not like there is for Jeep.
3) No more difficult that a Jeep.
4) Your choice but the previous gen 6 speed manual was problematic but supposedly it was fixed for the 3rd gen. The new 6 speed auto is shift happy. There is a TSB for reprogramming but I have read there is still an issue.
 
So I came from a 2006 LJ (2008~2013) and a 2012 JKU (2013~2017). Just traded the JKU in Sept. for my 17 Tacoma TRD Offroad. Both Jeeps I lifted and put bigger tires on. I do not regret it so far.... as with cw2metz, I do miss the Jeep Wave. Aftermarket, from what I can tell, is NOT as wide spread, but is large enough to create your own unique truck. Lights and winches shouldn't be anymore difficult to wire in. I got the auto and have been happy thus far, I haven't seen any issues out of it.

I loved my Jeeps & the nostalgia of the Jeep history, but the practicality (in my old age of 35) just wasn't there anymore. I have no doubt the 4wd will be every bit as adequate for the occasional wheeling trip, or the bit of snow that we get in Kentucky. The Tacoma is extremely quite as compared to the Jeep and ride quality is far superior.

Best of luck in your decision!!
 
Thanks for all the replies!

cw2metz and sokyjeepster, how do you find maneuvering your Tacoma as compared to your Jeeps? One of the things I love about my Jeep is the short wheelbase and how I can fit into and out of pretty much any tight space. Also, maybe consider starting a Tacoma wave.

whippersnapper02, can you elaborate on your transmission comment?

I'd love more info on the manual vs auto if anyone has any experience with both.
 
GrantF said:
Thanks for all the replies!

cw2metz and sokyjeepster, how do you find maneuvering your Tacoma as compared to your Jeeps? One of the things I love about my Jeep is the short wheelbase and how I can fit into and out of pretty much any tight space. Also, maybe consider starting a Tacoma wave.

whippersnapper02, can you elaborate on your transmission comment?

I'd love more info on the manual vs auto if anyone has any experience with both.
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My Tacoma’s turning radius isn’t as tight as my Jeeps was. I have the automatic transmission and it works perfectly.
 
Normal everyday driving I haven't seen any big differenced in maneuvering, with the exception of backing up.

In your case, you are looking at a 34inch difference in wheel base (Wrangler 93in/Tacoma 127in), so you might notice it more than some. For me going from a Wrangler Unlimited (103in) to a JK Unlimited 116 to the Tacoma (127in), I didn't notice it as bad as I had gradual steps. I would think as long as your careful and take a minute to acclimate to a bigger vehicle, you shouldn't have much to worry about.
 
sokyjeepster said:
Normal everyday driving I haven't seen any big differenced in maneuvering, with the exception of backing up.

In your case, you are looking at a 34inch difference in wheel base (Wrangler 93in/Tacoma 127in), so you might notice it more than some. For me going from a Wrangler Unlimited (103in) to a JK Unlimited 116 to the Tacoma (127in), I didn't notice it as bad as I had gradual steps. I would think as long as your careful and take a minute to acclimate to a bigger vehicle, you shouldn't have much to worry about.
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The back up camera and sonar helps some.
 
Thanks for all the replies.

My dads last few vehicles have been full size pickups and I've borrowed them now and then when I've needed to carry alot of stuff. They're great to drive but I can't stand parking them, which is my concern with the longer wheelbase here. Does anyone have the short box version of the Tacoma? My understanding is that it has a shorter wheelbase. If so, is the box still useful?
 
I own a 2002 tacoma pre runner with 163 on the clock. It runs like new and I've never had any problems with it. I just purchased a new 17 4x4 trd and love it. Tacoma's are fantastic and retain their value very well. Good luck!
 
There is about 12” difference, in wheel base, between a short bed and long bed in the double cab Tacoma.
 
GrantF said:
Thanks for all the replies.

My dads last few vehicles have been full size pickups and I've borrowed them now and then when I've needed to carry alot of stuff. They're great to drive but I can't stand parking them, which is my concern with the longer wheelbase here. Does anyone have the short box version of the Tacoma? My understanding is that it has a shorter wheelbase. If so, is the box still useful?
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The short bed is small. If you do any hauling or moving of things you’ll get annoyed with the size and wish you had more space. I have not thought “oh man I wish I would have got the Short bed.” I have the long bed and have liked having the space. But I use my truck. If you aren’t going to use the box get the SB.
I don’t feel like it’s difficult to park or maneuver at all but I came from a 2007 Tundra crewmax limited.
Tundra I had:
229″ L x 80″ W x 76″ H
Vs
Tacoma I have:
225.5″ L x 75″ W x 71″ H

I was already use to a larger vehicle.
 
I went with the shortbox as this is my daily driver and only haul things in the box every now and then. Being able to park in my garage (hate scraping frosty windows lol) is huge for me. The long bed would just barely fit but with no room to walk around it with the garage door closed. I know there will be the odd time I'll wish I had the extra foot in bed length, but so far it's been great.
 
Raeburn said:
I went with the shortbox as this is my daily driver and only haul things in the box every now and then. Being able to park in my garage (hate scraping frosty windows lol) is huge for me. The long bed would just barely fit but with no room to walk around it with the garage door closed. I know there will be the odd time I'll wish I had the extra foot in bed length, but so far it's been great.
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The long bed looks a little funky too. IMO
 
Raeburn said:
I went with the shortbox as this is my daily driver and only haul things in the box every now and then. Being able to park in my garage (hate scraping frosty windows lol) is huge for me. The long bed would just barely fit but with no room to walk around it with the garage door closed. I know there will be the odd time I'll wish I had the extra foot in bed length, but so far it's been great.
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This,for me also.
 
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