I suppose this forum will be inundated by seemingly newbie questions because of the 95-00 frame issue.

I'm looking at 2008 Tacoma, Access Cab, 4x4, 4.0L V6, manual transmission with the TRD option.

I have a very dumb question, between the basic off-road TRD and the TRD Rugged Trail with the black Baja Alloy wheels, why is there difference in MPG?

Drive line on these two vehicles appear to be the same. The have the same stance and sit at the same height. It didn't appear that they had a drastically different weight. The off road version does 20 Hwy while the rugged trail does 18.

And what else I didn't understand is why the Rugged Trail, which seemed to have more options, was $1000 less than the Off Road.

Someone please help me understand the options available on the new Tacomas. I have so little time for research before I need a new truck.

After I personally inspected my frame and found it close to failing, then only after research on frame repair, stumbled upon the announcement of the BuyBack. I can't wait as my frame is about to brake and I need to take advantage of this offer soon.

 

Are the wheels on the rugged trail pakage bigger??

 

In Canada at least, (BFG) Rugged Trail is just one tire option. Maybe its gearing of the two models.

 

i hope they dont just crush the trucks....what a waste that would be

 

I hope individuals don't assume that Toyota is just gonna buy their trucks back at the MSRP. At most they may give or pay fair market value at the time the frame fails.

Secondly, my brother has extensive rust on his 2002 Tacoma frame, but looking at it, I doubt it will ever fail within the limits of this so called buy back. I think its just a good will gesture on behalf of Toyota to keep people off their backs, while their frames are rusting out.

Can you post a pic of where your frame is failing???

 

I can't believe Toyota is even recalling the trucks at all. If you live in an area where they salt the roads, dont expect your vehicle to last very long. Salt eats through paint, power coating, POR15, and anything else you can throw at it.

I would guess its publicity/to save face, but I highly doubt there was any sort of problem when installing corrosion protection.

 

I do not doubt that there was a problem with the corrosion protection. they won't recall a lot of vehicles if it isn't their fault. you can find lots of 3rd gen NY/PA trucks with nothing but surface rust on the frames, and most of those trucks never even saw a garage in their life time. But yet they have rust problems on 2002 Tacoma's? def. a problem somewhere along the line...

just my $.02

 

Is it a recall, or an inspection? I was under the impression you could take your Tacoma in for a inspection of the frame. And I would guess if the frame were rusted through at any one spot they would do what ever it is they are gonna do.

I would love to see some rust pics of those who think they would qualify for a buy back...

 

The TRD Off Road and the TRD Rugged Trail are not to be confused with the BFG Rugged Trail tires which come on both options. The tires are the same size and it appears to be the same gearing. Still at a loss for the difference. All I've been able to do is window shop this weekend while the dealerships have been closed. Hoping to sneak out of work tomorrow to find some answers and to start the paperwork.

Now all you OFF TOPIC posters, take it elsewhere!

This is really happening, Toyota is buying back my truck for one and a half times KBB value assessed at Excellent condition even though mine is better described by good condition. Here's a thread on where you can get an idea of the scope of this problem.
http://ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=95993

My old truck is going away, and I need to decide upon a new vehicle fast. Help me with this issue.

 

I am not sure what would account for difference in Mileage. Unfortunately something to definitely consider nowadays. Did not really find much info on the toyota site.
Almost seems like the difference of the Rugged Trail (sticker is fugly) is the black wheels, slid plate, floor matts and the black fender flares vs. the color matched flares of the regular TRD.

I hope they are putting a real gas tank skid plate on them now. My plastic piece of junk they say is a skid plate has just about had it.

Eitherway I think you will be happy with the newer Tacoma. The extra size works great for my family of five. But conversely the size is a drawback on some trails....

 

SR5 Package #2 (SL) - Convenience Package #1 plus chrome grille surround and rear bumper, color-keyed front bumper and color-keyedoverfenders (PreRunner and 4x4 models only), metallic-tone instrument panel trim, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift lever, variable intermittent windshield wipers, sun visors with sliding extensions and vanity mirror, SR5 badging, upgraded seat fabric, driver's seat with lumbar support, and fog lamps (V6 models only)

TRD Off-Road Package (OC) - SR5 Package #2 plus off-road-tuned suspension with Bilstein® shocks, 16-in. alloy wheels with P265/70R16 BFGoodrich® Rugged Trail T/A tires, locking rear differential, engine skid plate and fuel tank protector, front tow hook, 115V/400-watt deck-mounted power outlet, multi-function overhead console with compass and temperature gauge, sport seats with sport fabric and driver's lumbar support, and TRD Off-Road graphics (V6 models)

TRD Off-Road Rugged Trail Package (SF) - TRD Off-Road Package Plus 16" black Baja alloy wheels with P265/70R16 BFGoodrich® Rugged Trail T/A tires, black off-road overfenders, unique TRD Off-Road graphics, accessory front skid plate and unique all-weather floor mats

those are the only differences that the website shows. I dont know why there is a difference in mpg.

 

Someone in a different topic a while back was complaining that frame on the current generation Tacoma had part of the frame that wasn't boxed. I was trying to make the point that it necessarily wasn't a bad thing, since if engineered properly a C-frame could still be made plenty strong, and that I once looked at 2 different older Toyotas ('84-'85), both of which had rusted boxed frames.

I didn't look at the second one as closely as the first, but the first one had mud and such trapped inside it, which obviously will cause rust. I tried to say that one advantage of a C-type frame is that it wouldn't be as likely to rust because mud and such wouldn't collect as much, and would wash out easier.

One guy tried to say something about rust not being a problem with fully boxed frames...

 

If they find rust perforation on my brothers 2000 Tacoma, what does he need to tell Toyota/the dealer to get them to pay out one and a half times the value of the truck, like they are doing for you? Toyota claims they will only pay KBB in excellent condition. How did you pull this off? If you could fill everyone in, that would be financially helpful to all those who own a rusted Tacoma.

 

If you read the link post by nermalgod you would find that a 2002 tacoma is not covered, it covers 1995-2000 Tacomas.

from toyota open road blog: http://blog.lexus.com/2008/03/living-up-to-ou.html#more

"According to our local Toyo dealer, if the frame shows "any" perforation it qualifies for the program:
*Toyota will repurchase your Tacoma at 1.5 times the Kelley Blue Book
Suggested Retail Value (excellent condition)
* Toyota is offering each customer a complimentary loaner vehicle
while you are considering alternative transportation options
* Toyota is offering a $1,000 owner loyalty rebate for customers who
purchase a replacement Tacoma or Tundra
* Toyota is offering a $500 owner loyalty rebate for customers who
purchase a replacement of any other new Toyota (Scion excluded) or Toyota Certified Used Vehicle
* Any applicable rebates, purchase incentives, and special financingoffers in effect would be in addition to the special offers listed above"

 

I am sorry for the typo, he has a 2000 model. What do you recommend he tell the dealer to get that extra money for a buy back?

 

Well, I've been to two dealerships now. I recommend following my link, go to page two, and find the post that has PDF files of the information sent to dealers. Print it off and take it with you. Also wouldn't hurt to print the Toyota announcement. One dealership thought I was trying to pull an April Fools joke and practically kicked me out when I became very insistent that this was real. I'll be calling Toyota National about them. The other dealer knew about it but I was their first, so they didn't know what to do. The didn't want to even talk to me about new vehicles until they had inspected mine, which they couldn't do until Next Monday. Who turns down the opportunity to sell a truck? Mine has holes, I even brought a chunk of my frame the size of a deck of cards in to show the guys. I just walked out to my truck and ripped it off with my bare hands.

New April incentives from Toyota announced today, choice of $1500 customer cash -or- financing of 0% for 36, 1.9% for 48, or 2.9% for 60. The buyback and customer loyalty cash from the frame debacle would also apply on top of these options.

 

Holy crap, you can rip your frame apart that easy. That is insane. I would stop driving that rig. Yeah I'd be pissed that the dealer had no idea what you were talking about. Almost seems ridiculous for them not to know. Good luck. I know I have asked this over and over again, but where on your frame is the rust the worst?

 

My frame is the worst near the front leaf spring hangers. I have holes on the top of the frame between the cab and the bed. There are also excessive flaking on my cross members. I haven't heard anyone else comment about rust problems on those yet.

To answer my own initial question. The difference in MPG had nothing to do with the two different TRD packages, but with a mis-applied window sticker. While the two trucks I was looking at were identical except for the TRD Off Road and the TRD Rugged Trail (which are a couple cosmetic features added to the Off Road package), the window sticker on the Off Road was for an automatic transmission while the both trucks where manuals. Every Tacoma I looked at claimed the autos to get 18/20 while the manuals get 16/18. Are we really to the point where autos are better than manuals? I drive a stick because I can get my truck to sip gas. In my 2000 V6 extd 4x4, I regularly see 22-24 MPG. On my test drive of the new Tacoma 6 speed, I did find it harder to drive than mine. The stick is positioned too close to the dash for my preference. I also didn't like how quite the cab was. I couldn't hear the motor for my shift ques. I'm sure I would adjust in time. I just don't feel like the new Tacomas are truck worthy. I want a little noise, I want to feel the gears as I shift, I want a 2 speed transfer case that isn't a dial on the dash. I want a vehicle that I can park in my garage with room to spare. I want a diesel . . .

 

Diesel would be great... but not w/the current prices... here in upstate NY diesel is selling for $4.30-$4.60/gal