I'm in the market for a tacoma pick up and looking to get into the offroading world (which i'm new to). I'm looking at 06 models with the TRD and locking rear diferentials package. Does anyone have experience with the 06 models, any suggestions/recomendations????

 

First, welcome to Yotatech. Second, go look through the section for 05 and up tacomas, you should be able to find what you are looking for there.

 

you really want to offroad something that new? Or are you looking at a DD, with weekend warrior capability?

 

personally I think the pre 05 Taco's are MUCH better looking, but thats just me... plus I would want to risk anything happening to an 06...I barely do anything in my 04 for that very reason.

 

I'm looking for something i use on the trails and as a commuter. I'm not planning on getting crazy the first year

 

Welcome to YotaTech ... i would look for a 01-04 trd tacoma there cheaper

 

I like the 06 looks, but are there any differences in engine or performance?

 

ya they have the 4.0L v6 instead of the 3.4L

 

And about 50 more ponies.

 

what about the strength of their frame. Visiting other threads if heard mention of C channel and box. Not familiar with these

 

Sbikes,

Running lengthwise down a truck is a frame. A frame looks almost like a ladder. There are 2 long sections, with the interconnecting crossbars that you would step on if you were on a ladder. Well the 2 vertical bars is your frame, and the interconnecting bars that go widthwise of your truck are called cross members. There are 2 ways you can make your truck's frame strong. Having well placed, and lots of cross members. But prefrably, having a fully boxed frame. A C channel frame means the vertical ladder portion of your frame is shaped like a C. A fully boxed frame is like 2 C's interlocked together sort of like a rectangular pipe. A fully boxed frame, often times, is stronger than a C channel frame. A good C channel frame though can get the job done for most, but a fully boxed frame doesn't twist as much. The 96-04 Tacoma's were known, because they have C channel frames for a portion of the frame, for sometimes having the frame twist a little bit under articulation. NOthing to be too concerned about, but what it does do is cause the cab to sometimes rub up against the box and you get small paint chips just below the slider window. The new Tacoma's have a C channel frame. But having said that Toyota claims they've never forged a stronger Chassis in this frame but I bet if you put a load in your bed and went offroading you could probably get the C channel frame to twist a minor amount. The Fully boxed frames, like the ones found in my truck, are rock solid. IN fact a while back a guy came on here who has the same truck as mine and said he has run into 2 seperate body/frame shops who have said his frame (89-95 Toyota trucks - pre Tacoma era) have the best frame they've ever seen (for it's size, etc.).

The new 05 +Tacoma's stock, are not as capable offroad as previous editions of the Tacoma, or Toyota pickups but what they lack in articulation and clearance they make up for in creature comforts, solid powerful drivetrain, and peope moving & towing abilities.

 

Thanks CoedNaked! Sounds like 04 might be a better option for off roading with the box frame. I've actually been looking for 04 tacomas for sale, they're hard to find with all the options i want: manual, locking rear dif, extended cab, etc. I do like that the 06 are a bit more spacious for "creatures" (good word) and seem to have a bigger body, personaly. I probably wouldn't do any serious wheeling for a year or two when i'll be free from college to build the bank account. But would a lift kit (down the road) make up for lack of articulation?

 

sbikes - the 96-04's don't have a fully boxed frame, just a fully boxed subframe with a c channel under the bed if I'm not mistaken. But they're still better built for offroading because they have a higher stock stance than the current Tacoma's. The 3.4 Liter engine isn't as powerful as the 4 liter, but it's still no pushover, its a proven reliable, rock solid engine that will go 200,000 solid miles with no issues of maintained and it's also fairly mod friendly if you want to go that way. The extended cab, 4x4, V6 with the offroad package in that truck should be fairly easy to find. I know where I live there are quite a few of them out there.

 

Cool. Do you know any good sites for comparing pre 05 to the new tacoma's?? You seem really familiar with them

 

Pre 05's are the way to go. I have no official website pointing to the reasons, other than those listed by coed, and that wonderul little "matters of the heart" I <3 Pre 05 Taco's.

 

Just do a search for 1996-2004 Toyota Tacoma specificatins, payload capacities, ratings, dimensions, etc, and then go to the Toyota.com website and look at the specs for the 07 Tacoma (same as the 05-06 Tacoma's in a nutshell).

It really comes down to what values you want from the truck. The 05-07's are probably a better all around choice for a truck. They have more power, will tow better, have more creature comforts and room, and a few interesting new features (e.g. bed power outlet). But the 1996-04 Tacoma's are proven designs, with good power, solid, proven, reliability, and they are definately built better stock for offroading in my opinion.

 

I don't mean to call you out, but are you saying the 05+ Taco has a less capable suspension?

The 05+ and 03+ 4Runners have nearly the same suspension as the previous generation. Not to mention, they now come stock with a negative CV angle, making them more friendly to lifts. Also, the TRD Offroad package comes with a "softer" sway-bar to allow for better flex. How is this less capable?

I just dont understand...

Buy the 06, and don't look back.

 

05+ are a bigger truck, if that matters. I prefer something a little smaller.....

 

sbikes, thanks for starting this thread. I just started looking at replacing the runner with an 06 tacoma dcab as my wifes dd. The back seats are way bigger than my runner. You have to be pretty small to be able to sit in the back once the car seat is in there in the runner. I went to the dealer and climbed around the back seat of the dcab, sooo much bigger. I think the 04's are slightly smaller

 

i have a 06 dbl cab and love it, i had a 02 xtra cab and i am very happy with the new truck, t00 many things i like better to list