True but it's got to be close.

The '05 Tacoma shares parts and looks with the 4Runner just like in the past.
There won't be a X-Runner 4X4.
The X-Runner is about handling and speed.

First toy.
Nice pic.
Though I'm not a fan of a 4 door pickups looks.

 

Here is a another spy shot of the 2005 Tacoma 4WD, but in extended cab version:
http://info.detnews.com/autosinsider...x.cfm?id=13732

 

Can't wait to have one in my driveway!
Love the 4.0L 240 HP and larger size.

"Compact pickups are no longer compact. The Chevrolet Colorado, Dodge Dakota, GMC Canyon, Nissan Frontier and now the 2005 Toyota Tacoma have all moved solidly into the mid-sized truck market pioneered by Dodge"

 

In the link above, the Detroit News seem to be implying that all V6 Tacomas may have a 6-speed manual transmission available. What would be cool for the 4WD TRD version would be to have a very low 1st gear for rock crawling. Then for normal street use you would use 2nd through 6th gear. I would love to see a 6 speed manual in the 4 door 4x4, even though it would cut down on towing capacity compared to an automatic trans.

 

i doubt toyota would ever give us a granny low gear, especially in a tacoma. though out of all things, put it as an option on the old 4wd tercels :wtf:

i don't know why an auto raises towing capacity so much...i like towing better with a manual transmission

 

Wonder if they are still gonna have the e-locker on the '05 Taco's.

 

That looks 10 times better than the spaceship that was posted before....I hope that turns out to be it :alien:

 

The new Tacoma is a midsize not a mini, why would Toyota go to the trouble of releasing a quad cab tundra only to come out with a brand new one 2 model years later? It is not a tundra, it looks like a tacoma well disguised. I am sure the new tundra's whenever they come out will be true fullsize as said.

 

A editor was kind enough to send me a couple clear spy shots of a white 4x4 DC Taco. The front is still covered but it looks to be just like the XRunner minus the lower cladding. It also has the hood scoop.
I promised I would not post the pics. I'm sure he will post them soon.

My chop is actually 95% accurate! The Taco looks great. Just like the 4R I think the most controversial part will be the fender shapes but I think it looks really, really sweet.

 

NICE!
Thanks for the FYI FirstToy!

 

Forgot:
From what I can see, it looks like a coilover rear suspension. There are no tell-tale leaf springs or shackles visible and the exhaust routes sharply out of the side (just behind the passenger rear tire).
The frame rails look identical to the 4R, except extended for the longer wheelbase.
At least in this version, all the cladding is painted body color and is just as big as on the 4R.
It has "4x4" on the rear mud flaps- keep that Taco tradition

Boy, I really like it! If I didn't already have my 4R I would buy it in a heartbeat!

 

Hmmmmm, that sounds interesting. A factory coil-over rear suspension on a 4WD pickup should improve the ride at least.

 

The current Tundra D-cab JUST came out, in 04... Although large, I doubt this is the next gen Tundra..

Anyone else think the front door's window looks very similar to a Ford?

 

I don't think it's a Toyota if that's a fuel filler access door on the starboard side. That would be opposite to any domestically produced truck-based Toyota in recent history. The upcoming FTX (Tundra replacement) and X-Runner have the fuel door on their port sides. Nautical lingo for those who think it's become big as a boat.

 

the fuel door would be farther back normally, correct?

 

lee, on the D-Cab, the fuel door would be in the same general area but on the opposite side of the bed.

 

You know, I was wondering about that too but figured that the actual cover that they're using might be interchangeable with either side?
I guess we'll see in just a little bit

 

Hey FirstToy, can you remind the editor to post some of those new spy shots?

Do you know if the 2005 4WD Tacoma will be displayed at the New York Auto Show in the first week of April?

 

I'm a little curious, why aren't they showing the more popular version (4wd) first instead of the x-runner?

 

Yeah I guess he is waiting for some reason...he should do it now to scoop everyone else.
The pics are very clear- it looks reall good. I won't post the pics until he does though since he was nice enough to share it with me.