Toyota has lots of info on the new Tacoma at their press website.
http://pressroom.toyota.com/photo_li...html?kw=Tacoma

 

Something for everyone, depending on the size of your wallet. I think the hot setup will be the TRD Off-Road Package combined with the Tow Package. All functional parts to add to durability and versatility. IMHO, save some money and aggravation by avoiding TRAC and maybe VSC. TRAC definitely impedes forward progress at the wrong time. I'm not sure about the "automatic" limited slip, it sounds too much like TRAC, but will have to drive one to see.

Impressive 40:1 crawl ratio, 40' turning circle, 9½" ground clearance and OK A/D/B angles of 35°/26°/21° out of the box.

Heavy, aren't they? And that's before filling the huge 21 gallon tank. Should have great range, though. Still, with the V-6, 6M/T and shorter final drive should be enough grunt for anything. Huge tow rating for a Tacoma that's almost the size, and has more content, than the current Tundra. The D-Cabs look interesting and will be in great demand in part because they're the only models with side curtain airbags, the latest "gotta have" in truck trends.

Another benchmark Toyota for the rest of the industry to catch. October 18th rollout date.

 

In looking through the features and specs, noted a few surprising things:

1. The 4WD access cab has a smaller turning circle than the 2WD access cab
2. The 4 cyl motor holds more oil than the V6 motor.
3. They do not show the TRD Offroad Package being available for the 4WD access cab
4. The 5speed auto gets better city mileage than the 6speed manual.
5. A 4x8 sheet of plywood will not fit between the wheel wells
6. Side air bags will only be offered on the double cab
7. Premium fuel required for the V6

 

I agree that traction control (TRAC) can be of dubious value. But vehicle stability control (VSC) has proven itself in the real world on wet or icy roads, and is a desirable feature. Real world data shows that VSC reduces the on-road accident rate by at least 30%. But hopefully it will be disabled when the truck is in 4WD-LO.

 

Am wondering if VSC will be available with the 6 speed manual trans and locking diff. Also wondering if there is a difference in towing capacity between the manual and auto trans. The updated info at the Toyota web site is unclear about these things.

 

Lots of info but still no pricing......

 

is the v6 in the 05 taco different than the v6 in the 4th gen runners? i've been running 87 in my v6 since i bought it so just wondering why they recommend 91 for the taco.

 

that is kinda weird.. that would steer me even more away from the v6 since it already gets 3mpg less city and 2 less highway than the new 2.7l, according to that chart at least.
although having the V6, 6spd, 4x4 AND a factory rear locker would ROCK! not sure if they're gonna put a locker in these at all though?

 

Doesn't really matter - there's going to be crazy mark-up on these trucks. By the time we do find out what MSRP is going to be buyers won't be paying that much.

 

Not sure if they are exactly the same engine. What year is your 4Runner? The V6 engine in the 2005 Tacoma has a compression ratio of 10.0:1, which is not super high (Porsche uses 11.8:1). I suspect that premium fuel is a strong recomendation from Toyota, but not absolutely necessary. Like all modern engine management systems, the ECU will adapt to lower octane fuel by retarding the timing. This will however reduce torque, HP, and may even reduce fuel mileage.

 

bah...if you need too use premium I might as well get the TRD S/C for my 3.4 and be happy for the next 10 years...i thought you could run the cheap stuff in these?

 

i have a 2004.

this is from the owner's manual:

"Unlead gasoline, Octane Rating 87 (Research Octane Number 91) or higher. For improved vehicle performance, the use of premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating of 91 (research Octane Number 96) or higher is recommended"

i guess 87 is fine.

 

Ive recently started running 92 octane in my 2.7 ... i noticed an improvement in mileage and a lil in power and all around it runs a lot smoother.......... it ends up being about a whole extra buck fifty for a full tank fill up i figure its worth it ....nothing but the best for my toy

same as some guys running synthetic oil ......not needed but it does help

 

For the 2005 Tacoma with the 2.7L 4 banger (9.6:1 CR), toyota is recommending 87 octane.

 

That's why you never buy a redesigned car the first 6 months. When the 02 Camry's came out, the local dealer had a ADM (additional dealer markup) of $1700!!

I will probably test drive one when the dealer gets some in stock, but I think I may wait until aug or sept 05 (just before the 06's come out).

 

I find it interesting that the new 05 Tacoma's have 9.5" of ground clearance and my '03 Double Cab had 11.2" stock. The extended cabs had 12" from the factory. Boooooo on lower ground clearance!

 

I am sure Toyota did this to get a better score on the NHTSA rollover test, and to reduce the number of rollover related lawsuits.

 

interesting article: http://www.aiada.org/article.asp?id=23267&cat=Dealers
bob

 

I want to see one of those on an auto-cross track!!

 

Great article, Bob, thanks. I hadn't looked at their site since around the time Toyota began exporting U.S. built vehicles to other markets. They really upgraded and improved the site content. Good to see they adapted and expanded their previously narrow victimology viewpoint. It's back on the bookmark list.