I don't think that my Tacoma is at all under powered. My 22R-E was reliable but it was under powered as an all around truck. It was fine on dirt roads and 2 lane but on Interstates by the middle 2000s it was pretty much dangerously slow, especially trying to merge or pull long high altitude passes. So I think power of the 4.0L V6 is more than sufficient. It holds Interstate speed safely. It doesn't have exceptional power but I don't pray for the Holy Mother of Acceleration not to fail me getting on the highway either.Followed shortly by, Tacomas sure are under powered, aren't they?
If it's worth doing it's worth over doing!From the "most popular articles of the decade" link above.
"Jon had the truck weighed and realized that his Tacoma was 2000 lbs over the factory rating. This explained the sag he was beginning to feel in the OME Dakars. "
If it's worth doing it's worth over doing!
Yes, on my door sticker it says I'm good for 1,800 lbs. Just surprised the Tundra wouldn't be similar.Typically, there is another smaller sticker that accounts for accessories and further reduces the payload.
They could, but decided long ago that wasn't going to happen.The new Ranger with all it's 4wd related weight has a payload of 1600 pounds. A 2wd AC Tacoma has a payload of about 1400 pounds, while a 4wd AC Tacoma 6 cylinder has a payload of about 1050 pounds. Say 400 pounds of 4wd add ons.
Based on those numbers, the Ranger has not been modified for North American tastes. It looks like the new Ranger without all the 4wd related add ons could have a payload of about 2000 pounds; Ford just took the rest of the world Ranger and dropped it in North America. Why can't Toyota do the same with the Hi-Lux?
I think there's a more than zero chance the 4th gen Tacoma merges with the Hilux in some non-trivial ways. There's been talk of moving all Tacoma production to Mexico and Toyota likes when factories can build models for multiple markets. I can't imagine they'll ever give up the Tacoma brand name, especially here. But being able to plug-and-play Tacoma and Hilux production to meet regional demand seems smart. Maybe they could even introduce a Hilux to the U.S. to sell regular cabs, dropping the Tacoma SR trim completely. I think they could also sell Tacoma as a high end trim in a lot of countries outside the U.S. and Canada. Tacomas get imported I understand into places in Central and South America because the stylized aggressive appearance has appeal.They could, but decided long ago that wasn't going to happen.
I'd guess that the next opportunity to rejoin the midsize Toyotas would be when the 4th gen Tacoma is nearing release, and it'd make more financial sense to change over NA plant tooling since it'd have to be done anyway. I don't predict that happening, though.
I think it's more of a question of logistics than anything else. If they can get their parts catalog to overlap enough, and get them produced & delivered where needed cheaply enough, maybe it'll happen. I just don't think they'll be in a position to do that mid-product cycle.I think there's a more than zero chance the 4th gen Tacoma merges with the Hilux in some non-trivial ways. There's been talk of moving all Tacoma production to Mexico and Toyota likes when factories can build models for multiple markets. I can't imagine they'll ever give up the Tacoma brand name, especially here. But being able to plug-and-play Tacoma and Hilux production to meet regional demand seems smart. Maybe they could even introduce a Hilux to the U.S. to sell regular cabs, dropping the Tacoma SR trim completely. I think they could also sell Tacoma as a high end trim in a lot of countries outside the U.S. and Canada. Tacomas get imported I understand into places in Central and South America because the stylized aggressive appearance has appeal.
Gimme that frame. That's really the draw. Well, that and the diesel for those that like it dirty.I will say I like the looks of the Tacoma much better than the Hilux.
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