All pretty and no poop

[Ol'TrailDog]

Well, I decided to move the Subaru Outback. After checking out a 2006 CRD Jeep Liberty, I decided I'd rather have a Yota Tacoma with a four banger. My impression of the 2003 xtracab Tacoma with matching topper as I drove it over the mountains from Hermiston to John Day... All pretty and no poop.



This little truck is so spotless the fellow who gased it up (remember this is Oregon where you can not pump you own gas) thought it it was a brand new truck. Once upon a time, I had a Toy 82 SR5 that I traded in on my first Dodge Cummins and I will say they haven't changed much in 20 years, i. e. underpowered little tin cans. But such a pretty little can. I hope this one will prove to be as easy to rebuild as the 82 was, a decade or so down the road.



One thing I will say for that Liberty CRD diesel four banger, IT HAD POWER TO SPARE! But I really wanted a small pickup for driving back and forth to work, room in the topper for the border collies, a bed to sleep in when "car camping", and for driving back to Bozeman to cheer up my wife, so to speak. It will do the job, but it sure makes me appreciate my CTD that is roomy, rock solid, and has more power than I know what to do with.



The only scary part was when the accelerator got stuck WOT . I started screaming in an animal sort of way, flaying my hands about, and I started to calling the highway patrol on my cell phone, but I remember it is against the law to use a cell phone while driving in OR. So, I just let up on the go pedal instead. Darn, I was hoping for a chance to sue Toyota for a brand new Lexus or an extravagant monetary settlement for all my pain and suffering.



But, did I mention it sure is a pretty little truck.

 

[rscurtis]

One thing I think you'll discover as time goes on is that your fuel mileage won't be that much better than some of your past Dodge's.

 

[Grizzly]

Would you do as well in an unfortunate head on collision in a Tacoma as you would in a much bigger heavier Dodge Cummins?



Food for thought!

 

[Dieselnut59]

I love the engine in my Liberty CRD. It would be PERFECT in a little mini truck, with 4x4 and a manual trans. I wish someone would bring something like that to USA.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Actually I didn't get the Tacoma for the gas mileage. I already knew from my past 82 SR5 experience that the fuel mileage would be close to the same. The primary reason was to put the extraneous commute to work, drive around town(s), a portable dog kennel, and the other daily stuff I used the Subaru for.



My truck is now reserved for truck duties such as firewood hauling, camper hauling, other heavy lifting duties, as an ongoing project truck, and just the pure pleasure of the diesel purrrrr. My plans are to keep it for such purposes for the duration.



As far as the head-on goes. I reckon I'm thankful that I've had a incredibly blessed life and have had the opportunity to do and go places that few have had. Wife will do fine with or without me, kids are grown and married, and I've been able to say howdy to the grandkids. I've made the primary focus in the past thirty years to be in good stead with the Maker, cuz you just never know... ... Besides, some day we are all going to and I'm ready to Oo. and not :{

 

[Dl5treez]

a 2003 Tacoma is one of the last good ones. The newer trucks ('05 to present) do not have the same quality and reliability records of the older Tacomas from 1995-2004.



The 2. 7 4 cylinder is a bulletproof engine. I have seen them where the timing chain has literally worn a hole through the case and the engine is still running. They don't do that until about the 400,000 mile mark so you shouldn't need to worry about that for awhile. :-laf

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

I hope it lasts for a bit. On the 82 SR5 the timing chain wore through the aluminum cover and antifreeze ended up cooking the main bearings. Of course this happened in mid-winter, below zero, on my way up the hill between Gardiner, MT and Mammoth, YNP. On the bright side, the 22R was by far the easiest motor I've rebuilt. Easy access, minimal extraneous junk, and logically put together.