Tacoma Breaks Down on Trail

[Chaos Theory]

Yeah, this is a bit of a disaster for Toyota and their new design. Makes anyone wishing to purchase it think twice, and then question how Toyota could have possibly tested this design competently off-road. Then that question leads to other questions, and so on.

That said, they'll fix it and by model year 2027, it will again be a competent vehicle.

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[Sweetums]

At least it finally has a real chassis.

 

[legacy_etu]

Yeah, this is a bit of a disaster for Toyota and their new design. Makes anyone wishing to purchase it think twice, and then question how Toyota could have possibly tested this design competently off-road. Then that question leads to other questions, and so on.

That said, they'll fix it and by model year 2027, it will again be a competent vehicle.

I don’t know, the Toyota crowd is a “special” bunch. I’m sure they’ll look right past this.
Funny thing, I was flipped off by a guy driving a Tacoma today. He was on the opposite side of the road and I did nothing to deserve my special number 1 status. The jealousy/hate with that crew is weird. I also had a kid in a neighborhood I pass thru once in a while come running across his yard when he saw me driving by to give me a thumbs down. LOL. The kid was all of 12 if that. Look in the driveway and it’s all Toyotas. The kids getting indoctrinated by his parents obviously. Weird

 

[Sweetums]

$10 says it's software.

They were using traction control and the tires had almost no grip, so it wasn't a purely mechanical failure since there was no stress on the drive train, at least not due to traction conditions. The traction control was probably using code lifted from an AWD system that allowed for center-diff slippage. If both the front brakes clamped down at the same time, there was no where for the torque to go, the t-case was locked, splitting power between front and rear equally. If both the front brakes were applied by the computer, it didn't matter if the tires had slippage, the entire drive system from the t-case forward to the front hubs was locked with power from the engine still trying to turn those parts. Something was going to fail, in this case it was the t-case.

What I don't get is why Toyota is trying to say that link in the t-case is the "fuse" of the system - why would you want people to think you designed a T-case that's weaker than a u-joint or CV axle that's both cheaper and easier to replace than a t-case rebuild?

 

[johnchabin]

I don’t know, the Toyota crowd is a “special” bunch. I’m sure they’ll look right past this.
Funny thing, I was flipped off by a guy driving a Tacoma today. He was on the opposite side of the road and I did nothing to deserve my special number 1 status. The jealousy/hate with that crew is weird. I also had a kid in a neighborhood I pass thru once in a while come running across his yard when he saw me driving by to give me a thumbs down. LOL. The kid was all of 12 if that. Look in the driveway and it’s all Toyotas. The kids getting indoctrinated by his parents obviously. Weird

Did he have a widdle wadder?

 

[DarthAWM]

Did he have a widdle wadder?

so he couwd cwimb up on his woof?

 

[Lunentucker]

$10 says it's software.

Something was going to fail, in this case it was the t-case.

What I don't get is why Toyota is trying to say that link in the t-case is the "fuse" of the system - why would you want people to think you designed a T-case that's weaker than a u-joint or CV axle that's both cheaper and easier to replace than a t-case rebuild?

I watched the diagnosis video this morning, and I thought they said that the broken part (designed to give before catastrophic damages occur) was in the front differential.

Video is queued to the explanation.

 

[Sweetums]

The point still stands, why would Toyota think good damage control is "We made a very expensive part that fails before a cheap and easily replaced part" - differential or t-case, neither should require a rebuild because it's weaker than a u-joint or cv.

 

[Lunentucker]

The point still stands, why would Toyota think good damage control is "We made a very expensive part that fails before a cheap and easily replaced part" - differential or t-case, neither should require a rebuild because it's weaker than a u-joint or cv.

But they did drive it home and to the dealership ?

 

[Sweetums]

Sure, but you can't fix that problem on the trail. If it pops a u-joint I can swap that out where the truck sits, get back into 4wd and out. If the front diff fails in the middle of The Maze District in Canyonlands, you are 100% proper-screwed. This is a place I love to go and you have to be self-sufficient, the rangers will tell you it costs over $1,000 just to get a tow truck to the ranger station; if you are all the way in at Dollhouse or Maze Overlook, this has probably become a 14-18 hour long recovery.
I can carry a spare u-joint and swap it in with two wrenches while laying under my truck; 30 minute fix and back on the trail.

 

[Lunentucker]

And a couple of spare axle shafts, some ball joints, ball joint press, impact wrenches, breaker bars, socket set, wrench set, tie rod, steering gearbox, fluids, and maybe one them portable welders... and you're golden! ?
Heck! Go ahead and bring a mechanic, so you can eat sandwiches while he fixes your Jeep.

 

[PuddleJumper]

I don’t know, the Toyota crowd is a “special” bunch. I’m sure they’ll look right past this.
Funny thing, I was flipped off by a guy driving a Tacoma today. He was on the opposite side of the road and I did nothing to deserve my special number 1 status. The jealousy/hate with that crew is weird. I also had a kid in a neighborhood I pass thru once in a while come running across his yard when he saw me driving by to give me a thumbs down. LOL. The kid was all of 12 if that. Look in the driveway and it’s all Toyotas. The kids getting indoctrinated by his parents obviously. Weird

My entire group is all Toyota. The shit i got when i sold my Tundra. They were sending me FBM post everyday for used toyota anything. When i bought my new Jeep, all heard and still hear is, "wait till it breaks down and we have to give you a ride home". Which is hilarious considering I've towed 3 of em back home after major drive line failures. Also 2 of my buddies have sons, and they think my blue Jeep is the coolest rig in the bunch. You could see the disappointment in their eyes. It was like there wives said they prefer the "little ones". I about died laughing. I keep popsicles in my 12v Freezer/fridge for those 2 soon to be orphans. ?

 

[Sweetums]

Apparently the 2024 Tacoma has a donut for a spare.

EDIT:
Here's what the space-saver spare looks like while mounted. Trying to fit a 265 width under there is going to impact clearance, and forget about anything larger than OE unless you want the departure angle of a Sienna.
I bet we start seeing a lot more modified Tacos with rear tire carriers because of this.

 

[Janster]

Ahhh the Jeep vs Toyota saga continues....... I've owned several Toyotas (2 Tacoma's) and have owned several Jeeps, along with GMC's, Subaru's, Dodge, etc. I'm not brand loyal.... although, I'm having a hard time getting Ford into that list. ?

Back 20 years ago....we had a YJ on 35's w/Dana 44's, ARB's and Rollcage. The toyota fanboys were building 1985 Toyota trucks (the last of the solid front axles). The Toyota guys knew that solid axles were the ticket. I will admit.... The stock Tacoma's did well on the trails especially if you had someone that knew how to drive. We winched & pulled out & repaired both Toyotas & Jeeps alike....and others too. Those were the good old days. ? Our neighbor owned an F450 Duellie and we took him offroading once. He LOVED IT!! He had hydraulic winches on both ends - which was a good thing, he got high centered a few times. I admired him for taking that monster on the trails.

Solid axles will always kick-ass on the rocks..... some better than others pending the suspension.

Now that I'm older....I look for fancy options & cushy comfort. Toyota (Tacoma) has been lacking in options. The last time I was looking to buy a Tacoma was in 2016 (3rd Gen). Basically, it was the same truck as the previous Gen - no power seats, drum brakes, limited options, and cost soo much more etc. We bought a 2016 GMC Canyon - got more options for same $.

The Tacoma always seems to fall behind everyone else in the midsize truck market when it comes to options, tech, upgrades, etc. It's pretty disappointing to see both the Tacoma and the Canyon have only ONE engine option (4cyl turbo). And not only that.... Everyone is so focused on those dang E cars. I just can't do it........Nope.... If the 2024 Gladiator had the 392 option, I would've bought one!! ?

 

[Sweetums]

I want to be clear that I'm not anti-Toyota. I absolutely love Land Cruisers and the FZJ80 in particular. I'd still love to find a clean 80-series, but there are hardly any left.

Overall, Toyota makes some damned good stuff - every vehicle has shortcomings but at the end of the day we are all on the trail for the same reason. We might talk smack in town, but I'd never bring up the badge on the grill when someone is in need or just passing by.

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