Toyota's Tacoma pickup accounts for nearly ten percent of Toyota sales in the United States. The Tacoma's seventeen model configurations offer Toyota truck fans an extensive collection to choose from.
Choose a Cab
2WD or 4WD, Your Choice
Two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive models are available in all body styles. Forty percent of Tacoma's sold are 4X4 trucks, featuring a two-speed transfer case, heavy duty chassis and optional locking rear differential.
Tacoma Pre-Runner
Totaling one-third of Tacoma sales, the PreRunner delivers a higher ground clearance chassis and sporty styling, but puts them into 4X2 model that's more affordable and more fuel efficient than a 4X4 truck.
The PreRunners borrow a beefed-up suspension and larger brakes from their 4X4 counterparts. A locking rear differential is available with V6 models. A four-speed electronic automatic transmission is standard on all PreRunners.
High Torque Engines
4X2 Standard Cab
142-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 160 lbs./ft. of torque. This model's 1,480-pound payload capacity is the best in its class and is 200-300 pounds more than its four-cylinder competitors.
PreRunner and 4X4s
Two engine choices: a 150-horsepower 2.7-liter DOHC four-cylinder that produces 177 lb-ft. of torque and a DOHC 190-horsepower 3.4-liter V6 that puts out 220 lb-ft. of torque.
V6 Tacomas can tow up to 5,000 pounds, the four-cylinder models up to 3,500 pounds.
Toyota dealers offer a Toyota Racing Development (TRD) supercharger kit for the V6 that boosts horsepower to 260. It carries a full factory warranty and is EPA-certified.
Suspension
- Double wishbone coil-spring front suspension and leaf spring rear suspension with staggered shock absorbers.
- The 4X4s and PreRunners have gas-filled shock absorbers for better rough-road and off-road control.
- An optional TRD Off-Road Package is available for 4X4s and PreRunner. It adds a locking rear differential, off-road shock absorbers, progressive-rate front springs, heavy-duty rear springs, a larger front stabilizer bar, aluminum wheels and 265/70 R16 BF Goodrich off-road tires. Black overfenders and TRD graphics complete the package.
SR5 Package
The Tacoma's SR5 package includes air conditioning, 3-in-1 audio, tilt steering wheel, tachometer, digital clock, sunvisors with vanity mirrors and a chrome or color-keyed appearance package.
StepSide
With a standard-cab or Xtracab SR5 model you can choose a StepSide bed for a sportier look. The steel StepSide cargo box reduces the interior bed width by about nine inches, but provides the same length, box depth and payload capacity as the regular bed.
Tacoma S-Runner
If you want a truck that drives like a sports car, how about the S-Runner, a 2WD V-6 powered truck with performanced-tuned and lowered suspension. The S-Runner comes only as a 4X2 Xtracab with a five-speed manual transmission. The S-Runner features a dealer-installed TRD color-keyed body kit in Black Sand Pearl or Radiant Red. You can add the StepSide bed for an even sportier look.
The interior of the S-Runner truck is tweaked, too, with leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and white-faced instrument gauges. The sport package delivers air conditioning, a 3-way audio system with six speakers, a digital clock, power windows and door locks and a sliding rear window with privacy glass.
The Popular Double Cab
The Double Cab is a US exclusive and accounts for nearly a third of Tacoma sales in this country. It's available in both 4X4 and PreRunner configurations and offers a higher level of standard equipment than other Tacoma models.
Double Cabs can be equipped with an optional Limited package that features a color keyed front bumper and overfenders, a chrome rear bumper and trim, sport seats, a 3-in-1 audio system, sliding rear window and 265/70R16 tires on 16-inch alloy wheels. There's also an optional fiberglass Super Sport Shell developed by SNUGTOP.
New Standards for All in 2003
- Four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS).
- Updates on the child restraint system. Lower anchors have been added to the front passenger seat in standard and Xtracab trucks and rear outboard seats in the Double Cab.
Who says they can't build something for everyone. If you're not a truck lover, you might not find what you're looking for here, but if it's a truck you're looking for you should be able to find a Tacoma that suits you.
Photos Copyright
Toyota Motor Sales, Inc., USA