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Off Road Podcast 410 – 2024 Toyota Tacoma

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This episode of the Off Road Podcast is Sponsored by WARN, Medical Gear Outfitters, and Colby Valve.

Off Road Podcast 410 – 2024 Toyota Tacoma 

Tonight, Aaron wins an award, Coy uses his car trailer, & Ben buries some pipe

Welcome to the off-road podcast. A podcast about everything off-road. We cover the news, review products, and interview people in the off road industry.  Your hosts tonight are Aaron, Coy and my name is Ben.  Welcome to the show.

Coy – vette motor pulled

Aaron – Won an award for having a 4.0 GPA for the full 4 years of the electrical program. Worked on the Chicken coop. Bought a mattress for the RTT.  Started framing the bathroom walls in the shop.

Ben – 

Listener Feedback

So from time to time we like to ask for some reviews on iTunes to help boost our rankings on that platform.  Apparently it is the only platform that matters for reviews because everyone uses it instead of creating their own.  So if we get any good ones we like to read them.  

Like this one:

2 STARS from Tax it up
Titled: Mediocre Monotony

If love sound quality of a bag cell phone, a skipping compact disc and static or old uncared for vinyl, a dash full of ducks, a plethora of patches and accessories that you call “mods” then this is the podcast for you! More commercials than prime time tv.  Topics change direction with no warning like your schizophrenic uncle.

Or this one:

1 STAR from K2Kevin

Titled: Getting Better

Good information and often provides interesting off-road industry news.  They are a VERY liberal podcast, which I guess doesn’t matter.

If you can find the time to head to iTunes and leave us a review and it is good enough we might just read it live on the show.  Thanks.

Patriotpatch.co 

We also want to thank our sponsor Patriot Patch. Head over to Patriotpatch.co and check out their selection of great patches, shirts, cleaning mats, signs , and stickers.  You can also join the patch of the month club for 15 bucks and receive a patch, matching sticker, and artist proof each month.

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Our patches $13 shipped in the US for one and $10 for any additional.  Or $10 picked up from us in person.  Just send us a message through any of our channels and we can set you up with a Paypal link.

News brought to you by Colby Valve

  • Motor Trend – Chevy Silverado EV’s Huge Range Puts Teslas and Ford F-150 Lightning to Shame
    • The cheapest WT (Work Truck) variant is the first out of the gate.
    • The Chevy Silverado EV WT, the least-expensive version, beats out every electric pickup truck on the market today.
    • The 2024 Silverado EV WT will get an EPA-estimated 450 miles on a single charge.
      • Lightning = 320
      • Rivian = 329
      • Ram 1500 REV = 350
      • Tesla Model X = 384
    • Chevy got that extra range by dialing in its aero and how things were calibrated, whatever that means.
    • It also uses a massive 212-kWh battery pack.
    • The 2024 Silverado EV WT will be offered in two range specifications, and the 450-mile version represents the longer-range option.
    • The price for the WT version with the 450 mile range has not been announced but it will be higher than the cheapest base price for the Silverado that has been announced at $41,000.
  • Auto Blog – Jeep developing SUVs that can drive themselves off-road
    • Jeep just started testing a fleet of Grand Cherokee-based prototypes fitted with experimental technology that lets them drive themselves on challenging off-road trails.
    • “We are tackling challenges that are in some sense greater than what you experience in on-road autonomy,” explained Neda Cvijetic, the head of artificial intelligence and autonomous driving at Stellantis.
    • Jeep had little to say about its off-road autonomous technology;  there isn’t even a name for the system yet.
    • The Grand Cherokees look like they are factory with the exception of some sensors & cameras on the roof and a large screen inside.
    • “These features and technology will have real-life applications on and off the trail in a wide range of driving conditions,” said company boss Christian Meunier.
    • Human drivers can have a difficult time telling which boulder to drive over and which one to drive around, and teaching a car geology is harder than teaching it what a city bus looks like.
    • Jeep isn’t alone in this niche: Land Rover has tested autonomous off-road technology for close to a decade, though the system hasn’t reached production.

Main Topic powered by WARN  

Outside:

  • 8 models to choose from:
    • SR
    • SR5
    • TRD PreRunner
    • TRD Sport
    • TRD Off-Road
    • Limited
    • Trailhunter
    • TRD Pro
  • 2 door XtraCab has a 6’ long bed (only 2 seats), Double Cab has both 5’ short bed and 6’ long bed versions.
  • Only the Tacoma TRD Pro and Trailhunter omit the air dam.  Surely, the air dam is there for efficiency gains. If you do not like the air dam you can remove it by undoing nine fasteners.
  • Power lowering and lifting tailgate.  Operates by a button in either taillight or the traditional way, with the handle. It has a pinch sensor so that your fingers won’t get caught.
  • Bedsides are higher but still allow reach over access gives 7% more volume.
  • Hood, Tailgate, & Bedsides are aluminum.
  • Most of the bed is composite and it saves 14% in weight.
  • Hood has 2 holes for prop.  Hi & low settings.
  • Bed lighting is available, not sure if standard.  As is a camera up high by 3rd brake light to watch cargo.
  • Optional wireless trailer camera.  Sounds like you can place it on the rear of any trailer to see what is behind you.
  • Some hitches have hi-lift jack point
  • Rock sliders support one half of the trucks GVW.
  • Limited comes with power running boards

Interior:

  • 400w inverter inside and in bed.  Hybrids have 2400w inverters inside and in the bed.
  • Roof and front seats are both 1.14” higher to give the front occupants a better sitting angle.
  • Trucks with the towing package come with an integrated brake controller.
  • All come with manually adjustable headlights (good if you are squatting from a heavy load, towing, or have too much firewood like Aaron).
  • Heated steering wheel.
  • Rotary switch for 2H/4H/4L.  Drive mode selection in the middle of the switch.
  • While most Tacos have a 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster, TRD Off-Road models and up feature a larger 12.3-inch all-digital unit.
  • 8” & 14” touch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto & heads up display standard on upper trims.
  • Toyota Safe Sense 3.0: Lane Centering, Lane Tracing (don’t know what that does), Driver Assist, Trailer Guide, & Adaptive Cruise Control.
  • JBL Stereo with removable center channel speaker.  The speaker can be paired with up to 100 others.  It is IP7x rated.  The truck radio will adjust the EQ if it detects that the radio is missing from the truck.
  • Wireless phone charging and USB C ports F&R with 45w fast charging.
  • 3 times more storage under rear seats.
  • Heated and cooled front seats on Limited and above trim.
  • Fancy front suspension seats called the “IsoDynamic Performance Seats”.  Non suspension seats have more bolstering to them.
    • Stabilizes the occupants
    • Takes out the strain from the upper body
    • 2 air over oil shock systems.
      • 2 vertical shocks
      • 2 horizontal shocks
    • Shrader valves used to add or remove air from the system based on what Toyota recommends based on your weight.
    • No power recline due to a lack of space.
    • They have every other power, heating & cooling features.
    • Do they cut into rear leg room?
  • One unusual feature is a driver’s side hidden side pocket with a QR code that directs customers to the Toyota website. Here, they’ll find the dimensions for designing and 3D printing their own accessories,  such as a lantern or tool kit.

Chassis:

  • Same fully boxed ladder frame as the Tundra, Sequoia, and Land Cruiser, the new TNGA-F platform.
  • Wheelbase is over 4” longer.
  • Shorter front overhang but the truck is the same overall length
  • Sides are wider but the doors are inset a bit to keep the swing out minimal.
  • Discs are standard all around and are 16” F&R. TRDs have 17”F & 16” R.  All Hybrid engine trucks have 17” F&R.
  • 17” & 18” wheels depending on the model
  • Payload isn’t the highest at 1,709lbs.  (payload varies by model)
  • Max towing capacity is 6,500lbs.  Down from the previous Tacoma’s 6,800lbs.  Toyota found that 96% of compact truck owners don’t tow over 5,000lbs. (towing capacity varies by model)
  • The SR, SR5 extended cab, and the TRD PreRunner have leaf springs, while the rest have coil springs.
    • Leafs will give you more payload but coils will give you a better ride and usually more articulation.
  • No front locker available.  Toyota says that they chose to focus on better articulation with a Front anti-sway bar disconnect which gives 10% better front articulation and 15% better rear articulation.  Also, the multi-terrain select can act as a pseudo locker.  They also think that a locker can bind up too much stuff in the front end, ie. mechanical sympathy.  I (Aaron) think that they can’t/won’t create a front end strong enough to handle it.
  • Limited model gets full-time 4×4 with a center locking differential (with the i-Force MAX engine)

Compare TRD models:

PreRunner

  • 4×2

Sport

  • sport-tuned shocks
  • pavement-oriented tires
  • hood scoop

Off Road

  • push-button rear differential lock
  • off-road-tuned Bilstein remote reservoir shocks
  • 33 inches tires

Pro

  • For faster driving like high-speed desert driving
  • 33-inch Goodyear Territory R/T tires
  • Off-road-designed front bumper
  • Wide fender flares
  • ARB steel rear bumper with recovery hooks
  • TOYOTA heritage grille with an integrated LED light bar
  • RIGID LED fog lamps
  • Two-tone roof
  • Skid plates
  • ARB steel rear bumper with red recovery hooks
  • Fox internal bypass 2.5-inch manual modal Quick Switch 3 shocks with 3-way adjustment.
  • multilink rear suspension.
  • 3” wider track, 2” lift in front, & 1.5” lift in rear.
  • upgraded front upper control arms
  • electronic anti-roll bar disconnect for the front
  • Only comes with the Hybrid engine

Trailhunter

  • More of an overland version
  • RIGID white/yellowr switchable LED fog lamps
  • Frame-mounted rock rails
  • High-mount air intake
  • 18-inch Bronze Trailhunter wheels
  • 33-inch Goodyear Territory R/T tires
  • Skid plates
  • Old Man Emu position-sensitive 2.5-inch forged monotube shocks with rear external piggyback style remote reservoirs
  • 3” wider track, 2” lift in front, & 1.5” lift in rear.
  • Come with an onboard air compressor.  Air compressor can be preset to a specific PSI and it will shut off automatically
  • upgraded front upper control arms
  • electronic anti-roll bar disconnect for the front
  • utility bar in the bed with MOLLE mounting points

Drivetrain:

  • 9.5” rear end
  • Toyota chose the 8 speed automatic over the Tundra’s 10 speed because of size, weight, & it would hang low.  
  • 6mt trucks come with Toyotas IMT2.  This gives you auto rev match on downshifts and anti-stall.
  • Turbo is a twin scroll for faster spool up and more top end.
  • 4 engine choices, all are 4 cylinder:
    • 2.4 turbo 228hp & 243tq (base SR model only)
    • 2.4 turbo 270hp & 310tq (6mt version)
    • 2.4 turbo 278hp & 317tq
    • i-Force MAX hybrid 2.4 turbo 326hp & 465tq
      • This sandwiches an electric motor between the engine & transmission (the motor takes the place of the torque converter)
      • Standard on TRD Pro & Trailhunter
  • The electric motor makes 48 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque
  • The hybrid pickup can ascend an 8% interstate grade without needing to downshift.
  • 1.87-kWh nickel metal-hydride battery pack goes under the rear seat.
  • No EPA MPG numbers yet.
  • All 2wd come with limited slip rear end

Go over pricing towards the end (see chart in photos).

  • No official pricing yet.  Prices are estimates.  
  • Trucks should start hitting dealers at the end of November/early December.
  • TRD Pro & Trailhunter won’t be out until spring 2024
  • 2 manufacturing plants, both in Mexico.

Next Week:  Towing or Driving to the Trail With Dirt Lifestyle

Closing Statements

Thanks everyone who listens to us weekly and also to those who watch us live on YouTube.  We really appreciate you.  Please share us with your friends and help us grow.  Don’t forget that iTunes review!  God bless America!
Don’t Forget to visit Patriot Patch and join the patch of the month club. Check out our Gaia affiliate link for up to 40% off. Also, don’t forget to head over to Warn, Medical Gear Outfitters, and Colby Valve to see all their great gear. We are a proud part of the firearms radio network. Got a question or comment?  Send it to us through our webpage at firearmsradio.net or through our social media channels by searching for Off Road Podcast.  Also, you can listen to us live at overlandradio.com Mondays at 7pm Pacific.  When off-road please remember to have fun, tread lightly, be safe and courteous. Thanks for listening.