I recieved a call from the local dealer tonight saying the first 05 Taco was in. I went down and checked it out. Upon arriving I was informed that it had just been sold. They told me I could look at it but not drive it. I checked it out, in fact my T100 was parked right next to it. Let me say, they are not as big as most would expect. While it was as long as the T100, it was not quite as wide. There is lots of plastic on it, no metal bumpers, nothing. The interior is nice, not to overdone, but close in my opinion. All in all it's a beautiful truck. The only part I personally didn't like was the fact that the stereo is all one large unit with the clock built into it. There will most likely be no aftermarket stereo support for it because of that. It is true, I crawled under it and felt the frame. It is C-channel for the full length of the truck. Kind of dissapoiuting. But then again I wouldn't wheel it, it's to pretty. You all should go and check one out if you are even remotely interested. I will have to be quicker next time so that I can drive it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I saw one driving on the freeway the other day. I thought it was really big, almost as big as the full size chevy next to it. Obviously it wasn't, but it sure seemed like it was close.

But I did think it looked really really good. Very muscular looking and well rounded/balanced. The ground clearance looked decent too, much higher than the 4runner.

Too pretty indeed. I don't like it. Then again I'm still mad about IFS. Argh

C chanel all the way?...
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />

I like this one much better....

C-channel is actually about mid-way or a little foward of mid-way to the rear. Front is boxed. I would have thought, maybe it was still a good set up, because of all the cross members, when you note that the brand spanking new 2005 Hilux truck using an entirely fully boxed frame front to rear and the same suspension as the new Tacoma, it's clear Toyota cheaped out on the USA version.

I wonder how much it will flex...the frame I mean. You can overload an older Toyota all day long and not worry about the frame. I would imagine it's not a good idea to overload the new Tacoma. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />

I think the main reason you see fully boxed on the Hilux and C-channel on the Tacoma is that the new Hilux is supposed to be a 1 ton truck. Just like the older Hiluxes and just like our pre-Tacoma trucks. The Tacoma is and never will be rated for more than 1/2 ton loads. So they were able to save money. Dana, who builds the Tacoma and Tundra frames, probably convinced Toyota they could save money by using the cheaper C-channel construction. I wonder how much of that savings will be passed on to the consumer....ya right. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />