My understanding is the Hilux will remain on the old platform for now. I'm sure it's still serving it's customer base perfectly fine. I can't possibly imagine this new TAcoma being used under the same hardcore conditions that the 1 ton Hiluxs are being used in. Also, Hilux truck sales can be measured in the tens of thousands, not the hundreds of thousands that the Tacoma sells, so it's not really worth it for Toyota to redesign it and still meet the needs of the overseas customer. Also, full size American style trucks are not very popular in the overseas markets, hence the Tundra is not sold anywhere but here.

The new Tacoma will be built in Fremont AND in Mexico, exclusively for the U.S. and Canadians market.

My '94 will be in my posession for a long time to come...

UH OH!!!!!

Someone was mentioning that the TAcoma could based on the Chevy Colorado truck platform. I'm not sure if that is true or not, but take a look at the Colorado.

http://www.chevrolet.com/colorado/

Notice any similarities or is it just me? Look at the fender moldings. Is that scary or what? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />

This is the Colorado frame. I lighted up the bottom picture and it looked to me like the same holes in the side of the frame were on the Tacoma as are in the Colorado frme. I could just be grabbing for straws here. The first clue will come when we find out what suspension the TAcoma uses. The Colorado 4x4 uses a torsion bar IFS.



Here's something interesting. The Colorado's wheelbase is 125.9". Guess what the Tacoma's wheelbase is going to be? Yep, 125.9".

Now I'm not saying this is a fact that the Tacoma will have anything to do with the Colorado, I'm just a little worried that it "might" be.

Now chew on this. The Colorado has a 2WD Concept truck called the Colorado XTREME. I haven't been able to determine if it has a similier X type frame like the new Toyota Tacoma X-runner concept truck, but when you look at the pictures and the name, both are very similier.

Something interesting as a side note. Did you know the heaviest dual cab 4x4 Colorado is only Gross vehicle rated at 5300lbs? That's the same as our '86-'95 Toyotas but in a significantly larger package. I thought that was interesting. I figured they would be rated heavier.

oh man. It would be a sad, sad day for Toyota if they based their truck off a Chevy.


RIP Toyota trucks <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />

Here are some more pics, copy and paste if they dont show up.

Well, I'm about ready to puke my guts out. I made this picture. Judge for yourself. The Colorado is at the top, the new Tacoma on the bottom. Even the gas filler is in the exact same location. Just a pure coincidence? I don't know.... Why? Why? Why? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />

Well, maybe we shouldn't panick just yet. It's not confirmed. If you do look closely at the rear axle of the Tacoma, it looks Toyota, unlike the Colorado axle. I'll try to do some more research.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr! What were they thinking! Sign of the times I guess, gotta get looking for a clean 93-95 to SAS and drop a 3.4 into, it's gotta be a good clean job since it will have to last me till I am 60 or Toyota pulls their head out, I am betting on the former <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Here's another picture I made: Top is a current Chevy Colorado 4x4 extra cab. Bottom is the only known spyshot of a 2005 Tacoma 4x4 extra cab. They definately look somewhat similier, but not exactly. If reported dimensions are accurate, the TAcoma will be just under 2" wider than the Colorado, but the same wheelbase.

I'm still hoping the Tacoma will be totally based on the 4Runner and it's still probably a safe bet. It's possible that Toyota only borrowed some basic body design features from it's partners at GM to help sell the truck, but the underside engineering is all Toyota. Remember how the Tundra interior was almost a carbon copy of an F series Ford?

What do you expect, since Toyota owns a controlling interest of GM!!!!!! I heard a lot of the same comments a few years ago when the Taco came out!!!!!<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/oink.gif" alt="" />

it appears some of the spy pics are cheby, or it is true they are cheby based. just check out the MI manufacturer plates, that means they are from the tech center here in Detroilet.
either way I would hate to see yet another toy go down the tubes of excess america............Karl