Kinda hot on the heels of my previous post here

Why can't I keep my eyes off this Taco-truck

I found a gently used 2008 4x2 Access cab Tacoma.



I couldn't resist the pull of the Taco's. Yeah its a 4x2 (I don't go 4wheel'in) Yeah its an Access cab (crappy friends can ride in the bed of the truck) Yeah its a 4Cyl (gas is expensive) Yeah I have a 2022 SUV Hybrid (I don't want to mess it up)

So I like it I pretty much drove it around about 100 miles this weekend. Has a couple squeaks, and that's pretty much it. Old owner put on new tires (General) and 4 new brakes. I talked to him while at the dealership cause I found an old registration paper work with his name on it. Looked him up and called him up. Older guy that him and his wife are just going to have one car now, and she has a better car, so he got rid of this one. His loss, my gain right. I hope so.

Question reference the radio. I plan on putting in a Apple CarPlay radio in the near future, do I need to run a wire to the E-Brake for the CarPlay radio to work.

Any other thing I should do right away to make it "better".

My first Toyoty was a Hi-Lux pickup. Before Toyota was really big. Indestructible. Terrible harsh ride. No power anything (IIRC). Great truck! Your truck reminds me of the Hi-Lux. Same color too.

I helped my son buy a 2015 Taco very similar to yours back in February. One owner very well maintained with all records and clean.
I think it should last him a long time, he starts college in fall.

How much could a truck like yours tow? A canoe? A small jonboat with a motor? An aluminum bassboat? Full-on, 21' boat with a big old motor?

What I mean, is a practical measure of capacity.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
How much could a truck like yours tow? A canoe? A small jonboat with a motor? An aluminum bassboat? Full-on, 21' boat with a big old motor?

What I mean, is a practical measure of capacity.

Can tow or would be prudent to tow? I’ve towed a 4,000 chipper all over the ranch, up and down hills with an ‘01 & an ‘03 taco. Granted, both were extracab, 4x4, and v6, so we’re not talking apples to apples. I did drag some stuff around with an older (‘96?) 4x2 extracab longbed (8’), so it can be done, but it isn’t as easy.

In towing on a public road, I worry a lot more about stopping when something unexpected happens in front of me. I wouldn’t be comfortable towing a lot on a public road with a Taco, two wheel drive or four. That said, there are a lot of uses for pickups that don’t involve towing.

I guess it all depends on what one’s application is.

quote:

Originally posted by slosig:

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
How much could a truck like yours tow? A canoe? A small jonboat with a motor? An aluminum bassboat? Full-on, 21' boat with a big old motor?

What I mean, is a practical measure of capacity.

Can tow or would be prudent to tow? I’ve towed a 4,000 chipper all over the ranch, up and down hills with an ‘01 & an ‘03 taco. Granted, both were extracab, 4x4, and v6, so we’re not talking apples to apples. I did drag some stuff around with an older (‘96?) 4x2 extracab longbed (8’), so it can be done, but it isn’t as easy.

In towing on a public road, I worry a lot more about stopping when something unexpected happens in front of me. I wouldn’t be comfortable towing a lot on a public road with a Taco, two wheel drive or four. That said, there are a lot of uses for pickups that don’t involve towing.

I guess it all depends on what one’s application is.

Ummmmm, well, thanks. I guess, for that non-answer.

What is the kind of load the OP's Taco could tow? 4 banger, that configuration. Not a 6 cylinder. Not that it can tow, but can do so with safety and without excessive wear. I know you might buy a truck for other reasons, but I want to know about towing. I tried to quantify it with some practical examples.

I don't own trucks and never have. I don't know these things, which is why I asked.

Nothing like a fresh canvas to paint it your way.

I started with a Dodge a few years back. Wasn't thinking about fuel economy at the time, but at least I haven't gotten a speeding ticket (yet).

Enjoy your new ride.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
How much could a truck like yours tow? A canoe? A small jonboat with a motor? An aluminum bassboat? Full-on, 21' boat with a big old motor?

What I mean, is a practical measure of capacity.

Everything you want or need to know about an 08 Taco

https://www.thecarconnection.c...w/toyota_tacoma_2008

Other Specs
Cooling System
Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)9.1
Electrical
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)- TBD -
Maximum Alternator Watts- TBD -
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (2nd)NA
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)- TBD -
Trailering
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)3500
Fifth Wheel Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)NA
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)NA
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)350
Fifth Wheel Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)NA
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)NA

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
How much could a truck like yours tow? A canoe? A small jonboat with a motor? An aluminum bassboat? Full-on, 21' boat with a big old motor?

What I mean, is a practical measure of capacity.

My 2016 V6 can tow 6800lbs with the tow package. I wouldn't think the OP's 2nd gen would be too different, unless it didn't have the tow package.

It ain’t towing nothin now. There isn’t a trailer hitch. It’s a 4cyl so maybe 3000lb towing.

The book tow rating for a 2008 access cab 4x2 is 3500lbs and the payload is 1340-1360lbs.

Thanks, all.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
My first Toyoty was a Hi-Lux pickup. Before Toyota was really big. Indestructible. Terrible harsh ride. No power anything (IIRC). Great truck! Your truck reminds me of the Hi-Lux. Same color too.

I'm not up on the CarPlay installations but would think the aftermarket vendor can provide some guidance. Nice, truck that will serve you well for many thousands of miles.

Nice! Thank you for sharing.

I got my 2016 extended cab back in December. It is 4wd V6. I gotta say, I love having the suicide doors and the long bed. Serves me very well. Best vehicle I’ve ever had.

I love my Tundra, but a four banger Taco might be the ticket for daily driving.

My current commute is less than 2 miles round trip so I guess I can hold off for now.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
Ummmmm, well, thanks. I guess, for that non-answer.

What is the kind of load the OP's Taco could tow? 4 banger, that configuration. Not a 6 cylinder. Not that it can tow, but can do so with safety and without excessive wear. I know you might buy a truck for other reasons, but I want to know about towing. I tried to quantify it with some practical examples.

I don't own trucks and never have. I don't know these things, which is why I asked.

My apologies for not answering your question. Rather than SWAG 2000#, which would be my guess, I asked the google. From https://letstowthat.com/2008-t...a-towing-capacities/ I found:

Overall Towing Capacity:
The towing capacity for the 2008 Toyota Tacoma's ranged from 1,000-6,500 lbs. and was dependent upon two main factors. The first factor was whether your trailer had its own braking system equipped and the other was whether you had a tow package installed on your vehicle.

I don’t care what kind of braking system is installed on the trailer and towing package is installed on the Taco, no way in heck am I towing 6,500# with a Taco. Not with a four cylinder, not with a six cylinder. The Taco is too light for that much weight. There is a time and place for a full size truck, even a one ton dually if you’re dragging enough weight around.

I can’t answer your question about the wiring, but I can say the 2.7 engine in my Tacoma has been strong for 10 years. I don’t tow with it, but I have hauled countless tons of dirt, compost and mulch over the years without a problem. The access cab is very handy for me. Easy place to toss a bag or two and hit the road. I hope you get plenty of good years out of your new truck! Tacomaworld.com is a great resource for it.

I read the title and thought to myself "what's so revolutionary about eating tacos???"

I might get a truck one day if business needs dictate it. For me, it comes down between the Tacoma and Ridgeline.

I have an 06 Taco Access cab. Four banger, AT. It is not a hotrod. Even empty, when going up a highway grade, it needs a downshift.

You need to be aware of the 1st generation Toyota Frame problems. Significant issues with rust on Tacoma and Tundra frames. Inspect the frame!!