2024 Tacoma with FWC?

[JHanson]

Twenty or thirty years ago I would have had no problem buying a first-year model from Toyota. I can understand the hesitancy to do so now, although a lot of the furor has been caused by those always itching to find cracks in Toyota's armor. The company did step up with the Tundra engine issue by issuing a full recall, rather than insisting on waiting for individual failures. And, ironically, there's nothing fundamentally wrong with the turbo V6; it was a simple failure to adequately flush the newly made blocks that caused the issue.

I think the new turbo four in the Tacoma is a far better engine for a truck than the previous rev-happy V6. The new boxed chassis is infinitely superior, even in the base, rear-leaf-spring version. For the upper level models, coil springs are far easier to upgrade than leafs. The front anti-roll-bar disconnect is more usable on a regular basis than a front diff lock. Many, many improvements in the new Tacoma. The only major goof I can see involves the silly "IsoDynamic" seats in the TRD Pro, which are standard and completely eliminate rear seat leg room.

 

[goinoregon]

Twenty or thirty years ago I would have had no problem buying a first-year model from Toyota. I can understand the hesitancy to do so now, although a lot of the furor has been caused by those always itching to find cracks in Toyota's armor. The company did step up with the Tundra engine issue by issuing a full recall, rather than insisting on waiting for individual failures. And, ironically, there's nothing fundamentally wrong with the turbo V6; it was a simple failure to adequately flush the newly made blocks that caused the issue.

I think the new turbo four in the Tacoma is a far better engine for a truck than the previous rev-happy V6. The new boxed chassis is infinitely superior, even in the base, rear-leaf-spring version. For the upper level models, coil springs are far easier to upgrade than leafs. The front anti-roll-bar disconnect is more usable on a regular basis than a front diff lock. Many, many improvements in the new Tacoma. The only major goof I can see involves the silly "IsoDynamic" seats in the TRD Pro, which are standard and completely eliminate rear seat leg room.

always appreciate your 3cents. fwiw - i just bought a 21 toyota access cab for running around. i may be looking at better seats though.... will see

 

[DesertDog]

Agree with Rubberlegs. Toyota has been having transmission issues with some of the 4th Gens Tacoma, I'd give Toyota a year or two for them to work out the bugs before I'd the newer truck.

 

[Bread]

I talked to FWC and there are no issues with mounting a new FWC on a 2024 Tacoma. Just need to tell them it’s for a new Tacoma when ordering camper.

So if I decide to go with a 2024 Tacoma, I would still need to decide how to upgrade the suspension to work with a new FWC Fleet Shell which is significantly lighter than a fully furnished Fleet.

I called ALCAN Springs and they said they are developing a leaf spring conversion kit for the 2024 Tacoma. Interesting, but is replacing the coil springs with leaf springs a good answer?

For the upper level models, coil springs are far easier to upgrade than leafs.

Where can these coil spring upgrades be obtained?

Since the FWC Fleet Shell is a lighter unit, maybe a solution or possibly temporary solution would be to get airbags, but another poster said that airbags don’t work with coil springs.

I keep going back and forth on getting a 2022 Tacoma vs a 2024. I realize the new Tacoma is untested but all those new upgrades are tempting.

To summarize, I’m just trying to figure out how to upgrade the 2024 Tacoma suspension to handle a Fleet Shell which weighs about 700 lbs minus the gear we would be hauling. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

[DesertDog]

Check this link. Appears Dobinson is selling upgrade 4th Gen rear coil springs. Per link, they have different spring rate options based on how much extra weight you carry up to 1000 lbs.

Dobinson 4th Gen Suspension Kit

 

[rando]

It may take a few months for the aftermarket to catch up, but I am sure there will be a slew of aftermarket heavier coils for the 2024 tacoma available shortly. You also can use airbags with coils - it is even easier than with leafs.

To add - I was an 'early adopter' with the first year of the prior generation of Tacoma. There were all the same fears and discussion on the forums about it. 50,000 miles of adventuring later, I am still happy.

 

[JHanson]

Wait. Alcan is developing a kit to convert the rear coil suspension on a 2024 Tacoma to leaf springs? Seriously? That's the most idiotic concept I've heard in a long, long time. Coil springs are superior to leafs in just about every way imaginable. Unless you're planning to raise your truck to some idiotic height.

 

[DesertDog]

Wait. Alcan is developing a kit to convert the rear coil suspension on a 2024 Tacoma to leaf springs? Seriously? That's the most idiotic concept I've heard in a long, long time. Coil springs are superior to leafs in just about every way imaginable. Unless you're planning to raise your truck to some idiotic height.

Call them crazy, but Toyota is keeping leaf springs on the SR and SR5 models. Thus it will not surprise me if all the frame has holes for leaf spring brackets on all models - so it may be entirely possible for Alcan to offer this conversion as a bolt-on kit.
I've seen more than a few folks doing solid front axle conversions to Tacomas for rock crawling and I'd guess Alcan is aiming for this market.

 

[JHanson]

Sure. I understand why base model Tacomas still come with rear leaf springs; that's simple economics. I'm still calling Alcan's plans idiotic, so I guess I'd have to include any customer who would spend money on it. Or at least woefully misinformed.

 

[Upland Roamer]

Any new news on the 2024 Tacoma? I’m having some real doubts about them. My 2011 Tacoma 4wd 6cyl with FWC Fleet Shell has been rock solid crisscrossing North America for the last 10 years. Only modifications are ALCAN 10 leaf custom springs, sway bar and E rated tires. It rides great.

Not only concerned about the 2024 model rear coil springs handling the camper weight, but the motor and transmission are untested as well.

Thinking about getting a used 2022 Tacoma 4dr with 6’ bed instead. That way I can transfer my custom ALCAN springs from my 2011 model to the 2022 model and keep rolling.

Btw: Hurricane Helene did a number on our 2014 FWC Fleet. Cherry tree landed right across the tongue sticking out over the cab and bent it down considerably. Tried bending it back in place using jacks and timbers but it still ain’t right. Insurance company considers it a total loss so going to get a brand new FWC Fleet and a new or almost new Tacoma to go with it!

I spoke with someone back in Vermont who put a Fleet on their new 2024 Tacoma with the 2.4L 4 cylinder i-Force Turbo and he said he was very happy with it. Plenty of power and said he was getting 17 mpg. He reported that it handled the weight with zero problems and had just returned from a long road trip. He installed Timbren progressive springs to upgrade coil springs. His Fleet was a shell model, dry weight coming in at 1k lb.s and primarily traveled solo so kept wet weight down. This is similar to what I have ordered and my situation. I am purchasing 2024 Tacoma and doing the same. My Fleet is ready in mid January and will report what I experience.

 

[Upland Roamer]

I have no doubt, after reviewing a 2024 TRD Off Road model Tacoma, that it is far better able to handle a load such as a FWC than the previous generation. The chassis is certainly substantially improved, and the engine is also a leap forward (never mind that it's "only" a four compared to the previous six), given a torque peak at a proper, diesel-like 1,700 rpm instead of up in the sports-car stratosphere where it has been. Models with coil spring rear axles will be easier to upgrade to handle extra weight—and let's not forget the looooooong overdue rear disc brakes. But you need to keep in mind the substantial differences in payload ratings between models. There are a couple specced for 1,700 pounds, which would make it possible to load a Fleet along with necessities and passengers and theoretically remain under factory GVWR. You'd still need to upgrade rear springs and shocks, however.

My full review will be out later in Exploration Quarterly.

Is your review coming out soon in Exploration Quarterly? Thank you