A Toyota: This comes down to choosing a suspension design that we feel best meets the needs of the typical consumer for each product and provides the desired on- and off-road performance. In recent years our engineers have preferred the double wishbone (A-arm) front suspension arrangement mainly due to its superior on-road capabilities, with what we feel is a small sacrifice in off-road capability. This suspension system allows us to build a well-balanced product that performs well in a wide variety of driving conditions, with a wide variety of drivers.
4WOR: Seems logical enough, but we still want a solid-axle Toyota. Why not bring a sample over and see if they sell?
Taco De Grande
Q Tacomas seem to be as big as first-generation Tundras and T-100s. And Tundras are now as big as the domestic trucks. Will we ever see a small truck from Toyota again? I miss the small trucks Toyota was famous for.
A Toyota: This has been under study, but at this time we have nothing to announce regarding plans to bring a smaller-than-Tacoma truck to the U.S. market.
4WOR: "Under study" is a good sign.
Stick to Sticks
Q What 4x4 models does Toyota offer with a manual transmission?
A Toyota: Tacoma four-cylinder and V-6, and FJ Cruiser.
4WOR: It sure would be neat to see one behind the 5.7 in the Tundra.
Dees Ol' Toyotas Are Great
Q I was in Australia and got to drive a truck with the Toyota V-8 diesel. My wife would kill me, but I'd trade the kids to get that engine in a new Tacoma. Is there a future for Toyota diesels in the U.S.?
A Toyota: We have studied and will continue to study the possibility of bringing diesel-powered trucks to the U.S., but have nothing to announce at this time.
4WOR: What if he traded his kids and his wife?
Wanted 400 4.7
Q I'm not having any luck finding performance parts to build my engine with. I have an '01 Tundra with the 4.7L in it. I hate the idea of putting a Chevy motor into a perfectly good 'Yota, yet I never hear about anyone building a stout Toyota engine. I'm hoping to get some high-performance from the small V-8 and to build it to push about 350-400 horses. I imagine some boring and stroking will be involved, but I'm having no luck finding the parts to do it. Any help would be appreciated.
A Toyota: At present there are no extreme performance options for the 4.7L from the manufacturer side. There are several supercharger kits available for other engines in our lineup, such as the 3.4L and 4.0 L V-6s and the 5.7L V-8-the big V-8 with a TRD blower would be a great option for the performance-minded customizer.
4WOR: now if we only had a 5.7L crate engine to swap in.
Faster 4.0
Q I have an underpowered '09 4WD Dual Cab 4.0L V-6 Tacoma. I've installed the TRD Cat-Back Exhaust and cold-air intake, with some improvement, but it still lacks zip. What can I do to get more power from her without voiding the warrantee?
A Toyota: A dealer-installed TRD supercharger kit would retain all factory warranty coverage and boost the engine's output significantly.
Direct vs. Diesel
Q If a diesel doesn't come to the U.S. 4x4 market from Toyota, are there some advanced gas engines (supercharged, turbocharged, direct injection) we could look forward to? Why are these better than diesel?
A Toyota: Toyota Racing Development (TRD) currently offers superchargers for various engines in our lineup and is continuing to develop new products for our engines. Direct injection is being introduced on some of our Lexus engines and could possibly make its way to the Toyota lineup in the future-although there is nothing to announce at this time. The gas versus diesel comparison is complex and involves many factors. Overall efficiency and engine emissions are two of the areas under study.
4WOR: Direct-injection gas sounds very enticing. We'll keep watching for that.