Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Here's the question: when you drive it do you feel like yours riding in a truck-shaped under-powered tablet or are there still trucks out there that still act like a truck?

Here's the answer: WTF

Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on January 30, 2026, 07:23:51 PMHere's the question: when you drive it do you feel like yours riding in a truck-shaped under-powered tablet or are there still trucks out there that still act like a truck?

It feels like a truck to me. I turned off a lot of bells and safety whistles. It's not overly techy....

Quote from: pjstevko on January 30, 2026, 08:31:36 PM

Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on January 30, 2026, 07:23:51 PMHere's the question: when you drive it do you feel like yours riding in a truck-shaped under-powered tablet or are there still trucks out there that still act like a truck?

It feels like a truck to me. I turned off a lot of bells and safety whistles. It's not overly techy....

That's good to know. I think my 2011 xterra pro4X with an aftermarket stereo is just about the perfect level of technology in a vehicle. But it's got 190k miles and I've fixed a lot of things lately, including a new radiator this week. I hope I'm nowhere near needing a new one but I'm terrified of what I'll have to settle for when that time comes. Every rental I've been in has been straight up unpleasant. A CVT makes me sad. I'm glad there's still hope.

This is the reason that I have hung on to my 2002 Toyota Tacoma Ext. Cab, TRD 4WD, 5-Speed manual, 3.4V6, 10-ply AT/3 tires,  8K Warn winch, ARB (Australian bull bumper, 1 ton truck —- bought new, 255K, well maintained.

It pulls 6000 lb. logs, a travel trailer, boat, stumps, and frees Dodges, Fords, Chevy's, and others out of ditches and snowbanks.  Hauls stuff to the dump in the utility trailer, and more.

I can shift it into 3rd gear, with my elbow out the window —- and head down mountain roads without even touching the brakes very often.  But if I need the power, it's ready without shifting.  5,000 lb towing capacity.

If I ever lose the engine —- I'll just drop in a Japanese engine.

It does the job.

I too have done axles, radiator, upgraded brakes, clutches, etc —-  but that is required to keep a vehicle ready for all types of weather, conditions, and capability.

Wife has been after me to get a new truck — I generally try to abide with her wishes — but my decision was a firm "NO" — and fortunately she is OK with that, and respects both the truck and my judgement when it comes to vehicles.  I make sure she has had (4) new cars since I bought the Tacoma — '02 Honda Civic EX, '04 Toyota 4Runner, '14 Subaru Outback, '22 Subaru Outback.

It doesn't have all of the new computer features like the newer trucks.

So, at least for now —- it is 24 years old and still doing its job.

Best, Fred

Jason,
I had no idea what you were talking about but now that I know I'll say I don't consider 310hp underpowered in a vehicle this size. The torque on the otherhand is lower than I would like but stays fairly flat for awhile once it peaks. I'll address that when the time comes if it proves insufficient for my needs, for now I'm just breaking it in. I have no problem with a truck riding like a sedan if it acts like a truck when I need it to. I answer to a higher authority who has given it the tushy test and said wow rides nice for a truck.

Anyway I don't want to keep going in pj's thread but I wanted to talk with you about your Xterra radiator. I'll send a PM.

My son-in-law's previous job the service trucks were Tacoma with 300k+ miles still going strong.I think there are Tundras with 1 million miles.

I have kept vehicles too long where it was  more to repair than it was worth,but that was a 14 year old mercury Grand Marquis. At that point we were just ready for something different.

My mother stopped driving last year at 82 & gave us her 2012 Lincoln MKX,it is in great condition.I recently had to put an EVAP purge valve on it & drove it to Jacksonville last week. 24 MPG drives great.

So we gave my son-in-law our 2003 Mazda Tribute which is still going strong 3.0 V6

My in-laws had a 2004 Xterra V6 which is on a truck frame rear wheel Drive it was a tank.

Scotty Kilmer states on Youtube the best made vehicle on the road is drum roll...Toyota 4runner made in Japan
I have no idea how to tell if one is made in Japan I assume the VIN or door post sticker?

If I were going to buy a new truck it would be a Toyota Tundra,I know it would last my life time & probably longer.

P.S.
Some Ford Explorers now have internal water pumps,there is no way I would buy a motor that had that. I think some engineers have these fancy smancy ideas which are great on paper,but not practical.
My good friend's daughter just went through this,you can replace the water pump for $4k but it's a gamble that the motor doesn't have damage. So she opted for a new engine $9k,ridiculous,just because of a water pump!

When shopping for vehicles I think these type things need to be considered i.e. future repairs,vehicles/insurance cost too much but are a necessity for most.