Tacoma or Maverick?

[TomCruiseControl]

Just saying if I were OP I would wait to see what the new Tacoma looks like. Could be pretty significant improvements in fuel economy given the fact that the Toyota 3.5 has been around and almost unchanged forever. I don't the Tremor is going to get him through his 5% unless it's nothing more than torn up fire roads.

I agree, however, I can’t afford a new Tacoma and is not an option at this point.

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[gte105u]

Thanks for the reply. Short story, long I should have mentioned that my previous Tacoma was a 2016 Sport that was totaled by a drunk driver. Due to insurance shenanigans I had to hastily bought a 2017 Off-road with less than 20k miles on it that I now own. As far as I know my frame was not recalled, though I haven’t done extensive research (yet) as I don’t live in an area that used much salt or other corrosives on the road. A very good point I have not throughly researched though, so thank you. That is the very reason I started this thread and reached out to randos on message boards lol

As far as the off-reading thing goes, I’m more worried about high clearance than I am about the locking diffs. While I’ve used it, I can count the number of times I’ve needed a locking/partial locking diff on one hand and honestly don’t see myself ever getting into a situation where I would want to use the crawl control feature l have on my OR.

I also have never owned a Ford and don’t necessarily have any negative experience towards them in regards to reliability nor do I have my mind made up, I just have anecdotally experienced Toyota and Honda as somewhat of a benchmark for reliability and thought it might be noteworthy.


In regards to the comfort factor of the Tacoma; i have a double cab and half of the back is built pit for my dog/camping so leg room and comfort are non-issues.

Tacoma has virtually the same ground clearance as Tremor . That's assuming you don't have mods which change things. As I mentioned before, not much in Tacoma can do off-road that a Maverick Tremor couldn't.

 

[NoVaJimmy]

I agree, however, I can’t afford a new Tacoma and is not an option at this point.

What's the cheapest Tremor running? Is it that far off from a decently capable new Tacoma would be? This is my third Ford, prior to that I exclusively drove Toyota, Honda and Mazda but got sucked into Ford by a Focus ST. If you live in an area that sees a lot of moisture, salt and hazardous road conditions just take a look around here to see what those conditions are doing to components on the Maverick. There are a few photos here of the exhaust system on a Maverick that hadn't even made it through one winter and the muffler is rotted out. Ford cut a lot of corners to meet the 20k price point and unfortunately all the trims share those baseline cut corners, even Tremor Mavericks. Sandy Munro's team did a pretty in depth look at the ways Ford made it to that price point and they pointed out so many areas where Ford skimped, minimal or no electro coating on items like half shafts, knuckles. I like the Maverick. I'll never go off road with it and I barely ever drive and live in an area that rarely sees snow. If I still lived in New England this would be a no go for me. Ford suffers from their own rust issues especially on their lower end vehicles. Aside from the catalytic converter most of the exhaust is mild grade steel, cheap. Keep your Tacoma, their frames are solid now, Toyota learned their lesson. This is just my opinion but while you may be more comfortable in the Maverick, I think your tried and trued Tacoma will serve you better in the long run.

 

[Mike]

I have both. Gen2 4x4 Taco and a Mav.
Tacoma for off roading and hauling stuff and the Mav used more like a car that could fill in in a pinch.

 

[TomCruiseControl]

Post a picture of what you consider to be offroading. Most people's definition is forest service roads. Either way, it sounds like the Tacoma is the right vehicle for you.

This is what I would consider typical off-reading. Tacoma has a 2” level on 265/75/16 for reference.

 

[bgn]

Trails like this would be what I consider typical off-roading. Tacoma has a 2” level for reference.

This is what I would consider typical off-reading. Tacoma has a 2” level on 265/75/16 for reference.

I would stay with a "real" truck then.

 

[TomCruiseControl]

What's the cheapest Tremor running? Is it that far off from a decently capable new Tacoma would be? This is my third Ford, prior to that I exclusively drove Toyota, Honda and Mazda but got sucked into Ford by a Focus ST. If you live in an area that sees a lot of moisture, salt and hazardous road conditions just take a look around here to see what those conditions are doing to components on the Maverick. There are a few photos here of the exhaust system on a Maverick that hadn't even made it through one winter and the muffler is rotted out. Ford cut a lot of corners to meet the 20k price point and unfortunately all the trims share those baseline cut corners, even Tremor Mavericks. Sandy Munro's team did a pretty in depth look at the ways Ford made it to that price point and they pointed out so many areas where Ford skimped, minimal or no electro coating on items like half shafts, knuckles. I like the Maverick. I'll never go off road with it and I barely ever drive and live in an area that rarely sees snow. If I still lived in New England this would be a no go for me. Ford suffers from their own rust issues especially on their lower end vehicles. Aside from the catalytic converter most of the exhaust is mild grade steel, cheap. Keep your Tacoma, their frames are solid now, Toyota learned their lesson. This is just my opinion but while you may be more comfortable in the Maverick, I think your tried and trued Tacoma will serve you better in the long run.

The Tremor I have built on fords website would be around $34…that is the route I would go, custom order. Tacoma would be about $40k and at that point it’s not worth it for me. For all intents and purposes, my question solely pertains to Tacoma or Maverick. Unfortunately not Tacoma or New (hypothetical) Tacoma….cause in all honesty if my Tacoma got 23-25mpg I wouldn’t be thinking about swapping for a Maverick.

 

[Old Ranchero]

No comparison- 2 completely different type vehicles with different missions. Compare the Ranger against the taco instead. 2023s should still be available and possibly marked down to liquidate as time goes on and new 2024 Ranger is finally unveiled.

 

[TomCruiseControl]

No comparison- 2 completely different type vehicles with different missions. Compare the Ranger against the taco instead. 2023s should still be available and possibly marked down to liquidate as time goes on and new 2024 Ranger is finally unveiled.

I agree, but I’m not comparing them. I’m asking for input on each (individually and comparatively) based on the things I mentioned in the first post

 

[TomCruiseControl]

I would stay with a "real" truck then.

I know it’s probably difficult to answer, but how confident would you be doing something like this with a Maverick FX4 with 2” lift and 245/65/17’s?

 

[710-oil-614]

Thanks for the reply. Short story, long I should have mentioned that my previous Tacoma was a 2016 Sport that was totaled by a drunk driver. Due to insurance shenanigans I had to hastily bought a 2017 Off-road with less than 20k miles on it that I now own. As far as I know my frame was not recalled, though I haven’t done extensive research (yet) as I don’t live in an area that used much salt or other corrosives on the road. A very good point I have not throughly researched though, so thank you. That is the very reason I started this thread and reached out to randos on message boards lol

As far as the off-reading thing goes, I’m more worried about high clearance than I am about the locking diffs. While I’ve used it, I can count the number of times I’ve needed a locking/partial locking diff on one hand and honestly don’t see myself ever getting into a situation where I would want to use the crawl control feature l have on my OR.

I also have never owned a Ford and don’t necessarily have any negative experience towards them in regards to reliability nor do I have my mind made up, I just have anecdotally experienced Toyota and Honda as somewhat of a benchmark for reliability and thought it might be noteworthy.


In regards to the comfort factor of the Tacoma; i have a double cab and half of the back is built pit for my dog/camping so leg room and comfort are non-issues.

I would advise you to keep your 2017 OR - and that's not an easy thing to say - because I've got a 2010 and am counting the days till my Tremor arrives.

You just aren't going to get ground clearance in the Maverick. There is a great comparison video by TFL where Andre compares the ground clearance of the TRD Pro Taco to a Tremor. All I can say is 9.4" of ground clearance is not the same for both vehicles!

Honestly everything you've stated (ground clearance, pit in the back - Mav's plastic will scratch easier than an elderly person's skin , and seeing you're in Colorado) and the fact you've got your Taco OR (should have the locker!).

You're in fine shape!

 

[710-oil-614]

This is what I would consider typical off-reading. Tacoma has a 2” level on 265/75/16 for reference.

Tremor could handle that all day long, however you could just as easily take a wrong line by the width of a tire and catch your exhaust on it and sheer it completely off....

I''m not as negative on the Maverick quality as NoVaJimmy is but he brings up several good points and there are very obvious parts of the Maverick where costs and corners were cut.

I think the drivetrain and platform are solid and will last for the life of the vehicle while I own it.

 

[TomCruiseControl]

Tremor could handle that all day long, however you could just as easily take a wrong line by the width of a tire and catch your exhaust on it and sheer it completely off....

What are your thoughts on an FX4 handling this? I totally get the sheering important underbelly parts.

 

[710-oil-614]

What are your thoughts on an FX4 handling this? I totally get the sheering important underbelly parts.

I am just not a fan of open differentials being out there off the beaten path, especially with the lack of flex and suspension travel the Maverick does have to keep both wheels of an axle planted. Also it lacks any low gearing or AWD lock to keep all wheels spinning at low speeds..

The Tremor corrects the differential and AWD lock, provides the slightest upgrade of suspension for being out there, and gives you trail control up to 9 mph in 1 mph increments.

Plus there is absolutely no approach or departure angle, even with a 2 inch lift its considerably worse still than the Tremor.

 

[Darnon]

Just saying if I were OP I would wait to see what the new Tacoma looks like. Could be pretty significant improvements in fuel economy given the fact that the Toyota 3.5 has been around and almost unchanged forever. I don't the Tremor is going to get him through his 5% unless it's nothing more than torn up fire roads.

Or the '24 Ranger for that matter, especially if the rumored hybrid powertrain comes true.

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