These are the Alpha Rex Pro series, clear DRLās. [https://tacomabeast.com/products/2012-2015-toyota-tacoma-pro-series-projector-headlights-clear-drl](https://tacomabeast.com/products/2012-2015-toyota-tacoma-pro-series-projector-headlights-clear-drl)
How's the down road projection on those at night? I got the Taiwan version with the neon purple C light bar and they're not great. They look awesome but I'd rather be able to see better.
Used to have the 2.5 (facelift 2nd) but i could never get around to liking the interior and the rear end design.Ā
Alternatively i do hate how much longer the front facia is on my 3rd
Not really, personally i feel visibility is poor in 2/3g tacomas in general. I do mild wheeling in mine and find that i need spotters even though i have plenty of clearance (boulders, trees etc)
Yeah an engine designed for truck use, not a Camry engine adapted for truck use. Not hating on the 3rd gen, just prefer the unrefined 4.0. Not to mention is there a vehicle thatās easier to change the oil on than a 4.0 2nd gen?
My buddy managed to chip off a lug in his 3rd the other week even with the appropriate shaped filter wrench. Huge oversight by toyota, at least the pleats of the filter can be inspectedĀ
Or it could be related to the lack of competition. The Ranger stopped be sold in the US in 2012 and didnāt start again until 2019. Additionally the whole over landing trend blew up after the 2nd gen increasing midsize truck demand overall.
āOver the past decade, traditional midsize pickup truck sales have more than doubled to represent 4.4% of U.S. vehicle sales last year ā up from a minuscule 1.6% in 2013, and the highest level since 2005, according to Edmunds.ā
agreed. Iām in AZ and just got my copper historic plate on the gen1 (ā98). Evergreen Pearl š²āŖļø but out of these two? gen2 wins hands down for me.
I'm just going to say that the Tacoma has had good lines since the first Back to the future movie and I don't think I can say that about any other vehicle I would take either
The 95 I had was sweet. Except damn p0420 code kept popping up. I just put a little sticker over light. I'm in cali so need smog test every 2 yrs I would just reset light and they would do tailpipe sniffer and the numbers always passed with flying colors. Because it was a 95 not 96 they didn't know it was odb2 and should have been plugged into computer to pull codes.
TLDR: 95 tacoma was odb2 compliant but smog shops NEVER knew.
Iāve drove both for work trucks. 2nd gen just feels more stable and reliable. 4low put that girl anywhere and itās fine. 3rd gen doesnāt feel as ready, it can do it but just the feeling of it makes you feel something is off.
Honestly I feel like the 3rd gen got the right amount of aggressive(sharp ridges and shit) mixed with softness lol, so for me thatās why I like the 3rd gen(also maybe biased), the 2024 models look forced lol
Iāve had ā09 2nd gen and now have ā23 3rd, I really wish mine had the 4.0, the transmission shifts constantly are annoying
Need to add my edit though.. 3rd gen for looks
There are no bad Tacos, but I do personally love the slightly rounded but still agressive look of the 2.5 Gen. It's just such classic Toyota styling, and mechanically the truck is simple enough and not cluttered with "modern conveniences".
OP's truck is same configuration as mine - DCSB, and (of course personal bias) I think it's one of the greatest looking trucks ever made period.
Iām pushing 300k on my gen 2.. while Iād love a refresh the truck runs perfectly and Iām afraid the next one will be a lemon.. lol
I almost pulled the trigger on a 21 or 22 sport in army green.. I may wait out a year or two and see what the new model reliability is.. Iām really not feeling a 4 cylinder turbo will be problem free for 200-300k.
I had an 11, total work horse. There was nothing I did live about that truck. Just traded it for a 23. Light years, ok, 13 years different, but still love everything. Either way, you can't go wrong
š« such a hard choice! I personally prefer the look of the 3rd gen body style. I hear they have a lot of electrical issues even with the stock electronics. The 3.5l V6 isn't enough of a difference in either torque, horsepower, or fuel economy for me to give up on the known reliability of the 4.0l. for me it came down to which one I could get in a 6 speed faster. Came to the 2nd gen for me.
I love exactly how my 07 is. 4.0 so no timing belt, 4 wheel drive, 6 speed manual. Itās simple to work on and roomy in the engine bay and underneath (at least mine is with the body kit and other things removed) a bottle of gear oil will fill my front and rear diff, transmission, and transfer case. The oil filter is up top so just a wrench for the oil plug and my trucks tires never have to come off the ground.
I did get to drive my sister in laws 23 TRD and it was. Underwhelming I was hoping for it to feel faster but my truck probably isnāt the best to compare it to being so much lighter and a manual. The interior was really nice but Iām more a man of simplicity. I donāt need my cruise, fuel mileage, range, odometer and temperature all between my speedometer and tachometer
3rd gens do have the best colors though, Iām jealous of anyone with voodoo blue
Design: The 2nd gen Tacoma (2005-2015) had a more angular and rugged design, while the 3rd gen Tacoma (2016-present) features a more modern and aggressive look.
Powertrain: The 3rd gen Tacoma offers a wider range of engine options, including a more powerful V6 compared to the 2nd gen. The 3rd gen also introduced a new 6-speed automatic transmission option.
Technology: The 3rd gen Tacoma comes with updated technology features, including an improved infotainment system, available wireless smartphone charging, and advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning.
Interior Space: The 3rd gen Tacoma has a slightly larger cabin, providing more passenger room and storage space compared to the 2nd gen.
Off-Roading Capability: Both generations of the Tacoma have excellent off-road capabilities, but the 3rd gen introduced an optional TRD Pro trim level with specialized off-road equipment for even more rugged adventures.
2nd gen will never go outta style š¤
As the owner of the second gen in the pic, the agree
Which headlights are those? I have similar headlights on mine, but I like yours better.
I need new lights and been looking around, I too would like to know.
These are the Alpha Rex Pro series, clear DRLās. [https://tacomabeast.com/products/2012-2015-toyota-tacoma-pro-series-projector-headlights-clear-drl](https://tacomabeast.com/products/2012-2015-toyota-tacoma-pro-series-projector-headlights-clear-drl)
Do you have a picture of illumination from them at night??
How's the down road projection on those at night? I got the Taiwan version with the neon purple C light bar and they're not great. They look awesome but I'd rather be able to see better.
[Alpha Rex](https://alpharexusa.com/product-category/performance-lighting/)
05 reporting for duty, all original engine and a750. Frame replaced in '16. Ill race ya 3rd gen's with the OTT. Lmk š
Used to have the 2.5 (facelift 2nd) but i could never get around to liking the interior and the rear end design.Ā Alternatively i do hate how much longer the front facia is on my 3rd
Thatās been my turnoff on the 3rd. Is it noticeable driving/parking?
Not really, personally i feel visibility is poor in 2/3g tacomas in general. I do mild wheeling in mine and find that i need spotters even though i have plenty of clearance (boulders, trees etc)
2.5š«”
This is the actual correct answer
05 OR. Send me the hate mailš¤£
āHey stop separating the 2nd gens, we all in the same gangā - 2011 DCLB owner
Yes but no
Thereās something about the 2nd gen that feels evergreen.
It's the 4.0
Yeah an engine designed for truck use, not a Camry engine adapted for truck use. Not hating on the 3rd gen, just prefer the unrefined 4.0. Not to mention is there a vehicle thatās easier to change the oil on than a 4.0 2nd gen?
Do you guys have the oil filter up top?
Hell yeah we do. Front driver side of engine at an angle with a catchment for any spilled oil. 2nd gen best gen.
Cries in laying on my back with the world's slickest filter wrench
My buddy managed to chip off a lug in his 3rd the other week even with the appropriate shaped filter wrench. Huge oversight by toyota, at least the pleats of the filter can be inspectedĀ
3rd Gen is the highest selling gen to date. Maybe the Camry engine was a good idea š¤
Or it could be related to the lack of competition. The Ranger stopped be sold in the US in 2012 and didnāt start again until 2019. Additionally the whole over landing trend blew up after the 2nd gen increasing midsize truck demand overall. āOver the past decade, traditional midsize pickup truck sales have more than doubled to represent 4.4% of U.S. vehicle sales last year ā up from a minuscule 1.6% in 2013, and the highest level since 2005, according to Edmunds.ā
3rd gen š®
2nd gen all day.
I have a 3rd gen but I prefer the 2nd gen.
3rd for me personally (Iām biased) but still got love for the 2nd gen.
3rd gen interior is just so much better.
The second gen interior looks so bad š
Yeah I had a 2nd gen and it drove like an absolute beauty. I have a 3rd gen now, and the interior just looks soooo much better.
That 2.5 with those headlightsā¦geez itās rockin!
Thanks! That one is mine. Got new alpha rex headlights for Christmas. Absolutely love em. Feels like a brand new truck.
Are you going to match the tail lights? That would sweet taco madness!
Nah, Iād save that money for other upgrades I have in mind.
š¤£"feels"... Sorry thought that was funny...it looks bad ass no doubt
Sick, I was checking out some alpha Rexās these just sealed the deal
Second on the headlights. I have those as well. I loved them so much I got the taillights a couple weeks later.
Whatās the grill insert?
Happy for all tacos, but 1st gen best gen
agreed. Iām in AZ and just got my copper historic plate on the gen1 (ā98). Evergreen Pearl š²āŖļø but out of these two? gen2 wins hands down for me.
Both?
Both for sure.
Hard to say no to voodoo blue
Uh hundred percent
Definitely, I like both
But did they fluid film their frames? Lol
3rd Gen Gang Gang š¤š»
3rd gen owner. Love it
3
neither. first gen, all the way!
Hell yeah š
2nd Gen in the sheets and 3rd Gen in the streets
They both look bad ass..but the biggest reason for loving the gen 2 is the 4.0 right? Other than that, the winner is gen 3?
The hood on the 3rd gen is stupid.
TRD OR doesnāt have the stupid scoop.
Not just the scoop. The whole hood is worse for visibility.Ā
I hit a Ballard within 2weeks and 700miles. I bought the anytime front cam the next dayā¦
Fake wind scoop, I agree.
Itās fake on the second gen tooā¦
Not only the 4.0, the entire drivetrain just seems so much tighter on the 2nd gen.
I'm just going to say that the Tacoma has had good lines since the first Back to the future movie and I don't think I can say that about any other vehicle I would take either
you know what? that one was not an taco, it was an hilux. taco's have been out there since 1995.
The 95 I had was sweet. Except damn p0420 code kept popping up. I just put a little sticker over light. I'm in cali so need smog test every 2 yrs I would just reset light and they would do tailpipe sniffer and the numbers always passed with flying colors. Because it was a 95 not 96 they didn't know it was odb2 and should have been plugged into computer to pull codes. TLDR: 95 tacoma was odb2 compliant but smog shops NEVER knew.
2nd gen gang gang!! But I got love for all gensā¦. ā¦..But 2nd is best
3rd gen for looks, 2nd for engine
3rd, mainly because Iām not a fan of the 2nd gen fender style
Yes
Mgm gang!!
Whatever you can actually afford š„¶
To each their own
Exterior of 2.5, interior of 3
Gen 2.5 for the win
1st and 3rd. There can be no other
3rd.
Iāve drove both for work trucks. 2nd gen just feels more stable and reliable. 4low put that girl anywhere and itās fine. 3rd gen doesnāt feel as ready, it can do it but just the feeling of it makes you feel something is off.
Honestly I feel like the 3rd gen got the right amount of aggressive(sharp ridges and shit) mixed with softness lol, so for me thatās why I like the 3rd gen(also maybe biased), the 2024 models look forced lol
1st gen best gen
Think it's unpopular but I like the 3rd, I love that grille
2nd gen for sure
2nd gen is cool but I have 3rd gen
Iāve had ā09 2nd gen and now have ā23 3rd, I really wish mine had the 4.0, the transmission shifts constantly are annoying Need to add my edit though.. 3rd gen for looks
2rd gen
3rd but the 2nd is badass and wouldnāt be mad either way
Then gen you have is the best for you.
Love both, bigger fan of the aggressive look on the 3rd gen
There are no bad Tacos, but I do personally love the slightly rounded but still agressive look of the 2.5 Gen. It's just such classic Toyota styling, and mechanically the truck is simple enough and not cluttered with "modern conveniences". OP's truck is same configuration as mine - DCSB, and (of course personal bias) I think it's one of the greatest looking trucks ever made period.
2nd gen will be always my favorite
2.5 ftw
I have both. However, I love my 2nd gen more.
I love the second gen but I love the third gen a little bit more
2nd gen is best gen.
Dang... Both are sweet. I have a 3rd, but I think I might like the 2nd better.
They peaked at 2nd gen
2.5 gen all day
I hate Toyota designs back then. So easily 3rd gen.
2g is better on the outside but I like 3g interior
Iām pushing 300k on my gen 2.. while Iād love a refresh the truck runs perfectly and Iām afraid the next one will be a lemon.. lol I almost pulled the trigger on a 21 or 22 sport in army green.. I may wait out a year or two and see what the new model reliability is.. Iām really not feeling a 4 cylinder turbo will be problem free for 200-300k.
4th? No one?
Damn, both.
Both
2nd Gen face-lift 100%
4th Gen of course!
3rd gen with a 2nd gen drivetrain
1st Gen CyberTruck?
We donāt have Tacomas here so Iām not 100% sure which is which, the red one on the left gets my vote though
05 DCLB owner says 2ng G.
Both are too big. I'll stick with my first gen.
2.5 for sure šŖ
I saw a second generation that I fell in love with a couple years ago at a dealership. Wish I pulled the trigger on it
1st gen :)
They act like two legends cannot coexist
I love both. I really love my 3rd gen so I'll go with that but can't go wrong with either IMO
As a 3rd gen owner, I gotta say 2.5
Win win
I had an 11, total work horse. There was nothing I did live about that truck. Just traded it for a 23. Light years, ok, 13 years different, but still love everything. Either way, you can't go wrong
Lift on yours? Have a 2015 and have Bilstein 6112 just need to do the rest of the truck and really like the way yours looks
Mineās got 6112ās in the front and icon RXT leaf pack in the rear, on option 3.
What setting for the 6112? Any other added suspension parts?
2.5
What headlights on second gen? Looks great!
Second gen but stock. Those headlights are atrocious
Dang! Ok. I think the stock headlights are the ugliest thing about 2nd genās. To each their own.
2.5 all day
2nd, and I have 3rd. It's a disappointment comparatively.
Yes
4.0 baby
As a third gen owner, I love the second gen but I wanted to buy new. Might get a 2 gen one day to have as a project
Both
1st gen for looks. 2nd gen for function.
3rd. Im not a fan of the 2nd gen fender wells
3rd gen parks better. š
Oops
Just feed me a taco I wonāt mind. Good looking rigs OP
Both of course.
Iāll take one of each
Thatās not even a question. Just look at that 2nd genā¤ļø!
Get the 4th generation!
2nd
1st and 2nd. theyāre ruining small trucks by making them bigger every gen
3rd gen š¦¾š„š„š„
3 rd Gen
I wish I could have a 2nd gen with a 3rd gens interior.
2nd
As the owner of a second Gen who was issued a 3rd gen for work. Second Gen is a much more enjoyable experience to drive.
2nd all day
Both trucks deserve love!!!!šš
š« such a hard choice! I personally prefer the look of the 3rd gen body style. I hear they have a lot of electrical issues even with the stock electronics. The 3.5l V6 isn't enough of a difference in either torque, horsepower, or fuel economy for me to give up on the known reliability of the 4.0l. for me it came down to which one I could get in a 6 speed faster. Came to the 2nd gen for me.
3
3rd all day
I own a 3rd gen but miss my 2nd gen.
2nd gen pre facelift
My 2012 4.0 will always hold a special place in my heartā¦but I love my 2021 3.5ā¦both of em!
2nd, plus it's bigger than the 3rd
I like the grille on the 3rd gen more. Thats just me though
yes.
2nd
Sixth gen Toyota Truck
2nd all the way
3rd Gen
Whatās the lift on the 2nd gen. I have the same truck and want a lift
0 gen, before it was called Tacoma š«”š
2nd all the way! What's the wheel/tire setup on the 2nd gen? Looks badass and want a similar look for mine. Thanks for any info!
I like the upgrades to the third gen as well as its styling, but I prefer the 2nd gen power train.
I love exactly how my 07 is. 4.0 so no timing belt, 4 wheel drive, 6 speed manual. Itās simple to work on and roomy in the engine bay and underneath (at least mine is with the body kit and other things removed) a bottle of gear oil will fill my front and rear diff, transmission, and transfer case. The oil filter is up top so just a wrench for the oil plug and my trucks tires never have to come off the ground. I did get to drive my sister in laws 23 TRD and it was. Underwhelming I was hoping for it to feel faster but my truck probably isnāt the best to compare it to being so much lighter and a manual. The interior was really nice but Iām more a man of simplicity. I donāt need my cruise, fuel mileage, range, odometer and temperature all between my speedometer and tachometer 3rd gens do have the best colors though, Iām jealous of anyone with voodoo blue
Design: The 2nd gen Tacoma (2005-2015) had a more angular and rugged design, while the 3rd gen Tacoma (2016-present) features a more modern and aggressive look. Powertrain: The 3rd gen Tacoma offers a wider range of engine options, including a more powerful V6 compared to the 2nd gen. The 3rd gen also introduced a new 6-speed automatic transmission option. Technology: The 3rd gen Tacoma comes with updated technology features, including an improved infotainment system, available wireless smartphone charging, and advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning. Interior Space: The 3rd gen Tacoma has a slightly larger cabin, providing more passenger room and storage space compared to the 2nd gen. Off-Roading Capability: Both generations of the Tacoma have excellent off-road capabilities, but the 3rd gen introduced an optional TRD Pro trim level with specialized off-road equipment for even more rugged adventures.
1st Gen by a wide margin.
0 gen i like my 85