TOYOTA TACOMA X-RUNNER

OVERVIEW

MPG/MPGe: 21 Highway / 16 City
Engine: Gas V6 4.0L/241 cu in
Transmission: Manual
Drive Train: Rear Wheel Drive
Seating: 4
Horsepower: 236
Overall Crash Safety Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
Wheel Base: 127.4

HISTORY

The Toyota Tacoma is a pickup truck manufactured in Mexico and the U.S. by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota since 1995. The first-generation Tacoma, model years 1995 through 2004, was classified as a compact pickup. The second generation, model years 2005 through 2015, and third generation, in production since 2015, are classified as midsized pickups and are produced in the U.S. and Mexico. The Tacoma was Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year for 2005.

As of 2015, the Toyota Tacoma is sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Bolivia, Bermuda, and the French territory of New Caledonia.

The Toyota Tacoma X-Runner debuted with the 2005 2nd-gen version of the truck, Autotrader reports. Part of the 2nd-gen’s upgrades over the original was a 4.0-liter V6, putting out 236 hp and 266 lb-ft.

DESIGN

The X-Runner received a few more upgrades on top of that:

For one, instead of a 5-speed manual, the Tacoma X-Runner got a 6-speed short-throw manual. And while the standard truck could be rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive, the X-Runner was RWD only. Plus, it came with a limited-slip differential as standard.

The truck was also lowered 2” over stock, to improve handling, and the entire frame was stiffened. In addition, the Toyota Tacoma X-Runner received further suspension mods, Bring a Trailer reports. This consisted of Bilstein shocks, a rear stabilizer bar, double-wishbone front springs, and upgraded rear leaf springs.

The Tacoma X-Runner also received performance tires, and 18” alloy wheels, AutoTrends reports. On top of that, there was a body kit, which consisted of a hood scoop, extended wheel arches, fog lamps, and side skirts. Toyota also offered a Stoptech big brake package for the X-Runner—useful, considering the truck came standard with rear drum brakes.

Finally, if the standard V6 wasn’t powerful enough, the New York Times reports that, like the larger Tundra, the Tacoma X-Runner could be fitted with a TRD supercharger. That boosted the engine to 304 hp and 332 lb-ft. It also allegedly cut at least a second off the truck’s 7-second 0-60 time.

SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE TOYOTA TACOMA X-RUNNER

The Toyota X-Runner was a limited production sport model. Although it utilizes the standard 4.0L and 6-speed manual from other Tacomas, the lowered double-wishbone suspension, Bilstein shocks and frame x-bracing create a remarkable track vehicle rather than a drag-strip brute.

The X-Runner is only available in three colors per year, and only five colors total. For the 2005 to 2008 model years, the X-Runner was available in Speedway Blue, Radiant Red and Black Sand Pearl. 2009 exchanged Radiant Red for Barcelona Red Metallic and Black Sand Pearl for Black. For the 2012 model year facelift, Speedway Blue became Nautical Blue Metallic and then Blue Ribbon Metallic for 2014/2015. The X-Runner was discontinued in the mainland US after the 2013 model year. The X-Runner was last offered in Canada for the 2014 model year and in Hawaii (USA) for the 2014/2015 model years.

Key differences between the X-Runner and the other packages include tweaks to the suspension, hood scoop, ground effects kit, driving lights, sports wheel and tires, and a 3.15 final drive ratio (3.73 for V6 PreRunner and 4X4). Toyota added a rear-mounted X-Brace to stiffen up the rear end (hence the name X-Runner). The chassis was further stiffened by adding two more support braces to the frame. An optional big brake kit by TRD is also available on the X-Runner; which consists of a 332 mm slotted rotor and 4 piston caliper. The BBK (big brake kit) was designed by StopTech. To further its track and sport appeal, TRD also offered a dealer-installed and warrantied roots-style supercharger which raised the power from 236 to 300 hp (176 to 224 kW) and the torque was raised from 266 to 345 lbf⋅ft (361 to 468 N⋅m). A factory TRD composite spoiler was also an option but originals are rare. The X-runner comes only with an Aisin RA60 6-speed manual transmission produced by Aisin Seiki Co.

Production numbers are unknown but it is believed roughly 3,000 X-runners were made each model year.

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR CAR?

Fixing deep scratches on your used car before the rust forms with something as simple as a dab of touch-up paint will save you endless trouble in the long run.

• Keep it clean

Giving your Toyota Hilux a regular all-round wash is a great way to keep it in the best possible shape and inspect the bodywork and interior for any  wear-and-tear that you can attend to before it becomes a big concern.

Similarly, if you allow brake-dust and road grime to accumulate on your used car’s alloy wheels, it will, over time, leave dark spots or make your used car’s rims appear dull.

It is very important to remember that you should never wash your used Toyota, or any other used car for that matter, with standard dish washing liquid or other household cleaning detergent.

Think about it: If your Toyota is regularly equipped with clean filters, oil and other lubricants, its engine will operate without any undue strain. This will lead to better fuel consumption and better engine performance in the short term and greater durability in the long term.

• Keep an eye on your tyres

Make it a habit to regularly check your tyre tread and the tyre pressure of your Toyota.

Inspecting the tyre tread helps you to quickly identify irregular wear patterns, such as wear on the outside of the tyre. If you spot this early enough, you can address it and extend the life of your tyres.

If you see an irregular tread pattern, you may need to check each wheel’s balancing or the alignment between the wheels at an approved tyre fitment centre.

Checking your tyre pressure is equally important. An under-inflated tyre will cause more wear and tear and will increase your vehicle’s fuel consumption. An over-inflated tyre will, in turn, cause uneven wear on the tyre and may negatively influence your vehicle’s steering and wet-weather performance.

• Monitor your fuel economy

Keeping an eye on your fuel economy is a great way of tracking the mechanical integrity of any used vehicle.

By keeping an eye on your tyres, bodywork, fuel economy and by regularly servicing your Toyota, you can be sure that it will maintain its value very well as a used vehicle and it will give you many years of trouble-free service.

Source: wikipedia, motorbiscuit,