1 Year with the Tacoma Trailhunter

[MrB4D]

Well, today is the 1 year mark for my Trailhunter. 16.5k miles, lifetime average MPG of 18.13, 4 oil changes, and no ragrets. Just going to give a few impressions on the good, not so good, mods I've done, and mods I plan on doing in the future.

TL;DR: Great truck, I'm glad I waited, and I can't wait to go national park hopping next year. Looking forward to the 200k miles

Good

• Great truck, rides really nice, looks amazing
• Acoustic glass is awesome, it really does a good job of cutting out exterior noises
• Buttons and knobs! It has plenty of buttons and knobs for easily adjusting things like volume, AC, off-road controls; while still effectively using the infotainment screen for things like media, maps, and cameras
• The 14in screen is the perfect size for the vehicle, not too big not to small, and very responsive. I primarily use Android Auto, but from what I have used in the stock system, mostly logical (I wish we could hide things like apple/amazon music, and it would be nice if the satellite radio was not hidden with normal AM/FM)
• Seats/cabin is comfortable, even on long road trips. Plenty of places to store road snacks and drinks
• Built in air compressor is a nice feature and helped my buddies and me out a few times. (Didn't think I would use as much around town as I have)

Not so good

• Sometimes there is a high pitched whine coming from where the inverter is in the cab when the vehicle is driving, both at low speed and at high speed (no, it is not the pedestrian alert sound)
• Sometimes the drivers side ventilated seat makes a loud electric whine when at full power (no issue at level 1 or 2)
• Glare from the cluster at night is pretty substantial on the drivers side
• The windows tend to shake and rattle when partially down (known Tacoma issue from my understanding), esp when you close the door. No concerns, just something I will be keeping an eye on

Mods:

• Swapped the stock sliders for the Cali Raised LED sliders
• Several settings with Carista (no more seatbelt chime )
• Dash cam with the Dongar adapter to hide the wires
• Rear bed molle from Cali Raised LED
• Oversized cupholders from Z Precision
• Screen ProTech screen protectors
• Debadged tailgate

Planned mods:

• Steel front bumper with winch
• Replacing the OEM roof rack
• Full rack for RTT & awning

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[TrailAdventurer]

Howdy MrB4D,

Appreciate your observations. We've had our Trailhunter 5 months and have some similar and different observations at this point. I'll be curious to see how things evolve for us over the next 7 months as we head to 1 year.

Thus far, I certainly agree w/acoustic glass. The cabin's very quiet. Especially if you want to get rid of the intake sound and at highway speeds. We're not experiencing any window rattle at this point.

I'm also very pleased with gloved-finger friendly knobs and toggles. They did a nice job there...of course that's a Tacoma-wide positive. For Trailhunter, we both love the seats. I used to think A/C-ventilated seats were a gimmick. Well, I'm a big fan. Keeping yourself cooler makes for a much more alert and comfortable drive...especially on 10-12 hr days.

For our own experience in how we use our offroad/overland vehicles, we also changed to a similar set of sliders (Wescott Des). And, I'm very happy to have also used the ProTech screen protectors--especially given how dusty-dirty we got things last week.

Your next 3 mods are the same as ours.

One thing I did out of the gate though, was change up the tires. The reduced-tread OEM tires don't cut it for our own application where sharp pointy things are common .

Again, thanks. Enjoyed the read. Hopefully these are of value to others.

 

[tacorancher]

Well, today is the 1 year mark for my Trailhunter. 16.5k miles, lifetime average MPG of 18.13, 4 oil changes, and no ragrets. Just going to give a few impressions on the good, not so good, mods I've done, and mods I plan on doing in the future.

TL;DR: Great truck, I'm glad I waited, and I can't wait to go national park hopping next year. Looking forward to the 200k miles

Good

• Great truck, rides really nice, looks amazing
• Acoustic glass is awesome, it really does a good job of cutting out exterior noises
• Buttons and knobs! It has plenty of buttons and knobs for easily adjusting things like volume, AC, off-road controls; while still effectively using the infotainment screen for things like media, maps, and cameras
• The 14in screen is the perfect size for the vehicle, not too big not to small, and very responsive. I primarily use Android Auto, but from what I have used in the stock system, mostly logical (I wish we could hide things like apple/amazon music, and it would be nice if the satellite radio was not hidden with normal AM/FM)
• Seats/cabin is comfortable, even on long road trips. Plenty of places to store road snacks and drinks
• Built in air compressor is a nice feature and helped my buddies and me out a few times. (Didn't think I would use as much around town as I have)

Not so good

• Sometimes there is a high pitched whine coming from where the inverter is in the cab when the vehicle is driving, both at low speed and at high speed (no, it is not the pedestrian alert sound)
• Sometimes the drivers side ventilated seat makes a loud electric whine when at full power (no issue at level 1 or 2)
• Glare from the cluster at night is pretty substantial on the drivers side
• The windows tend to shake and rattle when partially down (known Tacoma issue from my understanding), esp when you close the door. No concerns, just something I will be keeping an eye on

Mods:

• Swapped the stock sliders for the Cali Raised LED sliders
• Several settings with Carista (no more seatbelt chime )
• Dash cam with the Dongar adapter to hide the wires
• Rear bed molle from Cali Raised LED
• Oversized cupholders from Z Precision
• Screen ProTech screen protectors
• Debadged tailgate

Planned mods:

• Steel front bumper with winch
• Replacing the OEM roof rack
• Full rack for RTT & awning

I’m at 13 months 20K miles. Zero regrets.

 

[MrB4D]

What tires did you end up going with, once the OEM set is no good for Michigan I am thinking about upgrading to the KO3. Not sure if I will go up to 35 or keep the 33.

.... We're not experiencing any window rattle at this point.

Perhaps I described it wrong. When the window is part way down and you close the door or on very bumpy roads you can see some shaking. This may be the normal amount, I'm coming to a truck from a little coupe.

Video below, you can see it if you watch the edge of glass when the door closes:

 

[trailhunger]

Nice, good write-up, I’m 1 year +3 weeks in my TH, 8300mi, 2 oil changes been running flawless.

The inverter noise I get too but I believe that’s the hybrid system doing its thing..?

I’ve probably rolled my windows down ~4x since driving off the lot. New car smell 1 year later. No food or drink, although I’ve made a couple exceptions having a coffee for myself on long trips. Dogs allowed, Goose Gear delete in the rear

 

[MrB4D]

The inverter noise I get too but I believe that’s the hybrid system doing its thing..?

Maybe? I don't think I've heard it in other hybrids though. Just a minor annoyance

 

[tacorancher]

Maybe? I don't think I've heard it in other hybrids though. Just a minor annoyance

The little space orb sound when coasting ? I kind of like it

 

[MrB4D]

The little space orb sound when coasting ? I kind of like it

Naa, I like that sound (that's the pedestrian alert sound)

It is a high pitch electrical whine coming from behind the glove box. On the other side of the firewall in that location is about where the hybrid inverter is, so I'm fairly certain it's the inverter noise.

 

[tacorancher]

Naa, I like that sound (that's the pedestrian alert sound)

It is a high pitch electrical whine coming from behind the glove box. On the other side of the firewall in that location is about where the hybrid inverter is, so I'm fairly certain it's the inverter noise.

Oh I see - yeah that’s the inverter sound for sure, although I’m not able to place it as precisely as you. I just know it’s coming from under the hood

 

[MrB4D]

Oh I see - yeah that’s the inverter sound for sure, although I’m not able to place it as precisely as you. I just know it’s coming from under the hood

Took some exploring with my phone and an FFT app

 

[TrailAdventurer]

What tires did you end up going with, once the OEM set is no good for Michigan I am thinking about upgrading to the KO3. Not sure if I will go up to 35 or keep the 33.

I've run several sets of KOs over the years, including two sets of KO2s, so this time I decided to try something different — went with the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT.

They’re definitely louder than the KO2s, but nowhere near a true mud-terrain. The tread is more aggressive, which I’ve actually come to appreciate on dirt and gravel. My first impression was mixed, but after about 5,000 miles I’m really happy with them.

Having owned both KO2s and these MTs, I’d say they’re very comparable overall. The KO2s offer more size options, are quieter on-road, and I expect they’ll perform better in snow. The Baja Boss ATs, on the other hand, bite a little better in dirt and mud — the KOs tend to pack up. My hunch is that the KO3s will improve tread life, but that remains to be seen.

 

[Rich R]

2 weeks from one year on my 2024 Traihunter just under 14,000 miles 4 oil changes Overall very happy with my truck

Good

• I agree with everything you mentioned I also like:
• The HUD helps keep your eyes on the road displaying navigation is also a plus
• The Light bar working with automatic high beams really helps spot deer when driving back roads at night While not blinding on coming traffic
• I really like the sound the turbo makes through the snorkel

Not so good

• While on a road trip driving in very heavy rain I stepped on it to go around slower traffic and the truck shut down into limp mode it lit up like a Christmas tree with multiple warning lights only had 2,500 miles on the truck at the time. I was able to get to the side of the highway I called a local dealer he arranged a tow and gave me a rental. They had the truck for 2 weeks and found no cause for the problem and could not duplicate it. I drove the 9 hours back to pick up the truck and haven’t had a problem since now have 14,000 on the truck.
• Did read a post of someone having the same issue he believes it was rain getting sucked through the snorkel getting the MAS wet Im not sure put so far so good
• I found thePassenger seat in full recline position when it was in normal position when I left the truck this happened twice with in one month

Mods:

• Removed sport bar Installed a BAK Revolver cover with T slots
• Installed Aspire Fang Lights
• Ridgid rear bumper lights
• Rear bed molle from Real Truck
• Rear bed step (Amazon just as good as OEM)
• Screen ProTech screen protectors
• Rear bed step relocation bracket from 6th element must have if you want to keep your right tow hook when installing a bed step
• Last fit mats
• OEM mud flaps (Canadian model much wider than US version)
  

Planned mods:

• Sherpa Rainer roof rack (waiting for delivery)
• Xtrusion bed rack (hoping it fits the T slots on my bed cover)

 

[tacorancher]

2 weeks from one year on my 2024 Traihunter just under 14,000 miles 4 oil changes Overall very happy with my truck

Good

• I agree with everything you mentioned I also like:
• The HUD helps keep your eyes on the road displaying navigation is also a plus
• The Light bar working with automatic high beams really helps spot deer when driving back roads at night While not blinding on coming traffic
• I really like the sound the turbo makes through the snorkel

Not so good

• While on a road trip driving in very heavy rain I stepped on it to go around slower traffic and the truck shut down into limp mode it lit up like a Christmas tree with multiple warning lights only had 2,500 miles on the truck at the time. I was able to get to the side of the highway I called a local dealer he arranged a tow and gave me a rental. They had the truck for 2 weeks and found no cause for the problem and could not duplicate it. I drove the 9 hours back to pick up the truck and haven’t had a problem since now have 14,000 on the truck.
• Did read a post of someone having the same issue he believes it was rain getting sucked through the snorkel getting the MAS wet Im not sure put so far so good
• I found thePassenger seat in full recline position when it was in normal position when I left the truck this happened twice with in one month

Mods:

• Removed sport bar Installed a BAK Revolver cover with T slots
• Installed Aspire Fang Lights
• Ridgid rear bumper lights
• Rear bed molle from Real Truck
• Rear bed step (Amazon just as good as OEM)
• Screen ProTech screen protectors
• Rear bed step relocation bracket from 6th element must have if you want to keep your right tow hook when installing a bed step
• Last fit mats
• OEM mud flaps (Canadian model much wider than US version)
  

Planned mods:

• Sherpa Rainer roof rack (waiting for delivery)
• Xtrusion bed rack (hoping it fits the T slots on my bed cover)

Interesting issue with the water getting pulled into the snorkel - will keep that in mind - what is MAS

 

[Rich R]

Mass Air Sensor

 

[TrailAdventurer]

Interesting issue with the water getting pulled into the snorkel - will keep that in mind - what is MAS

Can be a very expensive part you don't want to replace . 'In general' they tend to either be in the $125 range, or $625. So a friend told me...guess which one he got.

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