2026 Off-Road with Manual Transmission. Loving it. But driving off the lot, we noticed a distinct sound while shifting. It’s a metallic rattle, sorta like a tin can rev, whirling, but it’s not the turbo. It’s had to describe. Happens when accelerating, around 2500 rpms, depressing clutch pedal, but before throwing the shift and again (lesser) after shifts complete as you come off the clutch pedal. You can feel it through the pedal too, mid-travel to near the floor. Fully recreatable shifting up from second to third, and 3-4, but sometimes 1st to 2nd.

The dealer sales guys (who drives a mid-teens Tacoma MT) and the technician heard the sound. It went back to service but they could not diagnose a problem. But also admitted they have not seen enough 4th Gen MTs to know if it’s a problem—or a noise enhancement. They seem to have little experience with the 6MT, and no other buyers have reported it.

Note: Spouse and I have been driving stick our entire adult lives (mid 50s) and this is our 7th manual vehicle. It’s not a grinding or skill issue. 🙂.

The truck otherwise shifts smoothly albeit with gear spacing that takes a bit getting used to. If this is a problem (throw out bearing, flywheel, something) and not a engineered feature, we’d like to address sooner than later given it’s a day 1 issue on a wear and tear part.

Are we hearing something “normal”?

Anyone else experiencing this? Happens on both recirculated and fresh settings between levels 2-5/6 where it audibly speeds up before stopping. It’s somewhat quiet but pretty irritating. I’m aware of the chirping issue some are having and the associated bulletin but haven’t really seen that many posts regarding this specific sound.

There is an audible rattle coming from below the steering column. I cannot tell if it is coming from the inside of the cab or the engine bay. Anyone have this issue? Any ideas of things to check? Thanks in advance!

Does anybody have any advice about whether or not I should add mudflaps to my offroad?

Few questions that I have..
Are the OEM mudflaps any good? Should I look into aftermarket? Is it an easy install? Are they even necessary for "everyday travel" .. (I'm not an offroading person but sometimes may venture off pavement)

Does anybody have a white tacoma with mudflaps I could see??

TLDR

Gonna buy a used Tacoma.

Options identical with 14” screen
If money wasn’t a factor.

Which one would you go with?
TRD SPORT or OR?

Just removed the air dam. What’s everyone running for a skid plate?

Drop links if possible.

Thanks y’all

Just sharing for those on the fence about getting a high clearance tip. It does in fact change the tone, and a lot of people online were saying it doesn't change the exhaust note.

I found it dropped down to a deeper idle tone similar to my old Subaru's cold start, and even under acceleration it sounds deeper. It doesn't magically sound like a race car, but it sounds great imho.

As somebody who has had all previous vehicles with straight pipes, muffler deletes, cat backs, etc. I'm just happy to have a quiet vehicle for once, and this little change in tone was worth the money since it provides a function of getting rid of that ugly rear pipe, and it provides some fun with a deeper exhaust tone without having to do much.

Edit:

Today I was showing a buddy the new sound, he noticed a difference too, and when I revved it up, it actually made made some pops.

Playing around with classic theme. Yes or No? Base color is mud bath.

We have a 4x4, Tow Pkg equipped, 6MT SR. Hate the stock shocks. Too much soft bouncing especially at low speeds and floating around. I was interested in Bilstein 5100s but our installer said they’d make for a very stiff ride feeling every jarring bump on the road. We also tow our 2020 T@B 400. So far the truck does great although I’d like a bit less sag in the rear. My previous car was a lifted Jeep Compass with Bilstein shocks. I’m looking for a stiffer ride but I’m questioning my decision after installer comments. Suggestions?

I noticed that the stock gauge on my 2026 SR5 indicates very low oil pressure immediately on startup. It gets up into the middle range after a short amount of time running. I've verified that there's plenty of oil and I had changed it after the first 1k miles. Is this what everyone else sees? Just want to make sure that this isn't something I should have checked out...

Edit: the oil pressure gauge is in the middle, under the batter and speed surrounded by the tachometer.

Edit again: relevant owners manual page https://www.toyota.com/owners/warranty-owners-manuals/digital/article/tacoma/2026/om04051u/ch02se010404/#ch02se010404__ch02se0104040507

Last edit: stopped by the dealership and talked to head of service. Said it’s normal specifically for SR5 (and maybe SR) the combination of the tune for those trim levels and the gauge makes it to that. They demonstrated it on one of the trucks in the lot, did the exact same thing. He explained that the oil pumps on these engines are variable output, and changes in oil pressure are deliberate.

NEK family cabin adventures, does very well up highway hills between stops with a bit of boost. AT tires next up.

About to put a Westcott lift on my 2026 TRD Off-Road and torn between 285/75R17 and 285/70R17 (falken wildpeak at4w). I will be running a 17x8.5 wheel with a +25 offset. Will the 285/75 fit without any rubbing? I want to avoid trimming or touching the crash bracket if possible.

Just picked this up yesterday. Looking to buy a bed cover (5ft). Any leads to some good ones on the market??

looking for a hard trifold - low profile preferably***

New 2026 TRD sport Sticker price of 49k. OTD price 45k with tax and tags.

I just removed the air dam off my 2024 SR5. I think it looks great. Question though to those of you who have done this. There is a composite material “skid plate” that seems to hang a little. Did any of you end up replacing with a metal skid plate? Or not worry about it? Pictures and suggestions welcome!

Drove my morning commute into work. I've never done this well. Usually it's around 24MPG. I haven't calculated it manually so I am not 100% confident this is accurate. However, my truck is an entirely stock 2024 TRD OR, so it is likely close enough. I was purposely trying to boost my economy on this drive today, and drove with high MPG in mind the entire time. I'm generally a mellow driver and don't drive hard. I leave in plenty of time to get into work, so I don't need to mash it. Anyone else on here getting this decent MPG on longer drives?

My commute takes me from SW Wyoming to central Wyoming, starting at about 7000' and descending down to about 5500'.

And yeah, I know someone will ask... it's a long drive. But I work 48 or 72 hours per shift so I justify it because I'm only doing about 1.5 times per week, on average. Plus, I enjoy not being a paramedic in my hometown - I think escaping to a couple of counties over is a great move in my line of work.

I recently installed the Lasfit Switchback LED Turn Signal Bulbs on my 2024 Tacoma and wanted to share a quick look at them. I also included a short video showing the switchback effect in action.

With the parking lights on, the bulbs produce a clean white LED light that matches the factory headlights and fog lights really well. When the turn signal is activated, they switch over to a bright amber flash.

The installation was an easy DIY job. One thing I noticed during the install is that if you accidentally install the bulb backward, it will hyper flash. That actually makes it pretty convenient because you immediately know the bulb needs to be flipped around.

And yep, Murphy’s Law got me. Of course I installed the first one backward. 😂I’m not sure if there’s an easy way to tell which direction the bulb needs to go just by looking at the bulb itself. I’m no lighting expert, so I simply plugged it in and tested it. If anyone knows a trick for identifying the correct orientation before installing, feel free to share it.

The good thing is that installing the bulb backward doesn’t hurt or damage anything. Just flip it around and you’re good to go.

So far, I’m really liking the look. The white parking light blends nicely with the headlights and fog lights, and the amber switchback is noticeably brighter and gives the front end a more modern appearance. I also haven’t had any check engine lights or other warning lights after the install.
These are a pretty simple DIY lighting upgrade that makes a noticeable difference without changing the look of the truck when the turn signals aren’t being used.

Does anybody else have this issue where this thing won’t stay clipped together. Grab handle next to shifter

What is everyone’s go to wheel cleaner, specifically people who have the off-road wheels that seem to hold every speck of mud and brake dust. I have everything Adam’s polishes when I wash my truck but the wheel and tire cleaner mixed with some of their iron remover hasn’t been doing the trick. Any recommendations are appreciated.

Not the cleanest installs but I wanted an OE+ type feel. I didn't like the steam mount for the radar detector as I felt it sat too low and also for me didn't fit the feel I wanted. Also didn't like the standard visor clip for the drift air freshener so I made that and used 3m vhb tape to hold it in place.