I currently own a 2012 Tacoma double cab. No issues with it and no real complaints. Just looking at other things. I’ve always like the 09-14 f150 style (I owned a 10’) and stumbled upon a 2013 fx4 super cab ecoboost at a local dealership. 79k miles, Fox coilovers, catch can. Looks to be in good shape and well cared for. My biggest concern is reliability. With my toyota I don’t really have to question it. It will get me where I’m going. But with the 1st gen ecoboost I’m skeptical. I know majority of people never experience any major issues but there are common issues out there. I’m wondering if I’d be better off keeping the Tacoma and maybe waiting down the road and finding a 15+ truck or if the 11-14 ecoboost aren’t as bad as people make them out to be. I do enjoy the power and comfort compared to my 6” lifted Tacoma with 35’s. But I haven’t been upset with the performance of the Tacoma either. What do you guys think? I don’t know of any service records available, or if it has had the timing chain issue and has been addressed on this truck already or not.

 

Personally I would look for 5.0. 13 or newer. I sold my lifted 2005 Tacoma dbcb 4wd for my 2013 Supercrew 4wd with 5.0 Get better mpg with my Ford, Tacoma had a lot of short comings. Engine and tranny were good and that was about it. Go for the next gen Ecoboost if you want the 3.5

 

Couldn't agree more, get a 5.0. Regardless of what you choose though no Ford will match the reliability of your Tacoma. I would keep what you have.

 

I appreciate the replies! I’m still up in the air. I’ve wanted an ecoboost for a while now. Love the power of them. But I’d feel “safer” with a gen 2 or at least the newer 15+ body style. But I do like the 11-14 style too

 

I've owned several Toyota trucks actually ones from the era (had a '86 & a '90) when the "legendary" reliability was born. I loved those trucks despite none of them living up to the legend. Fast forward to the modern day and I'll admit I was wooed by the 3rd Gen Tacoma but it was brief (never actually bought one) but have driven quite a few and underwhelming is an understatement. I'll keep opting for a truck that is light years ahead in pretty much every category and suffer through the unreliability

 

i just don’t want to have issues or be left stranded.

 

The biggest thing to be aware of with the Ecoboost truck is the timing chain issue. Take a look in the engine portion of the forum for your research.

 

Timing chain stretch, valve cover leak, vacuum pump leak, coolant & oil lines leaking to and from turbos, exhaust manifold leaks, etc.

I’ve had all of these issues. A good cold start and an inspection from Ford should tell you whether to purchase or not. Despite all of those problems, truck never left me stranded.

 

Reliability aside, why do you want to move to a half ton? I went from a Frontier to the F150 because I needed to haul 3 kids in the back, 2 in car seats. Well, as luck would have it we got pregnant soon after which put us in minivan territory, so having the F150 became a moot point. Honestly I miss the size of the Frontier. I'm almost counting down the days until my truck hits the 10 year/200k mile mark so I feel I got my money's worth and can downsize.

 

Honestly I don’t NEED a full size. But the want is there. Just found what I think is a good deal for the 13’ with 79k miles. Trying to decide if it’s worth the switch or to hold out for a newer model.