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As we have talked about with seat covers before, keeping your ride protected is a great way to increase its longevity, keep maintenance costs down, and keep resale value high. Floor mats are no exception. Floor mats are an inexpensive accessory for your Tacoma that vastly changes the durability of your interior. From high style for the Pro owners to rugged and tough material for the Off-Road owners, there is an option for you. 

Why Floor Mats For Your Tacoma?

The carpet on your Toyota Tacoma is great for looks but also helps cut down on road noise as well as dissipate heat. Over time, the carpet in your truck will wear out. The heel of your foot under the gas pedal will be the major killer.

While a new carpet might be considered inexpensive at around $140 for a whole new floor, that’s your option: the whole new floor. You can’t effectively patch the carpet and have it look good. The installation means all of your seat and interior body panels need to come out. That’s not cheap.

Have you tried to clean the carpet? It’s not a quick experience. While a vacuum does wonders, anything it won’t pick up becomes a pain.

Floor mats take care of both of those situations. If you wear a mat out, you can just throw it out and get a new one. If you get one made for off-road and utilitarian use, it might not ever wear out. Cleaning a mat? Easy. Pull out, and clean it. It’s even easier if it’s a rubber one: just hose it off.

What Cut/Size Floor Mat Is Best For Your Tacoma?

Much like car seat covers, you have two big options: fitted/model specific, or universal. Fitted mats will be specific for your truck. They depend on the year, make, and model of your truck. They will conform to the interior floor pattern of your truck to cover up the most floor real estate possible. They are usually more pricey compared to universal mats.

Universal mats fit your vehicle’s general size. You generally find them listed as “fits most compact cars” or “fits most midsized trucks and SUVs.” They are usually cheaper compared to fitted mats, but might not fit as well. However, this all depends on material...

What Floor Mat Material Is Best For Your Tacoma?

Floor mats come in all different shapes, sizes, and materials. The three biggest material options would be cloth top with a rubber bottom, solid rubber, or a hybrid of the two.

Cloth Floor Mats

Cloth floor mats are your cheapest option, and usually the least durable. While they do come with a studded rubber bottom to stop it from shifting around, the top section is just cloth. Right under the pedal (where your heels would be) don’t offer any added protection on the mat. If you need something fast, don’t drive it much, or perhaps just want to quickly dress up the inside of your truck for resale, they are a good option. 

Generally, they come in a set with two front mats and two small rear mats. In most cases, these are universally fitting mats. Black is the most common color, but sometimes depending on brand and cost, there are some other options.

Rubber Floor Mats

Rubber mats are usually solid rubber and are designed for ultimate protection and quick cleaning. They don’t wear out as fast (or at all) compared to cloth mats. You can usually find them with a raised lip around the edge. This is perfect for muddy or snowy feet. When the liquid garbage comes off your feet and onto the mat, it won’t slosh off the sides and onto your carpet. Same if you spill a drink on it. When you need to clean it, simply take them out, and spray them off with a hose.

These are usually found in sets of two (for the front), four (for the front and back), or three (two up front and one wide one for the back). It is common to find these both fitted and universal. Colors are generally black and tan, but you can probably find other options. While the cost is at least double to cost of cloth or hybrid mats, they are going to last much longer, if not the life of the truck. While they are not the most stylish option, they are hands down your best option for durability.

Hybrid Floor Mats

A good version of both that offers protection and conservative styling would one of the most common floor mats out there: a hybrid version. This is pretty much the same as a cloth mat, but there is a rubber reinforced area where your heels would go. This offers the carpet look for a factory style, but extra protection to help cut down on wear.

These are pretty inexpensive as well and come in both fitted and universal. Generally, these are sold in sets of four.

Best Tacoma Floor Mats

What would one of these posts be without providing you some options? As always, I source some of the popular ones from forums, Facebook groups, my own personal experience, and industry knowledge. 

OEM Tacoma Floor Mats

OEM will give you the best fit and they actually look really good too. If you need to replace them if they got worn out, or if you got your truck used and they didn’t have them, you can pick them up on Amazon for about $115. It comes in a set of three (two upfront and a large one piece for the back).

You can check them out and purchase them here.

WeatherTech Tacoma Floor Mats

WeatherTech offers some top-notch all-weather, rubber floor mats. I’m sure you’ve seen their ads on YouTube. While that may be annoying, they do make some popular mats. They make a few different models, but their FloorLiner is their most popular. They are around $190.

You can check them out and purchase them here.

Husky Tacoma Floor Mats

Husky is quite popular on the forums and they are what I rock in my Tacoma. They are very similar in construction a design to the WeatherTechs. For around $120, they can be a tad cheaper compared to the WeatherTechs, and they come with a lifetime warranty.

You can check them out and purchase them here.

Rugged Ridge Tacoma Floor Mats

Rugged Ridge offers a good, less expensive option for around $70. There are higher priced options available. They have multiple colors and style options. They also come with a lifetime warranty. 

You can check them out and purchase them here.

To close, I'm going to leave you with a little pro tip... All of your floor mats with the exception of the driver's side will move around. It's super annoying. To fix this, you can buy a set of Eagle Klaw floor mat clips. They install right into your mats and anchor to your floor to keep them from moving ever again. I have these in my Tacoma and absolutely love them.

You can check them out and purchase them here.

Image Credits

WeatherTech - Courtesy of Tacoma World user BMunster

Husky - Courtesy of Tacoma World user skierd

Rugged Ridge - Courtesy of Auto Accessories Garage

OEM - Courtesy of See-Do

* Please note that some of these links are Amazon affiliate links and we make a small commission if you purchase the product.

Last week, Toyota made the announcement that it will be moving the production of its Toyota Tacomas exclusively to Mexico. While it has also been making Tacomas in its Baja California, Mexico plant for years, the San Antonio, Texas plant will stop making Tacomas by 2021.

It is reported that no jobs will be lost, as the San Antonio plant will continue making the Tundra, but will also take over the production of the Sequoia in 2022. Toyota did invest $1.3 billion in its Indiana plant (which currently makes the Sequoia). That did end up also creating 550 new jobs.

Toyota will continue to make the great mid-sized truck that we know and love, but it will now be a Japanese truck made exclusively in Mexico.

You can read the full press release from Toyota here: Toyota Press Release

Image Credits

2020 Tacoma - Courtesy of Kelly Blue Book

When it comes to your Tacoma, your seats are one of the very first things you and your passengers see when the doors are opened. Next to the floor mats, they also are subject to the most abuse, this is why they are one of the most common interior Tacoma mods out there. Works belts, tools, pants, bags, wet clothes, and more all constantly slide into and out of these seats. Cloth or leather will degrade over time. Let’s not forget about what the sun can do.

Seat covers can be a great way to change the way your seats look, cover up damaged seats, or protect your seats from getting destroyed. Toyota Tacomas are built tough, but even the toughest of materials will get damaged over time. Let’s take a closer look at some types of covers and some examples to help find what is best for your ride. 

There are three main types of covers that we will be focusing on: throw, universal, and fitted. Each one can be made from a wide variety of materials such as vinyl, cloth, leather, and more.

Throw Seat Covers

Throw seat covers are basically seat-shaped bags that are designed to be thrown over your seats for quick and effective protection. Generally cheap, these are not fitted to any specific type of seat and therefore are not very attractive. They are ideal for when you know you’ll be going off-roading next weekend, and you don’t want mud on your seats. Throw them on, and when you get home, wash them or rinse them off (if the manufacturer allows), and tuck them away for the next time.

They are great for covering your back seats if you’re throwing things back there, or taking your dog for a ride and want to keep fur and muddy paws off the seats. These are utilitarian only, but do a good job at it, and won’t break the bank. You can get these from around $20 to $150 depending on how many, size, and material.

Universal Seat Covers

Universal seat covers are a tad more form-fitting compared to throw covers, but they won’t give you the snuggest of fits. These are generally purchased by vehicle size, such as “these will fit most small cars” or “these will fit most SUVs and mid-sized trucks.” These tend to have a more pleasing look to them and a wider range of materials, but they cost a bit more for that reason.

If you use your truck for work a lot and want to keep the seats looking good over time, these are a good option. Perhaps your truck is pretty beat up, but you just want it to look a bit nicer, these will take care of that as well. Washing a dirty seat cover, or replacing a ripped one is much cheaper and easier over an upholstery job on your actual seats.  You can find these for around $40 to $170, again depending on the material, size, and how many.

Fitted Seat Covers

Fitted seat covers are for when you want a total replacement or a total upgrade. While they do serve the same function of protecting your stock seats by covering them up, most people get fitted covers when their stock upholstery is really bad, or you want to upgrade to a better or more durable material. An example would be upgrading to leather from cloth seats.

While they take a bit more effort to get them over your seats, they look like they came from the factory. These are generally going to cost around $200 or more, and are usually of higher quality materials.

Popular Toyota Tacoma Seat Covers

Here are some popular options based on search results, forums, and reviews!

Clazzio Tacoma Seat Covers

Clazzio is probably the most popular brand of Tacoma seat covers on the market. They are in no way the cheapest options, but Tacoma owners absolutely love the look and durability of them. Clazzio definitely has the most options available to further customize the look of your interior, including different leather types (perforated leather is my favorite), body color and stitch color. These typically run around $649, but are about a hundred dollars cheaper on Amazon.

You can check them out and purchase them here.

Coverking Tacoma Seat Covers

Another popular brand of Tacoma seat cover is Coverking. While these are also not the cheapest, many owners love the wide range of material options from suede to leather and more, and each material has a few colors to choose from. The lowest price is around $200, and the highest is around $630. They are fitted to your truck for  “guaranteed fit.”

You can get the bucket seat covers here and the rear bench cover here.

Carhartt Tacoma Seat Covers

If you want something for durability, Carhartt not only makes tough clothes, but it makes a popular tough seat cover for our trucks as well. While these are more of a baggy, universal fit, they offer serious protection. They even offer a set cover specifically to protect your seats from your puppy in the back. You don’t get as many options, but for around $250, you get all the protection you need.

You can check them out and purchase them here.

Bartact Tacoma Seat Covers

For a more tactical version, Bartact offers a fitted seat cover with MOLLE attachment systems on the back of the seats. This can give you a great place to store some gear and a good storage option for overlanding when you need to make use of all the space you have. For $320, they are a tad pricey, but the company says it’s the same style they make for the US military, just with color options.

I want to throw you a cheap option, but there are tons out there. This isn’t really a brand, but a category of around $20. Amazon has a ton of Tacoma seat covers for around $20 to $30. They won’t have the best fit or feel, but they will get the job done. Take a look at the options and find what works for you.

Image Credits

Clazzio - Tacoma World User Jacked Burton

Coverking - Tacoma World User lachevron

Bartact - Tacoma World User Chris15sr5

Carhartt - Tacoma World User AntMan408

* Please note that some of these links are Amazon affiliate links and we make a small commission if you purchase the product.

Mudflaps are a fantastic option to help your truck stay cleaner, avoid rock chips, and they also offer a unique avenue for some extra customization. Not only do they protect your ride, but they protect cars and pedestrians behind you from flying rocks and debris that you might kick up.

If for nothing else, they break up the curves and lines of your truck and add some extra dimensions to your ride. Which mud flaps are best for your Toyota Tacoma? Let’s learn a bit about them, take a look at some styles and options, and get you the best ones that work for you.

Front and Rear Mud Flaps

Mud Flaps are known for being seen behind the rear tires in vehicles, especially big rigs, but on passenger vehicles, they are very common upfront too. On big rigs and box trucks, they are pretty much designed to just stop rocks from hitting cars behind them, but on passenger vehicles, they help protect your ride. 

Rocks can be kicked up and easily chip away at the paint on your fenders, doors, bumpers (rear), rocker panels, and running boards/steps. With mud flaps extending below the end of the wheel well both front and back, they will help deflect what your tires might kick up.

Pre-Drilled vs Not Pre-Drilled Mud Flaps

The inside of wheel wells on modern vehicles has plastic or rubber inner fender liners. These bolt to the fender of the car, and generally do so with plastic retainer clips. Pre-drilled mud flaps take advantage of this! If you get one specifically made for your ride that’s pre-drilled, you’ll find that the holes line up perfectly with the existing holes in your fender/fender liner. You won’t need to worry about having to drill into your new mud flaps or truck. Depending on the thickness of the flap, you can either use the existing retaining clips, or the flaps will come with new ones.

Mud Flap Materials

The material that a mud flap is made out of is key. They are designed to be beaten by rocks, mud, and dirt, so they have to be strong. The most common material mud flaps are made out of is rubber. Rubber can be thick and dense, but when hit, the material will rarely chip or crack. It will absorb the energy of what hits it, and deflect the debris away.

Another good reason for rubber is flexibility. If you have longer mud flaps and you plan on doing off-roading, you want something that will not snap off when crawling over a rock. Over time, rubber flaps may get brittle depending on quality. 

Mud flaps can also be plastic, but if they are, they should be shorter, and of higher quality material such as a polymer. As I mentioned about the flexibility, a long, plastic mud flap could have a tendency to snap if under the correct conditions. This leads me to my next category…

Mud Flap Sizes

Mud flaps can be really short, or longer. Typically from the factory, most vehicles come with short mud flaps. Visually, they are more acceptable to a wider audience. Keep in mind that not everyone buys a truck because they intend on using it as a truck. Short flaps don’t offer as much protection, but they are better than nothing. They can offer a nice color contrast while not being too obtrusive to the lines of your truck.

Longer mud flaps are best when you plan on driving on rougher or dirt roads. They offer more protection to your truck, as well as to the people and vehicles around you. They also offer more versatility for customization which I’ll talk about now…

Mud Flap Customization

With the right size and material, you can get some serious customization done. Laser engraving, chrome plates and silhouettes, text, and more. The most common would be brand names or logos, truck make or model names or logos, and of course the chrome silhouette of an attractive woman.

Weighed vs Non Weighted Mud Flaps

Weighted mud flaps offer a metal piece on the bottom of a rubber/flexible mud flap to keep them hanging down. This is beneficial because when your truck is in motion, a flexible mud flap might tend to rise up in the wind, which would remove a good amount of protection. A weight helps avoid this.

Mud Flaps For Toyota Tacomas

Now that we know about mud flaps, what works well on our trucks? Here are some examples based on reviews and high mentions in the forums. Find what works for you, and protect your investment!

A popular option comes from WeatherTech. They are $40 for the front or back or $80 for the pair. They are long flaps made from a proprietary thermoplastic resin and are easily installed. Backed with a limited lifetime warranty, they will keep your ride safe.

I have mentioned Husky Liners before, and for good reason: they make good stuff. While a tad pricey from $155 to $166, you can get different sizes, and they are weighted. The weights can be in black or chrome.

If you're tight on cash but are still hoping for a great pair of mud flaps, RekGen makes a decent looking and decent performing minimalistic flap. Lots of Taco owners are sporting these in the forums and I also have a pair on my Tacoma. These run less than $100 for a complete set.

If you want to keep your truck as Toyota as possible, you can get OEM Toyota Tacoma mud flaps. For around $70, they are inexpensive for all four. For the specific ones listed, your Taco does need to come with fender flares.

If you really want something fancy, SharpTruck sells Gatorback mud flaps from $147 to $450. These weighted, no-drill flaps are made of thick rubber and have a metal plate at the bottom. 

Image Credits

WeatherTech - Courtesy of TacomaWorld User MuddyTacos91

Gatorback - Courtesy of SharpTruck

Pavement - Courtesy of CarID

RekGen - Courtesy of RekGen.com

* Please note that some of these links are Amazon affiliate links and we make a small commission if you purchase the product.

The iconic battle in history has always been Ford vs Chevy. However, with Ford dropping the Ranger (until recently) and Chevy dropping the S10 entirely, the midsized/compact truck market battle between the two big American brands became no more. The Toyota Tacoma not only stepped up to the plate, it owned it.

Tacoma has been one of the fastest-growing midsized/compact truck brands. Many other manufacturers have found themselves playing catch up to the very versatile and well-performing Taco, including Chevy with its Colorado. So how does the Tacoma stack up against its Chevy equivalent? Let’s find out.

The Tacoma first came into the market in 1995, while the Colorado had some time to sit back and watch its competition by coming out in 2003. Many things have changed for brands over the years so this focus will be on the newest 2020 models.

* Options not available on all models

** Up to, with applicable packages/options

Trims, Sizes, and Prices

The Tacoma offers six trim levels (SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro) and the Colorado offers five (Base, WT, LT, Z71, and ZR2). All of the Colorado trims are thousands of dollars cheaper. The base model alone for the Colorado is almost a $5,000 difference.

Both trucks offer seating for four and have options for extended cabs and crew cabs depending on the trim level. With both trucks, you have the options of some type of long or short bed depending on the trim level. Both beds are basically the same size, with the Colorado being just slightly longer with both bed options. At their heaviest, the Colorado comes in at around 400 pounds heavier.

Drivetrain

Toyota offers two engines in the Tacoma, both with respectable power and torque. The Colorado also offers a four and six-cylinder engine with its four being .2 liters smaller and the six being .1 liters larger. The Colorado cranks out more power and torque compared to the Tacoma, but where the Colorado really has an edge is in its diesel option.

For best gas mileage and best towing capacity compared to the Tacoma (or even Ford Ranger), Chevy’s 2.8L Turbo-Diesel is an absolute winner. With over 100 more foot-pounds of torque and over 7 more miles per gallon, the 2.8L is a very versatile option to have for someone who really needs to treat their truck as a work truck.

Both trucks offer six-speed automatic transmissions that get them decent mileage for the size and weight. The outliers would be the fact that Toyota offers a six-speed manual, and Chevy offers an eight-speed automatic, but both brands only allow those options on certain trim levels and engines.

Towing and Off-Road

Both offer the same base towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, and both trucks handle it very well. With the proper options, however, the Colorado can tow a maximum of 900 pounds more compared to the Tacoma. The Tacoma does offer a higher payload weight.

Both trucks are very capable when it comes to off-road. The Tacoma is known for tackling rocks and dirt. While the Colorado doesn’t have as long of a history of doing so, it’s no slouch. Both make use of locking differentials, electronic assistance, better suspensions, and clearance. Tacoma has a slightly better aftermarket due to its time in the market.

Colors and Interior

There is almost a color for everyone with both brands. CJ Pony Parts reports that while both interiors are nice, the Colorado is a bit nicer. Toyota did step up its game substantially with 2020 adding more creature comforts and electronics that the Colorado offered previously. The biggest difference is that the Colorado is still a good deal cheaper compared to similar interiors in the Tacoma.

Conclusions

The Tacoma has been the king for years. With some newer kids on the block (Ranger and Colorado), there has been a bit of catch up that Toyota needed to do. The Chevy offers more engine options all with more power and torque, and it has a higher towing capacity. Toyota offers a high payload capacity and lighter overall weight. Both perform very well with their assigned tasks. Brand loyalty, price, and style will be your deciding factor. Let’s see where the future takes us with this battle! 

Image Credits

2020 Tacoma 1 - Courtesy of CNET

2020 Tacoma 2 - Courtesy of AutoBlog

2020 Colorado 1 - Courtesy of Ruddell Auto

2020 Colorado 2 - Courtesy of Autotrader