9 replies to this topic

[mjrcpd]

Hey Gang,

Looking at a 2009 Toyota Tacoma for my primary vehicle. It's time to trade the old car for a truck, as I always loved them prior to getting hurt. I'm wondering if anyone is driving a Tacoma, and if so, how they like the vehicle. I'm looking at the Off-Road package which makes the truck a very high transfer from my chair. The transfer is manageable, but much more difficult than the transfer to my current vehicle. If I buy, looking at installing Monarch hand controls....anyone driving this truck with these or other hand controls? Love to hear thoughts...........

THANK YOU !

[Hawkeye]

Well... I'm kinda in the ballpark. I drive an extended cab Chevy Colorado with Wells Engberg hand controls. My wife's Silverado has the same controls installed.

I had a set of Monarch type controls over 25 years ago. They worked okay, but I find the motorcycle throttle gives me better control, and I don't have to be as concerned with leg placement interfering with the controls.

I'm jealous of your ability to transfer that high. I wish I still could, but my shoulders wore out long ago.

Joe

[mjrcpd]

Thanks for the response Joe. The transfer was my first concern as I was looking over the vehicle. It's quite high, however, not too bad if starting with a foot or feet inside the vehicle first. The opposite of my transfer to my car now, as I hop in then pull my legs inside. It'll take some getting used to if I take the plunge for the vehicle. I plan to return to the dealership to get in and out several times to make sure things will work for me. I hate buying cars but it's time.

[Jax]

I drive a fairly high Ranger Sport Tremor edition, so not the same truck, but similar height. I had the front torsion bars rolled to raise the front end so it's a bit higher than the rear. (I like off-roading, so it helps to have the front just a bit high.) I put one foot out the footrest and onto the ground. Reach my right hand for the handle on the A-pillar, pull myself over till I'm on the edge of the floorboard, put the left hand in the driver seat, and up I go. Then I put my legs in. I'm switching to the twist grip throttle soon as well. My left knee is in the way too much with the standard controls,especially off road. I find the Wells Engberg to be a nice set of controls. I drove an F-150 that had them a while back, and they were much easier to use.

[mjrcpd]

The talk on the twist grip throttle has now got my attention as the Tacoma may not have a ton of clearence for the right angle system I'm using now. How reliable are they? Are you able to get the throttle wide open using the twist? Do you recommend the cable system or the direct connect sytem they offer?

[Hawkeye]

My last 5 sets of hand controls have been the CT-100 model from www.wells-engberg.com IIRC... my first set was purchased in 1989. In all those years, I've only had one cable break, and that was due to a faulty installation. Wells sent me out a free replacement cable the next day.

I really like the design. Years ago the cable ran through the firewall to the throttle linkage, but now it just runs over to the foot pad. Really simple set up. Idle to wide open, take just a bit over a 1/4 turn/twist.

I've always used the cable version, so I can't comment on the direct connection.

Joe

[LuckyinKentucky]

I have a Wells Engberg installed in my S-10 as well and it is great... much greater stability and throttle control when bouncing around off road I have a push pull in my classic car and also have some portables for other vehicles I greatly prefer the Engberg especially if you want to do anything "aggressive".

[Jax]

LuckyinKentucky, on Apr 2 2009, 12:47 PM, said:

I have a Wells Engberg installed in my S-10 as well and it is great... much greater stability and throttle control when bouncing around off road I have a push pull in my classic car and also have some portables for other vehicles I greatly prefer the Engberg especially if you want to do anything "aggressive".

Heck, I find that just making left turns in something with as little leg room as a Ranger or S-10 can cause problems with the left leg getting into the standard control.

You're SO right about the Wells Engberg for off-road!

[LuckyinKentucky]

Right on Jax I lucked out and just got mine cause they were the ones that were on Ebay at the time.. now i doubt I'll ever buy a different kind. My controls connect directly to the throttle cable, I would recommend this if you like to get a little crazy or do anything off road. In the beginning i left my gas pedal connected and you could use either one, though let me tell ya when bouncing through ruts is a bad time for your foot to end end smashing down on the gas( or even worse during a hard left turn) my gas pedal now rides in the toolbox. My wells' hook up to the throttle where it meets the pedal so you don't have to go through the firewall, and as for getting her wide open, hell yes, you can adjust the tightness of the throttle cable to your own liking...and if you have it professionally installed you'll probably have to do a minor adjustment...which is very easy as it's the same as tightening a bicycle brake cable. I'm all about getting everything possible out of my equipment... So mjrcpd when you get her hooked up maybe a little road trip would be in order wheras me, you , & Jax can go cut a little dirt.

[MikeInBmore]

Sounds like big fun!
I've been looking for a set of Wells Engbers with the throttle. I had the Monarchs in my old Acura and now have a jury-rigged setup in my new car. I'm never paying upwards of $1000 for hand controls again.