Why Do 5-Lugs Exist?

My understanding of the 5-lug vs. a 6-lug is that it has lower suspension height, the front suspension is all different, there's no front skid plate and rear axle is over the leaf springs. First, is this correct? Anything else? Smaller stock tires???

Secondly, why is it different? Are 5-lug trucks designed for a specific purpose or are they basically a lower cost option?

Also, does anyone have an idea of the percentage of 5-lugs made? I don't see a lot on the road.

 

They're definitely cheaper, so if you need a small, reliable work truck to run around in then it's great. That's how I see most being utilized.

 

Most all company/fleet trucks that I see are all 5 lug. Still a reliable Taco without all the fancy shit

 

Exactly sooooo many fleets down in Florida use them and I see many with pool carts attached to the back the rest of the time. 5 lugs also have a softer suspension and that tied with a lower center of gravity the handling/ride is better on the road. The real question is whats up with the new Honda Ridgelines?

 

Emissions goals

 

Toyota has always made a 2WD version of the pickup starting with the Stout in 1960 and they had 5 lug wheels. It's only 1 ton dually (which was some funky non-standard 6-bolt pattern I think) and 4WD that got 6 lugs until the Prerunner. The Land Cruiser had 6 lugs so in 1979 when they introduced the Hilux to replace the Stout the newly introduced 4WD version got 6 lugs probably so they could use the same parts on both. Now the Cruiser only has 5 lugs, so the small 4WD trucks (Prado, 4Runner, Taco, Hilux, etc.) are the odd one now.

 

Traditionally, 5-lug Toyota trucks were 2WD models and the 6-lug were 4WD. In the early Tacoma years, they began offering some 2WD models (Pre-Runner & double cab) in 6-lug. With the 3rd gen, all Tacomas are now 6-lug and have the 4WD ride height.

 

A plumbing company I used to work for had all 5 Lug Taquitos.

They sure took a beating!

 

I see them everywhere around central Illinois. Probably 50/50 to the 6 lug trucks.

 

They get significantly better fuel economy

 

My wife calls them taquitos too!

 

What's the reason behind them ?

I have a poverty spec 01
2.7L
2wd
6lug

Shouldn't I get the same mpg as a 5lugger?

 

No, you sit a lot higher, have more wind resistance, and are pushing around substantiallly bigger heavier tires. Your mpg is actually probably a lot closer to a 4x4 than it is to a 5-lug.

 

I have 225/75/15 which was factor tires

What size tires do 5 lugs have ?

 

OEM 2nd Gen 5-lug came with Dunlop P-rated 215/70R15's. Passenger car rated tires.

rim offset is high +, again on par with a fair number of Toyota's cars and small SUV's/cross-overs, in the same era.

When the intended use is fleet-service, or small business operations, it's meant to do it economically.

My truck was sitting in the Toyota Depot for a few months - it was in my hands within 48 hrs of ordering, shipped in. The sales guy said.. "yep, got 12 of them sitting in the lot" .. 2010's still sitting in lot by the time March 2011 rolled around .. kinda suspect they had a cancelled fleet order sitting on their hands.

 

I have passenger tires very similar width

 

If you are running a heavy load, at sustained speeds.. the P-rated Dunlops are a big fail, in my experience.. kind of to be expected, since the 2nd Gen suspension as it was, wasn't really designed to take on a top-heavy ATV load for the long haul.

 

my proverty spec 5 lug has 14s... also I have 1 key to unlock the door & fuel cover and 1 key to start the truck. true povery spec. LOL

 

Yes.

And I love mine. But I don't need 4wd, don't need or want to be higher off the ground. It's perfect ht for loading.

I've bumped the tires up to 235 x 75, which creates 1" of lift, but no rubbing, no suspension work needed. I also changed the wheels so the look is a bit different that most, but the are just another flavor of OE wheel, so no fitment issue nonsense.

 

My fuel cover has no lock
So I am more poverty spec

I also had one key for door and separate for ignition
Last month paid $190 for new lock cylinder and rekey