<Tr> <Th> Curb weight </Th> <Td> 3,550--4,220 lb (1,610--1,914 kg) </Td> </Tr> <P> In 2000, Toyota began development of the second generation Tacoma under chief engineer Chikuo Kubota . Majority of development work was handled by Hino in Japan . Designers Shigeya Hattori and Hideo Karikomi of Hino, won the internal design competition in 2001 . Final designs were frozen for production in 2002 and patents filed on July 3, 2003, with test mules being tested from early 2003 . Prototypes were built later in 2003, with development ending in the second quarter of 2004 . </P> <P> On February 4, 2004 at the Chicago Auto Show, Toyota unveiled a bigger and more powerful Tacoma . This new Tacoma was available in eighteen different configurations, that included three cab configurations, four transmissions, two engines, and two bed lengths . The three cab configurations consist of regular cab, access cab, and double cab . The transmissions come in 4 - speed automatic, 5 - speed automatic, 5 - speed manual, and 6 - speed manual . Beds are: 6 ft (1.8 m) long bed, and 5 ft (1.5 m) short bed . The Tacoma's 4.0 - liter 1GR - FE V6 took the place of the original 3.4 - liter 5VZ - FE V6 . The new V6 had many enhancements, such as a tow rating of 6,500 lb (2,948 kg), and a payload capacity of 1,650 lb (748 kg). It produces 236 horsepower (176 kW) and 266 lb ft (361 N m) of torque . The smaller, but all - new 2.7 - liter 2TR - FE 4 - cylinder alternative in less expensive models is rated at 159 hp (119 kW) and 180 lb ft (244 N m). of torque . </P> <P> Toyota also introduced an X-Runner trim, which replaces the slow selling S - Runner trim from the previous generation . The X-Runner features the 1GR - FE paired to a six - speed manual transmission, 18 in (457 mm) alloy wheels, lowered two inches from the factory and included an X-Brace suspension package . Toyota also included a Down - Hill Assist Control (DAC) and Hill - Start Assist Control (HAC), with models that were equipped with the optional Toyota Racing Development (TRD) Off - Road package . DAC automatically applies braking during downhill descents while HAC prevents the vehicle from rolling backwards on hills . A rear locking differential, or limited - slip differential were also some optional features . Every Tacoma was manufactured with a composite inner bed that includes a deck rail system with four tie down cleats, hook - pins, storage boxes . TRD package equipped Tacomas also feature an in - bed 115V / 400W AC power outlet . The tie down cleats are rated to hold up to 220 lb (100 kg). </P>

When did the toyota tacoma change body styles