Dave85zxt

I am looking into buying a used Tacoma and could use some advice. Here are a few questions that I have:

I am debating on whether or not I want a 2.7l or 3.4l. The 3.4l is hard to find with a five speed. I only tow about 6 times a year and that is a 16 ft fiberglass boat. Will the 2.7 tow that or do I need the 3.4? What is the difference in gas mileage between the two?

Which transmission is more reliable the auto or 5 spd?

How can I tell if the truck has a lock rear differential?

Is there a site where I can find common problems to look for or certain models to stay away from?

How easy is routine maintenance? (ie oil change, spark plugs, brakes) I do all my own maintenance and most repairs.


Thanks a ton,
Dave

KING

Drive a 4CYL and a V6 then you decide which you like better.

The V6 will tow much easier than the 4 cylinder, that's a given.

A 5-speed 4 cylinder is nice, wait until you drive a 5-speed V6.

To know if it has the rear locker, you can do one of two things; look under the pumpkin, if the plug is towards the driver side, it's locked, if it's towards the passenger side, it's not locked.

You can also look to the left of the steering wheel where the light dimmer is. It should have a button that says: RR DIFF.

I've never heard of anything outrageous happen to either of the transmission, wether it's automatic or 5-speed. Someone might be able to shine in more for this question.

From '96 to '98, the 3.4L had a head gasket recall. Find out from a dealer using the VIN # to know if this applies to this certain vehicle. If it does, see if they have been replaced, if they haven't, have them replaced as soon as possible.

Maintenance is a piece of cake.

rimpainter.com

My vote is a 98+ Tacoma 4x4, 3.4L, 5-speed, with TRD package. If it has the TRD package, it has the locker. Just look for the sticker on the rear quarter panels, and then look for the switch to the left of the steering column to verify.

The back seats on the x-cab are worthless, keep that in mind. Any trip over 30 minutes and you are issuing cruel and unusual punishment to your passengers.

I absolutely loved my 98 Tacoma Limited TRD, and often find myself wondering why I sold it. The only two things I did not like about it was the Auto transmission and the x-cab.

Like KING said, the V6 vs. 4cyl debate will need to be decided by you. Same with the Auto vs. 5 speed debate. The 95.5 – 97 5VZ engine may carry a HG recall. Keep that in mind. Personally, I would avoid everything under 98 since the TRD package was not offered anyway (no locker).

Best of luck!

weldpro

I have towed with a 1999 4runner , a 2002 4runner both auto with the v6 (wifes) , and they do fairly well under 4K loaded trailer weight. I also used to own a 2000 Tacoma with 4cyl , 5spd, towed roughly 2000lbs with it , and I would call it marginal at best. If you are going to tow get the V6 with auto or 5spd for sure. I personally love the 4cyl , and it is my prefferd motor just based on simplicty & economy however that is for a commuter & wheeler not a tow rig.
hope this helps,
Richard

ps those mentioned vehicles were all 4wd.

KING

Many TACOMAS have the TRD sticker yet they are not equipped with the rear differential locker.

I have seen them myself.

Best way is to look at the plug, or the button.

rimpainter.com

I know, that's why I said: "then look for the switch to the left of the steering column to verify."

Never trust a sticker!

(That would be from someone putting the sticker on. It would never come from the factory that way.)

KING

I was refering to this: If it has the TRD package, it has the locker

rimpainter.com

KING: I think we are saying the same thing.

Bottom Line:

Just because it has a TRD sticker does not mean it has the TRD package. So, know what you are looking for to verify that a TRD advertised vehicle does in fact have the TRD package.

The TRD package giveaways are:

Bilstein Shocks, bigger sways, e-locker

KING

Precisely.

NorCalVP

Actually the locker was an option in 96, but wasn't very well know, in 98 they just put it together with some stickers, and different springs to make the TRD package, then a $300 locker option, turned into a $1200 TRD "Package"

Most of the HG recalls were on 95.5 and 96 Taco's I have a 97 that was made in early 97 and there is no Hg recall on it.

t-tom

I have a 98 3.4 trd 5spd xtra cab. I have 20 foot fish and ski boat that I pull to lake of the ozarks from KC about 135 miles each way and it does great. I also have 2000 lb work trailer that I put a detomaso pantera on 3300lbs +2000lbs + me 220lbs+ 180lb friend with me and pulled it back to kansas city from houston tx. we were at almost 6000lbs with all the gear and tools for the trip. The taco pulled great on the highway it didnt like it in the city, too much stop and go was hard on the truck with that much weight. Still the truck got almost 17mpg on the way home, and thats with 150000 miles!

rimpainter.com

The extra "$900" is not just for a locker - you get shocks, sways, and a 50HP sticker. Keep that in mind.

NorCalVP

Actually the Invoice price on the TRD package is $1113, Retail is 1380. The shocks aren't all that great. and the Sway bar is just a little bigger... both things that you will probably never notice. But dang those stickers are sooooooooooo cool, I bet they add 75HP... since there's one on each side...

The TRD package is pretty neat, but not worth the price if you ask me, Try to get a truck with just the locker, because chances are that you will change the shocks, and maybe the "special" springs...