Looks like I need to add a Taco to the stable
05-17-2005, 01:32 PM
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Looks like I need to add a Taco to the stable
Hi guys,
Sorry in advance for stupid questions, but I'm a total Taco newbie. I've been loving my '04 4Runner, with absolutely zero problems over the past 10K miles, and fishwife's '04 Sienna has also been flawless, except for a bunch of recalls/TSBs that the dealer gladly installed without whining like my Jeep dealer used to do.
Anyhow, I've spent some time researching Tacos, but I haven't really found a thread that gives me the lowdown on what to start looking for. Please humor me.
Purpose: General ranch truck (we're buying a 10 acre property in the California Gold Country). No long distance rides (that's what the 4Runner excels at). Need to transport garbage and recycling every couple of weeks to the transfer station, and need 4WD for snowy conditions in the Winter (FW can drive my 4Runner...damn, I shoulda got AWD on the Sienna). General hauling of landscape materials, brush, ATV, dirtbikes, etc.
What I'd like: 2000-2003 Tacoma 4WD xtracab (supercab?...whatever they call the extended cab so I can recline the seat a bit...I'm 6'0" tall). Auto tranny would be nice so FW can drive it once in awhile if she needs to. V6 (I think...the 4cyl doesn't seem like it would have much oomph).
Any info you guys might be able to provide with respect to features, years, models, etc to stay away from or to gravitate toward would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance!!
fish
Sorry in advance for stupid questions, but I'm a total Taco newbie. I've been loving my '04 4Runner, with absolutely zero problems over the past 10K miles, and fishwife's '04 Sienna has also been flawless, except for a bunch of recalls/TSBs that the dealer gladly installed without whining like my Jeep dealer used to do.
Anyhow, I've spent some time researching Tacos, but I haven't really found a thread that gives me the lowdown on what to start looking for. Please humor me.
Purpose: General ranch truck (we're buying a 10 acre property in the California Gold Country). No long distance rides (that's what the 4Runner excels at). Need to transport garbage and recycling every couple of weeks to the transfer station, and need 4WD for snowy conditions in the Winter (FW can drive my 4Runner...damn, I shoulda got AWD on the Sienna). General hauling of landscape materials, brush, ATV, dirtbikes, etc.
What I'd like: 2000-2003 Tacoma 4WD xtracab (supercab?...whatever they call the extended cab so I can recline the seat a bit...I'm 6'0" tall). Auto tranny would be nice so FW can drive it once in awhile if she needs to. V6 (I think...the 4cyl doesn't seem like it would have much oomph).
Any info you guys might be able to provide with respect to features, years, models, etc to stay away from or to gravitate toward would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance!!
fish
05-17-2005, 01:55 PM
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If you're not stuck on a Tacoma the early 90's trucks like mine can do pretty much everything (that your planning on using it for atleast) as well if not better (dirtbike hauling) as a Tacoma plus you'll save yourself a good chunk of change. They're extremely reliable too (I've got 399,100 on mine and didn't even need motor work till 360,000)
05-17-2005, 02:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Silver_Truck
If you're not stuck on a Tacoma the early 90's trucks like mine can do pretty much everything (that your planning on using it for atleast) as well if not better (dirtbike hauling) as a Tacoma plus you'll save yourself a good chunk of change. They're extremely reliable too (I've got 399,100 on mine and didn't even need motor work till 360,000)
When did they start using the Tacoma brand name?
05-17-2005, 02:31 PM
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Originally Posted by fish
I'm not stuck on a Tacoma...I guess that's just the name that came to mind. I'll bet the '91 is considerably cheaper than the later models too, huh?
When did they start using the Tacoma brand name?
When did they start using the Tacoma brand name?
05-17-2005, 05:58 PM
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I just traded my '91 in with 164k on it and only needed a clutch at 150k. Best damn truck I have ever owned. I say get a used older one for a ranch truck, will run forever and save you a ton of money.
05-17-2005, 06:06 PM
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Tacoma=95.5 and up. Like the others, I'd look for an early/mid 90s pickup. Either engine/tranny combo you get will get the job done, and last forever. But if you are stuck on automatic, it's probably better to get the 3.0 V6, as an auto 22RE pulling ATVs and whatnot will be a bit of a dog. A five speed would help alot, but autos are nice, especially off-road. Good luck!
05-24-2005, 08:20 AM
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Update!
Thanks for the sage advice, guys. I've been looking and looking and found very little in the way of 4WD pickups, except for 03 and 04, and I'm not about to pay $22K for a ranch truck.
So I put out a feeler on a motorcycle forum that I frequent and looks like I've got a line on a '92 deluxe extended cab v6 4WD 5spd. I've only seen pics, but will get to see it in person in a couple of weeks. Looks solid and well-maintained. 116k miles.
Some info from owner:
I haven't heard a price yet, but I'm figuring $5k or slightly less.
Any thoughts? Seems like it was well maintained, and your testimonies to the reliability of these trucks make me feel comfortable that it will just keep going and going and going.
Thanks!
fish
So I put out a feeler on a motorcycle forum that I frequent and looks like I've got a line on a '92 deluxe extended cab v6 4WD 5spd. I've only seen pics, but will get to see it in person in a couple of weeks. Looks solid and well-maintained. 116k miles.
Some info from owner:
At around 85-90k I installed a complete Energy Suspension
polyurethane bushing kit, new Tokico shocks, new Alcan
springs in the rear, a Black Magic electric fan, and
improved soundproofing. Stock suspension parameters were
maintained (no body or suspension lift). Timing belt,
water pump idler pulley, and all other belts were done at
90k. At around 110k I installed a set of Downey ceramic
coated headers and a new Toyota exhaust system, the
combination of which improves highway fuel economy to 20
mpg or more at reasonable speeds. The alloy wheels are
from a Tacoma. I still have the original 15" steel wheels.
The front mudguards are currently removed, but I have
them.
I started using Mobil 1 in the engine when I bought it from
my dad at 68k. The differentials and transmission have
been running on Redline or Mobil 1 since about 75k. And
the engine has always run on the Toyota red coolant (very
important). Head gasket recall was done before I acquired
the truck.
It's a solid truck. The only dent is on the bed lip as
shown in the pics. Paint and interior have normal wear and
tear, but no fading or dull spots. The bed originally had
a plastic bedliner, which I removed thinking I was going to
replace it with a spray in liner, but then I wound up
buying the Tacoma - - - so a spray in liner would be be a
good idea since there are some wear spots in the bed.
polyurethane bushing kit, new Tokico shocks, new Alcan
springs in the rear, a Black Magic electric fan, and
improved soundproofing. Stock suspension parameters were
maintained (no body or suspension lift). Timing belt,
water pump idler pulley, and all other belts were done at
90k. At around 110k I installed a set of Downey ceramic
coated headers and a new Toyota exhaust system, the
combination of which improves highway fuel economy to 20
mpg or more at reasonable speeds. The alloy wheels are
from a Tacoma. I still have the original 15" steel wheels.
The front mudguards are currently removed, but I have
them.
I started using Mobil 1 in the engine when I bought it from
my dad at 68k. The differentials and transmission have
been running on Redline or Mobil 1 since about 75k. And
the engine has always run on the Toyota red coolant (very
important). Head gasket recall was done before I acquired
the truck.
It's a solid truck. The only dent is on the bed lip as
shown in the pics. Paint and interior have normal wear and
tear, but no fading or dull spots. The bed originally had
a plastic bedliner, which I removed thinking I was going to
replace it with a spray in liner, but then I wound up
buying the Tacoma - - - so a spray in liner would be be a
good idea since there are some wear spots in the bed.
Any thoughts? Seems like it was well maintained, and your testimonies to the reliability of these trucks make me feel comfortable that it will just keep going and going and going.
Thanks!
fish
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05-24-2005, 08:55 AM
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Looks like a nice truck, real clean all maintenance seems to have been done...make sure it ÅÅÅÅs good when you drive it, check 4wd etc the normal stuff but its still in its prime with only 116k on it, great buy for about $5k, you may want to look into swapping in some SR5 or some other seats though if you're going to be spending alot of time in it. Let us know how it goes!!
05-24-2005, 09:58 AM
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the bad thing about the pre tacos is that they have the 4cyl or the 3.0 which i junk. so get a pre taco if you want a 4 cyl. my 4runner has the 4cyl and it has some good power, i was acctually suprised, its funner to drive than my tacoma. the tacoma i use for work and it does pretty good i love the 3.4. the bad thing about the tacomas is they have VERY loose suspention, thats why i did spacer and AAL. its taller but much safer!!!! i can easily weave if there is osmething in the road, before i could not.
05-24-2005, 12:55 PM
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until it blows again, i really like my 4cyl though. if they had the 3.4s in 86 i would deffinatly get that. my 86 runner has 250k miles on it with no rebuild of any kind!!! and it still runs strong!!!!!!!
06-06-2005, 09:15 AM
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Originally Posted by Road Head
If you dont mind, how much did you end up spending on it? And has it had the head gasket replaced? I am also looking for one, but will probably go with the 4 cyl.
The truck came with the stock front mudguards (along with a bunch of other parts) in a crate. I tried to install them yesterday, but the holes seem to be hogged out. What's the fix? Pick up some new nylon nuts? Larger screws?
