williemon

Im toyin with the idea of getting an extended cab tacoma. I would want the 3.4L V6, 4x4, manual tranny, 31" tire option and maybe the locker option. The year model and mileage will be a factor because I need to keep it affordable, but that aside, which years might I need to avoid or which years should I seek out to get the options I want? I will be towing a boat with it and hauling bed loads of firewood a few times a year. It will be a 95% on road daily driver, but I will need to detour off road from time to time to be one with nature. Thanks all.

jx94148

If you want the electric locker you have to get a TRD model, that should get you the largest tires the factory offered as well.

WATRD

So, you are looking for a "TRD", that way you get the rear locker. Otherwise, avoid the '95's and '96's because of the head gasket problem. Beyond that, go with as recent as you can afford. There were not a lot of major changes since '96, beyond the body style.

RTdawgs

not true. you can get a TRD package without a locker and a locker without the TRD package, so dont assume anything til you see the "RR Diff Lock" button.

Definitely get the locker and 5spd. make sure all the maintenance has been done on time. all 4WDs come with 31s, so dont worry bout that either.

WATRD

True, but it required a special order and will be REALLY hard to find used. But checking for the locker is a good idea. Some unscrupulous dealers have been known to sticker non-TRD models thus so that they can sell them for more.

Not true. The older models did not have 31's from the factory, even with 4x4's. They had a large 29. We have several in our chapter with factory 29's.

rowan

rob. right. i have a 99 taco with 29's. sounds like you'll be gettin a nice truck but don't look too new for a xcab unless your looking at 15-20,000. most 98-99's i looked at are about 18. xcab, 4x4, aprox. 50,000 miles, not sure about engine/tranny. my reg cab with the 2.7 was about 11,000. 5spd tranny. 27,000 miles. xcab would have been really nice but cost me about 7,000 for it. with TRD and a locker you are probably looking 20+ maybe you can find a deal though. look for an older one and you can just get a locker put in if it doesnt have one.... maybe. those are my ideas. good luck.

91Runner

My brother just got a new 2003 Tacoma XCab 4x4 TRD Package, power windows and locks, and a couple other little things I think, without the locker for $22,000 or $23,000 if I remember right. So if you're budget is in the $20,000 range you might want to look into getting a new one, that way you can get the options that you want.

-Braden

RTdawgs

was that the 4cyl models?

WATRD

That's the funny thing about Tacoma's... it's almost like Toyota orders a bunch of parts, then mixes and matches. We have at least one 4 cyl and one 6 cyl with factory 29's that have showed up on various runs and several more with 29's that I haven't taken the time to look under the hood.

It's like that crazy low gas light. I have yet to see any rhyme or reason to it. One truck will have it, but a virtually identical truck of the same year does not... go figure...

The best bet is to know EXACTLY what you are looking for and how to recognize it BEFORE you hit the dealer lot. Some tricks are easy, on the Tacoma, if the drain for the rear diff is on the drivers side, it has the factory locker, if the drain plug is on the passenger side, it does not. I tend to take a flashlight, tell the sales weasle to get stuffed and do a full inspection on my own before I even talk with them. It saves a lot of time when we need to talk terms and they try to tell me that the locker makes the truck go faster, the TRD oil cap adds 25 HP or any of the other silly things the sales weasels spit out when they get on a roll

rowan

sweet the TRD oil cap gives 25 HP? im gonna go buy one!! hahaha yeah there are a lot of things messed up like that gas light. my 5spd doesnt have a tach but i've seen autos that have them. go figure.

trdtacoma01

Curious, whats up with the gas light?

WATRD

From Above:
It's like that crazy low gas light. I have yet to see any rhyme or reason to it. One truck will have it, but a virtually identical truck of the same year does not... go figure...

It doesn't come with any package, it just "appears" on some trucks, but not on others. I have one, but my neighbor with the same truck (except silver) does not. There are periodic threads on the TTORA board regarding this and no one has been able to figure out why some they do and some they don't... I guess it's just as well

One of life's great mysteries...

hawkdog21

he wanted to know what the problem is, i will explain

on some tacos, the gas tank will read .5 tank left, but then the gas light goes on, and the tank is actually empty, but it still read half a tank

WATRD

A. You are aware that this thread had been inactive since December, right?

B. Actually, if you read the thread, I brought up the gas light in connection with the seemingly odd combination of parts that Toyota sometimes throws together. I believe the thread you are refering to regarding a gas light with 1/2 tank of gas is over on the TTORA main board, because I don't see a mention of that in this thread.

But thanks

hawkdog21

AAARRRRGGGGG, rrriiigghttt yeah, i was looking at ttora, and then someone posted me here, and i forgot i was here
:pat:

WATRD

heheheheh I know the feeling... "Too many Windows!"... "Too many message boards!" heheheheh

:pat:

RTdawgs

hey fellas!

1Runner

Negative ghost rider... all 4x4's do NOT come w/ 31's. My 96 Taco came w/ factory 225's on the 7" steel wheels.
Willie, good choice for a truck. I loved my Taco.... on the other hand, a buddy has a 97 T-100 and wants to be buried in it when he dies. I've never owned one, but did drive his a few times. Nice trucks. Nice trucks.

Biohazard

I have the '99 version of what you want and I love it. I've wanted this truck since I was born it seems and it hasn't let me down in the least. According to NADAguides.com the average retail for mine is around 17 grand (54,000 - 57,000 miles) - 16 grand for me since I have 90K on it. Worth every dime if you ask me. Its an investment - pay more now, pay nothing later.