Can someone please explain the Tacoma generations to me? I have a 99' taco andI think that means 3rd gen? idk I would like to know more about our just for the sake of knowledge... thanks!

 

1st gen Tacoma: '95.5-'04;
2nd gen: '05-present

 

are you sure that's right I thought 1st gen was pre'85?

 

Tacomas and Trucks are different.
1st generation "Truck", AKA Hilux (non-North American market) 4wd: '79-'83
2nd gen: '84-'88
3rd gen: '89-'95
The Tacoma was released mid-way through '95, hence "'95.5
The "Truck" was no longer available in the U.S.

 

Oh alright that makes alot more sense. so mine, being a 99', would be a 1st gen Tacoma or 4th gen truck right?

 

It is a 1st gen Tacoma. It is a truck, but not a "Truck". There was no official name for the '79-'95 U.S. Market pick-ups. just "truck" or "pick-up"

 

Alright thanks for clearing that up for menow I know.

 

Yeah, its a 1st Generation Tacoma, but when looking for parts & stuff, technically there are several "sub-generations" within the 1st Gen Tacomas.
Mostly styling, driveline and minor changes:

95.5-97 1.1 Gen
98-00 1.2 Gen
00-04 1.3 Gen

 

http://www.toyotareference.com/stout
http://www.toyotareference.com/hilux
http://www.toyotareference.com/truck
http://www.toyotareference.com/t100
http://www.toyotareference.com/tacoma
http://www.toyotareference.com/tundra

PS, that sub-generation stuff is a bunch of nonsense. You could "sub-generationize" any generation of anything. Big whoop! IMO, it's pretty much a total waste of time.

 

Yeah, whatever....I guess its not important to know the difference when certain TSBs/recalls/design changes, and different parts were upgraded?
So how's it "a total waste of time"?

2 examples right off the top of my head:

1st Gen Tacoma rear springs going flat?...need replacements?...95.5-97 springs dont fit a 98-00...

1st Gen Tundra transmission go bad?...need a replacement?...00-02 trannies have known weaker bearing cages and QUITE often trash the tranny...03-04 trannies have a stronger design and are bolt in for 00-02...05-06 have a completely different tranny and wont swap in without mods. (1st Gen Tundras are known as 00-06 models...there were also three "sub-generations" of the 1st Gen Tundras)

I just mentioned the "sub-generation" thing, since the PO is obviously new to the 1st Gen Tacomas, it MIGHT be a good idea to realise right off the bat that "1st Gen" does NOT mean any parts are necessarily gonna swap from 95.5-04, and while a design change like I mentioned on the Tundra tranny, may be a "minor" design change to Toyota, it can be a MAJOR issue for someone who doesnt know better, and drops $2000 on a replacement 00-02 tranny that blows up 6mos later while towing something, or who buys an 05-06, not realising its a COMPLETELY different model transmission that wont work at all in their 00-04...

 

Well good for you. You know a thing or two about late models. I really couldn't care less. Besides that...you missed my point entirely.

But, if you're trying to be so gosh darn helpful and informative. Why don't you contribute your vast knowledge on the subject to the forum at large? How? Do like I did and write some Wiki pages(Pre 84 Trucks, 84-85 Trucks & 4Runners, 86-95 Trucks & 4Runners, those FAQs I wrote the vast majority of).

https://www.yotatech.com/wiki/index....2_4Runners_FAQ

https://www.yotatech.com/wiki/index....5+_Tacomas_FAQ

https://www.yotatech.com/wiki/index....iser/LX470_FAQ

 

My common sense tell's me if I need parts/accessories for my rig, production date, model, motor its all on the drivers door jamb (at least on my rig) would be the norm.
I'm not going to buy/order parts as per sub-generation.
Sub-generation= Goofy IMHO