I drove a 85 for my daily driver for about 100k miles very dangerous. If you find a 85 sr5 ex cab I will trade you my 93 for the safety of your son. Kidding but the 89-95.5 do ride nicer and are very capable off roads. The 85 is my unicorn and they are almost no existant in stock ish form. But if you find a 84-95.5 for a good price I would jump all over it. Look up how to diagnose a trimming chain guide problem. The only real thing you will commonly find wrong with the 22re motor. And it's a weekend project that could normally knock 800-1000 off asking price. Other than that drive it put it in 4x4 make sure it's quiet in the front end. The. Drive the crap out of it and smile the whole time.

 

Y'all shared such good info with us I have another question....the truck purchase got put on hold Back in April. Son now has about 11,000 bucks to spend on a 4X4 Tacoma....which one would you buy now? 98 or 99 extra cab? Would you venture up into 2000 + years? Thanks again.

 

For $11000 he can get a pretty nice truck. I think it depends on his plans - like get a newer/more expensive truck if keeping it a DD or getting older taco and invest $ in aftermarket stuff. Either way, the tacomas are pretty nice and great reliable trucks - just depends on condition of rigs in your area.. My experience with them is limited to the 2nd style 1st gen tacoma (98-2001?) and they seem like great trucks that are decently lasting. There are lots more choices when going to a tacoma since you have 3 body styles, 3 engine choices, at/std trans, e-lockers, 4x4/prerunner. I'd love to own a quad cab tacoma some day since its the best of both worlds.

Not knowing a whole lot about the differences in 1st gen tacomas, I'm going to say they are the same except for the body/grille changes. Maybe a couple safety/electronic doo dads added. 2nd gen tacoma is drastically different truck. Personally I'd avoid the 05+.

 

84 is the best year imo they got the strong 84-85 front axles the 83-84 22r that can easily be converted back to a dual row timing chain and have a stronger tranny then the first gens plus most have a/c qnd power steering
the first gens take the cake tho for looks and there are things you can do to a straight axle to make it ride better

 

If you're going Tacoma, I really like the 2004 body style. Last year of the small Tacoma.

 

I'd find something for $8,000 and save the rest of it. 24 year old shouldn't spend $11k on a vehicle. Hey, you asked for opinions, right?

Heck, I'd knock it down to $5,000 and save the rest of it.

 

of course I did, no problem.

He is a residential AC tech that will be starting his own business in a year or so, this will not be a service truck (maybe occasionally) just a daily driver. Found a nice 2003 thats worth checking out.

 

I have an 84 x-cab 4x4. 3RZ(Tacoma engine) swap and various other things done to it. I daily drive it all over the southeast. 70K miles/year. And I love it. I'm 6'3" and 240lbs and I fit fine. I can do 80 on the freeway, I can take it on dirt roads/trails at any speed that's safe and have yet to roll, despite being lifted 4" and riding on 33s(for now). IFS is for some guys, but personally, I am a solid axle guy. Fewer suspension pieces to wear out, cheaper to lift, and just about bulletproof.

I'm sure whatever your boy gets, he will love it. You're a good dad for being involved. Kudos to you!

 

I'm with rokblok, solid axle is where its at. I thought you were just asking about tacomas. If he is open to pickups, I'd go 1985... Last year of the Solid axle, first year of the 22RE.

 

yeah thats right the 85 was last of the solid axle first year of the fuel injection and also I think the first year of the desirable w56 5speed transmission . but im not sure how safe they are if anyone knows could you please chime in my 85 4runner has no airbags and no anti-lock brakes . so thats another thing to think about is the safety of the factory solid axle trucks from 79 thru 85.. but I love the solid axle trucks

 

My '85 also has no Air bags and no Anti-lock brakes. But I don't mind, I don't want an air bag in that small of a truck (always afraid they'll go off when offroading) and the brakes aren't bad once you get used to driving in the rain with them.

 

Idk bout the pre 85 but my parents have both wrecked there's, 88runner had the front right side caved in and almost totaled the runner (insurance company tryed) the 87 pickup was t-boned at about 30-40mph and it barly dented the bottom of the cab and bed , lil blue went all monster jam on the Oldsmobile that t-boned her though ,totalled the olds i think. Both times they walked away with minor scrapes I think mom mighta got whiplash in the runner or that mighta been here nissan before that I can't really remember

 

My buddy has a lifted '85, someone rear-ended him and only hit his tires no sheet metal damage or suspension damage at all.

 

Old skool crumple zone lol

 

What year 4x4's are preferred??? ALL OF THEM!

 

if you're concerned with safety features, airbags didn't show up until the Tacoma/3rd gen 4runners. if you're looking for a DD, I would go with a 95-current because of on-road safety features. if you're looking for a wheeler that you're planning to modify, then the pre-95 rigs are usually preferred because they don't have the electronic crap on them

 

I DD my 85 and its not unsafe on the road...

 

I also DD my 85 there really awesome .

 

My 85 is perfectly fine on the road. Yes, the brake lock up sometimes, yes is old so steering has some play, and they dont ride the best, but they are dependable!