Richard

as far as year , trucks from 86-94 are all over the map , low as $2500 to as high $7k , it all depends on how much you want to spend , if you wait long enough the right deal will come along , dont get caught up on the 4 vs 6 thing , I was dead set against a 3.0 , until actually owning one

Chooch

I love this, so true...

94Yo-toe

Man, seems like the topic here is getting shied away from here a bit into an argument of 22re vs. 3vze. Everyone has their own opinion obviously. My personal experience with both is that I would prefer the 3vze, I understand the arguments from both sides, but I have both here at my house, two 3vze 5spds and one 22re 5spd. now taking gearing and tire size into account, I will go with the 3vze. But to get back to the topic, the ifs (if your staying with that) is stronger on the 89-94 than the taco from my reading. And if I remember correctly, the frame is stouter as well (more complete boxing). I can say from experience also that you can fit a 33x14.50 x15 tire on factory suspension of the 89-94 with a TINY bit of trimming and get full lock to lock turning. I am bias in my opinion because I currently have a 91 22re 5spd 4x4 reg. cab truck, 94 3vze 5spd 4x4 ext. cab truck, and 94 3vze 5spd 4x4 4runner, all of which have served me well

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

You are 18 getting married. 1+1=3. Don't get anything older than a 3rd Gen 89-95.5 extended cab. At least that way you have room for a car seat.

willmasterflex

I live in CO and have two 3.0's. I agree they are not fun to work on, but they have been great engines so far. One with 192k and the other with 282k. I wouldn't pass one up if it was a good deal. I do agree though with the general consensus... if you're doing fire mitigation, I'm guessing you're in the mountains a lot. The 3.4 might make going up the hill easier. A buddy of mine has one with an auto and he seems to have no problems going up. I have no problems keeping up with traffic in my 3.0 going up hill, but sometimes a little more would be nice

redbayredneck

In my opinion 85 is the best year, 22re EFI engine, and a straight axle. But for what you're going to use it for, I'd probably go with a later model 3.4 V6. You can always do a SAS later if needed. I like the SFA just for the fact that there are less parts to break than IFS.

BTW: I'm in the Firefighting Business, but not so many mountains here in FL. My 85 is my personal wildland truck lol.

day1977

hey man i own a 3.0l taco and ill tell you that it is a good motor but over all not eenought power for the mountains and i no longer have the motor i put a 4bt cummins in my yota and it climbs mountains like never before so if you buy a 3.0 taco then id say engine swap like i did.

combatcarl

3.0=pre 96= pickup

3.4= 96+ = Tacoma

Period.

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jsamarin

1995 and older are 3.0
1995.5 and newer are 3.4

It was a mid year model change

combatcarl

Yeah. I know. But not many list a truck for sale as a 95.5. Titles/pinks show 95 or 96. Never seen a half, but with DMV, I suppose anything IS possible. My point was, you won't find a Tacoma with a 3.0. Unless some blockhead did it himself. Regardless of how incorrectly it's titled.

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day1977

it say right inside my door where my vin number is that it is a 3.0 tacoma thank you very much iv had my truck for 5 years now i know what it is.

it does not matter though i have a 3.9 4bt cummins in my TACOMA now

Psyfodeus

Not to jump in here from Virginia - where we have both mountains and plains (and beaches, and sand even!) but I've had my 94 truck and just about to pass 270K and it's on its first 22RE after having burned out her first engine (which was a 3.0 originally) and it's still a beast. (of course, she's built on an 85 straight axle) And I friggin love it.

Now if only I could find the doggone tail light relay for the fuse box - I'd be a happy camper so I can drive her at night. Ah well...always something.

KaiIndvik

I have an 1989 Yota 4x4 with a 22re in it, with 220000 miles. Its a lot of fun, but definitely not a good family truck. But then again, if it carries me, my girlfriend, and a cooler of beer out to the mountains, who needs anything more? But with 10 grand, get a newer, 3.4 Toyota. I'm a mechanic and I've worked on the 3.0, and its an awful, awful engine. No power, awful gas mileage, the 4runners especially. You'll regret it sooner or later, so either go for a 4cyl or a 3.4/4 liter.

bob200587

Doesn't have to be if you are smart. IUD's rock btw.

My best advice on what truck is PLEASE don't saddle yourself with a car payment. Being a newlywed is going to be stressful enough at your age, and debt will only make things worse. You need to be piling up savings because there will be a lot of change in your life the next few years and you must have some cash around.