Recently I joined the Toyota Family with the purchase of my first truck, a 2001 Tacoma SR5 4Cyl 2.7L Prerunner. The truck is in mint condition with only 38k miles on it and its my main source of transportation, so its mainly driven on roads. At first I was really excited about modding it; putting a lift on it, locking the rear diff with an ARB, supercharger, bigger tires, and hitting some local trails and the beach with it. But the more I've thought about it the more I've settled down. So here is my question;

If placed in my situation would you A)Mod the prerunner and make it as offroad worthy as possible or B)Leave the Prerunner as it is (maybe a few cosmetic mods) and look for a 4x4 project truck to mod?

I'm leaning more towards B but would appreciate some other opinions. If I do go with B what would you look for in a project truck? Would you go with a 4Runner or another Tacoma? I like the idea of a 4Runner because of the extra seating capacity. B is also appealing because since my Prerunner is used mainly as a city truck, not doing any serious mods will leave me with good gas mileage and not lifting it a large amount wont present any problems with me using it to pull my jetskis rather than borrowing my dad's f-150 everytime.

So what do you guys think? Mod the Prerunner or get a project truck to learn from (being that I'm only 18), and if so what kinda of project truck?

I appreciate the help guys, I just dont want to spend all kinds of money modding a truck that is better off left close to stock, when I could use it to mod a truck that was made for offroad. Although I still plan on taking the prerunner on the beach and perhaps some mild trails.

 

that depends on how much money you have to work with.

if getting a project truck means buying a 1st or 2nd gen runner and having less money to mod, then dont.

if you have enough money to cover a new truck with all mods, go for it.

otherwise, keep your money and mod the prerunner enough that youre happy with it on & off road --which may never happen!

 

also, prerunners are 4x2 right?

 

Yeah, someone correct me if I'm wrong but prerunners have a 4x2 drivetrain on a 4x4 frame with a 4x4 height. I'm not like filthy rich and I'm in college, but my company is paying for the majority of that, and I have an extremely good job for an 18 y/o. I wouldnt be able to like buy the new truck and all the mods up front, I would have to save up for each, but I could afford it.

 

I'd go with option B. Personally I don't like making my daily driver into a project, so I think it's better to have a dedicated trail rig if you really want to get into offroading. Plus you won't mind beating on it so much. So if you can really afford two vehicles (don't forget insurance and maintenance) I'd say go for it.

 

You're 18. Think insurance. It sucks, I know...I'm 18. I wouldn't get another vehicle. Either mod up the prerunner or trade it in for a 4x4. Note that the 4x4 will cost more to insure as well.....