I was on the phone with the parts desk at the local dealership.

He asked " What does the VIN start with - A number or letter"

I checked my insurance card which showed both my trucks as identical (no way to distinguish on the card) but that one VIN started with a J and one started with a number (4 in this case).

So apparently the J means "Japan" and the Number means USA.

I was under the impression all pre-tacoma trucks were from japan!

I could speculate on the differences in these two trucks and attribute it to country of origin, but since there are thousands of variables in how each got to its present state, I wont...

But what gives? My DD was made in the states! It makes me happy on one hand, and nervous on the other....

Where are your trucks from? Notice any difference if you have experience with both???

 

Toyota started building vehicles in North America in the 1984 with the Corolla. They partnered with GM at the Nummi assembly plant, and stopped that partnership in 2009.

Over the years, many plants were opened up in the US. Some Early 90's Trucks were built at US plants, and all Tacomas from 1995.5-Present were and are built in the US.

4Runners were built in Japan through the 2010 Model year. Unsure if the 2011 4Runners are built in America or Japan.

 

84 4runner Japan built

 

My 1988 truck was built in Japan

My dad's 1991 hunting truck was built in Japan.

So I guess it was just luck of the draw...

 

All trucks through 1991 were built in Japan

They started building trucks in 1992 in North America

 

Until recently, Tacomas were assembled at the TMMBC Baja, Mexico plant. They're now made in Texas.

2012 4Runner, Land Cruiser and FJ Cruiser are all JDM built.

 

Somewhat correct. Before 2002, Tacomas were assembled in California at TABC. In 2002, Toyota opened TMMBC and began building trucks there....at least according to Here and Here

I also talked to a Toyota rep at the Fair, who said they were working on making ALL toyota passenger cars in the USA. Currently the Prius is the only passenger car made in Japan still. He also mentioned the FJ will be made in the USA starting soon as well.

 

What's incorrect? I purposely didn't say "all".

TMMMS (Mississippi) was announced as the US production plant and is ramping up now.

I expect all Toyota, but not Lexus, passenger cars to be made in North America, many for export.

 

That would imply all tacomas were assembled at TMMBC, considering you posted after I said all were built in the US (where I was wrong)

You should put "Some" before that statement

 

My 1994 was built in the US.

When I first found out, I was a little disappointed, believing that a Japanese factory would produce a truck to a higher quality standard. However, my truck now has 217,000 miles, looks almost new, and is still running strong.

 

1992 Japan

 

Unfortunate.

 

1993 4x4 Japan

 

Well nanna nanna boo boo go eat some dog poo....

my trekker was made in Japan...and never destined for the US market. Was supposed to stay in asia. They cut out some to send to winnebego.

 

Great information DeathCougar. Thanks for posting that!!!

 

Same parts in both trucks. No difference really, except the Japan made ones have instructions on the part and labels in Japanese and English


Oh, but USA made SR5's probably say you're supposed to have 31's on there and J-trucks call for 275/75/R15's I think, like mine does. Never mind that the speedo is set for 31's... go figure.

 

I beg to differ. A Japanese autoworker would lose sleep if he though he sent out a crank .001 out of spec. They are never late for work. They are impressive workers. They would never do anything to shame themselves or thier job.

American autoworkers get filmed drinking and getting high on lunch and built pretty crappy cars. The only bonus is that they are toyota assembled engines by Japanese workers.

I am an American...and God Bless America. But It shames me to say...that the average Japanese worker is more efficient...productive...and generally a better worker. It's true. Number one reason these Toyotas and Hondas lasted so well.

 

Now this is going back to the early eighties so things in Japan might have relaxed.

You have one major screw up at your job your done and no other company will ever hire you.

 

I totally respect and admire that about their culture...and we wonder why their kids spank ours in academics.

 

A few weeks ago I was buying brake parts, and was asked if my truck was build in the USA or Canada. This was at a Carquest store ,the bad part was the Canadian truck parts was alot cheaper.