both are identical- white, 5 speed, 2.7, 4x4, xtracab, about 55k miles. the 98 for 11,500 has the black fender flares, tachometer, and i believe the TRD options (ill verify). the 1999 is not a TRD, doesnt have a tach, but is toyota certified and has a warranty until 100k miles.

the 98 TRD seems to have a slight 'noise' coming from the exhaust that the 99 does not. its not a 'tick' but a very very slight 'sputter'. both trucks seem to run and ride excellent however.

what would YOU do? i think the certification (which is transferable) may be worth the extra 2k. however, i do really like having a tachometer, which i suppose i could just add to the 99 if i decide to get it, and im not sure what is all different having the TRD option. i do plan on lifting it a few inches right off the bat with a coil over system, king or fabtech, and plan on going with 33's. i will be doing some offroading; dunes, river bottom, some trails, etc.

i need to figure this out by tomorrow!

 

Easy... get the TRD and fix the noise. Or see if the owner will knock something off the price to compensate for the cost of fixing it. But if at all possible, stick with the TRD. You won't regret it.

 

what is all different about the TRD? on a stock truck you get the bilstein shocks (which get replaced with the lift anyways), larger tires, and a locking rear. does the locking rear on the 4x4 make all that much of a difference?

 

the 98 trd sounds like the ticket here. doesn't the trd's come w/ the locking rear diff? shoot i'm all for the rear locker btw

good luck!

 

If the TRD has the rear locker and the non-trd does not (did they even offer the locker in a non-trd?) then go for the TRD. Get the one with the rear locker! I wish I had!!

 

It makes all the difference in the world.

You'll be able to arguably go more places in a stock locked rig than a lifted open diff rig with bigger tires. Traction is everything, and you're only getting half of it with open diffs.

 

I agree, 98 TRD.

I cant believe I sold my 98 LTD TRD. What an idiot.

 

I personally look for a V6 instead of the 4 banger.

 

The 4 cyl with the TRD package will NOT have a locking diff. My prerunner is a 4cyl TRD and the manual says the locker is just for the V-6. It will have the Bilstein shocks and larger tires.

 

I say go for the 99. The TRD package isn't worth much in the 4cyl trucks. NO LOCKER! The locker only comes in the V-6 TRD trucks. Get the newer truck with the better warrenty and then do your mods to that.

 

I agree. Get the 1999 with the great warranty. You would likely upgrade much of the stuff offered by the TRD anyway. That warranty is really hard to beat!!!

-Sherpa

 

SLC Punk is correct. Get whichever one has the locker. If they both have a locker, then I'll stick with my original comment and suggest the 1999. I really like having a tachometer, so I'd just figure out a way to add one.

-S