I currently have a '93 4x4 4 cylinder regular cab pickup with 218k, but I have been offered a '97 4x4 Tacoma with 150k for less than what I could sell my truck for. My truck has a bed mat, cap, new bumpers, push bar, Camry seats, newer brakes & shocks, new headgasket & timing chain, very good maintenance, no mechanical issues, and reasonable rust for a '93.

The Tacoma is 4 cylinder (2.4 or 2.7?), needs a new front bumper and valance, needs tires, and beyond that, I don't know what it might need. It appears to have no real upgrades other than a bed liner, but it has three things I wish mine had: extra cab, AC, and cruise control. It has one thing I hate: the color red (well, burgundy I guess). The color thing isn't too much of a problem because painting cars is what I do for a living.

I'm leaning toward taking the deal, because of the difference in book value, and the fact that I have good connections with Toyota parts and Toyota mechanics (should I need them for something I cannot handle). So I've got all this rolling around in my head, and thought I'd ask for opinions here.

 

i would get the tacoma the 2.7 is a great motor

 

You were right my friend, what a huge difference.

 

Pics?

 

Sure:

http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/we...ZkMzF5NTQx.jpg

 

I'd take that baby in a heart beat. The 3RZ is a great engine!

 

Sounds like a deal if the truck is in good running order.

 

I think you should do it, but hang onto your cap, bed mat (I hate those liners for being so slippery), and push bar, if they'll all fit the '97. Extended cabs and A.C. are really nice.

Gregory

p.s. Just noticed that a '97 is in your sig. Does that mean that you did it?

 

Thanks, and yes actually, it's already done. The truck in the photo above looks that way after much work. To date, I have replaced the bumper, valance, grille, wheels, tires, ignition stuff, brakes, parking brake cable, fluids, stereo, repaired a few other things, and spent a few hours cleaning it inside and out. My total investment was about $4500, and this thing is about as perfect as a 1997 truck gets.

 

Good to hear you didn't let it go. Keep the pics coming. I have 160k Km (100K miles) on my 3RZ and it runs like new.

 

That was a great trade. That truck looks mint. I think the color looks good on the truck. I've really grown fond of red cars in the last few months, and in fact, I'm shopping for a red E46 M3 right now.

Have fun with the truck.

 

isn't this a no brainer?

 

I guess it was a no brainer afterall. The biggest reason I hesitated is because I knew what I had, and didn't know what I might be getting into, but it turned out that the truck was pretty clean. The previous owner apparently did his own maintenance, but bought his stuff at auto parts stores. The Bosch plugs he had in it were less than finger tight, and there was carbon all up the plug wells, and all over the no-brand wires. I immediately replaced them with OEM, and solved all the running issues. Here's another photo with the new front end. The guy had hit a deer and fortunately only damaged the bolt-on parts. I wish I had taken "before" photos...

http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/we...ZkMzF5NTQx.jpg

 

i just bought a 97 today and i like the 2.7....mines the reg cab n the last owner put in a roll bar..mines a brighter red tho i think......i wanna say mine looks like the 1st gen p/u but more modern