What is the BEST of the 1st

Love my 2002. No ABS, no egr although its a Cali model.

 

I've got a 95.5 and my friend has an 04 that I frequently drive
I wouldn't consider trading him for second, even if he threw a little on top

not a fan of the push-button 4-Low
not a fan of the electric windows
not a fan of the digital odometer/tripometer
(never heard of any of these things failing from people on here; just my preference)
HATE ABS
the fabric in my interior seems like it's better quality
and the 95.5 - 97's are the best looking don't let anyone tell you otherwise

Don't get me wrong, his 04 is still freaking sweet and I'd take it over any similiar domestic option in the same era

EDIT:
One thing i'll give newer years is the TRD option.
There's a couple 95.5 - 97's out there with Factory-equipped E-Lockers; but, they don't pop up often
I. want. a. locker. ... bad

 

Hmm, so you're saying the throttle by wire set up, is actually on the butterfly itself?
Both my kick down & throttle cables are connected to the throttle body wheel mechanism, which is bolted to the shaft that the butterfly pivots on.

I replaced both when I installed the LCE unit, which is awesome by the way.

 

From my 03 I see a cable for half open butterfly and then a wire for the other half to open. So I guess it's sorta drive by wire.

 

I love the 98-00 looks the best! The only thing I'd like different is having a double cab... I feel so mean putting friends in the back seat of my truck... it's so small back there!

 

Yeah I'm not entirely sure how it works, and I don't quite understand why they changed the TB in '03, all I know is the 2002 was the last of the fully mechanical throttle system.

I will agree with most of you, the 1995.5-1997 are by far the best looking from the front. I do prefer the '01-'04 tail lights and fender flares though.

 

I'm still learning a lot about the small mechanical/functional differences of the various years, as I just bought mine about a month ago. With that said, I really like the looks of the 01-04 specifically the double cab with that small bed, just really flows well and VERY utilitarian for someone like me.

Reading some of these posts, am I to believe the 04 tacos have push button 4 wheel drive? Maybe I just misread...

 

Absolutely not. It was simply a factory option that some customers chose. There are lots of '01-'04's with the fully manual J-shift t-case.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1s...what-year-type-transfer-case-do-you-have.html

 

Thanks for the info! The manual t-case was one of the selling points for a first gen over second gen for me. Something about that second shifter lol.

 

And the fact that shifting to 4lo is instant and reliable.

 

Yup, I owned a push button (granted it was a GM not Toyota) and it failed me, told myself never again!

 

I was always the opposite; the short bed on the double cabs look a bit off to me.