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Best year 1st Gen.

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by cabsav214, Oct 18, 2009.

  1. Oct 20, 2009 at 7:13 PM
    #41
    MowTaco

    MowTaco Well-Known Member

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    When you think about it, shouldn't 04 be the best year?
    It's not just because mine's an 04, but since they've had the most time to improve it, shouldn't the 04 be the closest to perfect of any of the 1st gens?
     
  2. Apr 10, 2010 at 10:59 PM
    #42
    RockyTacoma

    RockyTacoma Well-Known Member

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    02 is best year, because i drive one
     
  3. Apr 10, 2010 at 11:01 PM
    #43
    JohnnyGato

    JohnnyGato God of Thunder ...and Rock N' Roll!

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    04 dude!!!
     
  4. Apr 10, 2010 at 11:09 PM
    #44
    fsbrain03

    fsbrain03 Well-Known Member

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    I have to agree!
     
  5. Apr 10, 2010 at 11:44 PM
    #45
    kumaWRX

    kumaWRX Well-Known Member

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    My vote is for the 04, not because I have one, but because it was the last year and they supposedly worked out all the bugs(well at least more so than the earlier years).
     
  6. Apr 11, 2010 at 1:07 AM
    #46
    RPain

    RPain Well-Known Member

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    Link to build in sig
    guess ill be the only one to recommend the 03?
     
  7. Apr 11, 2010 at 5:09 AM
    #47
    h_curtis

    h_curtis Well-Known Member

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    When I was looking, I was looking for an '03-4 because they were the last years made of the better body style. I figure they sorted out as much as they could in those years including the frame issue. I looked at an '06 first and hated it. Looked like some old man's truck. So damn ugly, what where they thinking? Anyway, for me I've done the off road thing with a 6" lifted jeep with a 44 in the rear, etc, etc and found that now I just want a truck to drive and haul things, not high maintenance off roader, so I could care less about manual locking hubs. If you are that into it, step up and get an ARB or stay home. Might as well get the last year or two made. '04 was my first pick, but an '03 with 42K on it was good. Overpaid, but what can you do?

    Good luck to your friend. He will be paying some bucks for one. The 1st generations hold value. The '06 I was looking at was cheaper. The 2nd gen still holds good value, but not as popular.
     
  8. Apr 11, 2010 at 7:36 AM
    #48
    Barnone

    Barnone Guest

    I've had three first gens. All good. I'd be concerned about condition and specifications that fits your friend's requirements and not year.
     
  9. Apr 11, 2010 at 9:02 AM
    #49
    SunDevilTacoma

    SunDevilTacoma Well-Known Member

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    x eleventy!!!!11!!
     
  10. Apr 11, 2010 at 9:31 AM
    #50
    tacomakid96

    tacomakid96 Lions Not Sheep

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    I say any first gen, but obviously the later year of first gen the more problems that will have been worked out. My 96 has never had a problem and has never left me stranded. And I get between 17-21 mpg which is pretty good for a v-6
     
  11. Apr 11, 2010 at 10:42 AM
    #51
    4WD

    4WD cRaZy oLdmAn

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    I'm just happy its a Toyota !!........:cool:
     
  12. Apr 11, 2010 at 11:00 AM
    #52
    Taco76087

    Taco76087 Well-Known Member

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  13. Apr 11, 2010 at 11:11 AM
    #53
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    Honestly, which ever ones came with the manual hubs. 95.5 - 97??
     
  14. Apr 11, 2010 at 3:51 PM
    #54
    john32

    john32 Well-Known Member

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    diff breather

    What is the advantage of the manual hubs??
     
  15. Apr 11, 2010 at 4:29 PM
    #55
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    More reliable.
     
  16. Apr 11, 2010 at 5:35 PM
    #56
    crazyasu45

    crazyasu45 Well-Known Member

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    x3
     
  17. Apr 11, 2010 at 5:36 PM
    #57
    crazyasu45

    crazyasu45 Well-Known Member

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  18. Apr 11, 2010 at 7:16 PM
    #58
    RattleTractor

    RattleTractor Lube: It's the key to penetration.

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    Up to 00 on non-SR5/limited models I believe.
     
  19. Apr 11, 2010 at 7:53 PM
    #59
    3.4PDM

    3.4PDM Well-Known Member

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    I am really surprised that anyone would say later than 2000 is better quality. Its well known that Toyota started to cheap out on materials in the 2001-2004. To me, the last of the real well known quality for which Toyota is truly known for was on the 95.5- 97 models.
     
  20. Apr 11, 2010 at 10:32 PM
    #60
    Digiratus

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    x2 :D
     

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