Who has owned a 1st Gen and a 2nd Gen Tacoma?

i have a 1st gen and my sister has a 2nd gen, i personally prefer a 1st gen, but that's because i don't need the space.

there are a few problems with the 2nd gens BUT, there's TSB's for most of them.
the biggest problem i have with the 2nd gens is that the bed is plastic.
motor wise 4.0 v6 has plenty of get up and go VS the 3.4 v6.

if i needed a little bit bigger truck it's be between a 1st gen tundra and a 2nd gen taco.

in the end IMO the 2nd gen is perfect if you need a little more space than the 1st gens.

a word of warning, if you or people who will be sitting in the back a lot are tall there head might hit the ceiling before it hits the head rest, and the grab handle is a bit close to the head, the only reason my head hits is because i'm 6'2''

 

Gen I is much narrower than Gen II, that's a big, big deal off-roading. Dude I sold my Gen I to can get to places there's no way I can get to with the Gen II.

Gen I V6 was timing belts, that's kind of a big deal.

 

I had a 2001 ext cab, manual transmission, v6 1st gen, i LOVED that truck!



now I have a 2012 DC LB 4.0 v6 automatic 2nd gen.
it's an incredibly nice ride compared to my first gen.
so smooth, quiet, and lots of room with the double cab for sure.
it's also much wider inside.. the 2nd gen has the perfect cab size for me, the 1st gen felt slightly cramped.

the only thing I'm not completely stoked on is the long bed, but to get automatic in canada, you have to get a long bed. I just think the short bed would be a bit better for wheeling, really not a huge deal though.

 

I owned a 2009 then a 2011 and now a 2003

 

I love the plastic bed... it'll never rust and doesn't dent... what do you not like about it?

It's proven itself to be strong enough, if it weren't, we'd have heard a lot of complaints around here.

 

plastic would be more prone to crack if you drilled drain holes or added extra tie downs, and i would prefer a metal bed for weight in the back without adding sand bags. (minimal difference (i think) but still, every pound counts)\

 

people do add D rings, and drill into the bed with no issues. If it were an issue, there would be plenty of complaining going on.

 

hmm, didn't know about that, then the only reason i don't like the plastic bed is personal preference.

 

Gen II is certainly a quieter cab.

 

haha which is completely fine

 

x2 especially at highway speeds

 

I had a built 2002 extended cab TRD.
Icon coil overs
Deaver 8 leaf
Bilstein 5125
1" body lift
34" tires
Armor.

Loved the truck, but was slow! The 34's killed it. I had 32's on it before and it was only OK. It was way to cramped.
One thing I did like is that the truck could go anywhere. Lots of down travel in rear with regular shackles and long travel leafs and 10" shocks. With the rear locker it was awesome.

That being said the second gen is far superior in all aspects, power, interior space and even decent offroad with the yellow wire mod done , 2" lift and 32's.

I felt the same way about my 92 4runner v6 5speed-> 98 4runner v6 5speed -> 04 V8 auto 4runner. These Toyota trucks just get better as the trucks get newer.

I LOVED the V8 4runner. If I did not need a Bed for camping gear, I would easily pick myself up a 06+ V8 Sport. The are SO quiet on the freeway, tons of useable space and neat features and the local mountains like nothing. The V8 is by far the smoothest engine/transmission I have driven, and I have owner a buttload of cars/trucks.


For reference, my trucks in order of ownership

98 4Runner
32's.



2002
4" lift


2004 V8
2.5" lift
32's


My 92 4Runner/ 2012 VW GLI Combo.
OME rear springs.
31's.



And now the current
2011 Tacoma
2-2.5" lift
32's.

 

Gen I with manual xfer case and manual lockers I'd still prefer, but alas the old girl was getting worn out and the new trucks are all auto.

 

I had a 1972 Datsun 2wheel dr 4cyc in 1978, a 1980 Datsun 2wheel dr 4 cyc in 1982, 1999 tacoma ext cb prerunner in 2005-2006, a 2001 4dr double cab 4x4 1 1/2 lift with AAL 3.4lt from 2006-2009 and now a 2012 tacoma 4dr 4x4TRD off road.
The 01 was a tougher truck in my opinion. I do get better MPGs in the 12 though.
Great trucks, miss my 01 at times.

 

Three Yotas outside, 1987 Plowtruck, 22R, 1994 another 22R, just redid the entire frame on that one.... 2013 Tacoma double cab. only 2000 miles so far.

They all run pretty well, the 1994 leaks oil around the front damper. Tried different on set seal with no luck. Probably order a new damper pulley and seal soon...

 

Had a 2004 Tacoma Prerunner access cab, auto 3.4. It was a great truck and fun to drive. Never had ANY issues with it. If i would have kept it, i would have added a nice suspension like Toytec Ultimate or something similar.


Now i have a 2005 Tacoma Prerunner TRD double cab short bed. It's a bigger truck, but feels great. Has the power i need and extra room. Wouldn't go back to a 1st Gen unless i had a good history with it.

 

I had a 2001 v6 Manual ext cab TRD O/R 4x4... then traded it in for a 2006 TRS Sport auto 4x4.. now have my 09 TRD O/R auto 4x4.

I love the 2nd Gen's for the space and 4.0


pics of all three are in my build..

I do miss the fact that my 01 was paid off, smaller for trails, and the build and attention to detail seemed to be better executed. sometimes I regret trading it in, but then i weigh the pros and cons and I think I can say I still prefer the 2nd Gen.

 

I had a 2003 reg cab for 10 years which I recently traded for my 13 reg cab.
The 13 is alot more refined and alot more plastic parts which I like alot. All my 03 would do is RUST RUST RUST. After 5 years I had to replace my rear chrome bumper because it rusted away. The frame was recalled and replaced by Toyota because the truck became unsafe because of all the rust. When you opened the hood all I could see was rust..everything inside the engine compartment was rusting. When I traded it in, the hood was rusting away. I do not live near the shore or any body of water. My 03 just loved to rust. I also did not like the placement of the oil filter on the 03 2.7. It was very difficult to reach. I am very happy to now have the composit bed. I had a spray in liner on my 03. I am also glad they retained the crank windows and the manual door locks on the 13. I don't know what my gas mileage is on the 13 because I have'nt filled it up yet but I was getting 20 mpg on the 03.
10 years has definately improved the Tacoma. I just hope the 13 does'nt rust like the 03.

 

I had three PreTacos ('77, '83, '95) and my '11 is so much better in every way.

 

I just switched from a 2001 Tacoma Double Cab to a 2013 Sport Double Cab. I literally almost cried when I had to walk away from my 1st gen because I loved that truck and never had a lick of problems with it. Been in my 2nd gen about a month now and I love it. It was hard at first but after a lift and new rims and tires i'm definately getting over the loss of my first gen. There are a few things i'm not liking on the 2nd gen but there were a few I didn't like in the 1st gen as well. I think I mad a good decision but time will tell.