Considering jump from 1st gen to 2nd - baby on the way

Hi all,

I got my 2004 TRD Xtra cab two years ago, and I have been in love with it. It has 145,000 miles, but runs like it's brand new. Did all the maintenance, put the 5100's on it and some decent tires, and it has never missed a beat. However, this October I'll have a baby to transport occasionally (the truck is winter/rain/picking-up-large-things duty only), and I test fitted an infant seat in the back of my taco...not a good thing. It BARELY fits and that's with the jump-seat removed and the baby carrier jammed practically through the back of the front seat, also making the front seat useless.

SO, I guess I can choose between dealing with the above situation for 2 years until the baby is front facing (and who knows, another may be on the way at that point and continue the cycle), or get a truck that will fit my needs better, like a DC taco (or a Raptor...one can dream ). If I make the switch, I might as well go with a 2nd gen for the extra safety any whatnot.

Hoping you guys can affirm or educate me on what I think I might look for. I want to spend under $24k or less if possible. I use the truck for getting around in slop, carrying my bike to trails, taking piles of dirt and mulch home, and exploring trails that look tempting from time to time.

What I love about my 2004 is it's simple...it's got a locker, and the lever to get me into 4WH/L. I'm a bit worried with all the tech/traction stuff on the newer ones that it will annoy me, but I guess I would get used to it.

It's my understanding that for an Off-Road DC, the tiny little bed is the only option. I don't love it, but the reality is, most stuff I carry will probably fit (not sure about my John Deere though), and I can tie down any boards or longer stuff, I'd imagine. I don't think the suspension in the Sport would suit me or my needs from what I read, even though that can have the normal bed and DC. Would you guys agree?

In trying to narrow what year(s) I should look at...there's a LOT I've read on here, but it seems like 2009 was the big change? Is this when A-TRAC became standard on Off-Roads? My friend had a 2006 Off-Road and it had the RR Diff but no A-TRAC. Other than that, it seems like the 2009-2012 are basically the same minus the grill style on the 2012 and minor interior stuff?

Lots to digest, and my head hurts from reading threads for the past 3 hours, so thanks for your patience and advice in advance!

 

Sounds like it's time for an '08 DCSB.

 

07-08 and you'll get what you are looking for.

 

For $24,000 you should be able to get a pretty good newer tacoma, if you go with a Certified you'll get a warranty which should help with your not liking the extra technology. From 09 to 11 you get more standard features like backup cam and sirius sat-ready and I-don't-know-what else, but for 12 and 13 the features changed again and some things are gone from the 09-11's.

Maybe look for one with less than 36 months/30,000 miles on it so you have the original warranty still on it and/or one that already has the 4 leaf set of springs on the rear.

I don't know about the off-road bed lengths but I thought you could get long beds?

For the short beds a standard lawn tractor/riding mower will fit, I took my poulan mower home in the back of mine.

You're definitely not going to find a Raptor for $24,000, I don't think I've seen any in my area for less than around $35,000.

I didn't think I wanted to switch to the newer gen either but I've had mine for almost a year now and I wouldn't go back to my old 01 ever, I love this thing.

 

Thanks for the replies so far. On the 07/08 recommendations, don't those not have A-TRAC? I think that would annoy me if that's the case.

I have a good friend who is a Toyota tech at my local dealer, so the warranty/maintenance thing isn't a huge concern. He helps take care of me and the truck in trade for beer In all seriousness though, part of what I love about my 1st gen is the bullet proofness of that motor. I assume the second gen v6 is no worse, and just as solid? Takes the fear out of a higher mileage purchase.

My friend has mentioned something about that extra leaf (4th?). That was on some TRD off-roads, not Sport, right? I know he said that people who complained about the Sport's suspension, the dealers would swap to the off-road's springs and rear Bilsteins

 

I liked my Raptor, but for everyday use, Tacoma is a better truck.
Parking it or taking it down narrow trails was a pain in the ass.

Since I live in Midwest and we don't have wide open off-road areas, it was just over kill for what I needed out of my truck.

 

LOL let's not turn this into a thread where I have to go spend $50k lol. It would be complete overkill for me too, and I line around Philly so not exactly a lot of dunes and desert, or even wide open trails. the taco might arguably be better for the type of trails we have. That truck is just badazz though. Plus I thought it would be hilarious having both my car and truck with a 6.2. I could get to know all the OPEC guys first hand.

Oh well, back to reality with the taco!

 

The 4.0 is a solid engine but annoys some owners with its noises it makes. I went from a 98 to a 13 last year and I love both trucks. My 98 was a ext cab and my 13s a double cab. I really enjoy the extra space and power.

 

What kind of Deere do you have?

 

As far as the leaf spring issue toyota has a TSB for that and will replace a three leaf pack with a 4 leaf pack for you. I would suggest you do that if you buy one with a three leaf pack. Mine came with 4.

 

I'm sure I would like the 4.0 power. My '04 makes a lot of noise but doesn't exactly scoot.

Deere is a 345 (liquid cooled with power steering, baby!)

Good news on the 4 leaf pack. Thanks.

 

Well if it's any help (for or against a DCSB) this is my JD 115 in my DCSB. It fit perfectly but I couldn't close the tailgate. I would guess your 345 is quite a bit bigger....

 

Hmm thanks. Yeah it's bigger than the 115 by 3.5". Is the bed exactly 5ft? I would think my rear tires would be on the rear gate, folded down. Not sure how much of a no-no that is.

 

If it's hard to let go of your 1st gen (I don't blame you for this feeling this way) love the old school look, proven reliability, and less electronics to worry about, why not just purchase a 1st gen DC, save a ton of $, and call it a day? Heck, you will need all that extra $ you save (unless you're stacked) for baby accessories and crap, diapers, formula etc- anyways...been there, done that I've got two small kids in the back of my 1st gen DC with full sized child seats and they are comfy as can be.

In regards to the OR DC short bed limitation, not a perfect solution but maybe get yourself a bed extender or instagate would be my reco if you should need the extra length.

 

I've never measured it, so I can't say for sure. I think for short trips the rear tires would be fine on tailgate... I just used to rachet straps to keep her secure.

 

My 07 OR does not have ATRAC.

 

Found a 2011 at a dealer, CPO, 25k miles. Asking $28,600. What should I target for price on one like that?

 

For comparison, I paid less than that for a 2013 double cab short bed 4x4 sr5 with 3 miles on it. Well 3 before the test drive anyways, plus I got 1.9 % financing.

 

Yeah, seems steep. You can buy a brand new Tacoma for that kind of money.

 

They try to use the extended warranty as a selling point on the pre-owned but there are dealers that sell the factory extended warranty for much less. Personally I don't see how you can buy a late model used Toyota. If its not five to six years old IMHO its easier and usually around the same price to buy new.