1999 v4 Vs 2000 V6 trd

Hey I am new to the tacoma world and I have a question regaurding my first tacoma!
Which do i get?
The first option is a rebuilt title (kinda sketchy seller) 2000 auto v6 trd in AZ for 7500.
it is a bit out of my budget and fairly far away but i think i can swing it. Truck reportedly had a fender and hood damage that made it a salvage title? Its bone stock and is in extremely clean condition based on the online photos.
The kicker.... it has only 101K miles

Option two, a 4cl 1999 with a clean title in Boise which is a little closer to me.
SR5 manual with 176k miles. comes with a nice topper, I wouldn't pay more than 6500. I could get this truck this weekend if i wanted.

I do a lot of biking backpacking, skiing and hopefully a lot of camping out of my future truck. Im leaning towards the one in Boise due to the title of the one in AZ, is that a bad intuition? also im looking to build this car a good amount, where I would be spending most of that money in just purchasing the car in AZ. Lastly Ive only ever driven manuals and i was curious as to how the auto v6 performs. Thanks!

 

Its a TRD off road by the way not the sport..... which is what i wanted but im curious if the locking rear diff comes in that handy?

 

Personally I picked 6 over the 4. More powerful and very durable is the v6. 247000 on my 2000. The locking diff does come in handy.

 

the V6 is more powerful and pretty smooth to drive

salvage title would require more than a hood and fender to be damaged, I'd be wary unless you can get a carfax or have a mechanic check it out.

the I4 is still a rock solid truck and if you only have a certain budget may be the better option. otherwise keep scouring the net and find other deals.

 

I would get the v4 just for the sake of rarity.

 

Yeah they don't total for that little bit of cosmetic damage. I would suspect frame might be tweaked. Most 4-bangers still on the road also.GL

 

Dude, you put a tundra engine in your taco! That truck must run like a rocket. That is awesome.

 

Sketchy seller + been in accident = no no haha. I would personally go with the 4cyl, even though it has more miles you can trust the seller more. Plus, you can always add a locker if you want to

 

The up north one I would be leery of because of Frame Rust. The AZ one has been wrecked, so scratch that one. Keep lookin, I would get a clear Titled AZ, NM or Texas (Not the Coast) truck if you find one you like.

http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/4489707026.html

http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/4492097132.html

http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/4481856920.html

http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/4462669832.html

They are all over

 

The frame on the v6 looks straight on the pictures and the title is a rebuilt meaning it passed inspection to be road worthy, any thoughts ?

 

there could be underlying damage to the truck that's not easy to see. Rebuilt usually means there was more damage then the truck is worth (or at least 75% of value) so take that into consideration. It could be electrical, engine, etc.

and also from your first post, the TRD Sport is only available in the 05+ models. the 95-04 only had the TRD OffRoad package available.

Also are you looking for 4wd or 2wd? This will also determine how much you have to spend and what you can get.

 

I'd steer clear of the salvage title truck... it's certain to have SOME issues (maybe minor, maybe major) and it's going to be a PITA to sell later, too.

I'd have a mechanic check out the 4-banger and if it's good, consider going for it. If not, keep looking. Never get into a situation where you're emotionally pressed to buy a car or truck. Shop with a clear head. There are thousands and thousands of tacomas out there -- you don't need to choose between these two.

 

Im looking for a 4x4. thats the only thing im solid on. The rest are more of preferances. Id like a v6 to be able to climb the passes out here and have a good bit of gear on/in it.

The fact that it has only 101k miles and the fact that it appears to be extremely clean is so tempting though haha its not technically a salvage, its a rebuilt title. which just means its road worthy.

How hard/ costly is it to install that locker?

 

Thanks for the links!! the one on the top of that looks like a better deal than the one in AZ, even though its not a TRD.

 

Heres the one in AZ
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...00&searchRadius=500&listingId=372585180&Log=0


and heres the one that is a happy medium between the two thanks to KdF
http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/4489707026.html

 

You can't install the Toyota TRD locker into a non-locked TRD housing, you'd have to replace the entire housing. About 2 grand, if you can even find one.

Better options :
- install an ARB locker ($1000 plus labor)
- install a Detroit locker ($500 plus labor)
- install a Lock-rite locker ($300 plus labor)

Do some research on these options, lots of threads out there.

 

With enough duct tape you can do anything!

Unless you are going hardcore off-roading a locker isn't necessary, imo, 4wd will get you through most of what a mild off-roader would want to do.

 

Picked up the i4 in boise yesterday and love it already. did fine over targhee pass.

 

I am 99.99% sure that you can put an e-locker into a non elocker housing. It takes some work and some time but it can be done.

I had a lock right and hated ever second of it. Off road it was fine, but on road I couldn't stand it.

I bought a fzj80 axle and swsppend it in. Toyota e locker, disc brakes, full float axles, and a huge 9.5" ring gear. All that for less that 600$

Or if the OP wanted a plug and play elocker he should look around at junk yards and find a Tacoma elocker axle