Hi tacoma owners!

Hi, I recently purchased a 1996 tacoma lx v6 5spd xtra cab with 91K miles.
I really like the size, the interior layout, and utility of this compact. I just
hope it keeps running without problems. I'm not sure if this was a good deal
or not but I traded in my 2004 silverado 4x4 v8 5spd reg cab with 30K miles.
I got the tacoma for $4K. Can anyone knowledgeable about auto trades and
buys comment on the merits of that trade? (I guess I'm opening myself up
for smack).

The silverado I traded in did have some body scars but it ran great overall --
can't complain about function. I drove it from nyc to oregon in the middle of
winter (january) and it saved my ass a number of times but it certainly was
a dicey ride especially on idaho ice and utah snow.

Random questions for any tacoma owner who would care to answer:

1. How durable are the 1st gen taco's? Mine is a '96 4x4 lx 5spd.

2. How can I tell if the timing belt, water pump, and other major
milestone items have been changed or updated? (Assuming I can't rely
on contacting the previous owner).

3. Is the driver side door not suppose to be lock-able from the outside
with the car key? This happens on my '96 but the door does not show
any external damage so I was wondering if this is some strange
taco quirk.

4. How are the driver and passenger side mirrors suppose to be adjusted?
I can't seem to adjust the mirrors by hand and there aren't buttons inside
to adjust the mirrors. Just baffling ...

5. Any simple mod suggestions for performance, noise, or functionality?
It comes with a clean camper shell and toya bed liner.


Thanks to all the enthusiastic tacoma members! Hope my tacoma holds up
so that I can contribute this forum ...

 

Welcome!!

 

The lock may be seized up. A little liquid wrench may help that problem.

As for if you got a fair deal. If you are happy with it, then you did. But if you want to check. Go to Edmunds.com or carsdirect.com

 

WELCOME to TEE-WORLD

 

Welcome to TW!

Change the oil and do the needed stuff, that engine is good for at least 200K.
If you're worried about the belt, you may have to do what I did and bite the bullet, replace it. May as well do the water pump and other belts at the same time, piece of mind.
I'd pull the inside door skin and see if something came loose. If not then go with genxer and lube everything.
Adjusting mirrors...no clue. They may be manual but haven't been moved in years. Again maybe some penetrating oil squirted behind the glass might free them up.
Mods...just browse around here, plenty to choose from!

 

Welcome!!!

I had a 96 for about 5 years (60K -110k) and it's still going strong from what I've seen (I see it from time to time).

1) I personally think the older tacomas are a lot more durable than these new ones. But that's me....

2) Rule of thumb - go ahead and do the maintenance anyway. It'll be peace of mind that you got it done. Timing belts should be changed at 60K miles on that year truck. Water pump (rule of thumb) is to do it at the same time. I had the timing belt changed as part of the purchase agreement. My water pump was changed at 85k miles (it developed a small leak).

3) Does the lock turn at all? If yes, do you feel any resistance? Do you have power door locks? If yes - does it lock using the buttons on the inside of the door?

4) Shit, I can't remember how the mirrors adjusted. That's how often I did it.



Do some searching for *Deck Plate mod*.
You might want to remove the toyota bedliner and look at the condition of the paint on your bed. Over the years, the paint will scratch off. I think the best thing is to get it spray-lined. You can either put some Herculiner (do-it-yourself version) underneath the bedliner or just use the Herculiner (or other spray-in liner) by itself. You can also get 'pads' for underneath the bedliner that'll help protect the paint.

I have a bunch of write-ups on the 96 tacoma if you ever need them.
You can look here under 'Tacoma Links'
http://www.lieblweb.com/TechLinks/TechLinks.html

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Hi, thank you for all your replies. Wow, there are a lot of enthusiastic taco
members. This is great.