1 gen tacoma vs 2nd gen..

Who has owned a 1 gen and a 2 gen?
Which do you like better and why?

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/46808-1st-vs-2nd-generation.html

 

I literally just searched that and couldnt find it

 

thanks though

 

I've had both and really have to say they both have their benefits. Overall I'm partial to my first generation though cause it was my first vehicle ever and I think that sticks with you. One thing I liked about my '99 was that it was a little narrower so it felt a little more warm and fuzzy so to speak. My '10 is wider so to me it feels a little more ride open and cold. Can't really comment on power cause I went from a V6 to the I4. I like the gas mileage much better though.lol

 

I have had both...

2001 extra cab 4WD Off Road
2005 double cab 4WD Off Road
2010 double cab 4WD Off Road

The 2001 was awesome, never a breakdown. Only replaced the water pump at 90,000 miles during the routine timing belt change when they noticed it dripped.
Put 136,000 miles on it in 5 years. Got me to love Tacomas.

The 2005 had some issues... I liked the bigger size plus I stepped up to a 4 door as my kids out grew the hopper seats in the xtra cab. It was powerful and comfortable to drive. 4WD was great... but:

1) The Harsh Ride/ Soft Suspension issue the dealer wouldn't help me with (didn't know about TSBs) that I fixed with air bags and 5100s in the rear after 2 years.
2) ABS Brake issues... thought I was going to wreck on wet roads as the truck wouldn't come to a stop until past where it should have, as well as off road. There was also a brake squeel intermittent from 8,000 miles to the first set of new pads.
3) Wire Harness failure that caused the airbag light to come on... about $300 to replace (and this should have been a warantee issue because so many others had this happen even though I was over 36,000 miles).

Even with those things, the Tacoma was still an outstanding truck in all other areas so at 102,000 miles in 4.5 years I traded it for the 2010.

2010 has been fantastic... almost 1 year old/ 18,600 miles. The only warantee problem was a tiny drip of tranny fluid on my garage floor... That was fixed (came from the plug on the speedometer cable port for right hand steering models.

The problems I had with the '05 have not occured with the '10. The rear suspension was fixed... better springs that have not ever let my truck bottom-out. No brake issues: no noise, no problem stopping on wet or dirt roads.

What stands out is this fantastic traction control system of TRAC and A-TRAC... I always wanted to have true four wheel drive (lockers on front and rear) and A-TRAC delivers that... My truck is like a tank off road... the only thing stopping it is me!

 

At one point I had all three at the same time, an '84 4x4 extra cab pickup, a '97 single cab 2.7L 4x4, and a '09 4D prerunner. It does seem that gen 1 was built a little tougher. I put over 215,000 on my '97 and and only put a starter on it. It was my first truck and it was a sad day when i sold it. I still see it on the road from time to time. As for my '09 gen 2 prerunner is runs very well and has a nice ride. its my first 4door truck and I love it. But to beat them both is my '84 pickup. I love this thing. tough engine(22r) with the straight axel. Its my beater truck. I really cant pick just one so i'll have to say any toyota truck! lol

 

I had both.

I had a 06 now I have an 2000

Both have their pros and cons

Things i liked on my second gen
Interior was nicer
Bigger on the inside
less road noise
imo better looking
the seats
Oil filter is easy to get to

THings i like about my 1st gen
Parts are cheap
Easy to work on
Boxed in frame
Manual T-case
4.10 gears
all of the speakers are 6.5s
I can disable safety features easier
Seem to be built a little better

 

I have both in my driveway, and I have to say I'm partial to my 1st gen.My 07 is a great truck, and has never had an issue, but the 99 is built more like an old yota, just improved where it needed to be, and tough as nails. 2nd gen seems a little soft.

 

Adding fuel to the fire:

1st Gen. frames are built by Dana.

2nd Gen. frames (along with all current body-on-frame Toyotas) are built by Hino - real trucks.

 

my 95 Tacoma is the shit, that moment you turn the corner too hard and you hit something and you jump out of your car thinking shits broken, and everything is still nice and neat, it's build for abuse but I baby the hell out of it lol i love it! I'd say 1 gen, but only beacuse that's what i've always owned, most of my family only has a 1gen, some 2gen, they both have there ups and downs!!! Tacomas in general are the best trucks out there, dosen't get much better then a toyota!!!!!