Maybe looking at going from 2nd to 1st gen

i absolutely love my second gen single cab 4x4, but i was also single when i bought it 6 years ago. things change as time goes on and i could really use some extra room now that i am married, have 3 dogs, and kids in the future. i'm trying very hard not to have a vehicle payment as i have really enjoyed not having one for 3 years. they extra cash every month is nice!

so, i've been looking at what i can afford in my price range that will accommodate me with a truck bed, and seating for people. i've been looking at older silverados, and sierras, but i recently found a few 1st gen double cab tacos with mileage higher than the GM trucks, but lower than what i have on my single cab now.

what kinds of things should i look for at first gen double cab? how is the auto transmissions? i already know to see if there is any maintenance records of the timing belt and to look for frame issues, especially living here in the north east rust belt. If the frame has not been replaced on the tacos that i look at, i dont even think i will consider them. i had the frame replaced on my second gen, and saw what that was turning into. i definitely DO NOT want that issue again. anyways, anyone else in this part of the forum made the jump from a second gen to a first gen? i'm thinking it would be an upgrade going from a 2.7 single 4x4 to the 3.4 double cab, even if it is an auto.

thanks for your input!

 

My mom has a 2x4 double cab I think she has over 300k on hers so far. She delivers mail in it

 

Any reason a double cab 2nd gen, or maybe a double cab 1st gen tundra (same size as 2nd gen tacoma) aren't in the running?

 

only double cab second gens in my price range have 170K or more miles on them. I would consider a tundra too, but same thing with the tacoma. i would have a very very close eye on the frame during an inspection of the vehicle. my budget is 15 grand. i dont want to spend anymore than that. there were a few second gens for sale around me, but they were approach 170K+ miles at that price.

 

not saying i wouldnt inspect the crap out of a GM frame either. At least Toyota replaced their frames lol

 

Take your time. You will find the right truck. If you are planning on kids the second gen double cab would be the way to go. A bit more room than the 1st gen. I got my 2nd gen dbcbsb for 16k with 8200 miles on her. I haul my son and friends to soccer games on a regular basis and no issues with room in the back. PS the boys are 16.

 

16K! oh wait, prerunner that's why. 4x4 go for a premium around here, definitely needed too. i'm not going to seriously start looking until next year so i have some time to do my research, save some more money, and find the right truck for me. trust me, i'm not going to jump into this blindly.

 

I'm in a way in the same boat as you. I rather have more money each month then dump it i to a expensive truck. I'm on the look out for a 1st gen double cab 4x4 also. I had a 4runner that has the same automatic as 1st gen Tacomas and it had over 220k miles when I stupidly sold it, transmission was perfect and butter smooth.

 

thats a great way to put it. my truck is my way to get places, and go to lowes to get stuff to work on my house lol. i'd rather have the extra cash to do things i want to do, not put it towards a brand new truck that just takes me here and there

 

Exactly. I miss my old Toyotas more then I like my 2015 honestly. And they also didn't cost me MORE then my rent each month. Your profile says 05, are you making a switch from a 05 or a new one?

 

i would be switching from the 05, so i'm only going down a year or 2 in theory lol

 

Hey if your saving money, your saving money lol.

 

I did what you did and have no regrets, only mine was an access cab 2nd gen 4 cylinder. I needed it for the same reason because when I got married I went from having two dogs to 4 to haul around so the ext. cab wasn't going to cut it! I love my double cab more every time I drive it, they are astounding little trucks and are quite roomy inside imo. I am 6' tall and never get cramped or feel compressed in the cab, the seats are hard on my low back though on long drives.

 

Doesn't matter if the frame has been replaced or not, what matters is what shape the frame is in!

I think that a 1st gen double cab would be a great option both from a financial and a family standpoint. Also, you could have some outdoor fun in it and good hauling/towing/off-roading capabilities!

 

thats good to know, i'm 6 feet as well and i havent found one for sale nearby yet just so i can go check it out. you can only do so much research and watch youtube vids to get an idea of what the truck is like lol.

i guess that is true. i just figured if it hadnt been replaced by now being in the salt belt that it would be trashed by now. all depends how it was taken care of.

on the second gens the frames had bad spots right under the driver's door and passenger door from water getting trapped in the frame. is it a similar spot that i should look for on the first gens or is their trouble spot elsewhere?

 

I have read somewhere that on 1st gens next to the leafspring mount is a bad spot for rust to start.

 

another question for you, how does the 3.4 compare to the 2.7 in the second gen? i'm assuming it can hold its own a little better lol

 

I was in a similar situation to yours, I was looking at 1st gen and 2nd gen trucks with high mileage on them, I missed some great deals on 2nd gens with 100000 miles for around $18k next thing you know he best deals I could find were 2nd gens with 90000 for $23000-26000 and the wife didn't want me buying a 1st gen for $16000 with 140000 miles, so... She makes the payment on our 2015 LoL. Be patient and consider looking out of state if I had my way I would be driving a 1st gen because the cost of my 2015 gave me a panic attack lol. But I gotta admit it's a sweet truck.

 

It makes about 40hp more I believe and it is noticeable. Combined with the fact that the first gen is lighter it feels pretty peppy. Holds itself up to speed well on the highway even on windy days I have no problem doing 80 down the road. Only thing that suffers is my gas mileage haha.

 

I had an 06 Tacoma sport Access cab 4x4 w/ the 4.0 6 speed with 33's and a 3" lift. I didn't have to look for another truck. I got divorced and the truck magically went away and now I have an 04 DCSB 3.4V6 4x4 with a 3" lift and it was a blessing in disguise in more ways than one!