new to forum looking at 97 4wd V6

hey thanks for looking.. sweet website.

i will be looking at a 97 extracab 4x4 3.4 5spd with 145K today for a fair price. the mods are : 2" bodylift with bfg 32's, and flowmaster.

what are some things i should look out for when test driving besides clutch, brakes, and tranny feel. it probably was owned buy someone who did some offroading. but i'm not sure that bothers me. does the 97 3.4 have a good reputation. are there tell tale signs it is on its last legs? also i'm into the stock look so whats involved in taking off the body lift?

thanks.
by the way, ive had 4 toyota trucks in my life and loved everyone. 1st 1985 4x4, 2nd 1985 2wd, 3rd 1988 v6 4x4, 4th and the love of my life that was taken away by a series of bad desisions: 2001 4x4 excab v6 trd. ive been driving a 1990 dodge diesel which has its advantages but it is hurting my wallet. i need to get back to my roots.

 

Welcome to TW!

I don't know much about the 1st Gen Tacomas, but there are a bunch of guys on here that do. Good luck.

Cheers!

 

welcome to TW hope you get your taco. kit

 

I have a 99 w/ a 3.4 v-6. These engines are as good as they get. If you take care of them and know what your doing. I also have a 97 4-runner with the same exact engine with 170,000 miles on it and still running smooth. If you do decide to take off the lift, would you be interested in selling it to me?

 

Check out the maintenance records.

Ask when or if the timing belt and water pump were replaced. If it hasnt been done yet, plan on doing it in the near future....

 

hey thanks,

what is the round about price for timing belt job? and water pump. funny more than a week later and the kid (who is selling) is flaking. he needs serious persuasion to sell. i think he wants to trade it for a harley.
we shall see. what MPG are you 3.4L 4x4s getting? does any one know what changes in motors were made in the 95-2000?

2ndly ive been considering a 4 cylinder in the same year range. are there 2 different 4 bangers? and how about the MPG for each of those? kind of important now that here in CA gas is predicted to be $4.50 by july.

 

I get 20 mpg with the 3.4L motor. It is one of the best motors Toyota has ever built. After driving a 3.4L motor, you will think the 2.7L is cra!. Stay with the 3.4

As for cost of the timing belt replacement, I dont know, I do everything myself. I dont trust any dealership with my pride and joy. If you read a lot from these message boards, you will know why.

I dont know what changes were made from 95-2K.

As for the high price of gas, do what I do, I use a motorcycle as my primary vechicle. My truck just gets used from time to time. I only fill up once every 2 weeks to once a month.

Hope this helps.

 

BTW if the owner of the vechicle is a flake, dont buy it! What else has "flaked on? There are too many nice Tacomas for sale right now cheap, due to the high price of gas.

On the net I saw a pristine stock 01 Tacoma 4x4 TRD on sale in Missouri for 15K. The thing is loaded!

Keep on searching...

 

i don't have mucjh advice persay but just picked up a 97' Reg cab 3.4 w/ 160k on it and absolutly love it (new to the board as well)!

I researched your same questions and kept coming up with "waterpump and timing belt" as the things to look for. It apears the life cycle of the belt varies, seems to last longer for some than others... all a mater of how the trucks driven and maintained. I was told that if the waterpump goes do the timing belt at the same time due to there locations and relationships to one-another.

My truck has already had the belt done, there was a sticker in the engine compartment saying the date and milage it was done. And the power, still can't get over how quick this thing can be. Previously I'd been driving a modified turbo with a ton of torque and boost. i assumed I would go through withdraw but it's not so bad. I hear you about the gas aspect, someone on this board had mentoined in a post that his feelings were the slight MPG reduction was worth it for the additional power. have tested both a 4 and a 6 I totally agree but once again thats a decision only you can make... $4.50, yikes.

 

thanks that is solid advice.

thats really what it comes down to. how it was driven and maintained. i love how everyone says 3000 mi oil changes in their ad! yeah sure. so sometimes a truck with more miles is actually better. sometimes.

i'm still looking. here is what i want 98 or newer v6 4x4 extra cab 5spd that looks stock, not beat, has @100k or less and is a fair price! like 8500.

yeah i know. almost impossible. but maybe yall can keep an eye out for me. i live in CA but for a sweet taco i will fly in anywhere at the drop of a hat with cash in hand!