Million dollar question (for me ;) How many miles ya got???

None that I can think of right now
Edit: just remembered I did have to replace the u joint closest to the rear diff

 

I have an '01 DC TRD SR5 Taco with 236k miles and I love mine. I'll probably keep mine for as long as I can, but who know. The only issue I've had is that the rear of the first gen Tacomas are semi-float and are a pain in the butt to pull apart if you're replacing stuff like the bearings. Other then that truck runs like a dream. If run into problems with the truck then you really should be able to do most of the work yourself. You can literally take apart most of a Tacoma with a 8,10,12,14, 17, and 19mm wrenches But with the reliability of these trucks you should be fine. The only think I would check on the regularly is the LBJ. They're prone to fail if they're not maintained. As for "downgrading" to a first gen, totally up to you, but the second gen, in my experience are more comfortable and feel much larger to drive then the first gen. First gen feels smaller, which I like.

Anyways, totally up to you on what you do. Either generation will be fine and will pretty much get the job done better then most other vehicles out there.

 

I have a 2000 with 188k on it. This is my 3rd 1st Gen and I'd swear by them. There was a point where I didn't have a 1st gen about 3 years to long (kids). I bought an 05 tundra and liked the power and room but never compared to the tacomas off-road. I then bought a cheap Cherokee to pay off some bills, I now got back into a 1st Gen and I won't sell. For what I do (hunting mostly) it's perfect, I have 2 kids and they fit with forward facing car seats but not very comfortably so we don't go very far. I personally love them and won't ever get rid of the one I have, hope this helps.

 

Like I mentioned i have 2 silver 04 TRD 4x4's. My first one i bought 3 years ago for $500 with 146k miles and a seized 3.4 due to a oil leak that the PO neglected (loose oil filter). I found a 69k mile motor from a AZ salvage yard. I replaced all the maintenance items, installed it and never a issue. Shortly after i upgraded the suspension with a 3" lift, new wheels/tires, tundra brakes, changed all the driveline fluids and i tell you i LOVE this truck. I don't even bring it out of the garage in the winter unless the roads are dry! A little over a week ago i bought the 04 with 475k miles with a couple rust holes in the frame for $600. Truck still runs & drives so good that i have to do the frame rust repairs. Almost half-a-million miles and everything still works, no rattles or funny noises. It cruises down the highway at 70 mph like a new truck, that tells you something about the quality of these trucks!
Pics of my 1st one.

 

Pics of the one i just bought with 475k miles.

 

01 with 462k. I prefer the smaller 1st gen for offroading, it's smaller so it can fit through tighter spots. All we ever had to do was a tranny swap 500 miles ago. Oh and prepare to do a lot of timing belts.

 

Good thing about the 3.4 is its not a interference motor. So if the TB does break no internal damage. Just replace the belt and your back on the road.

 

So the 6cyl would be a better way to go then? I read through post that the only mileage difference is really on highway.

 

I believe it's only 1mpg different. But the 3.4 has more power, so IMO it's the way to go

 

Just rolled over 135k in mine. Only thing that's "better" about the second gen is that they're bigger. I prefer the 01-04 first gens over second gens.

 

This would be my main vehicle and i drive an hr to work (on the island) otherwise i would just fix it with whatever downtime. However i def need a working truck. Uber would get pretty pricey lol. Thats why im wondering about the reliability.

 

I feel the same. The compactness of the first gen is the biggest reason I want one instead of 2nd gen. Really bothers me that the new midsize is the old full size (Tundra), and the new full size is a monstrosity. I'm for bigger the better sometimes, but at least keep a true midsize truck around.

 

What do you mean make sure the frame had been recoated by toyota to extend the frame warranty??

 

Here in the rust belt frames are known to rust. If Toyota inspected & c coated the frame the warranty is extended. So if the frame does rust then it may be eligible for a frame replacement at no cost to the truck owner. Google it.

 

Philosophical gold.

 

I love them both. Pretty much what I'm looking for to be honest. I'm looking at a 03 with 71k on it for 14,000 right now. Just gotta get the wifey to play ball with me. What do you think of that price? I'm trying to figure out (in terms of good, better, best truck quality) where 4cyl and 6cyl should be priced; although I believe I def want the 3.4

 

It would be a fair price for the mileage and if it's a fully loaded TRD I would defiantly consider it

 

Agreed, better yet I wish they still offered 'compact' trucks...the first gen was considered one, right?

I get that these days, full-size trucks get good gas mileage but most of us don't need a behemoth of a truck even if it does get great mpg. One of the best things about the first gens is their size.

 

Yup. First gen I believe was a compact midsize truck. Im with you 100% man. The size, stance, reliability, and capability make it just about perfect for alot of us. I usually stick with what i got until it doesnt run anymore but i just love those trucks. Generally trading jn something new fir old dont maje sense but damn...

 

Well if it makes you feel better about it, I traded in my 2013 Scion tC for my 2004 Tacoma. Granted the tC had 65,000 miles and the Tacoma I found only had 25,000. But before I found it, I was intent on getting anything around 100k miles.

The tC was also paid off, the Tacoma I had to finance a portion of it. From an outsider's financial point of view, sure, it probably doesn't make sense. But I wanted that truck, I could afford it and it makes me happy....logic be damned, lol

Plus, I really wanted to get back into off-roading and having more fun on weekends off of work, and that was something the tC couldn't do for me.