1st Gen Tacoma Buying

Hey yall! I am looking into this truck on CL right now...

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/ssd/cto/5983524655.html

What do yall think? sounds like a good deal to me...

The only question I have is what is the TRD Sport? It is apparent that the truck is not a 4x4 because it only has one stick in the cabin to shift with and also the ad says it is a 2wd. Could I still go offroad, drive in snow, drive on sand etc with the TRD sport?

Thanks guys

 

I have never been able to navigate snow easily with a 2WD pick up. I'm not saying you can't though.

 

They added the decals, i don't believe a trd sport was an option in 2001

 

Correct, trd sport didn't exist for 1st gens. It's a fake decal. Also, if you wish to take it off road I suggest you get a trd off-road with a rear diff e locker. Doesn't seem to have the button for it when I zoomed in on the pic. OR just look for a 4x4 and save yourself the headache. I drive a locked 2wd and it's gotten me plenty of places. Anyway, If it's lifted, make sure it's not in spacers or blocks. Its not ideal to off-road with them on.
Hope this helps!

 

I believe it is just a prerunner with some added bedside decals, you can still take it off road it might just not be what you are looking for if you are looking to play in the snow, sand and off road.

 

Thanks! it does

 

That's not a 2001, is it? Look at the headlights/steering wheel. For me all caps in the description is a definite red flag too lol.

I'm no expert but that's one I would just scroll past.

 

Yeah I didn't catch that, it's probably a 2000 or earlier. I'd skip on it too. There's better trucks out there

 

Good eye! I missed that and I have an '01 lol

 

Hey thanks so much guys you all are on it! I think i am going to not pull the trigger on the truck then. I just found this one a 96 tacoma 4x4 167,000 miles. How does this one look to you guys? The only thing that worries me is that it looks like an aftermarket paint job...

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/5983995290.html

 

Not bad looking truck. It will need timing belt service in 30k and I would inspect the rust situation even of it's in Cali

 

Ok, but overall if it has no rust that looks like a good deal to ya?

 

Look to be be a pretty good deal to me but at a glance

 

Depends. The 3.4s are very reliable engines but their one downfall is if they overheat, they are more or less screwed. Start the truck cold, if it struggles/knocks/shakes at all I'd walk away. Also the owner isn't listing what has been done to the suspension, which could indicate it's cheap.

 

Ok thanks for the advice, as far as suspension you are thinking that the lift on it could be a cruddy one and not be conducive to off roading with the 4x4..How could i check the suspension to see if its legit or not?

 

If you have a family or wanna have the added safety, you should buy 98 and up for the passenger side airbag. The leaf springs are shorter before 98 too so that might contribute a rougher ride compared to later models. Also that dent by the wheel well might be from a broken ball joint. That's the damage it usually makes + the door but it looks like it might be a new door or door skin. If it is an aftermarket paint job then that's probably when they painted it

 

Hmm ok, is a broken ball joint something that could have bad after affects or is it something that once repaired is all good?

 

How can i test for an overheating engine? I don't know much about cars besides some basics...Is starting it cold just mean starting up the engine and looking for anything wrong or out of the ordinary before it gets time to heat up to its full operating temperature?

 

No harm in learning the basics for yourself, but on a vehicle purchase I'd definitely take someone along who knew their shit, if I wasn't 100% positive I'd be able to identify problems and warning signs. Double edged sword that Yotas are so good at trucking mile after mile even with little to no maintenance.

 

Look for plumes of smoke at start up, rough idle, check coolant for any signs of oil or what looks like globs of fat floating in it