old new taco owner

Hey all - I'm new to Toyota trucks, but a gearhead for 30+ years. I've owned a bit of everything over the years and the Tacoma makes vehicle number 32. A coworker of mine decided to sell his 01 double cab prerunner at a very reasonable price, so I just couldn't pass it up. I've always liked Toyota pickups and feel they are almost as iconic as Jeeps. Of the 31 other vehicles I've owned, only one was a real truck - an unmolested, but very rusty 76 CJ5 in Renegade orange. My wife's AWD CRV doesn't qualify...

Like most of the used cars I've owned, I researched quite a bit, as I prefer to keep them mostly stock appearing on the surface. Three things have me a bit puzzled. The first are the mudflaps. This truck only has the rear OEM flaps and it doesn't appear to have ever had front ones. Is this the way the prerunner came, or were they removed at some point? I've scoured the web and have found a decent amount with out the front flaps, and a decent amount with them. You can still pseudo-build a new 2001 Tacoma on AutobyTel and they state rear flaps only when I equip it as mine. I know this seems like a moot point, but I am going for a factory correct look and want to know if I need to install the front flaps. The next question is regarding the electronic rear diff. I might be a bit confused, but I believe I've read here that this came only on prerunners with the TRD package. This truck is painted imperial jade and the TRD package was not available on it according to the original sale brochure. It does list the diff as a stand alone option though. Judging by what I've read, the only real addition to a prerunner with the TRD package would be the Bilisteins, correct? I believe the prerunner already has the offroad suspension and brakes. I haven't looked underneath yet, but I guess the Bilsteins should be blue and the Tokicos should be what color? Lastly, this truck has an ARE cap and the factory literature lists a Snugfit shell available in late 01. The cap is painted the correct jade color, so I was wondering if this was what was used on Tacomas prior to the Sungfit. I know caps are available in the aftermarket and they can be painted to match, but I was wondering if this was the default Toyota cap prior to Sungfit. Basically, I'm wondering if it left the dealer with this cap or was it installed after it was delivered. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance and I look forward to the forum's expertise.

 

Can't answer your questions, but welcome to TW.

 

Welcome to TW!

Prerunners came with front mud flaps.

Does your Tacoma have TRD stickers on the bedside? TRD package for first gens included Bilstein suspension and the E-Locker. The button should be to the left of the steering wheel.

The Toyota Bilsteins are yellow and blue. I believe the Tokicos are black but I could be wrong.

Also I believe most Tacomas weren't sold with a camper shell, so it was most likely added afterwards.

HUGE REMINDER: Since you haven't looked at the undercarriage of this truck, I would highly suggest looking underneath ASAP. Tacomas are known to have serious and dangerous frame rust if not properly taken care of. There was a recall issued for it for trucks 15 years after the build date, but since yours is 2001, there's a 99% chance Toyota will not replace it.

 

Got ya on the flaps - now how about this - will the fronts say 4X4 if its a 4X2 or are they blank? All the OEM fronts I see for the prerunner have 4X4 on them and this couldn't be right for a 4X2, could it? There are no TRD stickers on the fenders, but I do have the button and it does work. This is a loaded SR5 with the 3.4L, if that helps any. The undercarriage is super clean and one of the reasons I chose to buy it. I picked it up last Sat and parked it in my garage. I just haven't had time to slide under and really poke around.

 

Yessir the prerunners flaps are blank. The previous owner could've removed the stickers. No biggie.

 

I almost forgot, this truck has the factory correct full length running board/steps. Would they have installed the front flaps with running boards? Sorry for being anal, but the previous owner states that it never had front flaps...just shooting for accuracy.. thanks again!

 

Welcome to the club!Tristian above^on point!

 

Welcome...