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94 vrs 04 which to choose?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by lucky1, Mar 14, 2010.

  1. Mar 14, 2010 at 8:56 PM
    #1
    lucky1

    lucky1 [OP] New Member

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    Westbrook Maine
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    94 vrs 04 which one to chose?
    Hi folks, new member here and I have come to the forum with a question that I hope your collective exsperience/knowledge can help answer.
    Briefly, I lost my first tacoma (91 SR5 ext cab with 165k) after an accident (wierd story for later, but I walked away unhurt). I replaced it with a 2004 SR5 ext cab V6 with all the bells and whistles but not TRD. At first I thought it was a bit foofy with automatic hubs and electric windows but I put it to work hauling stuff to camp and found it to be a very tough truck. The truck is stock with 74k and I'm happy with it. Butt...

    A friend at work has been talking about selling his 1994 SR5 ext cab V6 for years. I asked him for first refusal when the time came to sell it and the time is now. A few details about the truck. It is pretty much stock with 134k. He put in a new clutch, timing belt, and waterpump 15k ago. After a quick look at it last week I found only 2 minor problems. The front seal on the rear differential was leaking and the rear bumper is rusted otherwise the truck runs like a top.

    I parked mine next to his and looked underneath both and was surprised to find that the frame on the 04 had more rust on it than the 94. I have been notified by toyota that my 04 is on the frame rust monitoring list. The winters hear in Maine coast are tough on vehicels as they salt the roads some wicked.

    Here's the conundrum. I want a truck for the long haul. I use it for my short daily commute to work (when I don't ride my motorcycle) and on the weekends I treat it like a truck, haul firewood, tow my boat, haul building materials to camp. I only put about 6k on the truck a year and do all of the routine maintenence myself (oilchanges, brakes ect..). I have no problem spending monie on good quality upgrades.

    I was thinking of selling my 2004 and taking the extra monie and useing it to build a cabin at camp. I cannot justify owning both as I have a young family to support. I owe nothing on the 04 and my friend is asking $2500 for his 94.

    Alot of people think I'm nuts becuase I would downgrading. Whats your opinion? I have to give my friend an answer soon as someone else wants to buy the truck. Which one would you choose?
     
  2. Mar 14, 2010 at 9:00 PM
    #2
    john32

    john32 Well-Known Member

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    Seaside, Ca
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    diff breather
    I would probably keep the 04 if i were you but the 94 sounds like it is in prime condition. Plus the looks of those early 90's tacos are sweet. Very tough choice. The difference could be 8,000 dollars so i understand your thinking. Do whatever feels right to you
     
  3. Mar 14, 2010 at 9:05 PM
    #3
    higherlux

    higherlux Well-Known Member

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    if it were me id sell the 04 and buy the 94 and with the left over money modify it or pay off some bills
     
  4. Mar 14, 2010 at 9:10 PM
    #4
    fireturk41

    fireturk41 I like to break shit!

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    idk what engine the 94 has but i dislike the 3.0 l if theyre both 3.4 l id go with the 94, older but im more reliable without the drive by wire, ive never liked drive by wire and never will
     
  5. Mar 14, 2010 at 9:10 PM
    #5
    desertdude59

    desertdude59 CRAZY 4WHEELER

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    From the Mojave desert now in Wild and Wonderful W
    Vehicle:
    1991 toyota 4x4 sr5-lost but not forgotten
    4" lift after market front bumper bed mount lightbar/roll bar (4)6" kc's on the roll bar (2) kc flat back bumper mounts f/r gears for the 33's
    Never driven a '04 toy, but I have a '91 toy. The blown head gaskets have been my major issue on mine. I just finished my engine. I like my '91. If you get an older truck then you can buy a few more problems. Just par for the coarse. I like the older trucks. I was just reading that some of the 4x4s don't even come with tow hooks. lol. My '91 has a hook and a strap point on it. I'd just look over everything. Plus you might might make a few bucks on your '04 to build your cabin. Take it easy and good luck.
     
  6. Mar 14, 2010 at 9:12 PM
    #6
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    In a corn field, OH
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    he said it has a v6 so thats the 3.0 which is not the best motor. Also the '04 has a cable throttle.

    ;)
     
  7. Mar 14, 2010 at 9:13 PM
    #7
    fireturk41

    fireturk41 I like to break shit!

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    yeah i thought so, ive never liked the 3.0 l engine, itrs a hunka shit imo

    but i thought they switched to throttle by wire in 2003
     
  8. Mar 14, 2010 at 9:15 PM
    #8
    steve o 77

    steve o 77 braaap

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    Oh, maybe they did. I thought since mine is cable the 04 must be.
     
  9. Mar 14, 2010 at 9:17 PM
    #9
    fireturk41

    fireturk41 I like to break shit!

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    SAS, Locked front rear, Ufab sliders and bumpers, air compressor, 35" BFG KM2 on steelies and 36" TSLs
    im 99% 02 was the last year, mines an 02, maybe someone can fill us in
     
  10. Mar 15, 2010 at 1:59 PM
    #10
    lucky1

    lucky1 [OP] New Member

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    My 04 has cable throttle.
     
  11. Apr 8, 2010 at 6:08 AM
    #11
    Drewboto

    Drewboto Well-Known Member

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    Base model ಠ_à²
    (Former Tacoma owner) 17" Mustang wheels, Eclipse AVN 5435, Deck plate mod, vertical Maglite mount, K&N high-flow air filter, Delta gullwing box, amp, sub, 30 percent tint, floor lighting, tilt activated glove box lighting, lighting behind seat, engine bay lighting, SR5 grill surround, power windows, outside temp display
    x2
     

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