Is this considered the best Tacoma? I got it yesterday

Welcome.

As was stated earlier, '04 is technically the best year of the first gen. As for whether or not you got a good deal, I'd say it depends on how bad all of the rust is. Definitely keep an eye out for potential issues with rusted-out parts.

Here is probably the best place to go if you're worried about that rust.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rust-prevention-treatment-consolidation-thread.355928/

 

Anybody see anything wrong with these springs?

 

Great deal, saw today at dealer a first gen 2wd with 260k for 14k. You'll love it they are beasts

 

They look good to me - a bit saggy/flat but nothing wrong with them that I can tell

 

Thanks!

 

Hell to the yeah! Great looking rig OP

 

Any more photos of the frame? Do you know if the frame was swapped by the dealer under the recall? It is interesting to see everything BUT the frame rusted out, but I can't really tell with the photos if the dealer painted over any rust. 10K is a not a bad deal if there isnt a major rust issue

 

Frame was done 2010 by Toyota. Everything but the frame is rusty lol. Nut, bolts, and other hardware have been hit the hardest and they also make every repair last twice as long. Muffler has a hole in it.

I'm selling the camper. Anyone interested? I'm in Los Angeles. $750

 

I think that's debatable.

I'm not a fan of drive by wire.

 

'Best' is a subjective term. There isn't a best, just different.

 

I did word it badly - "best" isn't a very good term. What I meant was, reiterating what others had already said, the 2004 truck is the newest year of the first gens and had had the most time for Toyota to work out any problems, kinks, bugs, issues, complaints, etc. of the previous years of the first gen trucks, so the 2004 is Toyota's "best example" of their first gen truck.

But, agreed, "best" is subjective.

 

I think in terms of "04 = best" for me it's because you have the latest model to get the frame replaced.

But I understand what you're saying.

 

That means you have 7 years old frame - I doubt that the new frame is any different from the old one. Same shit, just 2 years younger. If that truck was in salt for the last 7 years some damage is already done and I would deal with the rust right now, even when you are in SoCal. From what I read the frame rusts from inside, so better take care of the rust over there.

The only picture showing the inside of the frame suggests that there is a red color visible through the hole, but it maybe just a camera playing tricks.



Actually this is the most sensitive area in Tacoma's frame.

 

Nice Truck! Low Miles! Drive it! I use Fluid Film twice a year here in Maine. Keeps the rust at bay. Also, the 1999 TRD Off Road with V6 and 5 speed transmission and rear locker is the best 1st gen. But I might be biased.

 

One thing I've tried to look up and haven't found is transfer case info, is it a locking transfer case? Does it lock both driveshafts at all?

 

Nah, 1998 TRD Off Road with V6 and 5 speed transmission and rear locker is better

I'm not sure what you mean, are you talking about the rear differential? You should have a button for that on your dash just left of the steering wheel that says "RR DIFF LOCK".

 

When you put it into 4wd, your front and rear wheels are each getting 50% of the power (there is no center differential) if that's what you mean...

 

So they are unlocked then. Hmmm well that's a disappointment.

 

Yes - so you essentially have:
1wd when in 2wd
2wd when in 4wd
3wd when in 4wd with the RR diff lock engaged

Does that help answer your question?

 

If both diffs are open and the case isn't locked, it will be 1wd in 4lo/4hi. No? I've heard of getting one tire n the air while in 4wd and alll power going to that wheel and getting stuck. In 4wd. Once you operate the locker things change, but if the transfer case doesn't have the ability to lock both shafts together then there is a good chance it's not going to be 50 percent to front/back.

No?