1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Thinking of buying '97

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by newguy25, Oct 14, 2017.

  1. Oct 14, 2017 at 1:51 PM
    #1
    newguy25

    newguy25 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2017
    Member:
    #232968
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    hey guys,

    Been tossing around the idea a getting a '97 Tacoma. Its got 131,000 miles, 2.7L engine, 4WD, 5 speed, tires look good, body seems solid. I'm here asking...should I be worried about the miles and that the truck is now 20yrs old...My current car's suspension has always bothered me, looking for something that will last down to the bones.

    thanks all
     
  2. Oct 14, 2017 at 1:58 PM
    #2
    Unchained 5150

    Unchained 5150 Rick

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2014
    Member:
    #139054
    Messages:
    65,355
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rick
    Auburn Ma
    Vehicle:
    2021 TRD Poser Pro Manual.
    Get under it and look at that frame with a fine tooth comb as that is one of the biggest issues with them
     
  3. Oct 14, 2017 at 2:06 PM
    #3
    wbrigance

    wbrigance Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2013
    Member:
    #117371
    Messages:
    22
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Will
    Jackson, TN
    Vehicle:
    1998 Tacoma 4x4, Reg cab, Manual, 2.7L
    I can only speak for my ‘98. It has 215k+, and runs like a top. No fluid leaks. Shifts smoothly. 4WD works.

    Only issues i’ve had: replaced radiator(plastic cracked), replaced thermostat, replaced outside and inside door handle from normal daily use. Leaf springs need replacing.

    Check for rusty frame, as there was a recall.

    If my wife weren’t expecting, i’d keep it ‘til i die. Best truck ever.
    Good luck.
     
    2002Tacoma4x4 likes this.
  4. Oct 14, 2017 at 2:14 PM
    #4
    rnish

    rnish Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2014
    Member:
    #129450
    Messages:
    8,610
    Gender:
    Male
    Peoples Republic of Maryland (USA)
    Vehicle:
    Tacoma 2nd gen
    King's, Camburg UCA, Dirt King LCA, armor
    Miles doesn't seem too high, @ 20 years I would be worrying about the rubber parts (window seals, hoses). Dos it have a timing belt or chain?
     
  5. Oct 14, 2017 at 2:57 PM
    #5
    FromTejasWithLove

    FromTejasWithLove Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2016
    Member:
    #200406
    Messages:
    108
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Cale
    Hurricane, Utah
    Vehicle:
    '99 Taco SR5 4x4 V6; manual everything
    Turtle Top Shell, Rear Single Motorcycle Carrier, Refrigerator
    It's a belt.

    I've got a '99 4wd 5spd, tho it's V6, the frame is solid and body is great.

    Mileage just rolled 387 K.

    Sounds like you've found a genuinely viable candidate.
     
    2002Tacoma4x4 likes this.
  6. Oct 14, 2017 at 3:13 PM
    #6
    ghs57

    ghs57 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2010
    Member:
    #40832
    Messages:
    1,103
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chops
    Catskill Mts. NY
    Vehicle:
    '17 Grey TRD OR xtracab 3.5L 4WD
    Pretty much stock right now

    I had a '97 TRD 2.7l auto extracab. It was my first Tacoma. And I lost it due to frame rust.

    Where has the truck resided for those 20 years? Cold climates take their toll on these trucks due to road salts and a bad steel formula used in the frames. You've got to be diligent in checking before you buy.
     
  7. Oct 14, 2017 at 3:16 PM
    #7
    Dalandser

    Dalandser ¡Me Gustan Las Tacos-mas!

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2015
    Member:
    #149090
    Messages:
    17,644
    First Name:
    Anthony
    Downey
    Vehicle:
    08 PreRunner Regular Cab / 98 4x4 Extra Cab
    Empty Wallet Mod
    Put your location in the "Personal Details" fields under "You" at the top of the page - miles are good. I found this today while looking on Offer Up - said he'd accept offers over $6500 177k miles, clean CA truck:

    [​IMG]
     
    2002Tacoma4x4 likes this.
  8. Oct 14, 2017 at 3:34 PM
    #8
    vern650

    vern650 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2013
    Member:
    #111738
    Messages:
    837
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    brandon
    hyrum, ut
    Vehicle:
    '97 4x4 taco xtra cab 3rz/5spd
    HBS leveling kit, 31x10.50 mudders, header/imco exhaust, rear billies, LR ucas, home brewed onboard air, cb radio
    2.7l is timing chain not belt.

    Like said check out the frame real good for rust. The 2.7 is pretty much bullet proof. As for the miles, I'd be more concerned about what is dried/seized up from lack of use with that low of miles. My 97 2.7l has 310k and still chugging along.
     
    2002Tacoma4x4 likes this.
  9. Oct 14, 2017 at 3:57 PM
    #9
    newguy25

    newguy25 [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2017
    Member:
    #232968
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    I'm in St. Paul, MN. Lots of salt on these roads come winter. I haven't checked this one out in person yet, was going to today but we've had rain all day so I went with this route instead.

    Thanks for the input guys!
     
  10. Oct 14, 2017 at 4:27 PM
    #10
    BartMaster1234

    BartMaster1234 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2016
    Member:
    #195197
    Messages:
    45,889
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tyler
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    1998 PreRunner 4x4 2.7l Supercharged
    Flux Capacitor
    You really really really need to pay attention to the frame if you come from a state where the roads are salted. These frames will break in half with rust. If you see any kind of trace of rust run away as fast as you can.
     
    2002Tacoma4x4 likes this.
  11. Oct 14, 2017 at 4:39 PM
    #11
    PROseur

    PROseur Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2015
    Member:
    #171837
    Messages:
    10,576
    First Name:
    Pussy
    Vehicle:
    2012 FJC TTSE/ 2001 Taliban Poverty DCSB/ 2017 6MT PRO / 2018 2.7L SR Utility
    2.7L is bullet proof

    I am at 210k miles

    Sees 85mph daily
    No leaks
    Frozen cold ac
    No oil burns

    Slower than a 500lb man at a salad bar though
     
    BassAckwards and 2002Tacoma4x4 like this.
  12. Oct 14, 2017 at 4:47 PM
    #12
    BartMaster1234

    BartMaster1234 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2016
    Member:
    #195197
    Messages:
    45,889
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tyler
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    1998 PreRunner 4x4 2.7l Supercharged
    Flux Capacitor
    I love my truck but damn the 2.7l is slow. To get up to freeway speeds I'm literally pedal to the metal to get it up to 80. Eats up a lot more gas as a result since I always have ECT on and I'm almost redlining it all the time. Get the v6.
     
  13. Oct 14, 2017 at 4:51 PM
    #13
    PROseur

    PROseur Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2015
    Member:
    #171837
    Messages:
    10,576
    First Name:
    Pussy
    Vehicle:
    2012 FJC TTSE/ 2001 Taliban Poverty DCSB/ 2017 6MT PRO / 2018 2.7L SR Utility
    Agreed

    I ALWAYS advice any one looking at a gen 1 to get v6.

    If I didn’t do to 85mph and didn’t have to do pedal to metal on on ramps, I could get 25mpg

    I get 19-21 mpg
     
    2002Tacoma4x4 likes this.
  14. Oct 14, 2017 at 4:58 PM
    #14
    BartMaster1234

    BartMaster1234 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2016
    Member:
    #195197
    Messages:
    45,889
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tyler
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    1998 PreRunner 4x4 2.7l Supercharged
    Flux Capacitor
    I think I get about the same. Thinking of doing the v6 swap soon.
     
    PROseur[QUOTED] likes this.
  15. Oct 14, 2017 at 5:10 PM
    #15
    PROseur

    PROseur Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2015
    Member:
    #171837
    Messages:
    10,576
    First Name:
    Pussy
    Vehicle:
    2012 FJC TTSE/ 2001 Taliban Poverty DCSB/ 2017 6MT PRO / 2018 2.7L SR Utility
    My ideal would be

    V6
    4x4
    6MT

    Been quoted $3500
     
  16. Oct 14, 2017 at 5:21 PM
    #16
    BartMaster1234

    BartMaster1234 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2016
    Member:
    #195197
    Messages:
    45,889
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tyler
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    1998 PreRunner 4x4 2.7l Supercharged
    Flux Capacitor
    Quoted 3,500 for the swap including labor and parts? That's not bad
     
  17. Oct 14, 2017 at 7:17 PM
    #17
    1997tacomav6

    1997tacomav6 V6 5sp,RegCab,TVS1320 Supercharger,Haltech, 800k

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2013
    Member:
    #113940
    Messages:
    10,395
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Denver
    Vehicle:
    97 reg cab, v6 5sp 300hp supercharged, Methonal Injection, 800,001 plus miles, Original Owner
    V6 5sp,RegCab,TVS1320 Supercharger, 56mm pulley, methanol injected Haltech ECU, AC Tvs1320 supercharger,(MUST DO) every 125,000- 150,000 needs rebuild Projector headlights HID 5 speed manual Amsoil for all drive train Smaller 56mm custom pulley, (MUST DO) 2004 DESNO fuel injectors, zero ping ping, 2004 side door mirrors Dick Cepek Rims, Michelin tires LTX, ATM Pathfinders Dynopro ATM ( that last 100,000 miles) Now running Dynopro ATM mud and snow tires KN cold air intake Cat back dual exhaust with ss exhaust tip, Raised exhaust tail pipe to 2" below body line Optima*dry cell battery,red top Alpine sirius radio, 200 watt amp, focal is165 split door pod speakers Focal door speakers Subwoffer behind seat Viper alarm, Electric Locks Dark tinted windows, bucket seats corbeau lg1 Tacoma Rubber floor mats TRD fender extenders, Bilstien shocks, King shocks JBA UCA trailer iv hitch, electric brake control, Drilled slotted brakes, High carbon steel (MUST DO) EBS green stuff 7000 series pads(MUST DO) TRD engine oil cap TRD stick shift, Marlin crawl shift kit. Rear sliding window 2002 4Runner functional hood scoop cut into Tacoma hood, 4Runner dual overhead map light Gentex Auto dim + Compass + Temp, garage,rearview mirror Snow Methonal kit stage 2 Custom 3 core aluminum radiator Linex bed liner Haltech stand alone ECU, Intake supercharger gauge. Stainless steel brake lines, Custom leather wrapped steering wheel, Haltech stand-alone ECU,
    I would try and find a v6, the gas mileage is about the same for both motors but u get a lot more power from the v6,
    And then you can upgrade to a supercharger later if up want,
     
  18. Oct 14, 2017 at 8:11 PM
    #18
    vern650

    vern650 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2013
    Member:
    #111738
    Messages:
    837
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    brandon
    hyrum, ut
    Vehicle:
    '97 4x4 taco xtra cab 3rz/5spd
    HBS leveling kit, 31x10.50 mudders, header/imco exhaust, rear billies, LR ucas, home brewed onboard air, cb radio
    The 2.7 MANUAL has just as much get up and go as the 3.4 AUTO. no sense in telling me otherwise, I have about 5 friends with 3.4s and the only one that will pull away from my 2.7 5spd is the one with a 5spd as well. Also they all average low to mid teens for daily driving fuel economy where as I average 20-22 mpg daily driving, so no, they do not get basically the same fuel economy.

    In a nut shell, I would not hesitate to buy a 2.7l 5spd. However i would NEVER buy a 2.7l auto.
     
    Dalandser likes this.
  19. Oct 14, 2017 at 8:42 PM
    #19
    Dalandser

    Dalandser ¡Me Gustan Las Tacos-mas!

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2015
    Member:
    #149090
    Messages:
    17,644
    First Name:
    Anthony
    Downey
    Vehicle:
    08 PreRunner Regular Cab / 98 4x4 Extra Cab
    Empty Wallet Mod
    FIFY
     
  20. Oct 14, 2017 at 9:22 PM
    #20
    PROseur

    PROseur Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2015
    Member:
    #171837
    Messages:
    10,576
    First Name:
    Pussy
    Vehicle:
    2012 FJC TTSE/ 2001 Taliban Poverty DCSB/ 2017 6MT PRO / 2018 2.7L SR Utility
    Yes sir
     

Products Discussed in

To Top