Thinking of buying '97

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

 

Get under it and look at that frame with a fine tooth comb as that is one of the biggest issues with them

 

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.

 

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?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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:

 

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.

 

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!

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

I think I get about the same. Thinking of doing the v6 swap soon.

 

My ideal would be

V6
4x4
6MT

Been quoted $3500

 

Quoted 3,500 for the swap including labor and parts? That's not bad

 

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,

 

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.

 

FIFY

 

Yes sir