My '96 4x4 XCab SR5 - 3rd Tacoma

Ok so this should maybe go in the welcome center but oh well. Just picked up this '96 Access Cab 4x4 5 speed SR5 3.4 w/194k miles - it runs mint. It's basically the predecessor to the 'Limited' package as was available from '98-'00 with the sport buckets, sunroof, chrome power mirrors and auto antenna. Of course those also added 'Limited' badging as well as color keyed flares and I believe push button 4wd. I actually had no idea this was available pre-'98.

This is my 3rd Tacoma, but I have owned the following (in order beginning with the one I got on my 16th birthday):

'87 reg cab 4x4 22re
'88 Xcab 4x4 22re
'91 Xcab 4x4 DX 3.0
'99 Xcab 4x4 SR5 3.4
'98 Xcab 4x4 Limited 3.4
'93 Xcab 4x4 SR5 3.0
'08 Xcab 4x4 TRD Sport 4.0
'96 Xcab 4x4 SR5 3.4 (this is the one I own now)

On to the truck - I haven't any big plans for it, but am going to do a full fluid change (diff, tfr, tranny), and Bilstein 5100's @ .85 to get it closer to level. Frame is rock solid, no chance of this one going to the crusher. Sad to know that all the 95.5-00's are going to the scrap heap if they fail. Hope to contribute and learn...

 

What a Beauty! Great find. Is that a locking gas door? I want one of those. I am so jealous.

 

Thats sick, why did you get rid of your 08?

 

Very nice. I great find.

 

Thank you - these early 1st gens are indeed very difficult to find as you pointed out, and will remain that way as more and more go to the scrap heap . I scoured eBay, craigslist, autotrader and any other medium I could think of for two months straight and stumbled on this one only 2 hours away from me. As luck would have it, it was a V6 5speed fully loaded in black. Build date 03/95.

Yes locking gas cap. If anyone's looking for a '98 Red Access Cab Auto 4x4 in mint condition with a 1.5" spacer in front and AAL in the rear and 134k, let me know, this guy has it at his house. It is freaking immaculate, but I didn't want an auto. He's right on the NY/CT/MA border.

 

Nice looking truck Gotta love the first gen sr5's!

 

Honestly I was disappointed with the build quality - at 8k it needed a full clutch sub-assembly replacement, and the dash would rattle and creak, the power windows were loose in the tracks and would rattle when 1/4 of the way down, the passenger interior cap that gives you access to the mirror fell off. I spent 27k on it and it didn't hold a candle to the 1st gens I owned. Yes the power was great and the creature comforts were nice, it was technologically years ahead of the 1st gens, but as the simplicity went away (and they started to be built in the good ol US of A) I was really disappointed - this was just before all this Toyota quality stuff surfaced...coincidence??

 

PM Sent

 

beautiful truck man

 

Nice find!

 

New pics...virgin '96 Tacoma. Recently replaced the upper grille which was cracked and faded. Upgrades/maintenance coming soon: OME 881 coils w/shocks, Wheeler's 5 leaf pack, 5100's front and rear, new front sway bar bushings, new exhaust, black aluminum wheels, new fluids all around. I really do love this truck...enjoy:

 

Nice truck!

I thought all 1st gens up until 2000 had locking gas doors?

My '98 has it.

 

Yep mine has it too, you might not have seen it due to the lighting.

 

Not all '98s had the locking fuel door. My '98 didn't. And my 02 doesn't have one either.

 

Nice truck and good choice on suspension. Im in the process of installing the same exact setup right now.

 

Steve o please post pics asap as I am still about 3 weeks out from doing this. My suspension is completely shot. The front end feels like a '78 Fleetwood going over soft bumps in the road. Plus I'm sitting level front to back. All original at 194k.

From all the research I've done, this will bring the ride back to life in a big way.

edit: no 5100's in front, I'm doing the Nitro Charged OME's since they are designed for that coil. Also going to have wheeler's assemble them so my shop only has to r/r.