Tacoma?

I'm headed to look at this truck tomorrow. Owner says its a 1995 with 112k miles. 4wd, V6 auto. Can anybody tell me by looking at the picture if this is a Tacoma or a "Pickup"? I understand that 1995 was the crossover year for the two.
In either case, can anybody tell me anything in particular to look for on these trucks? Price is $4400, btw.

Thanks,
Josh

 

That's not a tacoma.

Tacoma's started in 95.5 (yes, half year).
The 95 trucks were pickups.

 

those v6 are notorious for blowing head gaskets, but toyota is still replacing engines that are blowing them to this day, i have no references but you can google it, should be nice, 15 year old and only 112k, good luck

 

Do you mean they literally replace the engine, or just repair it?

 

I had a 93 basically the same truck. put 300K on it. Great truck but it was a dog in the power dept. I mean down right pathetic but I drove it for 9 years. Great truck. Toyota replaced my head gasket under warranty

 

That's a 'PreTaco'. The V6 is the 3VZ (early VZ series ancestor of the Tacoma's 5VZ).

I had a 1993 3VZ XtraCab 5-speed. The engine didn't have much 'pull' for a V6, but it cruised well. I got about 150,000 miles out of it before some !*Z#*&% totaled it. My only issues were the classic 3VZ head gasket (replaced under warranty @ circa 60,000 miles when it showed signs of failing) and a water pump @ circa 90,000 miles.

The 3VZ isn't quite as bad as its reputation would suggest, but it's definitely the worst engine Toyota ever put in a mini pickup. I don't imagine an automatic would help it at all ...

There's essentially no aftermarket upgrade support for the 3VZ. The most popular mod for a 3VZ truck is to swap it out for a 5VZ. If you're looking for a long-term build project, it might be a good truck if you're willing to commit to an engine swap somewhere down the line.

Just my .02 ...

 

Easiest way to tell if the head gasket was done is to call any Toyota dealer with the vin and they will let you know. Of the three gen 2 Hilux's that I had, all three were done under 100k miles so I was comfortable buying them. Other than that, there is nothing to worry about with these - my favorite style to this day. Was well ahead of its time when it was released, with its smoother lines and simple design. Other trucks from that era look way, way more outdated.

 

Too much money for a 15 year old truck with a known issue that will continue to re-occur.

(penny penny)

 

not a tacoma. but looks pretty damn clean for a 95. mileage is great too. i would pay 4 for it too

 

Other than having one of the worst Toyota engines ever designed and put into one of their vehicles, it looks nice. Bad power, bad fuel mileage, blown head gaskets, etc.

 

And that's the amazing thing about Toyota's. An equivalent Ford Ranger would probably run you half that price. People continue to pay a huge premium for these trucks, and with good reason.

 

thats not a tacoma, thats the first crossover of toyota pickup truck. i have the 95 first gen. tacoma. if you don't know, look at the side of the door panel under the side mirror and it should say tacoma.

 

naaa too much money for that truck, I got my 99 V6 pre-runner sr5 extended cab for $5,300 with 117k miles. I say keep looking