04 Questions

I'm considering an 04 4x4 5spd 4cyl sr5 access cab. it's got mid 50K on it. Is there anything in particular that I should be looking at? How long should this truck last if maintained, also, it would be seeing mostly highway millage, 75miles per day.
thanks for any info.

 

check for frame rust

 

yep. just the frame rust. Everything else should be pretty solid.

Also, just so you're aware, you probably wont be getting better than 20-25mpg, so expect to drop about $50-60/week in gas. You probably will have to fill up every 4 days.

 

thanks for the input. I've got a VW jetta tdi, averge about 48mpg, but i'm at 227K, they will go longer, but may have to start replacing more and more parts. I used to have a nissan hardbody, then an F-150, then a Jeep Xj with 3" lift, then to the jetta. good car, buts lots of quirks. I wish they'd bring over the 4cyl diesel thats in the Hi-Lux, mid 30mpg for the 4x4 with 5spd.

 

It'll be painful for ya. I really dont drive much, but I went from about the same mpg to what I'm getting now.

The tank is over twice as large, so I fill up about the same frequency, but instead of only spending $20/tank, its now over $50. Quite a huge jump.

I'm right there with ya in getting diesel engines. It's really too bad Tacoma's dont get one here.

 

I guess if you worry about gas mileage you have no business driving a 4X4, get ya a Yaris!

I was driving a Honda CRV ( all wheel drive ) got 20-21 in town, the Tacoma( V-6 ) gets an average 16.75 to 18.0 mpg in town if you don't have your foot in it from stop light to stop light, I try and keep the RPM's under 2K.

 

That's like unbearably slow for the average driver. I can barely keep my truck below 3500. But I also like to hear my exhaust.

 

Really? I was stunned at how much low-end torgue the 3.4 has when I got this truck. I used to have a 22RE, and I had to wind that thing up like crazy, but even then I was between 3-3800 rpm. The 3.4 seems very happy running at about 2K rpm or under, and I rarely go near 3k, even getting on the freeway. I only go over that for "oh shit" moments. Generally, I barely touch the gas pedal. I haven't seen the torque curves for this engine, but it ain't built for ricing...it is a truck.

 

The 3.4L has incredible torque and is way under rated. It is a trail monster because of its torque ability.

At the same tine, if you open it up, WOT, it breathes very well. Especially if you have no restrictions. This is why the deck plate mod and straight thru mufflers are so effective for mpg and power on this motor.

It is quite amazing for a v6.

 

2000-2500 is about what I drive my v6 most of the time. Granted that its fun to punch it once in a while to remind yourself whats available, but I guess I just drive slow. I dont feel like I'm slow though, since I'm keeping at about avg with everyone else off the line and up to speed.

But on the other hand, in following the guys at our last meet, I did notice they were pushing it a bit more than I usually do on the way to the trail, so maybe I'm just getting old.

 

i have the same truck and mine is about to turn over 150k miles. Toyota replaced my frame and other things that go along with that TSB but other than that i have had no problems and my truck is good for another 100k miles since the frame and structural components are all new haha.

can be a little underpowered at times but honestly the K&N intake really helped but i would just do the deckplate since u get the same performance but half the price. It does get 20mpg around town though with a 2.5" lift. I used to have a 98 reg cab 4cyl before this one and although they have the same engine my 04 ext cab def goes better cuz it has 4.30 gears in it and the 98 prob had like 3.91 so it made up for it with the slight weight increase.

If u could find a V6 i would get that one cuz i always wish i did have a V6 taco and it will def be my next one...