Anyone switch from 1st to 3rd gen?

I apologize if this has been asked before, but I'mma do it again!

Thinking about making the switch from my 1st gen 2003 TRD PreRunner to a new 2018/19 TRD Off Road (Access Cab if I can find it) and I was wondering if anyone has made a similar upgrade. I've already driven both the Sport and Off Road trims and I prefer the latter because of the increased body roll and softer suspension which I'm used to by now.

If anyone has any direct experience changing from 1st to 3rd gen I would greatly appreciate some insight. In the meantime I'm gonna keep doing my research and pissing off local dealers by asking for price quotes with no immediate intention to buy.

 

Many of us did. Any specific concerns or questions?

2004 prerunner V6 AC to TRDOR AC

 

Yeah, I guess I'm looking for some general insight. There's nothing wrong with my Tacoma, the only reason why I want to trade up is to get 4WD and an updated platform.

For those of you who went straight from Gen 1 to Gen 3, how was it? Was it immediately better? I've been exclusively driving my 03 since 03 so I'm pretty used to it. I know the newest Taco has more horsepower but it's heavier and larger overall.

 

Ugh, so painful. Tell me you held onto those beauties and just added the new ones

OP, keep your 1st gen in addition if at all possible. You'll thank me later

 

I loved that truck but one truck is enough for me. If I had space for another vehicle it would be a go fast toy.

 

Please tell me you still have that RC!?

 

I had a 95.5, 2000 and 2002 before I got my 16 Tacoma. Comfort, tech, brakes, handling and ride comfort are all better in the 3gen. I liked the smallness of the 1gen and I think the 1gen was generally more fun. They were certainly more reliable IMO. I went 1,3,2 gen when buying my Tacoma’s. Lol.

 

The only thing I miss about my first gen is the simplicity of them. I’m not into all the electronic gadgetry that new vehicles come with but overall I’m extremely happy with my change to the 3rd gen

 

I got all 3...sorta lol

Sorry for the tangent OP

 

I went from this......




To this.





Skipped over the Gen2.

Things I preferred about the Gen1. It's size. Nimble. Tough as nails. Extremely dependable. Like driving an ATV with heat and air conditioning. A real transfer case shifter.

Best vehicle I've ever owned. Abused the hell out of that thing over many miles of rough road, and it never failed. Have the Gen3 for almost 2 years now, and still haven't brought myself to sell the Gen1.

Things I dislike about the Gen1? Can't hardly think of a thing. Perfect little truck for my needs.

Things I prefer about the Gen3. It's size. Little harder to fit down the trails at times, but enjoy the roomier interior and deeper bed. More refined interior. I want my truck to have a truck like interior, and this is about as "refined" as I'd like on a truck that gets used.

The locker. While the Gen1 SR5 is 4WD, I did not get the locker on it. Now that I've got one on the Gen3, I am in awe in how much more capable it is in certain situations.

Things I don't like so much about the Gen3. Trying to see over what feels like a monsterous hood after driving the Gen1 for 16 years. The tranny. I can live with it, but I am aware of the constant shifting on the freeway. Fortunately I'm not on the freeway much, and I do know there are updates and fixes for it.

The black interior. What a complete PITA to try and keep looking clean with heavy off road use in dusty / muddy environments. Particularly the black headliner and carpet. Dust and mud magnets.

The dash mounted turn knob transfer case control. Hate it.

Absence of easily workable relays for jumping. Think always on cig lighter, and inability to easily have anytime fog lights.

The stupid chime (seatbelt and door). Cured the seatbelt issue with extenders, but door chime is there until I'm out of warranty in another year, then I'm ripping that speaker out.

Can't really comment about the factory ride quality with either. The Gen1 has had either a Downey suspension with 800 lb coils on it or a King suspension with 700 lb coils during 14 of the last 16 years. The Gen3 got Kings with 700lb coils with about 400 miles on the odometer.

Reliability and toughness of the Gen3 is yet to be determined. If it does as well as the Gen1, I'll be ecstatic.

All in all, I am not unhappy with the switch. It was time. With over 240k on the Gen1, and wanting to downsize from 2 cars to one, the Gen1 was not going to make for a good daily driver.

 

The gen 1 has more responsive acceleration from go. The gen 3 has better highway type acceleration. The gen 3 is more comfortable although neither are a Lexus obviously. Safety was one big reason I went to the new truck. Going from 2WD to 4x4 was another.

Your single cab 2003 is nice.

 

@jsinnard @stun gun

 

Went from my clean but high mileage 2002 OR (Avatar pic) to my 2017. Wanted more HP for towing, and worried stuff would start going with almost 300k miles, many of them offroad for work and fun, on it. I love my 3rd gen, its been good to us.

 

I still have my 2000. I'm selling it this spring. Honest. No, really. I'm gonna sell it. Honest. See profile pic.

Better ride, but my 2k could use suspension, steering, et al updated.

Non-tech package 2019 has tied in Bluetooth, which is all I really need. I may do the Subaru tweeter swap later. I had a system in the 2k but this is fine. Probably an age thing.

I got a 6 foot bed, because I figured I'd miss it more than a manual. Haven't used the bed yet, and I already miss the manual. I don't regret it. No interest in a 5' bed, and the auto is fine (I'm still under 1k miles, subject to change).

I now drive a boat in parking lots.

They've improved the shit out of their plastics. Still a lot of plastic interior, but 20 years goes a long way on that end.

I miss my DD BMW heated seats, but I didn't get premium since I didn't want the sun roof. Figured I'd both re-cover seats and add heat down the line. It's obviously cold. Don't think first gens have this anyway so moot point.

I miss the look of a Line-x bed. No real set opinion on the difference, but you'll want a bed mat for the new one at some point.

I feel like I sit low. I'll likely be buying some seat spacers found on here soon.

I've adapted quickly to having a reverse camera screen in addition to using mirrors. Entune seems crap. Live MPG is half handy, keeps me off the gas. My OR's inclinometer is a shiny gimmick, not sure if it's worth a damn.

Top of the head, but those are my current thoughts. Had it about a month.

 

Love first gens but there aren't many still in one piece up here. If you live in California or some place where people don't even know what road salt is then sure but in Ontario? Dream on. Most of those babys are rusted to hell and back by now.

 

Yes. Tacomas are great, friggin 01 2.7 and 17 2.7 are like my two pet mini dragons that sleep lazily in my front yard.

 

I sure as hell did. I had a single cab 4 cyl 4wd 5 speed 97 and I put 90k miles on it. I’m now in my 18’ pro cal blue and I love getting in it every single day.

 

1996 3.4 with the manual. Was in the family since new. Sold it with 255k on it for a 3rd of what we paid for it new. This was 22yrs later.

I would have went manual again but I needed 4 doors and the 6ft bed. I miss old Winston!

 

My 04 was bare bones so the power windows/locks and backup camera are nice haves. Ive commented in a couple of threads about liking the steel LineX bed in my 04 better and it ruffled feathers . I did Katzkins heated seats and like those.