how to confirm TRD etc

i'm looking at buying a 2000-2004 tacoma v6 TRD (if i can ever find one lol)

i just want to get a few definitive ways of confirming it is the TRD off road package etc (other than the sticker on the bed that can be fake)

- any tips when looking at the VIN?

- any electronics in the cab that normal taco's don't have?

- did they make a '00-'04 V6 4x4 with the TRD Sport package? and what is the difference? or was the sport option on the 2005+ trucks?

thanks guys, can't wait till i own one the of these amazing trucks

 

There are some folks on here that claim they have a 1st gen TRD model without the locker. Those situations involve trucks with the 2.7L 4-banger.

If you are looking only at v6s, the truck must have the electronically activated rear differential locker to be a TRD model. You can crawl under the trcuk and see the actuator mechanism mounted on the right front of the diff (seen from the front). There will also be a button marked "RR Diff Lock" on the dash to the left of the steering wheel.

 

The e-locker was not included on 4-cylinder automatic models with the TRD Off Road Package.

The e-locker was available as a standalone option. It's rare to find a pre-2005 with the standalone locker option, but such things exist. There are also such things as non-TRD Tacos into which the e-locker rear end has been transplanted. So presence of the locker is more like a 95 - 97% (rather than a dead-certain 100%) indication the Taco had the TRD Off-Road Package.

The more reliable indicators are the suspension components that were included in the package.

No - there's no way to tell from the VIN itself if the vehicle had the TRD Off-Road option. On the other hand, if the build or sales sheet(s) for the particular vehicle can be accessed (by VIN), that documentation should indicate whether the TRD Off-Road Package was installed at the factory.

 

i want the v6 only so that should help clarify

things like the button on the dash are the tips i was looking for

i just want to make sure i'm able to tell the difference between a SR5 limited and the TRD (both 3.4L and 4x4) but the TRD has the upgraded suspension and diff locker right? any other differences?

thanks

 

The locker, sticker, bilstein HD shocks and "special" springs made up the package. The HD billies are distictive in that the shock tube is bright yellow with a medium blue dust cover. The front coil springs are progressive so the upper portions of the coils will be closer together. This can be difficult to see though without a side to side comparo with standard coils.

 

i know exactly what you're refering

so is the TRD option really worth getting or would a SR5 limited just be better off? i would plan on upgrading the suspension in the future anyways

did the SR5 come with any sort of diff locker or LSD? or was that TRD only?

thanks

 

No such thing as an SR5 Limited in the model year range you cited ...

In the 2001 - 2004 generation 'Limited' and 'SR5' were option / trim packages. The Limited Package only applied to certain V6 6-lug models. You could get either an SR5 Package (most all Tacos) or the Limited Package, but not both.

In 2000 'Limited' referred to a particular trim level or model designation (6-lug V6 XtraCab with a fixed set of bundled goodies) rather than an option package. In that year you could get *either* an SR5-optioned Taco or a Limited. There was no overlap between the two.

Neither of these packages had anything to do with the sort of suspension or locker options involved in the TRD Off Road Package.

In all your cited years, it was possible to mix the TRD Off Road Package with either an SR5 or the Limited options.

 

oh boy lol

i thought that once it was TRD it was highest end, ie had all power etc

did any of these trucks every get sunroofs/moonroofs??

 

wow now i'm confused...thanks for the link

 

i'm going to look at this truck on sunday: http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/bnc/cto/1852158683.html

what should i be looking for with this amount of kms? 202K kms

when does the timing belt need to be done?

what about the air ride? should have be an issue? i'm going to see if the stock mounts are there as i'd probably remove the air ride at some point

 

me!

I have the Dcab 4 banger with the trd package. but yes ofcourse, no locker. but you want the V6 so just look for the locker. left side of steering wheel. that will show you a true trd package on the v6

 

great thanks

 

Is this what your looking for ? My 2000 ex.cab Tacoma SR5 TRD 3.4 V6 auto w/E-locker 4x4 w/moon roof with all the trimmings (except power anteanne, not even sure if it was an option then).....

Also I de badged my truck so I no longer have the TRD decals on it

 

yea I have the 03 double cab sr5 with the trd package 3.4-v6 , the locker push switch is on the lower left side of the steering wheel, it's located in the black trim on the dash.

 

A factory moonroof was an available option on XtraCabs from 2000 through 2003.

 

Bloody Canadians. That's ah, er, 125,517 miles, or 2.135187 to the 8th power light years. So...

V6 timing belt is due every 90,000 miles, which is, er, um, 144,841 km, so that is coming due and you should also do the water pump and t-stat at the same time just because it is all apart. I hear it can cost about $500 US, lots of labor to get at it. Mine was aready done when I got it.

Not much else. Spark plugs every 30k (miles). Differentials/tranny/transfer oils every 30k (miles). Driveline lube every 15k (miles). Throttle body should be cleaned occasionally.

ooh, ooh, there was a recall on some 2001 and maybe some 2002 trucks for lower ball joints. Get the VIN and register on http://www.toyotaownersonline.com and it will tell you if it is needed. Dealer does it for free. Had mine done this week.

Um, oh crap, you do know about the frame rust replacement/recall? If not, research that on TW and the site I just mentioned...

air suspension...Timbrens? That could be good. Those install over the stock leaf springs, so see if the leafs are still there...otherwise, I don't know squat aboutair ride. Frankly, the stock suspension, even TRD, pretty much sucks with high mileage, at least. If someone says "special TRD suspension," it means short-yellow-bus special. The shocks may be shot. Look for grease/oil coming down the sides or when driving, the steering may be easily redirected by bumps and potholes. Drive it fast on bumpy highway and see how it behaves. Many of us (like me) replace it with superior aftermarket stuff. It was a bit of a rude surprise for me, but I am happy now.

What was the question?

 

haha thank scocar...i'll definetly look at the stock mounting points to see if they are still there

yes i've read about the frame issue, i'll give any truck i look at a good go over



"A factory moonroof was an available option on XtraCabs from 2000 through 2003."

what about the '04? was it standard? or not available?


4WD: ya i guess so...

thanks guys

 

Any more truck info will probably be confusing so I'll only add that if the asking price is US dollars, $13K is what I see a lot of around here for 120K miles truck in good condition. Assuming it is all correct. Being a stepside adds little to its value overall.

It looks like a decent deal from here. Assuming the above, I would probably offer somewhere around 11,500 to start to test the water but be prepared to go higher if it is as good as claimed. Good luck.

 

hey dude that is my dream truck, very nice. perfect!