1996 Tacoma $6,600

if that truck drives and handles anything like mine does its gonna be gone quick 'probably'
but still need more pics and data

https://www.nadaguides.com/Cars/1996/Toyota/Tacoma-SR5/Pickup-X-Cab-4X4-V6/Values

which post # on that does is state that being offered (just curious!)
off road package for '96 is probably just 4wd capabilities maybe mud guards too

 

On the wikipedia link in that thread it states that the TRD OR package was started in 1998, same year as the Prerunner was introduced.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Tacoma

Really the only thing special about the TRD package was the rear e-locker...and the e-locker was an add-on option that was available even before the TRD package. So as long as it has the rear locker then I wouldn't worry about it. But if the seller just slapped a TRD sticker on it (and it doesn't have a locker) then he's trying to pull a fast one.

 

Really the best way to tell is to run the VIN, it should say in the vehicle records

 

Then they might be clueless !

 

Really the only thing special about the TRD package was the rear e-locker...

My truck has no e-locker. My spec sheet I got from Toyota doesn't say TRD on it
anywhere. I guess some previous owner put the TRD stickers on my truck, at least
they appear to have been on there a while, so the seller didn't slap them on there
to fool me...

-Mike

 

Bring a ball peen hammer and cell phone endoscope for checking the frame...

 

There was a version of the TRD OR package that didn't include the locker for 1st gens, was basically just the cosmetic upgrades and the yellow bilstein shocks. Usually found on the 4cyl models but wasnt very common. Most likely like you said someone put the TRD stickers on it after the fact. Which is fine and all, the only time I have issue with it is when someone does that and then tries to sell it as a TRD truck

 

Not to mention that the black trucks didn't have red TRD stickers, they were white. Those are for sure aftermarket stickers. I don't think any truck came from the factory with red TRD stickers.

So, OP, 6600 could be a pretty good deal. Most important things are engine maintenance and frame rust. For sure go look at it. Look at the frame, and look at the rear axle. if there's no box in the side of the pumpkin, it doesn't have a locker as the TRD stickers would imply. If it does have a locker, it's either one of the RARE trucks that were special ordered with the optional locker, or more likely someone swapped a TRD axle with a locker and slapped a cool red TRD sticker on it. Or someone just put some stickers on it and didn't do anything else.

(from the googles)

 

The 95-97 Tacoma's still had a distributor.
IMHO, the 98-00 were the best years for Tacoma 4x4's,
because they didn't have a distributor but still had
manual locking hubs (A.D.D. was an option).

 

where did they place the distributor?
i have not yet located that item looking under my hood

 

OOPS, my bad. My comment was based on the 3RZ 4-cylinder.
The V6 did have not have a distributor.

 

A dry cleaning claim ticket.

 

that is a rather odd place to put that!
perhaps they do not know that those bezels break somehow and are not yet easily replaced that i know of
unless the currect 3d printing tech has resolved this issue, I know a few on TW with the bezels like that there and sure would like a working one that isn't cracked

 

How did the checking out go?

 

That’s an SR5/Limited evident by the sport seats and fabric. They’re relatively rare versus a standard 95-97 Tacoma.

 

no 'Limited' designation that year as far as i recall!
i think that started in 1998 as well as the TRD

 

Limited didn’t exist until 1998. But it carries the same early designation as SR5. SR5 means absolutely nothing now.

I’ve seen an SR5 with the sunroof, power doors, sport seats, AC, etc etc. I’ve also seen an SR5 with no AC, manual steering, and crank windows.

 

What’s this?

 

Good spot for this history lesson from a 2009 TW thread:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/what-does-sr5-mean.28679/

What does SR5 mean anyways ? (Toyota Historical Background)

In the latter part of the 1970's, the SR5 connotation denoted an option code
for the HiLux series of trucks, similar to what the Z71 option code currently
means for an upgraded Chevy or GMC pickup or Tahoe/Yukon. Originally released
around 1975, the 'S' denoted Sport, 'R' denoted the RN motor code, and '5'
denoted the 5-speed transmission. It quickly caught on and the SR5 connotation
passed onto the Corolla and then onto other Toyota car models. Even though the
HiLux name was dropped in 1979 for the United States market, it is still used
today elsewhere in the world as the name for a Tacoma-like pickup and/or the
4Runner, depending on the market.

Note: Some other historical information shows that the Corolla had the "SR5"
designation first, then it was passed on to the HiLux series. The majority of
historical information seems to promote the HiLux first, then the Corolla,
rather than vice-versa.

Today, the SR5 generally denotes a specifc Toyota trim level, with a more
sporty look and wide flexibility for options.

(Thanks to Dianne Whitmire at Carson Toyota as well as ToyotaOffRoad.com for
the historial information.)

 

it looks custom!

so if you have an automatic transmission in an SR5 its meaningless?