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I am new. Help me pick out a truck!

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by mad dog tannen, Oct 5, 2010.

  1. Oct 5, 2010 at 7:54 AM
    #1
    mad dog tannen

    mad dog tannen [OP] Member

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    I am new to Tacomas and and pickups in general but I have friends that love them and I know they last forever. So I decided to get one now that I have a motorcycle to haul around and I love to offroad. Do not be fooled though I am a car nut and I have had a couple Broncos and Jeeps.

    I just want to know what specific things I need to look at when inspecting a Tacoma/pickup. I am looking at early to mid 90's models.
    What frequently breaks?
    Where are common rust areas?
    What are the weak points in the engine/drive train.
    Any help would be appreciated I am kinda shooting in the dark right now.

    ...Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Oct 5, 2010 at 7:56 AM
    #2
    mad dog tannen

    mad dog tannen [OP] Member

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  3. Oct 5, 2010 at 9:04 AM
    #3
    mad dog tannen

    mad dog tannen [OP] Member

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    Also what are the best engines for the early 90's ?
     
  4. Oct 5, 2010 at 9:13 AM
    #4
    higherlux

    higherlux Well-Known Member

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  5. Oct 5, 2010 at 10:53 AM
    #5
    Madjik_Man

    Madjik_Man The Rembrandt of Rattle Can

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  6. Oct 5, 2010 at 11:06 AM
    #6
    krimson

    krimson Nothin

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    Those are Toyota Pickups you are looking at. Not tacoma's.....
     
  7. Oct 5, 2010 at 6:45 PM
    #7
    RattleTractor

    RattleTractor Lube: It's the key to penetration.

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    Stay AWAY from the the pre-1995.5 V6 engines (3.0L). They are terrible.
     
  8. Oct 5, 2010 at 7:34 PM
    #8
    MowTaco

    MowTaco Well-Known Member

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    Yes the 3.0 V6 has terrible head gasket issues... and the frames tend to rust out at a ridiculously fast rate, especially in the rear around the leaf springs. The bed itself also rusts bad on older models (I looked at an '85 that had daylight showing through most of the bed and frame.) Other than that, they're pretty much bullet proof. The 22RE will go through 10 frames rusting out before it thinks about quitting.
     
  9. Oct 5, 2010 at 9:37 PM
    #9
    Digiratus

    Digiratus Adventurer

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    If you ignore the rust issues in the beds, the story goes that the '85 model Toyota pickup was the perfect truck. That was the final year for a straight axle front end and the first year of fuel injection. From a wheelin perspective, the perfect combination.

    If I was looking for a truck of this era I would look for one with a 22r or 22re 4 cyl. As mentioned, the 3.0L v6 was unworthy of Toyota.
     
  10. Oct 5, 2010 at 11:37 PM
    #10
    kumaWRX

    kumaWRX Well-Known Member

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    Yes and it will be pretty much indestructable as long as you change your oil regularly, otherwise the timing chain guides will wear out and the chain will eventually break and cause engine damage.
     

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