New (to me) Tacoma Questions

I think I have decided to trade my 95 extra cab for a double cab. I am pretty sure I want to stay with a 1st gen. I think I want a 2001-2004. My Must Haves are: DC, V-6, 4WD, Passenger Air Bag. My Want to Haves are: Timing Belt recently replaced, Power windows, Power locks, A/C, Bucket Seats. So my question is: Are there certain year/model configurations that have the things I want/have to have, so that I can limit my searches or do I just have to look at them all? TIA, Stan

 

You're pretty much looking for an SR5.

Seeing as you own a Tacoma, I don't need to mention frame rust.

 

You can't get a double cab pre-2001. So there's you limiting factor, right there.

 

Thanks guys, that is the kind of info I am looking for.

 

You may have to give on a few things for example if the timing belt hasn’t been done, no problem just try and get that price down to compensate for it and get it done 1st thing. Just keep in mind you are looking to buy an older truck so you will have to put some money into it post purchase. Also check the air box usually there’s a sticker specifying the last time the timing belt was done.

Watch out for those carfax reports they only report what’s been reported so don’t treat them as super accurate historical document.

good luck

 

'01 SR5 is what I have. It's fine, but I'd submit if you could find the TRD model, it might have desirable features.

 

I have an 03 Trd sr5 prerunner and love everything on it except the trans. I wish it was the 5 speed. You have to lose the prerunner package for that though. The trd sr5 is a great combo to look for if you can find one

 

If you're looking for a double cab, most of that stuff is very likely already included with MOST doublecabs. i.e. there's no such thing as a bench seat in any doublecab... I don't think I've ever seen a non SR5 doublecab. You'll get power windows/locks, a/c, etc... The only thing that's pretty rare is a 5-speed.

Everyone talking about getting the TRD for more desirable features, literally the ONLY real features the TRD has that other packages don't have are shocks and a rear locker. And the shocks on any truck this old are guaranteed to be shot anyway, so the only thing a TRD gives you is the e-locker. Even then, while the lockers are nice and I like mine, an aftermarket ARB is going to be better all around anyway, so don't kill yourself trying to find a TRD.

MOST IMPORTANT THINGS for 1st gen tacomas are #1 frame rust, #2 ball joints. Timing belt is even not a deal breaker. They are non interference engines so even if it lets go, you'll just come to a stop. I replaced my own in a weekend for less than $300 (incl new water pump and all OEM parts).

Honestly, 4x4 doesn't even *really* matter. Get a prerunner and it's actually pretty easy and cheap to covert it to 4x4. Sourcing the parts is the hard part, but even buying new/rebuilt parts it'll be under $2k...

So:
Cast as wide a net as possible to find a double cab truck with a good rust free frame and the interior/exterior are to your liking. Ditch the idea of "needing" a TRD unless you want the status of having the TRD stickers on your bed, and as long as you're willing to do a little wrenching, a Pre-runner is likely going to be easier to find as they aren't in as high demand as the 4x4s... Also consider just an aftermarket locker if you intend to go wheeling, but save that for later...

 

Fify

 

Just when you say none exist, some guy comes on and is like "I gots me one of those"

They technically exist, but it's either a special order from the factory (technically possible, but unlikely) or someone did a swap.

 

Well you gave sound advice so nothing to add, just a minor correction that from the factory, a first gen in a double cab was only available in automatic.

 

I think that's effectively what happened unless someone special ordered one with a 5 speed. It's kind like the turbo V6's in the first gen 4Runners. The the late 80's, Toyota had the 22R-TE to hold them over until they released the 3.0L. When the v6 came out, they still had the turbo as a special order option. I think that was only for a year or 2 though.

But yeah, the "regular" supply of doublecabs were all autos as far as I know.

 

If you want a double cab, 1st Gen, your only options are the years you think you want. 01-04.

01-04 are pretty much all the same except for the throttle linkage. The 01-02 is cable the 03-04 is wire.

If you do like @jbrandt says and you're open to doing a 4x swap on a Prerunner (which is good advise... and many have done it) avoid 03-04.

The throttle linkage is the same from 95.5 to 02... the 03-04 you're limited to only 03-04 (without difficult modifications) on sourcing a trans for the swap.

There was never an option for manual 5spd double cab 1st gen.

 

Not that you could buy off the lot, no. But I'm fairly sure you could have special ordered one. One of those In'N'Out style off the menu type things, lol...

 

Special order would fall under the equivalent of off the lot though.

If a dealer can order it, whether it was a customer special order or not, then it's not really special, rare, exquisite, unique, etc lol

 

As far as I know... there was no option, dealer or otherwise... for a 5 speed Double Cab.

The ONLY way you'll ever see a 5 speed Double Cab, 1st Gen is if it was swapped.

 

Question. . . what is this "e-locker" or "locker" as mentioned above. Purchased a `03 SR5 4x4 double cab (no decals indicating TRD) a month ago. Has a button on transfer case lever to shift from 2hi --> 4hi on the fly. Curious what the "locker" is.

 

Locker will lock your rear differential so if you apply power both wheels will turn. If you don't have locker engaged power is applied to one wheel.

If you have a locker the switch will be on the dash to the left of the steering wheel... you will probably also have white guages (speedo etc)

 

The factory e locker would consist of a switch located to the left of the steering column, that you push to engage/disengage. Pushing it "locks" the rear end, so both axle shafts are rotating together. This ensures that in any situation where there is wheel slippage, the wheels are both still moving.

This is important as in an open diff situation, power will be transferred to the wheel with the least resistance. If you've got a wheel in the air in an off road situation, you have 0 resistance. That wheel that's on the ground? It won't receive any power to push your vehicle through while the wheel in the air spins freely.

 

Up until (I think) 02 you could order a locker without a TRD package.

(I think) after 02 you could only get locker with TRD.

white guages was part of the TRD package.