Thinking about buying a taco

Hey guys! I'm new here and looking for some help. I'm gonna be picking up a 2nd ride soon and trying to decide between a TJ unlimited or a Taco. If I get a taco, it will most likely be a reg cab 4cyl 4x4. I've had a 92 and 94 in that configuration and loved how nimble it was. I've found a couple decent deals on a 2008 and 2009 models. I love the looks of the ones with the black plastic fender flares. Whatever I buy must have a manual tranny.

The biggest reason I'm considering the 4cyl is reliability, all the extra space in the engine bay to work on stuff, and gas mileage.

Will I regret not having the 6cyl and an extended cab? I don't want to start a war between 4cyl and 6cyl guys. I just don't know how gutless the new 4cyl are. My 92 and 94 were just fine, even with 31's on them.

Whatever truck I buy I will absolutely put larger tires on but nothing extreme. And if I ever choose to run much larger tires I would regear .

My thoughts are buying the reg cab 4banger 4x4 and starting off with maybe 31" tires on 10" wheels for a nice wide aggressive stance. Thoughts? I'm gonna primarily use this truck to run around town servicing accounts. It's pretty much perfectly flat where I live.

What all should I look for when choosing a truck besides obvious rust issues? Are there certain features on these trucks that are more desirable like certain gearing or special factory addons on certain models I should look for? I know with wranglers, you can get different gearing on certain trims.

I wouldn't be against a 6cyl but reliability and ease of working on is the most important thing to me because I do all of my own wrenching. I can't stand working on trucks that have engine bays so full you can't get to anything.

I would appreciate any comments.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

The 22re you had in the 92 and 94 were pretty weak engines although reliable and tough. The 6 cylinder in the taco is equally reliable and way more powerful. I can’t speak for the Tacoma’s 4 banger on fuel mileage but it’s more powerful than the 22re and less than the v6 of course. No modern engine will be as easy to work on as a 90s 22re.

 

Well if the new 4cyl is considerably more power than the 22re I'd probably be perfectly happy. There has got to be a good amount of space in the engine bay of the 4cyl I'd think. Maybe I just need to go open one up and compare it. I've got a 2019 4runner TRD ORP now and that engine bay is packed full.

 

I loved the 22RE in my 94 truck. I put every bolt on LCE upgrade possible to get more power, but that just barely moved the needle...lol I get close to the same fuel mileage with my 4.0L V6 because even barely touching the throttle I'm getting far more power than putting my foot down in my 22RE.

No idea on the current Toyota 4-banger, other than it's a "Toyota" so reliability will be there. Not sure it has the ability to go 1,000,000 miles like the 20R/22R/22RE engines, but it should go a very long way.

 

Will the 6cyl go 300k? And how reliable is the automatic in the 6cyl?
I'm seeing some v6 trucks with 130-140k miles in the $12k price range. I'm paying cash so my budget is pretty tight.

 

Running 265/70/17 4rnr take-offs on my '08 4cly-5spd, Access Cab 4x4. Nearing 170K on the clock. Difference from the stock 245/75/16 stock set-up is minimal. Averaging right @ 20 mpg constantly. According to the doorjamb sticker code, it has 3.79 gears. I'm pretty content with it.

 

My 2008 only has ~90K miles, but the only mechanical failures I've had was one brake light bulb, and one low beam filament of a headlight. Now I have changed out wear items, specifically a battery, front brake pads, spark plugs, engine/MT/differential oil, oil filters, cabin & engine air filters, etc.

Now that I'm approaching 90K miles, I have another set of spark plugs, MT & Diff oil, & a PCV valve to go in. I'm also going to clean the MAF sensor and throttle body.

Now I can't speak for the automatic transmission, but I do heavily recommend keeping up with the factory recommended service interval. I've taken a automatic transmission rebuild class at my local community college, and the #1 thing I took away from that was to never, and I mean never skip or postpone service procedures for your automatic transmission...lol

I think the best way to ensure your engine (and all other major components) will make it beyond 300K is to keep up with the routine service items. I'm also keeping the engine "bone stock," (including Toyota air filters) so I won't be adding any additional stress or wear to the engine. Take care of your truck, and it will take care of you.

 

Don't the manual tranny 4cyls come with 4.10 gears?

Yes I agree about maintaining anything for longevity. Having been a service advisor at one point in my life, I've seen first hand the difference between a regularly serviced vehicle and one that's not been.
I'm not a professional mechanic but about as close as one can get without formal training.

 

After reading countless threads here on the 6cyl head issues. I've pretty much decided on the 4cyl. Since this truck will be used for one of my new startup businesses, . I can't afford to be dealing with a broken down truck.
I guess at this point I just need to get out there and test drive a few.

 

Yep.

 

Only the 05-06 v-6 Tacomas had head gasket issues !

 

All, later model, reg. cab Taco 4X4's come with 4.10 gears in both manual or auto. (yes that's crazy as the auto. trans. is geared higher than the manual). You're correct, Don't get an auto. I got rid of a "98" reg. cab 4 cyl. 4X4, 5spd. that ran fine. Traded for a 2015 reg. cab 4cyl 4X4 auto., & it is a weak slug. 4 cyl Tacos are known for longevity, just stay away from the 4 cyl. auto. Just my opinion.

 

Also your 94 pickup weighed 2800 lbs. The second gen 4x4 weighs 4400 lbs Chose your engine wisely. The 4L V6 is a very reliable engine with lots of bottom end poop.

 

Thanks guys for the feedback. I'll weigh on the pros/cons and drive a couple and see what I think. I've not at all been impressed with the power of the V6 in my 4runner but I also drive a f250 super duty that has insane power so I'm a bit spoiled.

 

You won’t regret it

 

Correction, In above post I said I had a 2015 reg. cab., I hit the wrong button, it is a 2013, 2014 was the last yr. for the reg. cab Taco. The wt. of the 2013 "REG CAB" 4X4 is 3300#, 4400" must be the long ones. "94" "REG CAB" 4X4 Taco is 2800#.

 

Yeah that's not a big weight difference and I'm curious what the HP difference is. From everything I've read, it's tough to beat the legendary reliability you get from the 4cyl and manual tranny. I could always gear it for extra oomph if I needed to. I think that's most likely what I'm gonna buy unless it turns out to be a complete turd when I drive it.

 

Pretty sure my '94, regular cab, 5 speed manual, 4x4 Pickup weighed 3400 with the 22re.

The 22re was a slug, the power difference between that and my '02, same configuration (miss that truck daily... ) with the 2.7L is drastic. The 2.7 is a great little motor with plenty of power for a single cab truck. If it fit my needs I'd have never sold that truck.

 

Just a quick look, "94" Taco 22R was 142 HP & 190 lb. ft. torque, the 2013 2.7 is 159 HP & 180 lb ft., kind'f odd, as torque has been described as lower rpm. power, you feel the torque, during normal driving. you rarely feel the peak HP as you rarely use it.