New to Tacomas any advice?

Hello all,

Not an owner of a tacoma but I'm looking to get one and becoming one of the many posters on this board as well as a first time truck owner.

I'm interested in the extra-cab versions of the 4x4 or 4x2 in an automatic from 1995-1999. Is there a particular year I should be weary of and is there anything specific that I should check (both the V6 and the 4 cylinder) before making a purchase. Stuff like transmission issues, engine problems (head gaskets etc.), electrical, etc..I plan on getting one from a private party.



Thanks for any help in advance!!

Frank

 

I am by no means an expert, having just gotten my 96 Tacoma extended cab 4x4 5 speed about 3 months ago or so. The mechanics that I talked to all shared one opinion, do not get the V6 3 Liter. Get the 3.4L v6, or the 4cyl. Most seemed to think the 3.0L V6 was a dog.

My truck had 160,000 miles that we know of, and a bent frame. The truck had never been wrecked, supposedly, but had hit something hard enough with the front right tire to knock it back 8 mm and up slightly. The frame had to be straightened out before I could get the front end aligned.

Watch out for trucks with kift kits. Don't avoid them, just watch out. If the kit was installed without proper additional support, it can poke up through the bottom/back of the cab, as mine was beginning to do.

Good luck with your search, JIm

 

the 3.0 isn't offered in tacomas, only the pre-tacoma trucks. they are known for having headgasket issues. anything from 95.5-00 should be fine.

 

How about the Automatic transmissions? How have they held up?

Thanks!

 

Autos hold up fine.

If you are going to look at a 3.4L V-6 check the mileage and ask if and when the timing belt was replaced.

 

Cool. Will do thanks!

 

Tacomas are notorious for rain water finding it's way into the cabin floorboards. Make sure you check that out when choosing your new baby. SC

 

FRAME RUST, FRAME RUST, FRAME RUST, is the number one killer of these trucks. take a very long and good look at the frame. use a ball peen hammer and look everywhere, tap, tap, tap all over that bad boy. If is has some kind of coating over the frame, look even harder. as for the engine combo's I'd suggest the 3.4l V6 Auto transmission, love mine. I'm sure I'll be beaten to death by the manual transmission guys, but, remember this, an automatic will haul more weight than a stick. The only really good part about a stick, is it's the newest form of theft prevention since most people today can't drive one.

 

ask when the lower ball joints were replaced, as they are very important to get replaced on time. Definitely check the frame. I have a 01 prerunner that i purchased in 2016 and it has been great. It is the 3.4l with no leaks, auto tranny, and 210k on the clock.

 

@amazonian girl @CrippledOldMan @rj15tacoma

This thread began in 2006 and the original poster hasn't been here since Jan of '07

Zombie lovers are you?

 

Haha i just noticed im posting to a ghost

 

Toyota designs engines based on some parameters. My 80 series ,for example, was designed to go 500,000 miles in the jungles of africa with basic maintenance.
I looked up the 1st gen tacoma predictions before buying and the "design" for the 6 is 200,000 and the 4 (3rz) is 250,000.
Oh man!!! stinkin zombie thread!! should i press post reply?? meh someone will use the info.

 

that avatar is hilarious.haha cracking me up real good..nice one

your name avatar i mean lol

 

Yep, I just noticed the date, my bad. kinda like beating a dead horse, you can't revive it, or this thread.