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Help me decide if this is worth buying!

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Slamuel, Jun 30, 2020.

  1. Jun 30, 2020 at 3:41 PM
    #1
    Slamuel

    Slamuel [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ive been looking high and low for a decent first gen.
    Criteria is that its a manual trans and around 150k miles or less..... yeah. good luck.

    This is a 98 with 160k miles on it.

    I have some concerns about the four banger (3rz).

    How will it handle some ~32-33" tires?
    -I'm not looking for a rocketship, but i need it to get on the interstate and get up a hill.

    How does it cruise?
    -I'm not particularly interested in a vehicle i intend to overland later in life.... that cant comfortably cruise 80 on the interstate. yes I know this depends on gearing so lets not get too specific. I believe it's a TRDOR, 4x4 obviously.

    How's the power?
    -similar to above but I want to know if I can ride with the AC on without it needing a constant supply of nitrous lmao and without overheating it if it idles in the drive thru for 10 mins.

    made there any sensible power adders?
    -namely forced induction or other mods that actually make a difference without requiring a ton of investment. Again, sorry if this is ambiguous, so just generally speaking.

    How does the 3rz take miles? is this truck "long in the tooth"?

    Please contribute anything else you have to say, I would love to hear what other owners have to say about their trucks.
    Forgive me if any of my information is wrong. I'm a second gen guy and im doing my best to learn the ins and outs of these 1g's.


    If anyone has the ability to check the VIN out, it is: 4TAWM72N5TZ131789
    FullSizeR.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2020
  2. Jun 30, 2020 at 3:43 PM
    #2
    Slamuel

    Slamuel [OP] Well-Known Member

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    another.

    tacoma2.jpg
     
  3. Jun 30, 2020 at 3:47 PM
    #3
    Slamuel

    Slamuel [OP] Well-Known Member

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    It appears to be leveled. I hate the fender flares and the color coordinating trim lol but some things cant be all that AND the chips.. hahaha

    tacoma3.jpg
     
  4. Jun 30, 2020 at 3:57 PM
    #4
    Black DOG Lila

    Black DOG Lila Well-Known Member

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    Stock. EZ pass.Dump pass.Inspection sticker.Convict printed lic.plates.FG cap.
    @Slamuel
    The TRD stickers are not from Toyota.
    I believe TRD OR designation was first used in 2000.
    Does it have a Diff lock switch on dashboard?
    150,000 mi is not too high depending on price, location and maintenance records. Run the VIN# for wrecks and check on Toyota owners website for Dealer service records and recalls.
     
    joe25rs and tcjacado like this.
  5. Jun 30, 2020 at 3:59 PM
    #5
    Black DOG Lila

    Black DOG Lila Well-Known Member

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    Stock. EZ pass.Dump pass.Inspection sticker.Convict printed lic.plates.FG cap.
    Is frame rust an issue in Kekistan?
     
    tcjacado likes this.
  6. Jun 30, 2020 at 4:01 PM
    #6
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    Forget about bigger tires, and other mods.

    Check the frame for rust. If you have a rusty frame, all those mods are irrelevant.

    Well taken care for, these trucks last forever. But their one main weakness is frame rust (mostly in states that salt the roads in winter). That is your #1 priority.
     
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  7. Jun 30, 2020 at 4:07 PM
    #7
    Slamuel

    Slamuel [OP] Well-Known Member

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    frame rust is good. its clean down there. florida truck its whole life, and not near the salt it appears.

    Yeah those are definitely not factory.. its the "punisher edition" lmao. debadge asap.

    I know about the rusting issues. I have found a ton of trucks but once i see that brown devil... goodbye. this one seems alright.
     
    cruiserguy and Black DOG Lila like this.
  8. Jun 30, 2020 at 4:11 PM
    #8
    Slamuel

    Slamuel [OP] Well-Known Member

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  9. Jun 30, 2020 at 4:18 PM
    #9
    0xDEADBEEF

    0xDEADBEEF Trash Aficionado

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    Thats not bad miles for a 3RZ. But its not gonna be fast. 80 on the interstate is going to be a stretch.

    With larger than stock tires, regearing is going to be pretty much required . At least its a stick tho.
     
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  10. Jun 30, 2020 at 4:27 PM
    #10
    Slamuel

    Slamuel [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I’m a little confused. Help me out. Highway speed is determined solely by RPM in the case of the truck considered. Are you saying the truck is not going to be able to overcome the resistances in its final gear, thus causing me to use 4th always? Or are you saying that it will be screaming? Because if the latter is the assumption, larger tires would help. Please don’t take this the wrong way I’m genuinely curious. My 2nd gen would do 85 if I wasn’t careful and they’re... not fast by any means. I’m trying to get a feel for what a I4 truck would feel like. I’d prefer not to regear.. it’s not locker version so can we determine what the ratio is from the fact that it’s just a 4x4?
     
    GQ7227 likes this.
  11. Jun 30, 2020 at 4:46 PM
    #11
    Harryhood87

    Harryhood87 Well-Known Member

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    Idk what state you're in but I can send you some info on nice 5spd trucks up here in NH. There's a small auto group always selling 1st gents with new frames. Their prices are slowly going up. Used to 8500 now 9500 for sr5 5SPD xtracab. 118k miles. They get TRDs too. Usually $9995 with new frames and 5SPD. You could prob haggle price and work out something for shipping.
     
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  12. Jun 30, 2020 at 5:10 PM
    #12
    jblack

    jblack Well-Known Member

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    I'd look for a V6 truck for the interstate, the little 2.7 are a little weak for 80 mph cruising.
     
    GQ7227 likes this.
  13. Jun 30, 2020 at 5:49 PM
    #13
    Abeyancer

    Abeyancer Not so secret, secret van guy

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    The only way to tell is going to be with the axle code that's printed in the lower right hand corner of the door jamb sticker. I have "highway" gears in my 4 banger with 31" tires and it'll do 70mph in 5th gear at about 2500-2600 rpms. I cant tell you how it'll act at 80 because I NEVER go that fast... I don't think my foot is physically capable of pressing an accelerator that hard :rofl:

    But I can tell you that it's a dog trying to get up that fast, and any sort of real passing requires down shifting for the torque, 5th is useless for anything but cruising. Max power output is at around 3600rpm I believe but I'm not a fan of taking the rpms higher that 3500.. anything after 3k really sounds like a lawnmower engine about to blow a rod to me
     
  14. Jun 30, 2020 at 5:49 PM
    #14
    0xDEADBEEF

    0xDEADBEEF Trash Aficionado

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    To get it going 80 mph with the right gears and a tall tire, the engine is going to be in the 3500 rpm range. Doable I guess, but its not going to be fun. Mine with 4.30s and 235/75/15s will definitely go 80, but it also sounds like the engine is about to head for orbit.

    If you don't regear, then its just going to be doggish off the line, and you'll have to downshift at the first sight of a hill, or a headwind.

    You'll have to look at the door sticker to figure out the stock gearing.
     
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  15. Jun 30, 2020 at 5:51 PM
    #15
    Abeyancer

    Abeyancer Not so secret, secret van guy

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    Legend... so glad we agree and said almost the exact same thing!
     
  16. Jun 30, 2020 at 5:55 PM
    #16
    0xDEADBEEF

    0xDEADBEEF Trash Aficionado

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    Its almost like we have similar experiences with similar trucks! :laughing:
     
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  17. Jun 30, 2020 at 5:58 PM
    #17
    Abeyancer

    Abeyancer Not so secret, secret van guy

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    How many miles are on your truck? I just rebuilt the engine and the taking off into orbit thing was so spot on... I'm glad I didn't do anything wrong, or got a bunk aftermarket head
     
    cruiserguy likes this.
  18. Jun 30, 2020 at 6:00 PM
    #18
    Kevin Jones

    Kevin Jones Well-Known Member

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    I don't find that to be the case, much of the 414,000 miles on my '96 2.7 is 75-80 on interstates and no problem. Drove it from Va to Fla for years with ease.
    These engines run forever. If looking for a 1st GEN the 2.7 would be my first choice and only choice.

    Looks like a nice truck if frame is good.
     
    GQ7227 likes this.
  19. Jun 30, 2020 at 6:00 PM
    #19
    0xDEADBEEF

    0xDEADBEEF Trash Aficionado

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    207k. I think it'll be fine to run at those rpms really, but a v6 would be a whole lot happier.
     
  20. Jun 30, 2020 at 6:46 PM
    #20
    Slamuel

    Slamuel [OP] Well-Known Member

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    yeah I see what you’re saying. I’m gonna get my design book and see if I can actually put some figures down and see if the engine can do it so maybe I’ll come back with that.

    what I want is for the truck to hold a normal RPM- 2500-3000 and cruise at 80 with ~32” tires ultimately. I would be okay using the RPM’s off the line as opposed to on the freeway. Not trying to be argumentative but I think it might be more feasible than you have in mind but I don’t know for sure. I’m hoping someone has done it to save me the figuring lol.
     

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