03-04 questions

Hi all, I've been lurking for awhile, wanting to get back into a truck. I've had a Nissan Hardbody, Ford F-150, Jeep Xj, and have been driving my vw Jetta TDI for along time now. I need a 2nd vehicle, mainly backup while my tdi is on blocks for repairs, (236K) and I want a truck for hunting, stuff around the house, and just a spare/backup when one of the others is down. I prefer the 1st gen style over the 2nd, and was thinking of trying to find an 03/04 from down south with not salt. I'm hoping to find and ext cab 4x4 5sp 4cyl trd package. Is there anything that I need to lookout for? what are the typical issues? I know about the frame issue, is there anything in particular on the 03/04's that needs to be looked at on this?
Thanks for any input.

 

01-04 is the same (minor changes) i think the only one being electric throttle on the 03/04

i'd get the v6 rather than the 4cyl....mainly because you'll have a tough time finding a 4cyl trd and 4x4

 

no real reason to get a trd if you want a 4cyl. They dont have lockers in the 4cyl.

 

good info, thanks, I didn't know you couldn't get the locker on the 4cyl. When's the timing belt change interval? any issues over the long haul on the 6cyl? I drive 75miles/day for work, so the 4 would be better for that. any other long life info on these trucks? I'd be keeping it for a long time. Wish I could get the hilux 4cyl diesel for it. conversion time?
Thanks

 

uh? lol

 

/\ What? I know for sure they arent offered in the auto. Whether or not they are in the 5-speed is debated on here, but I have yet to see a factory e-locker in a 01-04 TRD manual. No one seems to have one.

 

I still dont see it listed for a 4cyl. In the "specs" page a locking diff is only listed under the v6s (under Powertrain). Under "options" it says availble but 4cyl auto/manual arent specified.