1st Gen Tacoma Buyers Guide

Failed inspection today. I got lucky and a new frame is on order.

 

good for u man thats my dreeaam lol

 

So, last week some idiot spun out right in front of me and now my 3rd gen t4r is totaled. Now I’m determined to find a Taco to replace it. There’s a 2003 double cab Trd limited 4x4 available in my area. It’s got approx 169k miles, zero rust and clean interior. What do you guys think the value is?

 

some pics probably be most helpful

 

Guess that would be helpful huh. See photos.

 

Here's another

 

Interior is as clean but not sure about the engine compartment just yet.

 

The value is what someone is willing to pay for it and very difficult for those of us on the internet to assess. So I'd say between $3k - 10k...

Did you check the frame? As in crawl under there and band on it with a hammer? If not just search on here for frame rot issues, read up on it, then go check the frame before buying.

 

Picked up a 03' dcsb SR5 4x4 with locker and 128500 miles yesterday. New frame, springs, fuel lines etc... in 2017. Will need exhaust and a skid replaced tho. Inside was very clean, middle console is loose and needs work, but that was all I can find. Other wise in great shape. Timing belt, water pump etc... all done on schedule. Paid just under 10k.

 

This post was helpful when I picked up my 1st gen taco! 98k miles double cab, 4x4 auto.

Also use the Toyota owners thing. It shows you more then carfax. Like I thought mine had a new frame but carfax didn't see it. Sure enough new frame back in 2013.

 

I would also add that google the part number for oem parts and just keep looking. So far for me I'm in minnesota and I get my parts from eb Toyota who's in michigan? Anyways long story short they beat everyone in price and inventory level. That's just my experience with them.

 

Really appreciate the thorough writeup. I'm looking for one and I think I've mostly figured out what I want. Does the xtracab have the same bed length as the regular cab or does the extra room come from the bed?

Right now I really just need a small utility truck but I do have some near needs and then some more preferential leanings. A passenger airbag is almost a necessity and I'd feel safer with ABS. I'd prefer to have manual over automatic and I wouldn't mind 4x4. The last two especially seem to up the price tho so I'm wondering relatively how difficult adding ABS to a tacoma that doesn't have it would be vs swapping an auto to a manual when the automatic transmission breaks vs adding 4wd to a 2wd at some point in the future?

 

Access and regular cab both have 6ft bed. The frame is shorter on the regular cab.

I would not be to concerned with ABS it was overly sensitive in my truck and I ended up removing it. If you wanted to add it you would need new spindles, rear axle, abs module, wire harness, all the additional brake lines, sensors etc.

I doubt you will have the auto trans fail but I'd rather do that swap than the abs one.

 

Found this on fb marketplace. It's a 2000 extracab with a 2.7L 5 spd manual 4x4. When I look up parts tho, I can't find anything that seems to match. The roof panel (pt #63111) here seems to be continuous with the pillars but the parts I'm finding would have a crease at the top of the pillars.

To fix this I'd need a new roof panel, new windshield & windshield seal, anything else?

 

Excellent information and thank you! Trying to research this information on the web takes hours and still left me with too many questions! Greatly appreciated!

 

As others have said, I very much appreciate this write up. I think I'm finally going to be in a place to get my first 1st gen in the next few months. I looked through this thread but didn't see. Does anyone know which trims came with manual windows/locks vs power windows/locks?

 

LOL this reminds me of a few years back I found out from CTV in my apt complex that some wasted kids did parkour on my roof and dented the shit out of it. Was able to pull all the dents out but I can't imagine having to replace that whole pillar,roof cab panel.. I assume you passed on it??

 

I'm in Denver and used this guide as a reference. I found what you see as my avatar, a low mileage 2003 v6 4x4 with 132k. I bought sight unseen from a dealer in PA who bought this trade from a local Toyota dealer. I told the dealer that my obvious concerns were rust and his reply was that what he saw was normal for a 20 year old truck. I had it trailered and took it to my local mechanic for an inspection after I got a clean emission and made it legal. It drives great, but it recently snowed and even with M&S tires, I was sliding without 4 high engaged.

When he called me and said it had issues, I was frustrated. The ABS light was on and threw 3 codes that he was unable to clear. Then he showed me the extensive rust and said it was not a truck that he would buy for the money. I paid 10K. Both rear wheel seals are leaking. He did not think there was any immediate concerns for safety, other than the ABS sensors that likely need to be replaced and the obvious leaky rear seals.

Any advice besides sell it!? It's a 2nd vehicle that I bought to turn into my camp rig and was going to install firestone airbags and new shocks to accomodate a FWC shell or similar. Should I be concerned about the extra weight and just keep it simple with a GFC or topper and RTT to keep the weight minimal and not put undue stress on this rust bucket? Has anyone replaced the frame? Are there frames avail to purchase? VIN check confirmed that it passed Toyo inspection in 2010 and rust treatment was applied.

I appreciate your Gen 1 expertise!

 

Post some pics of the frame rust?

Even if it’s really bad, with only 132k on the clock it could very much be worth restoring, but if you don’t have the time or interest that will be the make or break factor for whether you want to keep it or not. You can replace the frame or weld plates onto it. There are plating kits out there.

The other issues sound very minor, the extent of the rust is your biggest question here, posting some pics will help others offer a better opinion.

 

Some pics for reference. Let me know if you can view them? Thanks.