Tacoma Stalking, er...uh, Spotting, with Charlie™ (1st Gen Edition)!

Quite Possible that a few may have received new frames before the extended Warranty was started.

Before Toyota was aware they had a major problem Once the extended Warranty was started they were all Crushed making used parts hard to find of those years .

You know the frames were never recalled.

 

You mean from Toyota for free or paid for by owners who really loved their trucks? My truck is getting a new frame, and if it were any worse than it actually is and my truck was out of warranty, I'd be screwed; I have the credit to take out a loan and buy a new vehicle, but no way in hell I could afford the costs associated with swapping out a frame at this point in my life!

 

Well, you own two of them so you're kind of biased...

I honestly think that the 1995-1997 has the best looking front end, but I would buy a 2001-2004 over the two variations because it is the newest.

 

I know which ones I like the most...

 

Was it possibly to get a locking rear diff in the 1995-1997 models?

 

Yup, just didn't have a name for the package and came with no packages by default, had to order locking rear diff when building.

 

They started out great in 95, then each generation got more and more like an electric razor.


Just like everything else designed in the 90s.

 

TRD Off-Road became available in 1998? I don't think I've ever seen a 1995-1997 TRD...

 

Whenever I see a 1995-1997, even if it is a total shitbox, I take pictures; They are a dying breed!

 

Yeah, 98 was the first year of the TRD package, which on first gens is really lame. Some factory micro billies, some ultrasoft (same height) front springs, decals, and the locker. The locker is the only useful part and it's still an old fashioned toyota locker so its fragile.

 

So, my friend's '04 5-speed that I drove is a legit TRD?

 

Don't see why it wouldn't be, they're not uncommon.

 

I mean not a "lame" TRD...

 

Well I mean that is still possible I think you could get TRD pre runners, not having 4WD is pretty lame in a 6 lug haha

 

What was the point of the Prerunner? For someone who wants the look of a 4x4 but not the extra costs associated with actually having a 4x4? Even down South, from what I've seen, 4WD Tacos seem to reign supreme...

 

Yeah honestly the name hearkens to pre-running races (short course and desert racing trucks are 2wd) which is typically done in racing with a less powerful and capable truck to get a feel for the track. But I think it was just a super easy way to sell a much cheaper to produce vehicle with a markup (looks like a 4by and can use 4by suspension and accessories)

 

My dad almost sold my current truck back to the dealer in 2012; The dealer he bought it from was offering to buy it back for practically what he paid for it, and my uncle was selling a 2002 AC 2.7L/auto SR5 Prerunner with like 40K original miles that we both liked...

 

My green truck came from a shady used car lot (busted head gasket ghetto fixed with block sealer) and it was still a good deal at $5100 out the door.

 

Engine fixed now?

 

Oh long ago, I drove it for two years with the busted ass head and fixed it one summer. That engine, trans, wiring harness, and all suspension got transplanted into the grey truck I had after I rolled the green one over at 40mph