Purchasing a 2018 Tacoma, Look-Fors

3rd Gen folks,

I have my sights set on a gently used 2018 TRD/OR DCLB. I am going to take a look at it today and a test drive and I need some input:

1) Is there anything, in particular, I should look for or focus on during the inspection?
2) How can I properly ensure the crawl control is working?
3) Truck has not lived near the ocean or in the rust belt but are there any weak spots in the frame I should look for?

I have owned 1st gens for the past 20 years and I am very familiar with the faults/issues to look for in them. However, I am green to the 3rd generation world. Thanks for any advice!

 

If there are no flashing lights crawl control should be fine. Just put it in 4 low and try crawl control going down a hill or over a curb. You might be able to trigger it on pavement on a steep hill going down. Just don't turn a lot or it binds things up, but straight line is no issue. If it sounds like a jack hammer under the hood it is working. My truck is a 2018 and other than the fuel pump recall and the third brake light TSB it has been great. I would look for dings underneath as signs it has been offroaded hard. See how it drives, does it track straight (accident or alignment). Look at tire wear patterns (are they even). I also look at the engine compartment for oil leaks or low fluid levels. Run a carfax on it to see if its history looks good.

 

Honestly, not much. The 3.5L series engines are good. I can only recall ever seeing front cover leaks on them in my shop.

Other than that, check over brakes, tires, suspension on your test drives.

Frame should be good, I think you know what to look for after owning 1st gens.

I can't comment on crawl control as I own MT w/ a-trac.

 

Look for a coolant leak at the crossover at the back of the engine. Easier to do from underneath, over the bellhousing. Look for a redish pink powdery material.

Look for an oil leak from the timing cover around where the PS pump is mounted.

Also PS rack might leak if wheeled hard. Look at the boots for oil.

Rust is typical of any truck frame... surface rust is typical on exposed untreated areas. Rust scale could be a bad sign.

 

Test drive it good especially on hills, many complaints on how the transmission shifts. Nothing wrong with it, just lack of torque on low end. Power builds from midrange to top end.

 

Thanks everyone! This information was very helpful.

The owner has installed Coil/Bilstein 5100 Kit (HS16BK-1) from Headstrong Off-Road with OME 887. It has a full C4 bumper and Warn 10 winch.

From my research here and online, the 887 may not be the best option for this front set-up. Should this be a concern? If I had a stock truck this would not have been the route I would have gone but I have had both the Bilstein/OME on my 1st gen.

Additional info: The truck is running 285/70R17 MTs, Deaver AAL/5100 in back, with no additional armor (i.e. skids). I will use this truck for moderate offroading, camping 1-2times a month. It will be my DD.

 

Drive it to your usual route and decide from there . Drive it up the mountains. Those are heavy mods .Your mpg and performance will take a hit if not re-geared

 

Buying from the actual owner or dealership?

Actual owners tend to be more honest.

How many miles on it?

The rear diff tends to get seepage so don’t be alarmed about that. Just make sure it’s not leaking badly or just a royal mess.

 

Toyota fixed the timing cover oil leak on the 2018s, it was a problem on the 2016 and 2017s. They also fixed the coolant crossover pipe on the 2018s, it was an issue on the 2016 and 2017s. I have a 2018 with about 50,000 miles on it and so far, the only issue I have had is the Fuel pump recall and the third brake light which was also a recall (although mine was not leaking, just fix for the recall). The Fuel pump had to be done twice as gas started leaking at the union, but it is good now. I have owned a 1996 Gen 1, a 2005 Gen2 and now the 2018. So far, all great trucks. I have not had any rust issue, but I don't live in the rust belt. By the way Toyota started coating the inside of the frame in 2018 as rust starts on the inside of frames.

 

Mind showing your work on this?

 

I have owned my 2018 SR for about 4 years, so the Fuel pump and third brake light was done by the dealer I bought it from.

Here is a link to a good video.

Should you buy the latest Toyota Tacoma 2016-2021? - YouTube

 

I might be selling mine…..

Kings with adjusters
CBI full skids and now C4 Hyrbid front bumper
And everything else you could want. 2018 off-road JBL premium