Got a 1st gen tacoma as my first truck!!!

Hi everyone, I am David Coyle, and I am turning 16 in 8 days and couldn’t be more excited to drive my 1996 tacoma around town. It is a 2.7L 4-cyl 5-speed and is a cab and a half. Unfortunately I am very new to all of this, so I will have lots of questions… It is currently sitting on 265/70/r16s, put on by the person we purchased it from… I think it seems to have a couple inch lift on it because looking at pictures of the stock ones it looks much taller. I don’t think much bigger tires are possible, because I would need to regear.However I am interested in lifting it, as any teenage boy as myself would be. Is there a way you guys could help me see what has already been done to it if I send some pictures? i’m not sure what to take pictures of really. Also, how does it work when trying to lift a truck if it already has a previous lift kit on it? Thanks, and i’m happy to be a part of the group!

 

Welcome to Tacoma world! What you just described was my first truck too, you're going to love it.

 

first thing id do is replace the ball joints. I would personally sell it and get a v6 ext cab or some other yota.

 

That said the ball joints are a good idea as preventative maintenance if you don't have any service history on the truck

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome to TW! Would help to know what kind of lift it currently has before recommending anything on that topic. Post some pics including shots of the front/rear suspension if you can

 

That was exactly my first Tacoma as well. Only reason why I sold it was because I couldn’t figure out a way to squeeze a baby seat in the back!

I lifted mine using OME 880 (or 881?) shock and spring combo in the front and new leaf springs with aal in the back.
It’s was a slow truck and it rode like a tractor but I loved it!

 

Tons and 40s

 

40s n tons are the only way

 

Good score on the truck! The 2.7 is one of my favorite motors, but probably just because ive got a soft spot for 4cyl trucks lol.

How mechanically minded are you? Have any sort of mentor who is very mechanically minded? Only reason I ask is because a valve adjustment is a very critical service point on these particular motors and that job can come across as scary

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld

 

Great first vehicle to start learning mechanics on. It's what I started on 10 years ago. Post pictures of the suspension and we will be able to help you out. Stacking lifts isn't a great idea. With some adjustable upper control arms you may be able to get away with larger tires. I had 4.30 gears from factory and it wasn't terrible on 33s when the truck was stock.

 

Welcome to TW

 

Welcome aboard and there is a ton of useful info here:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-tacoma-buyers-guide.156943/

First things first, establish a maintenance baseline. Regardless of what the seller says if you don’t have a receipt for a particular repair or maintenance item, consider it not done. And if you do have a receipt consider it may have been done wrong or with substandard parts. Not trying to scare you but your truck is 26 years old and requires some love and attention.

Post some pictures!

 

You got a great first truck. If you do lift it more, just be sure to not to forget the rear lift!

 

not sure if these are good pictures… but this is the front and back under the wheel wells

 

and here’s the full truck if anyone is interested…

 

Nice truck. Most of these guys on this website will help you with suggestions and advice. If you need parts just ask. Prices are usually good, and guys like to pay it forward. I used the term "most guys". Ignore the other ones that crawl out of their holes and submit.

 

That looks like a normal height 4x4 Tacoma, don't see any indications of lift parts on it in the pics...maybe a small spacer on the front coilovers? At any rate there are some good budget lift suggestions in the posts above, other than that I would go through it maintenance-wise with a fine tooth comb to make sure you get plenty more trouble free miles out of it. Ball joints, any bushings that look shot, oil changes front to back. Tune up if it's due and none is documented

 

got it… what budget friendly lift options would you recommend? I have been mowing tons of lawns so this is something I would want to spend my money on