Best and Not-the-best years to buy 2nd Gen

The exact date of the head gasket update seems to be a mystery. Internet info calls it a running change. I have seen posted here on TW that the change was November of 2005 which would have been early in the 2006 model year. Other dates and times have been mentioned.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/05-06-tacoma-head-gasket-failure-poll.595994/

 

2014 2.7 5spd 5 lug 2wd regular cab is probably the best 2nd gen.

 

Ooooo interesting point.

 

New models had traction control shoved in, which is probably not good.
New TRD Sport LSD did away with mechanical.
They may have done away with propshaft grease fittings
New model added secondary air injection for the foam filter to get sucked in the engine

and they cost a lot more for what is basically a 20 year old motor transmission and chassis

if you figured out how to make a forum account you’ll figure out how to retrofit any feature you want just fine.

less money spent on truck = more money for mods which everyone wants anyway regardless of year. Not like there trucks came with a front locker or sliders no matter what year it is.

only major headache I can think of is around 06’ headgasket failures

what I really want to know is how much more built a cheap 4x4 can be.
Say you give two guys $20k. One spends it all on a 2nd gen.
The other buys a 1st gen Taco, 3rd or 4th gen 4Runner for $10k or less (let’s pretend Pre-COVID normalness)
How much more built would the cheaper truck be
It would probably have regear and lockers
I wonder what life would be like had I gone that route
I needed a car fast, there wasn’t much to choose from nearby, so when I saw a clean manual 2nd gen I went for it. Thought and listened to the advice “it’s a Toyota, what could go wrong?”
And learned it’s actually “it’s a Toyota, a lot will go wrong” (shoutout throwout bearing design)
same parts cost 10x more than a Jeep part
$1k+ in parts for the TOB just to take it from running Like Shit to Slightly Less Like Shit, for the price of an economical beater daily

 

I knew nothing when I got my 13 used in 2016, except I liked it after driving it. Then I found this site, and the people here, my wallet hates you all. I've had 100,000 trouble free miles, and would drive it across country right now. I like that it's now paid for, and in great condition.

 

I really like the 2013 model
Cuz I has one

 

Is that more with the V6 trucks? When I was looking at 4Runners and a corresponding forum I heard of some head gasket troubles. The V8s had almost none I believe, but they have timing belts instead of chains, at least those around 5 years old.

 

early 4th gen 4 runners 03-06 had the same headgasket issues as the 05-06 tacos cus they shared the same drivetrain.

 

Ok thanks for specifying.

 

To answer your question, Yes.
It was more on the 4.0 V6 engines.

The 2.7 I4 and V8 engines didn’t have that issue.

 

Got ya. When I had a Subaru it wasn't a matter of if, but when the headgasket would fail (on the EJ25 engine). That trouble seems to be relatively rare overall with the Toyota 4.0 V6.

 

I bought my 2012 as a CPO in Jan 2013. Everyone makes a big deal about the smog pump but it hasn't been an issue for me over the past 100,000 miles.

Here's a list of what I have replaced outside of fluid changes and wear and tear items like tires and brakes...none of these issues are uncommon and they are not limited to the 2012.
- JBL head unit screen failed so I replaced the stereo
- hvac fan resistor failed so I replaced with the revised switch
- spiral cable/clock spring

 

Thought the 2014-2015 both have the backup camera in the head unit? I thought the only difference is really the clock.

 

Correct, 2015 shared the backup camera in head unit but no standalone clock.

 

My 06 must be a unicorn cuz it has 220k miles on the clock and runs like a dream. I do keep up with the maintenance and has had no head gasket issues.

 

What is the revised switch? Haven't seen the HVAC fan resistor in a Tacoma, but with the older Chevy/GMC trucks they were high wattage resistors. In my sons old Dodge Dakota it was actually coils of wire that equaled long lengths of wire to insert a voltage drop. Years ago when it failed I bypassed it with a piece of low gauge wire so the fan would run on high until we got a replacement.

 

I really can't complain about my 2006 4x4 TRD SR5 granted there were a few TSB's rear springs , drive shutter, and of course the frame..I basically got a new truck back with the frame replacement in 10-2016 other than that I've had zero issues..
16 years old 114, 900 miles it's never thrown a code. only things were the wear and tear items 2 batteries, 2 sets of tires, 1 set of break pads, 4 shocks
it doesn't leak or burn a drop of oil.. I do my 30K service intervals religiously .. still has the original exhaust I guess I got a good one

 

Part numbers are in the pic of the bags here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ld-and-ramblings.452204/page-30#post-26542020

 

Ok great - thanks.

 

Could you tell me what the TSB was for the drive shutter? I have what I believe is that with my 2.7L 5 speed manual, only when accelerating when around 1800-2000 rpm. As long as I stay light on the throttle it doesn't happen. At times not avoidable as when going up a hill. I'm used to it at this point but the mention of it got my attention.