2004 Tacoma 4x4

Hello, I love Tacoma and never own one. I read a lot about Tacoma and some years are better than another years. My goal is to find a Tacoma for work like carry logs wood, camp and towing as well to replace my old SUV. At same time, I don’t want buy expensive one because I won’t use it as daily commute. I would buy small car brand new for daily commute, fuel efficiency.
I am in Canada so I found one pretty nice a 2004 Tacoma Xtracab 3.4L 4x4 for 8000$ CAD (near 6000$ USD)but it has 357,000 km (222,000 miles). Just wondering is it worth it ? There are 3 issues, steering leak very little and gas tank leak only when full and also sensor exhaust needs to replace. Should I focus on 2nd gen ?

Thanks

 

Those are not deal killers for me.

I'd be looking very closely at the frame. Make sure some one hasn't painted it to his and rust.

Those are low numbers. The truck can easily run twice that many km's

 

Thanks so much. I did look under the truck, pretty good for the age. Normal rust surface, no hole or deep rust. Frame replaced from recall. Rust body is only on driver side above the back fender near gas door. Can be easy to fix. Is 1st gen take more fuel than 2nd gen ?

 

All I know is my 2004 x-cab 3.4 gets no better than 18 mph when traveling the highway.

My 2008 Four door Tundra 5.7 gets 15 mph when traveling the highway.

I don't know what 4.0 Tacoma trucks get for mpg.

 

Looks can be deceiving. Bang on it with a small ball peen hammer, everywhere. The 1st gen Tacoma's have known issues with the lower ball joints on the 4x4 trucks. This issue was resolved with the 2nd Gen. What ever route you go, always check the frame out, All of the Tacoma generations can have rust issues with the frame.

 

Agreed! Rusty frames and lower ball joints are weak on the first gens.

 

Yeah true, I read some articles about 1st gen issue. Because of poor suspension design causes the issue with lower ball joint, 2nd gen improved. About the frame, I am aware about most Tacomas had this issue. I always ask seller if the frame was done by recall. Some sellers said fix with paint, big NO for me. I can see it under as well. The 2004 one I am planning to buy is booked at my mechanic for pre purchase inspection next week. I wouldn’t buy if there are too many issues. I will let you know after the inspection.

 

One thing that I tell perspective buyers to check is how rusty the hardware under the hood is (clamps, hose clamps, the bracket that hold the heater controls to the firewall). Rusty hardware could mean a rusty frame.

 

Thanks Jacobrippey, that's good to know.

 

Take pics of the truck and frame and post them here.

 

sorry about double image, I was struggling to load the image.

 

That frame looks quite nice for Canada. Note how rust free the gas tank skid plate is. If the car has seen a lot of salt that gas tank skid plate will be very rusty. I'd confirm everything is good with the frame by tapping on the frame with a hammer throughout but this looks like a great buy to me.

 

Thanks Ztwatson. If everything is just minor after mechanic inspection next week, I will definitely to go anti rust oil spray to keep maintain in good condition for a long term.

 

Might want to start tapping with a hammer where you see this or similar. How are the shock mounts? pics from the rear of the frame?

 

Thank you guys. I didn’t take pictures when I met seller last weekend. The pic that I posted was from seller’s ad.
Shock mounts seem new to me. No rusty. Leaf springs are good (normal rust surface) the seller added rubber Timbren suspension enhancement as well.

 

My frame was replaced 5 years ago and it looks like this after 5 Wisconsin winters. There is fluid film soaking everything now, that's when i took this picture. Mostly just the welds that show this rust. My frame is solid. I've inspected it all over and she's good. This truck looks better than mine.

 

Hi, the seller dropped off his tacoma to my mechanic to make sure if this is good for me to buy. Unfortunately, there is 3500$ cad of repairs. Coolant and other oil leaks, transmission as well leaks. Needs front brake soon, rear now. Body is starting to go, lower support for radiator has a hole rusted through and there are holes inside the box and rear panel as well. My mechanic doesn’t recommend to buy this truck because it will have a lot of work to keep up in future. It’s a huge disappointment for me but I hope I will find one better. Thank you for your advice, sharing opinons etc…

 

Like a lot of things - buy the best one you can afford. Unfortunately rust is the devil with these trucks.