What does long term taco ownership look like?

I've been wanting a Tacoma for some time now, and finally was in a position to get one. My ORIGINAL plan was to get a used 2nd gen Tacoma for <30k total, then use that for a couple years and eventually trade in for one of the new gen 4 tacos coming out after a couple model years.

Here's the problem.... I'm already falling in love with this gen 2. Assuming it doesn't have any catastrophic failures, I can't think of a reason I'd update to a gen 3 from this, and unless gen 4 introduces something AMAZING (like being able to fit 37s without cab relocation) I probably won't be itching to upgrade then either. I really just want to turn this into the truck of my dreams and drive it forever.

So now i'm trying to figure out what owning this taco (which currently has 160k miles) and taking it to 250-300k might look like over the next 10 years or so. Aside from a transmission rebuild, what might I expect to need in terms of major service? The interior looks good, the paint looks good, there's only negligible surface rust on the frame (which i plan to clean up). I had a mechanic look it over and the only other things he noticed were some loose joints in the suspension, which i'm planning on replacing anyway with a complete lift kit (im thinking ICON stage 3). On paper i'm falling in love with the idea of modding this truck (responsibly) and taking it to 300k+, but what might that actually look like? I came from a car with <80k miles, so i'm new to older car ownership, and want to make sure I'm not missing some obvious big costs that I should plan for.

 

In my opinion, if you go with a 2nd GEN, those engines are basically indestructible, and I think you would have a very happy time with that engine as it is solid as a rock

 

well, had my 1982 for 25 years and over 750k on it and was still going great when i got an 05 ac. had it about 2 yrs before finding my 08 rc in 2011....12 yrs later and 200k into this one and still clickin along great. no intentions of gettin rid of it ever.....sold the 82 in 2009 for same money that I paid for it in 1984.

 

I bought my 05 v6 new. I watched them pull it off the truck. I'm at 200k miles

Biggest thing that was 100% necessary was I replaced the headgaskets 2 years ago, and I cleaned up the failing paint.

But I dont live anywhere near snow/salted roads either so no rust issues.

 

the only reason I sold my 1990 was because my kids didn't fit in the jump seat. My wife thought airbags sounded safer, and i could stick my kids in the back seat in car seats. my plan was to turn the 90 turn into a dedicated wheeler. my nephew wanted it more.

my 09 Tacoma would only get cooler if it had a 6ft bed in my mind.

 

stay on top of the regular maintenance - eg. oil changes every 5-7K miles, brake fluid, diff/transfer case fluid, etc. . . grease the driveshaft regularly

plastic/rubber things will start to go at some point - eg. suspension bushings, head gasket and such - so just keep an eye on those things and be ready to repair/replace them

if you lift it, the needle bearing may need to be replaced [known weak point] with the ECGS bushing - mine started to make noise at right after I bought it with 55K miles on it

my dad rolled over the odometer in his Tercel back in the day, I put 150K on my Civic before I traded it for an E36, which I put 220K on before circumstances forced me to sell it [i am still a bit bitter about that one] -

if it is in good shape when you get it and you keep up with the regular stuff/do repairs when they are indicated, you should be fine, it is a Toyota after all

I plan on keeping my Tacoma till I die - as far as I am concerned, it would be impossible to replace [TRD OR AC MT V6 config is not easy to find and not avail in 3rd/4th gen at all]

 

Get a 2.5 and don't look back! 2013 4.0 with 180K & still going strong!! No offense but you can keep your 3rd gen's!!

 

140k on my 2013.... Should be able to get 350k outta her no problem on original engine and trans without anything more than just standard maintenance.

 

Got an 07… Got it at 176K and it’s at about 205k now… Driven twice across the US and no issues. Only thing it needs right now is leaf springs as they’re original. Only major thing that NEEDED to be replace was spark plugs. She just putts right along!

 

If you’re ok with driving it, go for it.

not sure why you would need to rebuild the tranny. They usally pretty good.

I like my Tacoma, and it served us good…dogs, bikes, camping trips, family outings…..but I find it a little boring to drive. Want something more fun…..and baby seat barely fits in the back.

 

Another 2nd Gen weak spot that hasn't been mentioned is the steering rack but by no means is that a dealbreaker on keeping your truck around. The best options are either an OEM unit or one of the modified Tundra racks if you want some extra beef at the cost of a little harder installation.

Keep up the paint maintenace as well. Oh, and update the stereo to a Carplay/Android Auto or at least Bluetooth connectivity.

 

Im just thinking worst case scenario. This used truck seems in great shape, and drives great, BUT there are no service records. So I'm pessimistically planning on the transmission still being on original fluid, just to be prepared.

(edit: I should say, I had an independent mechanic look at it as well before buying it, so I didnt buy it completely blind without service records. He had good things to say, but since its a sealed transmission he can't say for sure how old the fluid is)

 

It means your truck is going to look slightly different in pictures as it ages.







Just keep on top of maintenance and choose your mods carefully to preserve the core drivetrain. Otherwise, enjoy, and go make memories.

 

ive got a 2008 and im just hitting 170k i do the bare minimum maintenance and i drive it very hard and put it away wet and its my daily do whatever you want with tacomas they can take it i just wouldnt tow heavy with it but if you do, again who cares she'll ride

 

Hey man, Take a look here at what you should be doing for maintenance. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-gen-diy-maintenance-quick-reference-guide.438945/

 

Almost at 125K on mine, and yeah, easily the easiest vehicle to upkeep. Do the proper maintenance, and you'll easily go over 300K on it....

 

I own a 2014 limited 4x4 and with regular maintenance I’ve not had a single issue. Currently 89k miles and runs as good as the day I bought it. Definitely see 200k miles with no problem . I guess it depends on how a used one has been maintained, used etc. like any used truck.

 

best truck for long term

 

Maintenance is key, there’s a guy on here or he was on here he had over 600k on his 2nd gen before he sold it