Part Compatibility: Regular and EXT

I am looking for some info about general compatibility for first gen tacoma's between cab sizes and drivetrains. This might be a fairly basic question but from my research these discussions seem to pertain to compatibility between other generations or other models.

I purchased my 99 Regular Cab 4X4 in 2017 and am just now dipping my toes into refurbishments. I am new to replacing parts on my pride and joy, and would like to try and learn more about my options before I go galavanting to different scrapyards/ordering parts.

Specifically, I am curious about the hood, fenders, tailgate and seats. I have seen a few discussions mentioning that most parts are compatible, is this a generally safe assumption?

Cheers!

 

All same except drive shaft....cats......and seat belts.....thats about it....

biggest difference in these is whether you have 5 lug or 6 lug wheels....
suspension...brakes....shocks are different on these.....

and then 4X4 or rwd.......


Heads and engines changed every couple years to accommodate cam sensor/efi development....and newer intake port....

95 -97. (distributor)......98-2000 (cam sensor)......2001 -04(4 port intake)

 

On my single Cab, so far just about everything has been the same parts wise other than the obvious ones, Driveshafts, exhaust, even a lot of the interior transfers over.
Like Mentioned above the motors changed throughout and the biggest change is 4wd/Prerunner vs 5 Lug 2wd. But yours looks to be a 6 Lug truck which has the most common parts.

 

Regular cab vs extended is only one factor to consider. Year, engine, drivetrain, transmission, and trim/features can also matter.

For example, your '99 hood should be compatible with the hood from any 98-2000 6-lug truck or 97-2000 5-lug truck (5-lugs got facelifted a model year earlier). Newer or older hoods won't line up right with the grille.

As another example, if your truck came equipped with bucket seats, then any other extended or regular cab seat (bench, bucket, 60/40 split bench) should bolt up. If your truck came equipped with a bench seat, you might not have all of the holes to mount buckets or 60/40 bench. Seat belts obviously vary by body style (an extended cab belt won't fit in a regular cab), but they also vary more subtly from year to year. The belt sides and receiver sides aren't always compatible, and later years have an electronically-triggered explosive pretensioner that earlier years don't.

Interior finishes also vary year over year--there are different patterns and different shades of gray and brown. All of the browns are known as "Oak" but not all oaks are the same.

It's true that many parts are direct swaps (the intermittent wiper upgrade is a classic example), but many other parts just "sort of" fit, in that you can make them work if you don't mind a slightly different color or are willing to grab a few adjacent parts, bits of wiring harness, etc, and do some fab work.

Since there's so much variety, your best bets are to either start browsing the mod/build threads to see what parts others have swapped, or form more specific questions about the parts. If you're anything like me you'll also grab some random junkyard parts and find out whether or not they fit later. If they don't fit, you can often re-sell them here on the forums--lots of folks here are looking for good parts.

I keep notes on my phone about which parts are compatible with my truck. I also use https://www.toyodiy.com/ to look up the VIN of junkyard trucks and cross-reference the part numbers with my own VIN.

 

Welcome to the Forum!!

Always Good to mention Engine /Transmission mileage .

The main differences are on things that need to be longer due to length differences between cabs.

Some variations in leaf springs and the front of the frame between years.

The worst is the drive by wire throttle body of 2003 and 04

good luck!

 

Very appreciative of this info!

I was unaware of the consideration of 5 vs 6 lug classification, that will be helpful going forward.

First on the list is a new gray drivers seat. Would love a fender in my color but that has been difficult to come across. I found one online at a scrapyard in Wisconsin willing to ship for $250+price of part, but that has been it for the past few months. I understand there is always the repaint option so I may end up doing it that way. Other than some of the more basic parts, replacing my oil pan is also on the list.

Would love to get the truck looking good! I bought the truck in really awesome shape, but have since used it as a daily driver as well as what it was built for...off roading and work.

Thanks again.

 

Thanks Bivouac,

Looks like we might be neighbors here in the valley.

It's a 2.7 coming up on 220k. I bought it with 112K, and has since made multiple trips across the country. Has needed little repair other than a new drive shaft in 2020 and clutch in 2022 (first replacement).

 

I am in between Route 143 and Route 309 up on the mountain.

Just how close are you?

 

5lug/6lug has cause a few mis part buys.....

the vendor says it fits.....but it doesn't ....
autozone has been problematic....

so word to the wise.....try to buy all those 5lug/6lug specific parts local....
so you get the instant return thing.....

 

Beautiful area, was just through there on my way out to the North Central SF's over the weekend. I am near 512 and 33, also close to the mountain.

 

Thank you for the insight, I am paying more attention to the lug discrepancy now. Had an issue with NAPA recently replacing some sensors. "But our database insists we gave you the right part..cannot compute..."

 

Many adventures up in that area before it was a park.

The power line was fun long ago.

A few girl friends up that way long ago.

Time flies the seventies does not seem all that long ago.