Is there a way to tell at a glance, the different years of Gen 3s?

This may be an irrelevant question, but (Call me crazy! My wife does!) I notice every Taco that comes my way. No matter what shape it's in, or generation, or whatever...I notice it.

Sometimes, I'll see a Gen 3 that's pretty beat up and wonder, "What year is that?" Or probably more often I'll see an extra clean, well-kept Taco and say, "Wow! That seems to be an older Gen 3, but I don't really know what year it is".

I might be showing my ignorance here, but I don't think (I'm sure you'll correct me if I'm wrong! ) grills, headlights, tail lights, etc. distinguish different years. Colors probably change somewhat by year.

I'm sure many of you can enlighten me here. Help me out.

 

Body was the same .. the front grill and headlights changed over the years .most have aftermarket stuff …

 

The fastest clue to me is the body style. The Third gen had a some slight front end trim differentiation from the version before the refresh. Obviously the later years got LED headlight upgrades, but there so many Mods now that you could easily confuse the early variant from the latter without seeing the year on the registration sticker.

 

1. Paint Colors. Certain years have special colors that were only available on the TRD Pro the first year, then other trims the years after. For example, Army Green was a 2020 TRD Pro special color, so if I see an Army Green TRD OR, I know it's probably a 2021.

2. Grilles. 2016-2017 had one style, 2018-2019 had another, and 2020-2023 had yet another style.

3. Wheels. On the TRD Sport and Limited, the wheels have changed once or twice. Not sure on which model years.

4. Interior colors / seat design. I know they've changed a bit across model years, and i think cloth seats were updated in 2020.

5. Any combo of the above factors. I think paint color is the best way to get in the ballpark, the other factors may narrow it down.

I'm sure there's more, but these are some of the obvious ones if you're just passing one on the road.

 

Not as easy as 50s Chevys huh?

I'm just happy to distinguish generations at a glance.

3gs are easy. They all have a way too big grill opening, regardless of what trim someone stuck in it.

I'll call you crazy. Let the wife know she has support.

 

All the items mentioned above, and also tail lights. Certain tail lights being on a certain trim can narrow it down a lot.

 

The easiest way to tell if it's a 2018 or newer is to see if the front grill has the Toyota safety sense radar.

 

Good for you for your interest.
You're not crazy just a car guy.
Good on ya.
Cars were a lot more "fun" in the 50's, 60's, and 70's before the gas shortage propaganda crap.
Loved the 55-57 Chevy's
But hey how about a GTO or a Mopar muscle.

 

Here is a cool 3rd Gen colors by year chart.

https://importarchive.com/toyota/tacoma/2016-2023

 

That's what I'm talking about! I can see a 55 Chevy, a 56, and a 57 a mile away and know what they are! And I can tell the different Tacoma generations apart. But I can't tell what year they are within the generation.

And like I said. Maybe it's all irrelevant.

My wife likes you! LOL!

 

Yes! That makes sense! I didn't think of that.

 

This is a great link! I just bookmarked it! Thanks!

 

1964 #104 I need to get a pic up in my media!

In the grand scheme of life, you betcha.

Smart lady!

 

Colors are probably the best way to tell but it only works for the hard to get colors. Like army green and lunar rocks are upper trim only, and only for 2 years.
Quicksand and cement are also pretty rare in my neck of the woods.



.

 

Also that giant box behind the rear view mirror.

 

Yeah, I was thinking colors are probably the closest year indicators. Grilles and wheels are easily changed out. Like depending on what I'm doing with my Tacoma, I have two sets of tires on two sets of wheels that I switch out. Neither are from my 2023 year. One set is from a wrecked 2008 4Runner and the other set is off a Tacoma but I don't know what year. Tacoma owners love to customize.

 

Yup! Been a car guy all my life. Even when I was a kid playing in the sandbox I could tell years and brands.

Used to drag race at Maple Grove Dragway and York U.S.30 Drags in Pennsylvania. 1969 Nova SS.

Those early GTOs couldn't be beat!

So much fun!

 

Also, the sliding rear window changed at some point also.

 

2016 didn't have the (power) sliding rear window, but 2017 did *edited

 

I just go by the safety sense camera in the rear view mirror. Aside from that anything else can be swapped.