2nd Gen Buying Help .....

I'm currently shopping for a used 2nd Gen Truck and good grief do I ever need some help! ......

I know most or all of the answers to my questions are on here somewhere already, but I get too distracted reading other cool stuff I stumble across to ever get any real research done and I'd like to make a buying decision sometime before the next ice age.

Here's what I KNOW I WANT .... 2nd Gen, Double Cab, 4X4, Automatic... This is a daily driver/kid hauler/toy hauler/ beach fishin machine/ and maybe if I'm lucky and I get a free weekend or two in the next decade a light trail/camping rig.

Beyond that I want you to tell me what I want!

I've read about the differences in the packages till I'm blue in the frikin face and my head hurts .... but honestly what are the differences as far as what is worth getting from the factory and what can be added later/better/cheaper .....

I also know exactly squat about Toyotas ... so fill me in ...

Does one color suck cuz it peels or anything?

Besides length and space (DUH!) is there any advantage/disadvantage to short or long bed? .... as in NO ONE MAKES bed covers for shortbeds ..... or you can't life a long bed ... crap like that .....

How many miles is HIGH for one of these suckers ... and I don't want to hear about your buddy Ralph that drove his 500K miles without changing the oil .... I want real honest useful advice ...... Ok, fine, tell me about Ralph too, that guy sounds NUTTS!

What starts crapping out when ... so I know what to look for .....

Are there any differences between the years that are important ... Things like, the '06 Frame was made from Old Milwaukee cans and bubblegum? Or stay away from the '08 they used Duct Tape for Head gaskets......

I think you get the idea ..... now TEACH ME DAMNIT!

Thank you, that is all..........

 

indecisive and assertive, an interesting blend of traits
SB has shorter wheelbase therefore better for offroading
LB has more space, therefore more room to haul

JBL stereo systems are more expensive (good for those of us in between "don't care" and "audiophile") and also more difficult to swap in a new stereo. Bluetooth is a nice feature if it fits your lifestyle (it fits mine well, letting me talk on the phone while driving without needing to pair up a darn headset everytime). Sport is more aesthetically defined, Offroad has more features (re: diff locker, etc) and no hood scoop.

Not sure about each years problems, but there are some folks on here who have already got their 2nd gens past 100 or even 200+K with no major issues. Wheel bearings I hear go out earlier than desired.

I'm sure I missed a lot, but plenty of people will chime in here!

 

HEY DANG IT! ... Not indecisive .... just overwhelmed and time constrained!

I know all of the practical differences between long and short beds, this option and that one ...... What I'm askin about are things that you have to "Know Toyotas" to know about ........

 

good luck finding a good used tacoma, I have been looking to buy another one. but used and at a reasonable price, but it seems, people want sticker price, with high miles.
so I'm probably going to get a new camry se v6 next month

 

If I was in the market for a used Tacoma, in Texas, I would buy: 07+ (09+ has LED taillights, new grill, and some interior upgrades) in either blue shade, white, or silver (hot Texas days, also, I have seen radiant red fade). Short bed (buy an bed extender if you need more room, and easier to park), 4x4 (never know when you will need it), Sport trim (colored handles, bumpers, and hood scoop; people are always trading for them in the classifieds). Non-JBL stereo system (easier to switch out if you want to upgrade only the head unit), with all of the TSBs (Toyota Service Bulletins) done and up to date. I am sure I missing a few things but at the moment, this is what I would buy.

 

I'm havin the same problem ....... I'm hoping that being a Toyota I can squueze more miles out of it that the big ass Blue Ovals I usually drive.... So I'm thinkin I'm gonna be lookin '07-'09 40K-65K miles .....

Thanks guys, this is exaclty the kinda stuff I'm lookin for .... keep it comin!

I'm assuming that the LED tailight thing can be rectified with aftermarket parts pretty easy huh? ..... will LED factory units fit into the non LED body holes?

Are there any factory Bed extenders? .... I haven't seen any short beds for sale that have one.......