Just picked up this 1996 Tacoma 4x4

Finally got a Tacoma for a steal! Any ideas for Mods let me know. Wheels , tires, lift..... also looking for ideas to add a few extra , yes I know it’s only a 2.7 but 20-30 more HP would be nice.

 

Welcome single cab,

I’ve got a single cab too,
look at my build thread if you want for some ideas below,
SOOO many ideas here on this forum
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ion-reg-cab-585-000-plus-build-thread.478395/

 

Welcome to tacomaworld!
Nice looking truck! There are a lot of useful threads stickied at the top of the 1st gen forum. Just depends on what you're looking to do with it.

 

No cheap easy way to get 20-30 horsepower, i’ve Seen back to back dynos of various headers and they will add some power, but not much, 5-10 horsepower if I remember right. A full tune up to get it running like original is the best bet

 

Welcome to The Forum!

 

The HP ain't happening unless you do the supercharger mod.

 

is this the trim model that has no stripes i like to see me some sporty stripes as many taco's seem to not have 'em

 

You can actually order the original SX stripes on line if one wanted them.

http://www.jamesdeancreations.com/tacomalogos.htm

 

Welcome!

 

I wasn't sure if some trim levels did not include them when they were first built? its been so long and I see so very few of the early 1st gens in my parts,
I am like on my own little island in this big town of nearly 1/2 million

 

They came with different trim levels, SX trim level had the decals for 95:96,97

 

That's a beauty. Welcome. Good luck on the upgrades!

 

Love the color and front end! Makes me miss my 97 single cab. If you’re wanting 20-30 more hp Id definitely recommend not getting anything bigger than a 31x10.50. I put 265/75/16 and I could barely hit 65 going downhill.

 

its a 90's single cab therefore you must put the roll light bar on it.

 

You've reached the highest form of enlightenment; a 4 cylinder regular cab Toyota pickup with manual hubs. I'm crazy for these poverty-spec regular cabs. To me they're about the most handsome trucks ever made. A sporty tape stripe would ruin the utilitarian good looks. I would even keep those plain steel wheels but put some knobby skinny tires on them.

There is an easy solution for your horsepower problem. Early 4 cylinder Tacomas like yours usually came with a 3:58 gear ratio. That's tall for a little engine. It's like having skinny legs but using the tiny gears on your bike to climb a hill. A set of 4:30 or 4:56 differentials from a 1995.5-2004 Tacoma or 1996-2003 4Runner will directly swap into your truck. My 4 cylinder regular cab came with 4:30 gears and I'm very happy with that. It's nice and low for off-roading but still competent enough for highway travel, even with a few hundred pounds of extra weight.

 

Nice find Shawn, looks mint!

Plasti-dip the rims and get some bigger tires. You'll love the look before you even consider a lift.