I think I want a used Tacoma - help me understand which one

Thanks JBear. Sounds like a bit of differing oppinion with regard to usefulness/safety of the locking rear for use in the snow. I can see how it would help traction in some cases, but also make the rear more prone to sliding out, if both tires are spinning. Maybe electronic traction control comes into play then? Do the first Gen trucks have that?

You mention why get a 4wd that isn't TRD. For my intended usage, what does the TRD bring to the table that makes it a must have?

 

Man I'm a noob with truck stuff. I am picturing the square port that I see on the back of many trucks. I assume that's the actual hitch. Looks like, browsing online, you can find a hitch thing for $120 or so, and it just bolts right up.

 

That's the one.

 

Lot's of answer about towing here-> http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/towing/4031-tacoma-towing-bible.html

 

Under 10K, and for the usage you describe, I'd go to the pre 2005 Tundra or T100, which, for some reason, didn't hold their value as well so you get more truck for the dollar. and which are quite similar in size and capability to the 2nd gen Tacoma.

Arguably the 2nd gen Tacoma has more in common with the first gen Tundra than it does with the 1st gen Tacoma. (If that's a sensitive or overdiscussed area please ignore the fl@me b@it and just forget I said it, so we can keep on topic for the OP, OK?)

 

Thanks for the info all. Still trying to absorb and learn as much as possible.

I'm confused about something with the Automatic Differential Disconnect. I read on wiki that 2001 was the first year that they all had ADD. So, if I were to find a pre 2001, what do I need to look for to check that I don't have to be getting out of the truck to turn the hubs and manually lock them when I want 4WD... or am I misunderstanding the system and that's not what it means?

 

Sorry boss, don't have the answer to that one for ya... not a 90's guru like some people on here. Post a specific question in the 1st Gen discussion forum... you'll either get useful links or good answers.

 

Thanks. I posted up about that question over on that forum.


To migrate back on topic of something you guys might be able to chime in about... I guess I always was leaning towards the V6 just for the extra grunt. But, if it can't actually haul more payload, then maybe I'm wasting money there? I read somewhere on wiki, I think, that the 4 cyl actually hauled the MOST weight? (manual trans, I guess). Any oppinions on the V6 vs 4 Cyl for ruggedness, carrying stuff, and reliability?

 

Not to revive deadness, but, I wanted to follow through so that anyone else on the same hunt can see what I ended up doing.

The search was fairly arduous. The first few trucks either had piles of repairs/mainenance waiting to be done on them. Others reeked of smoke. Others had insane sellers wanting 150% of the value (what do I look like, a Toyota dealer buying a rusty truck!? ).

Also, each time I'd look at an older truck, it either wouldn't have ABS, passenger airbag, or some other thing that I didn't set out to get, but thought "yeah, I should have this just to be safe." I also became dead set on an auto trans, because my daily driver is a stick, so it would be nice to have the auto truck to have when I want.

Ended up finding a 2004 Lunar silver, Xtracab, V6, SR5 Color, TRD....which is WAY more loaded and nice and newer than I set out to find in the search. Oh well! Think I did FAIRLY decent at $11,2, given that it was at a dealership and not private sale, and has a 3 mo. p-train warranty to boot. Only things that it obviously needs are adjusting/unsticking the right e-brake cable. Maybe an alignment. And probably smart to do the timing belt and water pump, but it's not leaking.

Picking it up this weekend. As is always the case with me, I've got a slew of parts coming in the mail already! Bring on the HIDs, deck plate, etc etc!

 

Just picking up on this thread...interesting read.

OP,

Congratulations on finding your truck. Sounds like you did well IMHO. These trucks, 1st Gen or 2nd Gen, really hold their value...you get what you pay for.

Let the home improvement projects begin! Wise choice to get the truck...I honestly don't know how a homeowner gets by without one...unless they're independently wealthy and can pay somebody else to do all the home stuff.