4cylinder owner input needed

I could try some auto crossing with my current car, but it’s a bit of a bucket. I have been doing some driving on the curvy roads around town and realized my car probably isn’t cut out out for driving on s track in its current condition

 

I'd say if the car is in decent operating condition, you would be ok driving it as fast as you can in a parking lot (2nd gear)...

Keep in mind you are going for FUN, not for world record times especially when getting started. You learn a bunch getting out there in any car, its more about learning/driving the course and improving your skills before you get into the competition aspect of the sport and get the fastest car feasible. If you are thinking of using a Tacoma for motorsports, this will be all for fun as you simply will not be competitive unless you can outdrive folks in sports cars.

Again its all about driving fun, if you got a functioning car then you can go and have the time of your life!!

 

So I got an update, ended up selling my car pretty abruptly. Guy messaged me and a few hours later it was sold.
Went on the Facebook and did some looking. Lo and behold I found something potentially worth going look at. Turns out it’s a 4x4 which I guess isn’t such a big deal. It’s ugly as sin, bedsides are shot, rocker panels are pretty rusty, and it was used a plow truck.
But I believe it might be a diamond in the rough, 1996 with 103k miles, was a southern truck up until about 5 years ago apparently. Have procured some pictures of the frame and it looks like minor surface rust only, nothing a good day or two of grinding and painting can’t fix. Will post some pictures here shortly and give some more details if/when I buy it.

 

Here are pictures as promised. Hopefully she turns out to be as good as I’m hoping it is

 

You mentioned you guess 4x4 isnt a big deal.. It's worth doing some homework before diving into any project, especially when you want to go racing in a pickup truck!

I personally wouldn't start with a 4x4 as the foundation for building a race truck. With the 4x4 and PreRunner specific raised suspensions it will take way more effort to get it low enough for hugging the curves. If it's too high they may not even allow you to run it at certain events. All the 4x4 stuff is heavy, but maybe you can make it work with some engineering? There is not a ton of aftermarket items available to lower these trucks, so be ready for some custom work to get something like this into race form either way. This one also requires way too much body work for me too, so this one would be out of my range for a few reasons.

Basically it all depends on your own skills though, how much time and money you want to put into a project, what you want to do with the truck, and how do you want it to ride and look when all is said and done. I like to start with something as close to what I want as possible, spending less time in the shop and more time driving!

Maybe expand your search and a road trip home would be worth your time and a great way to score a real fine machine you'd feel safe racing in?! These trucks are classics now, so its worth finding one in great shape in this regard. Another quick search and this is more what I would be looking for to start with.. add drop, wheels/tires, go race!

https://offerup.com/item/detail/2f51488e-cc5b-3209-bb05-9b4bab43a137?q=2002+tacoma&cid=5.1

This is just my two cents as requested! Hope this is helpful, either way follow your heart and things will work out

 

My priorities have kind of shifted I guess, I’m in the process of moving to a more rural area and auto crossing isn’t local to me anymore. 4x4 is more important now than it was a month or so ago. Best part of this truck is that it does have a v6 with a 5speed. Pretty rare truck I believe.

 

Ended up being a bit too much of a project rust-wise for me so I passed on it. And I decided I should be able to get away with a 2wd. So now I’m going to start looking agsin

 

Glad to hear you are not letting go of your dream to "be a race car driver" that easily!!

 

Found another one for ya.. not a cream puff, but clean and cheap.

https://offerup.com/item/detail/71ab7a34-4133-3b3f-afce-d7dc88f910fe?q=2002+tacoma&cid=5.1

 

@2Runner

I’m glad I passed on that truck; turns out the banana taco I posted before is for sale again, evidently it never sold and the guy accidentally took down the listing. I worked a deal with him and if it all checks out I’m heading there Friday to pick it up

 

You may be giving a home to "Old Yeller".. no kidding?!

Cant wait to see how it turns out, best of luck as always!

 

Mhm, I’m pretty excited to go check it out. I’ve already been looking into lowering kits and wheel options even though I’m not certain I’ll even buy it.

 

I have a 99’ 2wd 5 speed. Bone stock with 356k miles and has never had a bolt turned ( other than routine stuff of course ) and haven’t had any issues with it and on average I get 28mpg hwy and 23 city.