1st Gen Drum Brake Differences?

they seize more due to them being lower and get hit with more road splatter, plus the boots after 10 years let moisture in. never realized I was supposed to grease and lube as part of regular maint.

 

I've got a 2004 4WD so mine has the separated plates, but the shoes I picked up from O'Reilly don't have the post and hole on the trailing shoe to mount the adjusting lever. Does anyone know how to identify shoes for one model vs the other? Because they obviously didn't know the difference and thought that these shoes would fit despite me telling them my year/drive. My best guess right now is just to take the shoes back and try to see if I can look through what they have and see if any have the hole/post.

 

take them back. the 95-02 are different than the 03-04. they probably brought up "tacoma" and sent you on your way.

worst case if you can, search the OEM part # and see if you can get them shipped.

The 'Brake Best" brand lists 1995-2004 compatible, which is BS. Here is one that is only 03-04 (as well as 99-02 T4R, and 03-06 Tundra)

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...-tacoma?q=brake+shoes&pos=4#show_applications

 

Thanks for the help @frizzman ! I talked to a dealership and they wanted $130. I ended up tracking down the part number by looking up my VIN on the Toyota parts site and then found a pair at a NAPA in town for $45. Now I just have to get them installed. Removing the super rusted drums (I've only had it a few years so I don't deserve 100% of the blame there) took an angle grinder and a 3 jaw puller tool.

 

So the method I used to ID was by comparing the two versions of the diagram and then by looking on the inboard side of the Drum Backing Plate. I can ONLY say the following is true for VZN195L-PRPDKAB (PreRunner Double Cabs) because that's what I own and that's the part catalog the attached diagrams are for...other chassis code Tacoma's could be different IDK. First Gen VZN195L-PRPDKAB's manufactured until (-09/2002) have the Shoe Inspection Plug BELOW the Shoe Hold Down Spring Pin. (09/2002-09/2004) manufacture date have the version where the Shoe Inspection Plug is just above the Spring and much closer (notated in red in the diagrams). This is the only other way besides the ebrake cable that is visible without having to open up the drum. You can also see if the diagrams that the older version also has additional bell crank parts...I believe they're called Bell Crank *something* №2, №3, Bell Crank Dust Cover, Parking Brake Cable №2 and an adjustable bolt of some sort, but obviously you can't see those from the exterior. Hopefully this is helpful.