Old ToyHead, Possible New TacoHead

Greetings, All!
We've had a variety of Toyota vehicles in the past - Corona, Celica, Corolla, etc. - and currently have our second 1990s Toyota RV, as well as a 2001 4Runner SR5. So, yeah, we like Toyotas.
We also have a 1997 Nissan King Cab, 2WD, I4, 5-speed that was bought 20 years ago, in Florida, where the roads are flat and the snow is virtually non-existent. But Colorado is another story.
So, we've been looking at/for Xtracab Tacomas with 4WD, V6, automatic. I've sorta settled on 1st gen, 'cause I lik'em, and the price is close enough to what I think I can get for the Nissan.
They exist, all over the place, ranging in price and mileage, so I'm now soliciting opinions:
I'm looking at late 90s, early 2000s trucks with 200k-300K miles - prices ranging from $5k to $12K, roughly. I know, from research and past experience, that the engines and transmissions (when properly maintained) are practically bullet-proof, and the rest of the mechanicals are superior. But what should I watch out for, specifically, and what major repairs might be on the horizon (and what do they cost)?
I know all of this is a crap-shoot, and I could get a treasure or a lemon in any deal, but any input from this esteemed group of Toyota Tacoma aficionados would be greatly appreciated. Heck, I'd even be happy to hear from the doofuses (doofi?) since, as my dear ol' Pappy never said, "Even a blind squirrel is right twice a day."
Thanks, and let the games begin.

 

Welcome! I have a 96 extended cab. Mainly the thing to watch out for is frame rust and when you do buy one, replace the LBJ.

 

Thanks. I suspect the chances of frame rust are higher here in the salty, snowy regions. Any particular place on the frames more prone to rust?
And replacing LBJ might be a bit difficult - I think he died some time ago...

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome aboard!