1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Do all the 1st gens drive the same?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by drewskie, May 25, 2025.

  1. May 25, 2025 at 9:53 PM
    #1
    drewskie

    drewskie [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2010
    Member:
    #38088
    Messages:
    2,333
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Drew
    Burbank, CA.
    Vehicle:
    08 Prerunner 4 banger
    Ever since I've been looking to find my neighbor a truck, the 1st gens are becoming more and more appealing to me. I think I want one (perfect timing since so does everyone else), but I don't really know which body style I want

    I actually prefer the older interior of the 95-2000, and I owned a 95 years ago that I really liked driving. Everything on the truck just felt "tight" and was fun to drive.

    But....if I go with the 01-04 body, it's a obviously newer and a little fancier, but how do they drive? Does it have the same feel? Same steering and power, etc?

    Either way I'd Probably swap the steering wheel for the older one, the 01-04 looks too much like a Camry wheel.

    Has anyone driven both? I know a lot of you guys own multiples of these so I'm assuming yes
     
  2. May 25, 2025 at 9:57 PM
    #2
    Bishop84

    Bishop84 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2015
    Member:
    #172494
    Messages:
    11,948
    Gender:
    Male
    Yes, the only thing I notice is how much steering slop the trucks have. 1st gens are prone to steering rack play due to wear in the bushings. Now that all are 20+ years old they all drive differently in different states of wear and repair.

    The biggest thing is frame rust, everything else is manageable. California shouldnt be a problem but its still a priority.

    Also most 1st gens should be on their 2nd set of ball joints, they are all slowly failing and even with no play should have been replaced by now.
     
    treyus30 likes this.
  3. May 25, 2025 at 10:04 PM
    #3
    drewskie

    drewskie [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2010
    Member:
    #38088
    Messages:
    2,333
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Drew
    Burbank, CA.
    Vehicle:
    08 Prerunner 4 banger
    Funny I don't remember any steering slop, actually just the opposite which is why I liked it. This was also 20 years ago and was a standard cab V6 so it was fun as hell
     
  4. May 25, 2025 at 11:56 PM
    #4
    Glamisman

    Glamisman Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2016
    Member:
    #200436
    Messages:
    4,892
    Gender:
    Male
    Hmm, tough question to answer due to variations in the first gens. A column shift 5 lug regular cab is goint to look/feel/drive different than a V6 double cab, I think it is the combination of things. Girlfriends/wives usually do not like the way 1st gens ride, it is either too harse or too soft, dogs, they dont care just as long as they get to go.
     
  5. May 26, 2025 at 2:46 AM
    #5
    Pbfender15

    Pbfender15 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2024
    Member:
    #441181
    Messages:
    379
    Vehicle:
    multiple 1st gens
    I have a 2000 and a 2003. One is 2.7 other is 3.4, one regular cab the other xtra so out of the gate they’re different. But the 03 is quieter and more comfortable. Doors are thicker and better sound deadening. Smoother shifting. I prefer the look of the 00 interior and dash but the 03 is more comfortable in my case.

    But every older vehicle will drive and feel a little different than another. They just wear differently in every way from the seat foam being worn out to smoothness in shifting, clutch, etc.

    Steering slop is also caused by the slip joint in the shaft which is easily corrected. Just did mine and it feels like new.
     
    drewskie[OP] and Moonrman like this.
  6. May 26, 2025 at 8:28 AM
    #6
    O'Silver_Taco

    O'Silver_Taco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2021
    Member:
    #375390
    Messages:
    4,179
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    MD
    Vehicle:
    98 Dlx Sr5 ext AT Rwd
    3rz to 2Rz bebuilt block and new heads
    Pre 01's have the old roller style rack guide.

    Its worth replacing that sooner than later.....so it doesn't damage the rack teeth

    that and worn rack mounting bushings can cause a lot of play in earlier years


    that collapsible steer shaft can develop play....wallow out
    that should be checked every year or so.....along with that guide

    If you use larger than stock tires......that really puts pressure on all the above


    Steering Rack Guide Replacement - YouTube



    In later years the frames seem to rot faster.....and the replacement frames seem to rot even faster than that
     
    drewskie[OP] likes this.
  7. May 26, 2025 at 7:14 PM
    #7
    drewskie

    drewskie [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2010
    Member:
    #38088
    Messages:
    2,333
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Drew
    Burbank, CA.
    Vehicle:
    08 Prerunner 4 banger
    Thanks. So what kind of difference does the older rack k guide make? Does it drive sportier or anything? I'm sort of used to the Tacoma driving like a truck, so I think that's what I want, but if it can be a slightly more refined truck that would be ideal
     
  8. May 27, 2025 at 2:21 PM
    #8
    Pbfender15

    Pbfender15 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2024
    Member:
    #441181
    Messages:
    379
    Vehicle:
    multiple 1st gens
    I don’t notice any significant difference in the steering between mine. Short cab, with small wheelbase, is nimbler than the extra cab but that has nothing to do with model year or rack details. They both steer easily and after welding the slip joint they’re tight and responsive.
     
    drewskie[OP] and Moonrman like this.

Products Discussed in

To Top