Looking for this truck!

I had a white, manual 1996 Toyota Tacoma back in high school that I loved more than I can explain. I sold it when I went to college for something “practical,” and I’ve regretted it every single day since.



Well after 13 years of missing this truck, I’m attempting to find it. I have the VIN… and it looks like the truck has been registered here in Utah since 2015 after spending a couple years in Wyoming. (It might have been painted or modified so if this sounds like a Tacoma you own but it doesnt quite look the same, please still reach out)



It’s a long shot, but I’d love to find it. Maybe even buy it back if the stars align.

I know it sounds silly, but that truck feels like a piece of me I let go of too soon—and I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since.



If anyone has ideas or connections on how to keep tracking it down (without breaking any laws or crossing lines), I’m all ears.

Thanks for reading.

 

Good luck in your search. There is something about a Tacoma that draws you back

 

You may find some traction poking around the regional forums:
Regions | Tacoma World

 

Have you considered buying another "96" similar to the one you had? You can adjust for things you had or now want in the truck to the new one. I say this because you can verify the condition of the new buy and know you have a solid truck. And similar to what your dad told you after the 1st girlfriend romance ended, there are a lot more trucks out there too.

The worst thing (I think) would be to find it and find out it has had a tough life. Your emotion might get you to buy her and then be faced with a lot more repair costs than doing the above.

In any case, good luck and keep us posted.

 

Did you register your truck's VIN on the Toyota.com owner's section? If you did, and it's been to a dealer since then it might show up there (and where). My trucks show all warranty/recall/Toyota dealer service work, even from before I owned them.
https://account.toyota.com/api/UI/Login?realm=/toyota

Maybe it would help if you posted the last four digits of the VIN (à la SSN)?

 

Oh I know.. I have thought about not wanting to see how someone beat it… but I’m up for a project. Some vehicles and memories you can’t replace. If it’s still out there, I’d love to restore it.

If I never find it, I’ll accept that it wasn’t meant to be and I’ll settle for a replacement.

 

You'll find it after you bought another truck an put another $6K in it making it look like the old one...

 

Hahahahaha yup. And then I’ll start a collection!

 

I almost sold mine about 10 yrs ago when I was looking for a house but that fell through. At the time this was an extra vehicle/project truck. Now that the kids are driving, I need it.
Good luck on your search for your Baby and keep us posted!

 

I’ve had this truck to many years to part with it. I bought me a 2023 and didn’t dare sell the 2004. I am so afraid I will be sick if I ever do sell it.

 

Looks like my 1996 MT 3.4 Mine has been a California rig from the day it was assembled in Fremont.

 

Just hope and pray that it still looks like that if you end up finding it and it’s not all chopped up and beaten up and barely hanging on.

 

I am the same as like everyone here. We are all sentimental fools here. I've had my 2001 Tacoma SR5 (Runaway Train) a week after she was built. I treat her like one of my children.

 

You should do a side by side picture of the two tacomas together

 

OP
have you tried to google search the vin#?

you will be surprised what you can find

 

Good idea I will have to do that.