1st gen vs 2nd gen

DISCLAIMER:
i know that this thread has been done before, however, i am looking for advice in comparison of two specific trucks.

I recently sold my 99' 4-banger tacoma with the intention to either get a 6 cylinder tacoma or a 1st gen. V8 tundra. i ended up deciding to get another tacoma but am now faced with the question of 1st or 2nd gen. I think that i've narrowed it down to two tacos and i am trying to decide between the two.

Option 1:
2nd gen, 2008 4.0L V6 W/ 6 speed manual trans.
about 143,000 miles.
https://www.knudtsen.com/VehicleDetails/used-2008-Toyota-Tacoma-4WD_Access_Cab_Standard_Bed_V6_Manual_(Natl)-Post_Falls-ID/3423370333




Option 2:
1st gen, 2004 3.4L V6 W/ 5 speed manual trans.
about 155,000 miles
https://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/cto/d/enumclaw-2004-toyota-tacoma-4x4-trd/6908553077.html



another thing to keep in mind is that, whichever truck i choose, i plan to build it into an overlanding rig.

also, for your amusement, here's a pro-con list i came up with:

2nd gen

pros:
4.0L V6- more vroom
6 Spd. Manual
4 Door
4x4
Synthetic bed
less miles
newer (more creature comforts)
timing chain

Cons:
Aftermarket equipment pricing
Cab mount location
steel wheels
NO TOW HITCH
no locker
3.73 gear ratio

1st gen:

Pros:
3.4L V6- still plenty of vroom
5 Spd. Manual
center console
4x4
spray-in bed-liner
canopy
power options
4.10 Gear Ratio
Alloy wheels
1 owner
trailer hitch
TRD package
aftermarket equipment price

Cons:
Older
more miles
2 door
not as much interior space
timing belt (instead of chain)

another thing to note is that i am pretty tall (6'2") and while i never had any issues with my '99, i wouldn't describe the interior as spacious. just another variable to throw in

anyways, what you y'all think? does anyone have experience with both 1st and 2nd Gen?

 

1st. Iconic truck.

 

Bump

 

I owned and just sold my 2000 supercharged xtra cab as the original owner. In 05, when the 2nd gens came out, I couldn't stand them; swore I'd never own one. Well...I've got a 2014 DCLB now, my wife has a 06 DCSB and we say the same thing about 3rd gens.

Your pro/con list is right on. The reason I sold the 2000 was space/room and how difficult it was getting in to the xtra cab without the access cab doors. With the 2nd gen, you can easily put a fridge back there. Not as convenient with a 1st.

I still think the 1st gens are better trucks, though, and my guess, based off of the great price I sold the 2000 for, is that they likely hold their value better. The timing belt is not optimal but easy enough to change once you've done it a few times. The 1st gen you've selected here is gorgeous. If you can live with 2 doors, it's the way I would lean.

 

do you need the extra space in the the '08 ?

If you change your own oil/filter..the 3.4L is a real PIA

I sold my ext cab '98 3.4L for my current '14 DC SB 6 MT

Second gen for me......but DC SB

 

thanks for the input!
i loved my '99 and was planning on another first gen but as i have saved more, second gens have started to reach into my price range. subsequently, i've become looking at them. i prefer the 1st gens aesthetically but i feel like the second gen makes a bit more sense. i will build it out whichever direction i decide to go and i think that i can make the second gen suit my aesthetic tastes too. plus i like the idea of more power.
also, i'm curious, from your profile pic it looks like you've got a lift and some bigger tires on your 2nd gen. if this is correct, what size are you running and how does the 4.0L pull the tires? have you re-geared?

 

Go to carcomplaints.com and you can get info like this:

 

i got along fine with the space in my '99 but i think that having more space will be helpful. i am still in high school and always seem to draw the short straw when it we decide who drives to lunch (haha). i think that it'll be really useful there.
as for the maintenance, i didn't on my last truck but i plan to on my next one (too many bad experiences at the shop). is the 4.0L easier to change the oil on than the 3.4?

 

I'm running 275 70 r17 E-rated KO2 with an OME 2.5"lift, bumper, sliders, skids, etc and stock 3.73 gears. I wasn't super happy with the power or fuel economy of the 2014 with all the gear but have recently gotten the truck HP Tuned and am very pleased with the increased power and amazing fuel economy. I'll try some bolt on power mods (y-pipe and cat back) but am not nearly as motivated to super charge as I was before the tune.

Fuel economy is another real point to consider in an overland platform. My lifted supercharged 1st did considerably better on fuel than my lifted stock 2nd before the tune. The 5VZ-FE is a great motor and my experience is it's more fuel efficient too.

 

2nd gen...newer, cheaper, easiest oil change ever.

 

The 4.0L makes oil change real easy with the filter right up front when you open the hood. I didn't have a problem with the filter on the 3.4L but you do have to do a little shimmy to get it up in there, especially since I like to fill my oil filters when I put them on.

 

gotcha, so a tune is a must if i go second gen.
are running the auto trans or the stick?

 

ok, makes sense. i never did the oil myself on my 2.7 but i remember that the filter was kinda hard to reach. i only found it by chance when crawling around checking out my suspension after i had it done.

 

Re-reading my posts, it may sound like I've got sellers remorse. I don't really because I'm really liking the 2014 and enjoying building it, my wife has put 10 years of hard miles on her 2006 without any problems, and her experience is the reason we chose another 2nd gen over a 3rd. But...If the 2000 had access cab doors, I might have kept it another 20 years.

 

The double cab long bed (DCLB) configuration is only available with an auto (my first ever). In the end, the need for a double cab and a long bed overruled my choice of trannys.

 

IMO that 2004 is the pinnacle of the first gen, and it has a camper shell which is a nice plus if you do a lot of outdoors stuff. Hard to pass up. But I love my 2015, perhaps the pinnacle of the second gen...

 

i that is why i picked this specific first gen for my decision. i will say, i had a camper shell on my '99 and, while it was great for outdoors stuff, protecting my crap from the elements, and sleeping in when camping, it was a real pain when hauling.

 

ok, how've you liked the Auto? i've got my heart set on a stick but for a good price i think i could be amenable to an auto.

 

Everyone is dead on with interior size. I love my 1st gen, and have not had any issues with it the entire time I've owned it, however, I have begun thinking about the future now that I have a son. That, plus looking into buying some land (which means equipment for taking care of land) means I'll eventually need higher capacity with more interior.

Put simply, for DD usage the 2nd gen will be your best bet. 1st gens are nearly legendary, but just aren't quite as comfortable or roomy.

 

the 4.0? oil change is a one beer job......

the 3.4L............even using a K&N filter with welded one inch nut

wobbler extentions.....just not as easy.......3 beers......

both trucks you listed are good....the '04 does look real nice !