2004 tacoma prerunner 3.4

Looking at buying a 2004 Tacoma pre-runner with 3.4 ( 155,000 miles for 8500 ) pro and cons and is the throttle body a common problem

 

Welcome to the site.

I've not read of the throttle body being a common issue on the 3.4. Have you?

But the biggest one, frames .... read up about the frames ... by now it should either have been replaced or coated by the dealer. If not, then run away.

 

Where is the truck now and what state will it live in if you bought it?

In '03, I bought my truck new in San Diego. I have zero frame rust.

 

Hmm i have heard a lot about this but my frame is fine i have had truck since 05 and don't believe i've got a recall for frame replacement or coating.. lol should i be concerned?

 

If it's been in So Cal it's whole life it's probably not much of a worry. And an '04 is quite a bit newer than the first of the first gens. But unprotected, move to the northeast and it would dissolve like the wicked witch in Wizard of Oz.

 

lol

 

Not all frames were coated or replaced. It only applies to trucks registered in certain cold weather classified states. Just because a frame isn't undercoated or brand new doesn't mean it's a rusty heap. There are many first gens out there with original frames that still look good underneath.

 

You are correct. Let me amend my suggestion to instead, "take a peek underneath and make sure there's no serious rust."

 

On topic: Price seems high. Medium-high miles, non-TRD and non-4wd is worth 6.5-7.5k IMO, depending on the condition.

 

It is a TRD PRE-RUNNER SR5 PACKAGE . I have all the service records from the Toyota dealer . Is $8500 to much for a 2004 toyota tacoma with 155,000 miles . The body and engine look good and the timing belt was replaced at 97,000 miles .

 

Short answer: no one on the Internet can answer that question for you ...

Longer answer:
TRD is a plus insofar as it should have the E-locker rear end. You should see a button to the left of the steering wheel for it. TRD is a "meh" insofar as the springs were softer (to offer more offload flexing) and so, often sag quicker or so it seems. Budget wise, figure on probably wanting to replace springs/shocks soon, not because I KNOW they need replacing; it just seems to be the projected path here if you get my drift. I'm not saying they're defective or whatever.

Having service records adds value IMO, as does service records from Toyota dealerships unless you know the seller and trust them. These, along with it's condition and appearance are the sorts of clues that matter along with your perception of the deal. Scour your local Craigslist and regional AutoTrader or eBay to get a sense if what you've found is or is not a fair representation of what the market is showing the value to be.

You've driven it? Everything works as far as you can tell? Nothing looks "rigged" or half-assed? No stupid modifications? Run a CARFAX on the VIN?

 

is 155,000 alot of miles for a 2004 tacoma prerunner trd

 

Given what you've said about it so far, I don't think so? but my opinion doesn't count.

Now, if you're asking if it's too many miles in an absolute sense, hell no. Toyotas in general are very reliable and the 1st Gen Tacomas are as well. That said, it's a 12 year old truck with its best years behind it, right?

If wanting an older small/midsize truck it's the best there is. Go with your gut. Search Autotrader and Craigslist and eBay (nationwide, for all) and see what other Tacomas are going for.

 

deckeda ,
Thank you for your response . Any thing I should do right away to the truck ? I am going to run Mobil1 oil in the 3.4 ,is that ok with 155k miles . My sons loves the truck

 

Right away? I suppose it depends on if it's up to date on maintenance. For example, here's the 30K interval recommendations: http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com/guides.php?xv=0&xy=0&xint_id=0&v=22&y=2004&int_id=6 You can select other intervals there from the popup menus. Or if it comes with an owner's manual just use that.

My vehicles typically run 300K and longer without burning oil with just old fashioned dino oil, so I'm not a synthetic advocate, even though there are other good reasons for using it. I don't see why it would hurt?

 

looking for owners manual and service manual for 2004 pre-runner with trd and sr5 package , 3.4 engine

 

Bought it? Got a picture for us?

On the main 1st Gen page, https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/1st-gen-tacomas-1995-2004.4/

you'll usually see this thread, https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-thread-compiled-list-of-helpful-links.95271/

and down a ways there's a link to service manuals and from there, this is the one you want, Full FSM File Download (39 MB) << that's a 39MB download, PDF

Somewhere I stumbled upon something that provided a download of the owner's manual for 2004 but I can't find it today. Here's an online version from Toyota. Click the General link, https://techinfo.toyota.com/techInf...M35814U&locale=en&openSource=TechinfoPrelogin

 

Little late to reply...
I say buy it. If in the service records you find what oil the PO used, stick with it.
I too am not a fan of synthetics.
If you need the original service/ owners manual, get it at the dealer.

Enjoy.

 

Any suggest for rear end lube and transmisson . i am a fan of mobil 1 . will the Mobil 1 cause problems with the engine . The other 2 owners used toyota oil at dealership

 

I don't know of any reason why switching to synthetic oil would be bad apart from hurting your wallet more.

Automatic trans, right? Most everything since 1948 is some flavor of DEXRON, which went full synthetic with version 6 in 2006 and has superseded all previous.

Because of that, GM stopped licensing DEXRON III/IV in 2006, so any "DEXRON III/IV" equivalent you see in stores today is ... who knows what? And don't worry about the "multi" formulas, that just means it meets all specs from more than one car maker, so it ironically prevents them from labelling it as "an exact match" or whatever for any particular maker's spec.

Given all of that, I like Valvoline MaxLife (it's a full synthetic, and so it'll hold up far better than the OEM fluid which is basically DEXRON IV). When you can find it in stock at Wal-Mart, they have the best price for a 5-qt jug at less than $20.

For just a quart, you have to watch for sales. Advance Auto had Castroil's DEXRON VI on sale last month for like $4.20, a steal. (It's $8.20/QT normally.)