95.5 Taco build

Hello, I've had a 95.5 4WD sitting around for a while and I'm considering a winter project to get it back on the road and trails. My goal will be to have an around town truck and hunting vehicle mostly for fun, maybe even short 3-4 hour trips to the mountains to visit friends in the Smokeys being in northern middle TN.........that said the little truck is a single cab needing front body panels hood, fenders, and grill components for starters. Also has a broken rear leaf so that will be first phase as well.
I'm not sure what years will work regarding fitment at this point as I'm seeing 95 to various years up to 2000. Also the body panels vs. Suspension components and 2wd vs. 4wd model parts I can use. It's got the 2.7 4 cyl engine. Anyone got the time to get a poor country boy enough info to get started? I'll be doing it all here at the house and low budget. Thanks in advance!!!!!

 

In the last 6 months, I rebuilt a front end collision 95 ext cab. I got everything off either RockAuto or Amazon. If you are not replacing radiator, AC condenser, or bumper, I'd say you are gonna have roughly $3-400 in fenders, hood, and grille if you buy new.

I just bought a leaf spring from O'Reilleys for $175. GeneralSpring is about the same price, but the shipping is killer.

Check the TacomaWorld classifieds, RanchoToyotaTruckParts or MSTRecycling for used stuff.

 

No condenser but the bumper yes. My main concern with the body panels is it being a 95.5(1\2) first year tacoma. Im afraid some sellers won't differentiate the half year, so was thinking if the 95.5 to say 97 panels were the same I could order for the 96, 97 year as to not end up with the early 95 parts or pre-tacoma. I'm an Ebayer myself so will likely end up there. I've been waiting on a local scrapper that sells the complete front clips cut off for 500 but he's just not getting these years. Any idea how the years run? I'm finding the same as you mentioned on the leafs. I've considered doing the pro comp lifter leaf springs simply because they aren't any more expensive(maybe cheaper n some cases). Maybe just some strut spacers in the front cause their cheap too. Again, not looking for a serious crawler or competition truck just raise it a bit. I may even make my own bumpers. I do appreciate your help and thanks the info.

 

Yeah 95-96 are the same. 97 for the first half of the year is as well. Body panels for a 96 will fit just fine thougb

 

Perfect Speedytech that's what I needed. Thanks! I'll make some pics as I get more used to the forum function and share with you guys. The truck I have pictured is my 99 daily driver. Thanks again!!

 

No prob man, my first truck was a 95.5 with the 4 banger. It was even produced the first month the Tacoma was made. Now I have a 1996 and other than some minor engine emissions crap they're identical.

 

what I'm starting with. Little engine runs strong. It was a Govdeals auction purchase police seizure