Advice in purchasing used Tacoma DC

I am a photographer looking for a used 4WD model to get into the backcountry and used around town for a semi-daily driver and some longer trips. My current ride is a 2008 Subaru Forester. I just got back from a two week trip to Wyoming, my home state is VA. I will need to put a cap on the back to stow gear, camping/photography and sleep during longer road trips. Interior cab will be for cameras and my dog. My past I have had an Hilux in college, '82 CJ7, '88 Trooper, 94' Dodge Dakota 4WD (still have this), and now my '08 Forester. My Dakota is hanging on by a thread... (it runs, and the 4WD still works and that is about it)
What I am hoping to find is there is a year(s) of Tacoma to look for that was better than others. I don't want to drop $35K right now. I would prefer to get something now and see what the 2018 models have in store...

Thanks in advance for any help in getting familiar w/ these guys...

Ps- is there a photo gallery here of different rigs?