Buying a first Gen, random questions before I take the plunge!

It was! How was the chassis/undercarriage?

 

Thanks for all the great responses and info guys! first off, Cmack, sweet rig you got! but that automatic would be a dealbreaker for me!

As far as the budget goes, I tell myself that id like to stay in the 8-10k, but like all these fun links ive been reading keep saying, these trucks are hot and solid. very hard to get a deal on em around here, so Ive been stalking through craigslist and CFS for awhile now biding my time.

adt0423 - " 1st gen ftw. i have a 97 2.7 4x4 with lock outs in the front. i love it. its manuel so i have enough torque to haul my honda atv on a trailer. I'd love to have a v6 but my 2.7 is great with gas prices so high. i've seen 1st gens with 300k miles on them, just keep up with maintance. best of luck in w/e you choose."

thats really good to hear! for the immediate future, the only hauling id be doing would be my bike and gear/camping stuff (more or less 500lbs) so it's good to hear that those 2.7's have a good output.

Like i said in my OP, It's really coming down to having a manual and 4x4 for a good deal. 3/4th's of them up here seem to be auto's. Thanks again guys for all the great info and advice, I look forward to lurking around and reading about these trucks!
-Ron

 

Only a tab bit of rust on the very edge of the back closest to the bumper. all other parts very solid. It had been undercoated early on. i want to get it redone

 

Hells ya

 

32x11.5s you mean? Never ever even seen or heard of a 32x12.5..

 

Lower miles and in your price range OP
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4X4-...1697305?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4600d56b19

 

Yep, I have that on my 1st Gen '04 Taco DC 2.7L 4x2.

 

so, going through CFS tonight I found the taco that is EXACTLY, what I would want if the stars align.
http://carsforsale.com/used_cars_for_sale/2000_Toyota_Tacoma_136288945_1
TRD package, silver extend cab, V6 5sp Supercharged. I could swing that price tag on some good financing, but would it be worth it? I noticed alot of rust in on the frame in those pictures. if I got it, would Toyota buy it back, or would they service it and remove the rust/respray and seal the underside?

on the flipside, I was also looking at this clean little 98
http://carsforsale.com/used_cars_for_sale/1998_Toyota_Tacoma_144113451_3

high miles, but that price is decent enough and it looks pretty clean minus the tailgate.