Common Tacoma problems I should be aware of?

I recently bought a 2wd crew cab 2004 in excellent shape.

I didn't notice this about the transmission during test drive, but now I'm noticing it.

anyone has the link for the fix for this issue below:
Automatic Transmission - thunk/clunk when taking off or stopping

Thanks

 

Could be a loose driveshaft, engine, or transmission mount.

 

Only big thing is the timing belt, has to be replaced every 90k but that's about it's only downside. That looks like a really nice, clean truck. But you could probably find a nice double cab for that or less if you want something similar to your 05. Those extended cabs are very cramped on the inside, you will miss your roomy interior!

 

Not sure where you're at, but there's a really clean double cab TRD O/R just down the street where I live. Unsure of the mileage but it's in exceptional condition. I want it for my wife to drive but currently don't have the money, she wants a Taco really bad and if I had the money, it would be hers right now. But, I can get more info on it if you want.

 

Thanks man but I'm all the way down in Florida haha. I appreciate it tho!

 

Sounds like axle wrap (weak factory leaf springs binding up and releasing tension upon start/stop). Seems to plague auto's predominantly, I had it bad in my '99 auto Prerunner years ago. It was an intermittent problem, didn't happen too often but when it did it felt like I had been tapped from behind by another car.

good article explaining what axle wrap is: http://www.activesuspension.com/axle-wrap/

From what I've read, the best solution is stronger/upgraded leaf springs.

 

Nah there's a TSB out for later year models.

 

It's axle wrap causing the thunk/clunk, I checked every thing over & over again, found nothing loose anywhere, replaced
my rear leaf springs with General HDs, problem completely went away, $481 shipped to my door. The thunk/clunk wasn't hurting any thing it was just annoying.

 

Doing a search for this issue on my 07 brought me to this thread.

? for the folks who have these symptoms. If you accelerate/decelerate slowly, is the clunk/thump still there? I only notice it when I don't baby the throttle.

 

I bought my 2001, TRD, Extended cab new and just turned 89,000 last week. Truck has been nearly perfect with no break downs or unexpected maintenance. I did have the timing belt, water pump and all belts and hoses changed in 2011, at the 10 year point, only had 66,000, but most of that stuff calls for five years or 90,000. At the time I thought it was $1200 well spent. Only unexpected and very minor problem is the plastic panel on the left side of the drivers seat. I noticed recently that it had broken away from the seat frame and haven't figured out whether to try and fix it or not. No real impact and it might take removing the seat to replace. After deciding about six months ago to drive it until one of us bites the dust I started out on my fix it up campaign. In the last four months I installed Anzo headlights and front sidelights with upgraded Sylvania bulbs, Spyder LED Tail lights and third brake light, NERF bars, Bull bar, new seatcovers and Plasti dipped the wheels and quarter panels (Anthricite grey with Silver Metalizer). For a 2001, its looking and running great. Soon as I figure out how to upload some pictures from my cell phone I'll post them in this forum. If I can't figure it out I'll retake them with a camera as I know how to download from a chip. In the past three years or so I've had four different people approach me at gas stations and want to buy my truck. I priced a 2016 TRD with the same equipment and they start at $38,000. Last year when getting an oil change at the Toyota dealer, a salesman offered me $14,000 cash or trade for the truck. I know that the Blue book on the truck is about $9500, but its in great condition with low mileage and they are very hard to find. I'm 70 and doubt I'll outlive the truck. IT's really been a joy and a great investment.

FLCoyote

 

Buying a Tacoma at a reasonable price seems to always be a problem!

 

If you're gonna make it an offroad/DD make sure you have thousands of cans of liquid wrench, pretty much anything that you want to change from stock will most likely be seized or frozen on first gens, I had to break out the torch a few times.

 

So i'm also in the market to become a first time toyota owner and have chosen the Tacoma "prerunner" or a nice sr5 TRD as the ones which most spark my intrest. I'm set on xtra cab and not the 4 door since i need a functional bed to carry my dirt bike among other things. I don't intend to tow much if anything.

I don't necessary need 4x4 but am not completely opposed to it being the right deal/truck. I plan on leaving the truck 99% stock and don't intend to offroad other than the occasional forest service road. However What i am really stuck on is the 4cyl vs V6 debate.

From reading seems the 2.4/2.7's will roll 300k with little to no issues as opposed to the V6 which from what I understand require new water pumps and timing belts at around the 100k mark (anyone care to share the cost of said service?). Most of the prerunners in the year range i like (2000-2004) hardly ever come with under 100k. In my current state (Florida) prerunners are fetching on the low end of 7k to the higher end of 13k for xtra clean lower millage ones.

so can anyone comment of just general ownership pros and cons of 4cyl vs V6? general maintenance, well known issues and such.

as well as 5 speed manual vs automatics? how many miles into these autos are rebuilds being required? i imagine/assume clutches every 100k give or take and the manual transmissions themselves tick well into the 300ks?!

would appreciate any and all input as I'm cash in hand shopping now!

 

The 3.4l is a very reliable engine, and IMO it's much more enjoyable to drive power-wise over the 4cyl.

The 4cyl is a great motor, definitely bulletproof...but it still takes maintenance to keep it going as well. I think you should aim to find a v6 and only get the 4 banger if you come across a great deal on a well-maintained, low milage truck.

BTW the 2.7l is the 4cyl motor that comes in the Prerunners, the 2.4l comes in the standard 5lug 2wd Tacomas (non Prerunner)...at least I'm 99% sure of that

 

Hey I was hoping to revamp this forum.

Im looking to buy an '95-'04 tacoma but im unsure of where to start cuz this will be my first time purchasing a truck. Been looking at different trucks for some time now and have read that the tacomas can run for years, some people even say a well maintained tacoma can go 400k+ miles before need replacing.

I personally dont have the money for new so Im looking for something in the late 90s and early 00s, around $5-9k. Ill also be doing a lot of offroading and trips up to the snow so 4x4 is a must.

So my question is what things should I be looking for (flaws) when I go and check out tacomas for sale? How can I tell if they have been well maintained versus one that has been beaten up? What advice would you give to someone who doesnt know too much about cars when looking to buy a used tacoma?

 

Hey Adam welcome to TW! Good news is, you’ll be able to find a good first gen for that price. You just have to be on the lookout. I got my 01 4WD TRD for 9k with barely 100k miles a few years ago.

Now depending on your location, you might have a rust problem. These trucks even the newer ones are prone to rust. If you live in an area where they salt the roads when it snows, you might have to travel to a surrounding state. No matter the truck, always go underneath it and check for rust. Bring a hammer and bang on that frame to make sure it’s solid.

Other than the rust issue, just go over it like any other used car. Check the fluids, test drive it, etc. you’ll be able to get an idea if it was taken care of or abused.

If you are still uncomfortable about purchasing the truck, you can always take it to a mechanic to have a prepurchase inspection.

One suggestion I have: Even though you said you want to offroad with this, don’t buy the TRD model. Really the only difference is the rear locker, but I’ve had two of these and both of them don’t work or are very hard to engage. Save yourself a little money and just opt for the 4WD. If you still find yourself needing a locker, you can add a much more reliable aftermarket locker.

Good luck on the hunt.

 

Thanks for getting back to me so soon, I appreciate it. You post was very helpful and I didnt know what a rear lock was until you mentioned it. I will likely not that function in my taco but just to be certain of what your saying, all TRD tacos have rear lock?

I've heard a great deal about the 1st gen issues have had w rust. I live in Texas but definitely will take trips up to the snow,Colorado, oregon, wyoming, etc. You think I should look into 2nd gen instead? My plan is to live in the northeast in the years to come..

Hopefully I get my hands on a Tacoma soon.

 

Well 1st gens only had one TRD model. Which is the TRD Offroad. With later generations came later models of TRD that offers different things. But yes first gens offer TRD Offroad which includes a rear locker.

2nd gens unfortunately have the same issue with rust but because they are newer they qualify under warranty or recall to replace a bad frame.

If you are planning on living in the northeast, you’ll have to do rust prevention about every year or so to prevent it. Even then it might still rust. That’s just the unfortunate reality.

 

At around 100k water pump, thermostat, timing belts/pulleys/bearings should all be replaced.

Do that every 100k and change fluids including motor oil frequently and she'll run forever!

Preferably search for an '03 or an '04 - Toyota corrected a lot little small issues on the earlier models. Typical for any model lineup.

 

Gotcha. That's very unfortunate about the frames, seems like an awful thing to happen to such a sweet truck. Idk what I'll do now. I might have to look into 2nd gen even though 1st gen is more my style. Thanks for all of your input, you've been helpful!

Also thanks Chris I'll be sure to get those replaced every 100k when I get my taco.