FS: 1996 2.7L Auto 4x4 - 210k miles - Las Vegas

***SOLD***

So sad to see her go but I'd love to sell to someone who will give her a good life.





The basics:

-1996 Tacoma Base Access Cab 4x4 2.7L Automatic w/ manual locking hubs, J-shift t-case, and original 4.10 gearing in Cobalt Blue Pearl
-210k miles
-Clean Carfax & title, in my name
-CA/NV truck its whole life. No rust
-The truck is listed locally and on Instagram at $9,000 OBO. For TW, my asking price is $8,100 OBO. Feel free to make me an offer, though I'd prefer if you could see the truck in person if we're going to negotiate.

I bought it at 160k and have had it for a few years. It's an incredible truck that has taken me on plenty of long highway trips and rough trails.

Here's everything I've done to it. I did all the work myself unless otherwise specified:

-2017 TRDOR wheels, P265/70R16 Toyo AT3's with full size Goodyear Wrangler spare on a black steelie

-RCI engine & transmission skids in great shape

-Husky floor mats and Covercraft seat covers that actually fit well. Saggy seat covers drive me insane

-Hood resprayed in original color, with blending on the front fenders. Done by a real body shop, not Maaco, and has held up beautifully for 2 years

-Spray-in bedliner

-Rubber bed mat

-Window tint

-Snugtop fiberglass camper shell, meant for reg cab but fits well, paint is in great shape but window screens were removed by the guy I bought it from on OfferUp. Sliders work. I replaced the gas shocks (Amazon special), locks (Bauer) and cab-facing window (Plexi + silicone baby). Got a new gasket to the bed rails when I installed it. It all works and has 2 keys

-All fluids new within the last year. Toyota or Mobil 1. Oil changed religiously at 3k with OEM filters, transmission pan was dropped and got a new filter and pan gasket along with the fluid change

-New rear drums (NAPA)

-Bilstein 4600s all around with Moog coils, leaf springs are original. No lift gang

-OEM upper and lower ball joints

-New fuel pump w/ OEM strainer, gasket, and fuel filter (Denso)

-New spark plugs (Denso), wires (OEM), and belts (OEM)

-MAF and throttle body cleaned regularly, driveshaft greased regularly, etc.

-The timing cover and water pump gaskets were beginning to leak. I had my mechanic replace the timing chain, guides, gears, water pump, and all seals; they did the valve covers and oil pan while they were in there. Timing kit was OSK (made in Japan from 209Yota1, THE 3RZ shop) and water pump was Aisin

-New boots & bushings on the steering rack

-Rear diff breather relocated to gas cap

-4crawler front recovery points

-Replaced the window weather stripping that always ages and starts to show ugly chrome on these trucks. Not something I would normally list here but Toyota asks absurd prices for these

-Inner door handles replaced w/ Dorman

-Hella E-code headlight housings with Phillips XTreme Vision bulbs at stock wattage, stock harness

-New TYC side marker lights

-LED reverse bulbs

-LED dome light bulb

-Magnetic phone mount on dash

-Cheap headunit w/ Bluetooth and USB inputs, cheap new 6" speakers in the doors. You're not gonna impress anyone but I'm a musician and music lover and it works just fine


Here's everything I know that's wrong with it:

-2.7L, Auto. Sucks to suck

-Doesn't have AC. Not like the AC is broken, it was ordered from the factory without it. Didn't even know you could still do that in '96 but some guy did. However, it is wired for AC as far as I can tell--if you wanted to, you could probably install the mechanical components. Don't even think about power locks or windows. Or a tach. What am I, some kind of prince? I'm not even a duke

-It was a work truck in its previous life and an off-roader for me, so the paint and interior are a bit rough but not gross. Just means you don't have to be too worried about scratching it up or spilling your coffee (or you could replace the carpet and give it a good buff). Roof clearcoat is faded.

-The speedo sometimes wanders a little bit, but when it's cold outside it wanders a lot and sometimes makes a horrible noise. This *always* goes away after a few minutes but it's a hell of a way to wake up in the morning. It's hard to find a replacement for this exact configuration (4x4 w/o tach) and Toyota doesn't make them anymore. There are universal aftermarket fixes

-The "O/D OFF" dash light doesn't work, but the button on the shifter does in fact turn overdrive off

-The driver's door and gas cap locks were shot when I bought it and I replaced them with junkyard parts, so there are 3 keys (ignition/passenger door, driver door, gas cap)

-Plastic front bumper valence notched for recovery points

-The cat, MAF, driveshaft, and front passenger side fender appear to have been replaced prior to my ownership. Carfax is clean and I can't detect any other damage

-Has a mild exhaust leak I haven't found. Likely the manifold which is known to crack on these older 4 cyls. It doesn't affect driveability but it's also a great excuse for headers!

-Could probably use shifter bushings. Maybe some other bushings too. It's old rubber!

-Wiper fluid reservoir filler neck is cracked. I have an eBay relocation replacement that I never installed because the sprayers still work and it doesn't leak fluid


I'll also throw in some parts I have laying around (maintenance items, an entire junkyard-sourced AC system, hood struts, a couple other little things), but only if you promise to keep calling her by her name, which is Charlotte.

Finally, I have an uninstalled Tundra big brake kit (complete w/ conversion hardware) and a powder coated Trail Gear rear tube bumper that I was planning to sell separately but can include in the sale at a reduced price if you want them.

Probably more that I'm forgetting.

It's a super beautiful and functional machine, especially as old as it is, and is relatively unmolested. Drive it around and rake in the cool vintage truck points or SAS it to pieces, whatever you want--as she sits she'll do 85 all day on Nevada highways and idle right up anything you point her at in 4Lo.

I think the price is fair given the current market for old Toyota 4x4s and I'm committed to disclosing all the issues (big or small) that I'm aware of--as you can see, nothing really goes beyond what you'd expect on an old truck.

Happy to answer any questions, happy to provide more pics, happy to show the truck in person.

Full pics below. Thanks!

and remember.... HEAVEN'S IN A BLUE TACOMA
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eHTiEn72SOA

 

Bump w/ more details and TW price.

 

Good luck with sale. That’s a nice looking truck.

 

I don't mean to hijack the thread but my timing cover is also leaking. Been that way for 3 years. Leaks about a dime a day not enough to register on the dip stick. My mechanic said to leave it alone. I was curious why you ended up doing yours and if it's worth it or not.

 

Mine was leaking a little more than that and the timing chain was getting noisy, plus the water pump gasket had started to weep a little coolant. I never saw it drip but I did see some red around the seal.

The leaks were never catastrophic and probably would've been fine for a while. It is either very expensive (around $1k) or a huge pain in the ass to do though. I can tell you the engine runs much, much better which is probably the nee chain/guides more than anything.

 

Awesome truck.

 

***SOLD***