Going from 2nd generation to 1st

Sup yall,

New TW member but have used this great forum before. I currently have a 2012 4x4 but looking to switch back to a cheaper version of the same truck. I'm leaning towards selling my truck because 1) might be gone for 6 months or longer on an awesome adventure while paying a loan on it and 2) it seems these trucks are very durable and long lasting so the 1st generations should be very reliable still.

I wish I could have my truck paid off already but that will have to wait for another day...

Wondering if anyone has switched generations and how it turned out

 

Welcome to TW

there is a recent thread somewhere of a guy who has a 2gen but always wanted a 1gen... he finally found a 1gen he wanted and ended up not liking it and keeping the 2gen...

food for thought...

 

just bought a 1st gen extra cab, 4x4. and am selling my 07 access cab 4x4.

have had the 1st gen for about a month and love it

 

this

 

A rarity but not unheard of .... Owned a 2011 TRD Sport 4x4 double cab and recently turned it in for a 2004 SR5 Extra 4x4.
Previously owned a 2002 SR5 double cab 4x4 prior to the 2011.

Job changed allowed me to work from home and couldn't justify having the more costly 2011 sitting in the garage and using it sparingly.
The 2004 made more practical sense as it's cheaper to run (Ma. excise tax, insurance etc.).
Overall smaller profile and interior space not missed but more useable bed size (5' long double vs. 6' long on Extra).
Really depends on what your personal needs are ... Bottom line is the 2nd generation to 1st generation change works for me.

The biggest trick was locating a clean/low mileage 1st generation Taco ....

 

Take a 1st gen on an extended test drive or have you spent time in one? I think 1st gen Tacoma's are truer to the classic Toyota pickup. The 2nd gen is trying to be an underpowered, half-ton pickup. I've driven both generations and decided a 2nd gen isn't an upgrade. I expect more economy and power from the 4.0 V6.

The only downfall to the 1st gen is power. Even a small trailer behind a 1st gen turns it into a whiny snatch. They'll still do the job but, don't expect to have the cruise control set at 75 on an uphill stretch and keep up with turbo diesels. I don't pull trailers often enough to need more power. Will you?

I like your idea of ditching the 2nd gen payments and own a 1st gen. Actually owning your rig is the best mod!

 

You gotta look at how hard it's gonna be to find a 1st gen anymore. Rust has claimed so many of them that nice ones are few and far between. And damn expensive too.

 

Just sold my 2004 4x4 TRD Off Road and switched to a 2008 DC 4x4 TRD Sport. The main reason being that I needed to be able to haul people places, not just stuff. Friends with passenger cars can't get to the trailhead of interesting places to go hiking. I might as well drive all of us, rather than one person.

We'll see if I miss the locking differential.

 

T H I S


here in socal we don't worry about rust, just way over-priced but still gems.

 

Yea my needs are in line with dcdlexmass. I do use my truck a lot but the differences that I care about are minimal between the first and second generations. I also have trouble justifying driving my new taco into mexico on a long trip since its not payed off yet.

I'm just hoping to offload my truck at a descent price. There are several low-ballers out there... Is there a better tool than Craigslist out there?

 

It's all a hit-miss when it comes to finding used vehicles ... I've used Craigslist, Ebay and AutoTrader. Actually ended up finding mine through AutoTrader at a local dealership but be prepared to pay top market dollar. The only good thing about it was that the vehicle was warranted for 90-days and was detailed throughout prior to picking up.
Sold my 2011 privately through Craigslist.
There are always nice ones on Ebay as being from the New England area it's nearly impossible to find "clean" cars.
Again, the price tag will reflect it ....... Best of luck, the exchange so far has been worth it for me!!

 

Just sold my 1st Gen through AutoTrader. It's a handy way to compare what you have against what other private parties and dealers are selling. You can figure out who you are competing against for the sale. As much as I preferred the 1st gen for driving to Mexico, I needed more space to haul people there. I bought the 2nd gen used, and it cost about the same as the cars other people take down.

 

When I was looking I checked out 1st gens and 2nd gens. I bought the 1st gen because I found it was a more capable off road truck. I was not looking for a daily driver. It is strictly for modifying for off road use. The 2nd gens are nice trucks if you want a daily driver. So depends what you need it for. For me it was no contest. 1st gen was it

 

Got rid of a 1996 Nissan Frontier (unfixable electrical issue that rendered it unsmoggable) and got a 2013 Tacoma regular cab.

The Taco is quite a bit larger inside. I'm a big guy so that is a improvement.

The Taco's got airbags everywhere. The Nissan had one. I'm a safe driver (everyone says that) but I live in a part of the world where most drivers are...careless, let's say. Having the extra safety is huge.

No difference in power, I went from one 4-cyl to another. MAYBE a 1mpg difference in mileage.

The Nissan (and as far as I know, Gen1 Tacos) was a legit 1/2 ton (1000+ pound load capacity not including driver) pickup. 1300 pounds of stone would level that truck out real nice.

The Gen2 Taco is not. The cargo handling - a result of the horrendously weak rear springs on this thing - is abysmal. If I didn't know it could be fixed with an aftermarket spring pack (which it can) I would seriously sue Toyota. It's really that bad.

You six-cylinder guys would notice a huge power drop going to the four-cylinder engine, I'm thinking. You'll get used to it. If you actually work with your truck, most people would prefer a Gen1, I'm betting.

I was ready to go on a Gen1. I looked for a year and couldn't find one that made any economic sense. I'm not dropping nine or ten grand on a ten-year old pickup with 120k miles when I could buy a new one for 17.5k. Finally got a new single cab.

 

Having just bought a 99 V6 4x4 5spd (at a bargain price) and having owned my 2006 Reg Cab AT truck since new, I'm smack dab in the middle of your situation. Both are paid for. Which Tacoma do I keep?

I use mine to pull a 17' Whaler- mostly just across town to the boat ramp.
I also have a nice little single axle utility trailer that I use from time to time to make a 5 hour interstate trip to my mother's house. Flat roads, no hills. The 4 banger 2.7L handles those tasks just fine. Fuel economy is bout the same in each.

I traded an 04 Ford SuperCrew to downsize to the little single cab 2nd Gen. Since all the kids were out of the house, I didn't need to haul people much anymore and was sick of getting 12mpg around town. And I must say that the 06 5 lugger has been flawless and a pleasure to own. Once I got rid of the OEM Dunlops and went to a wider wheel/tire combo, the truck became much safer to drive. Killer stereo and crazy cold a/c. Good leg room. But a little uncomfortable on long trips since no seat recline.

The Gen1 has more of a truck feel. The bed is bigger and made of steel (vs plastic on the Gen2). I also now have the 4x4 option and a V6. I welcome the opportunity to actually work on my truck so I'm probably gonna keep the 99 and sell the 06. It will need a little more attention (tinkering) than the 06. And the reclining seats and in-cab storage are a welcomed addition. (Maybe have some grandkids to put in those jump seats one day?!)

Buy what you can afford. <Personally, I'm sick of debt!> They are both super trucks- sure to last a very long time.

 

havent owned a first gen but ive driven a few...main downfall is power/towing

otherwise theyre great. but if you use your truck to tow 5-6000 lbs, dont even think about it

 

I'd really love to have a late 80s early 90s pickup, but try towing a car with one of those and you'll see why i dont..ha

 

I owned an 06 Sport AC 6 speed and now I own an 01 5 Speed AC.

Biggest difference is interior room... Power is down a little but not horrible. Can't tow as much, but I have no need to. Tows a boat or small camper just fine.

It is a great truck and I love it. 160k on her and runs like a dream. Had 110k on my 06 when I sold it.