Help out the taco Newb

So I have a 2005 GTO for a DD, and I know nothing about tacomas except they last a long time. Well thats not true I know that a 85 is a good year because no IFS and the first year with feul inj. but they seem very hard to find.

So I need some help, and let me apologize for the lazy newb post, but i have found that there are some cool people on most forums that don't mind answering a few questions, so I thought Id give it a try.

I want a rig for hunting. I want to spend as little money as I can but it cant have terrible gas mi. because i want it to get me to the hunting spots first. And i live in florida so im bound to come across some big water puddles here and there.
I really want a single cab (no extended cab) v6 4x4, because i think they look the best with big tires and a lift, kinda like a small monster truck.
do they make a v6 single cab? what is a good year to look for?
Id like a 5 speed just because i have had a lot of problems in the past with autos, which are better for off road?


Now for the lift and tires, like I said florida and water, but a lot of the water has white sand bottom nice and hard. my buddy told me 33" tires are kinda the norm, but what lift would I want? how would a stock truck on 33s hande 3 even 4 feet of water? I was thinking about a snorkle?

KEEP IN MIND THIS TRUCK IS FUNCTION FIRST, LOOKS LAST

It will have a dog box, maybe rhino lined hood for the dogs to stand on

here is a cool video of the area i might be in..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyWvUWtul1Y&feature=related
Help me out fellas

 

There was no (is still isn't) V6 offered in the single cab tacos. You can't go wrong with any year first gen taco however, the 95-2000 tacos are under a frame recall for the rust problems; toyota is buying back those years due to excessive rust...you'll probably have a hard time finding that year taco. Now the 2001-2004 (still gen one) tacos also have the frame rust recall but they are either coating the frame or actually replacing the whole frame under warranty. I think the 2001-04 tacos are the best; I recently bought a 2001 taco SR5 4wd single cab with a five speed manual; awesome truck! You definetly want the five speed manual with the 4 cylinder; it's a dog with the auto (five speed is just better anyway). As far as a lift, can't help you there...I don't lift or wheel my truck. Bottom line, you can't go wrong with a taco...best midsize truck period.

 

How big of a lift are you looking for? Check out Timichas build http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-builds/101178-timichas-build.html

 

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/1872099820.html

Pick this up. Single cab v6. And cheap.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/105242-good-buy.html

 

there was too a v6 in first gen reg cabs.

I too had a 05 GTO. miss that car to death but i had horrible luck with the rear ends. I used to autocross it and the posi couldnt put up with drifting went through 3 clutch sets. I got myself a 2010 reg 4x4 last year and i love it. the 2.7l 4 cylinder in the newer (2nd gen 05+) is rated for around the same hp and torque as the 3.4l v6 in the 1st gen tacomas. Its no 400/400 like that 6l gto but my tacoma does pretty good for itself i have no complaints. 26mpgs is nice too. Although i used to get the same with my goat

 

4ft of water is going to put your entire hood under, or pretty damn close.


extend all your breathers into the cab. make sure all cab seals are good. you're going to want a snorkel is you plan on goin thru water that deep

 

Thanks for the replys guys, Blue i only want however much lift ill need, so if i can get through a bunch of water with 33s a 3" lift and a snorkle, then thats what i want.

Thanks for that ad thats pretty much exactly what im looking for, such a cool little truck.

 

yeah man, i tried to get myself to sell the goat, and buy a new truck, and there is just no convincing me. I don't plan on selling her at all right now.
the top end speed, the exhaust note, the nice smooth ride, For the money, you just cant beat it, its a drivers race with the new camaro SS, and it smokes chargers, and mustangs (till the new 5.0 comes out)

But being that I love to hunt, and I have to count on people taking me all the time, its time to get a truck.

 

i recommend a 3 inch lift with 33s. dont do a 6 inch drop bracket lift

 

Amen, especially if it's just for hunting. You can't go wrong with the Old Man Emu 3 in. lift, but if that's a little too pricey (at least about $1000 if you do it yourself) you could go with a Revtech or something with diff blocks (I hated mine, but I do more offroading). If it's just for hunting and a little light offroading to get there, it will work (but will be stiff).

 

Found a 1985 reg cap 4x4 with the 22r engine
he is asking $1900 100000mi he says the roof bed and floorboards are rusting, says it needs to be taken to a body shop so i assume its a lot of rust.

Its lifted and has 35s, what do you guys think?

I was thinking offer him $1500 wouldn't it be worth it?

looks pretty good in the pictures

I want to go check it out tomarrow

 

1985 was a magic model year for Toyota pickups. 1st year of fuel injection on the 22R and last year for the solid axle. Makes up for a LOT of bad stuff (rust).

 

I was hoping for a v6, how is the 22r going to be with the 35s? And how will it do in the mud and water?

thanks

 

Gear it low enough, and anything's possible...