Here to learn! New to being a "tacohead" but have owned my 98 for 15 years

Thank you for accepting me as a member! I have a first edition taco (something I learned from this website). It's a 98 XTR TAC limited. From what I've been told, 98 was either one of the first years they made my model/trim (?) or one of only a few years it was made? Either way it seems popular as I frequently have strangers come up to me(like 2 or more every 8-12 months) and ask me if it's for sale. Ive even had people follow me at 45 mph screaming at me asking how much to let it go. And ive had even more strangers compliment me on it. I've added a lift beyond any other lift ive seen on this year and model, it has big nobby mud tires, a shift differential, a custom tow kit and tow lock, and a few other fun bells and wistles.

But It has over 380k miles on it and in the last two years, I've had to drop nearly 25k just keeping it going. Ive never let anything break on it however. I've always been very particular about taking it in every time a new noise started or every 6 months, whichever came sooner. But im now forced to move on to a more reliable vehicle because i just can't afford to run a landscaping business and keep up with this truck.

Im trying to decide if I should start slowly investing into it out of fun rather than necessity, or if i should pass it on to someone more passionate while its running and purring like a kitten.

I have 4 daughters, 16, 13, 11 and 4. My wife learned how to drive in a suburban, a 5 speed f150 and a 5speed bmw, and she's a badass driver and can acclimate to any vehicle. So i thought this truck would make for a badass first vehicle for one or two kids. Not to mention the street cred they'd gain haha. But also, the resell value on it is incredible and auto loan interest rates are through the roof so id need a big down payment. I'm torn!

 

Nice and welcome to the great TW! Unless the kids want it $5,500 buys a lot of cabbage…

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome aboard!

 

Welcome to TW