Just read and post your opinion.

If they are taken care of they can probably last the life of a truck. I seen an 03 double cab with 624k on it, original everything. Only thing the guy ever did was regular maintenance and was the original owner. Truck looked immaculate for that many miles as well. It all boils down to how well you maintain it, that decides how long it'll last!

 

Well I have a bead on a truck. 2002 dc trd off road with 120k and the damn thing is probably the cleanest first gen I've personally ever seen. It's a tech buddy at work. Has had it for 4 years and bought it from an older dude who was org. Owner. I've been bugging him for a while and he says he wouldn't let it go but I offered him a price he was happy with so for now we have a gents agreement on price and a time line which we are both happy about. Now he has to convince his wife to sell and I have to plant the truck bug in my wife (grow up not meant to be dirty) so there's that.

In regards to a 4runner. I'm not says no.......... but I'm saying no......I know they are great rigs but no........ Just no...... I have my reasons for that and that's all I have to say.

To further justify the truck, I'll use the bed for things to big and dirty to fit in a SUV. Such as motorcycles and tool boxes. Being a tech has me obsessed with buying a selling tool boxes. IT is a problem. Plus little kids will fit fine in a taco. The rear facing car seat is worrisome but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

You guys are a great group of guys and I appreciate the counsel. Just a little ego bump for you. The first gen forum seems nicer than the second gen part. Not so much dick swinging. It's a nice break.

 

Here's another vote for the 1st gen, FWIW.

I've had mine for 6 years now, put 60k miles on it without a single issue. At all. These trucks are tough. Take care of them, do the maintenance, and they'll just keep going and going. I definitely recommend getting the 5VZ-FE. Power is adequate, mileage is ok (with 33's), but the reliability is astounding. Even the auto is super solid. Flushed it at 90k miles; not because it was running bad, but because I figured it was time. If you really plan on doing some back country exploring, the TRD package is worth it for the rear locker alone. I spent 2 years trying to find a low mileage truck in good shape, and in my budget. Takes time, but you can tick all those boxes if you're patient.

It's my daily driver, my work truck and my camping/exploring vehicle/basecamp. I couldn't be happier with it. Would a DC be nice? Sure, for the times I need to haul more than one person. But that hasn't really been much of an issue. I do, however, use the larger bed/canopy/roof rack A TON, so in my mind that's more important space for me. Built a sleeping platform for the back with storage compartments, and at 6'1", I use every inch I can. Would be much more difficult with a DC, and I didn't want to fork out the cash for a RTT. When I'm not camping, I pull it all out and have 6' of dry, lockable cargo area.

I also tow quite a bit with the truck for work. Trailers have ranged from a 5'x12' cargo trailer to a 5'x14' utility trailer, neither with trailer brakes. I've had them loaded past the 5k mark on a few occasions. Is it fun? No. Can the trucks do it? Yes. Just don't expect to go fast up hills, and take it easy on the brakes. One of the best upgrades I've done is the Tundra 13WL 231mm brake swap. Stock brakes were, honestly, pretty terrible. Prone to fade and warped rotors. The Tundra rotors are larger in diameter, a good bit thicker, and the caliper is quite a bit larger as well. Braking, especially with a load, has improved tremendously.

Also, if the 1st gen you find is still on stock suspension, budget in new springs/shocks. They're worse than the brakes. Works wonders for on-road ride, off-road performance and load-handling.

 

Heres what i did, I went from a 1st gen tundra, it was okay, then went to a 4th gen 4runner it was okay but I missed having a truck then i sold it and got a 1st gen tacoma DC its the best truck ever. The best mods you can do are super charger tundra brakes and stiffer springs and it can go anywhere and out perform anything, thats my opinion.