Keep the Taco?

Well fellas it pains me to say I have thought about selling my 07 prerunner. I’ve been having some transmission problems and gotten some quotes that were 4000+. I’m waiting back to hear from a friend but if it’s that high too, I have thought about selling. Let me back myself up before people go off. One thing I have always wanted on my truck was 4 wheel drive which this one doesn’t. I have also thought of moving up to a full sized f-150. Maybe a 2013/2014. But 4x4 is a necessity for me and if I do bump up to the f-150 I want the v8 5.0. And definitely not the ecoboost. Let me know what you guys think. Wether i should sell mine and get the f-150, another taco, or keep mine. It also has 230,000 miles on it I should point out.

There’s my taco right go now. I was about to get the whole truck rhino lined until this transmission bit me in the ass.

 

The F150 is nice. Son in law has 2017, mid level trim, 4wh dr. But it is big..... big to park, get in, out of. It is bigger than I wanted in 2013 and now. He has trouble getting into bed,and sides so highthat anything going into, out bed goes in wih tailgate dowm.
You can not get a cooler, 5 gal bucket up over the side.
I would look for a taco 2012 to 2015, mine is good on gas, can park it anywhere, get stuff in out of bed from either side, tail gate up or down. I have 2013 sr5, do a little off road, 4 wh drive is plenty enuf. Even that is more than I need, maybe not as much as I,d like

 

Thats the route I’ve been thinking. If I do sell, I’m going to take those fenders off and put the stock ones back on so i can throw them on a newer taco. For what I’m wanting, (more of an overland camping setup) the taco will be better with the light weight. Plus I personally think they’re more fun to drive imo. Also I would build a new bumper similar to mine and the Tacoma’s are so simple so it’s easy to modify.

 

I'm assuming you have an automatic. Very rarely do you hear of issues with standard transmissions. Life is short. Get yourself a 4wd with a standard transmission. Remember, you're only really renting your truck. You can resell at anytime.

 

4K is insane, just but a trans jack and swap it yourself

 

I don’t think I’m quite that mechanically inclined just yet. I’m only 19 lol.

 

That’s not a bad idea. I’ll keep that in mind when looking around.

 

I bought a Datsun 260Z when I was 17 (almost 30 years ago). I learned so much replacing everything that broke on it; replaced the clutch, diff, strut cartridge inserts ( in those days there was a replaceable gas charged cylinder that actually fit inside the strut, rather than replacing the whole strut, let alone the strut and spring as an assembly) and installed a new cylinder head and head gasket amongst many other small things. You can do it, and people here can help. Buy the Haynes manual and give it a go fixing yourself. The sense of accomplishment will be worth it and you'll get to know your truck so much better. Many of us started in the same place you're in.

 

Lots to consider, then, if you’re 19. How well-off are you (or, more likely, your parents) financially? How much do you drive the truck? What do you currently do or intend to do with it? How long do you expect your lifestyle to include a truck? 230,000 miles is a lot, and you seem to have bought it from someone who modified a lot of things and probably played pretty hard with it.

 

I am not very well off to say the least. I bought the truck from a friend my Junior year of high school and it was all stock. Paid it off right before my senior year. He never did anything in it other than driving to work and the occasional family trip. It’s my daily driver. I go to college up in Arkansas and I like to camp out of it when i get the time off from school and baseball. Nothing major like week long trips but just a weekend here and there with mild off reading. (It is a 2wd) Like i said i bought it stock and have just slowly upgraded and modded it as i went. Everything I’ve done to it I’ve worked pretty hard to get there building fences and other labor intensive jobs which is why I don’t want to see it go.

 

I swapped the engine on my tacoma when I was 20 (21 now)
I literally watched YouTube videos and used this forum

 

I just bought and installed a 2013 transmission myself with 55K miles for $1K total, $4K is stupid high. I also converted my truck to 4wd in the process, that’s another route you could go if you’re removing the transmission anyways, it’s not very hard, just a lot of work. You could probably do it for 2-3K total (yes I know I’m plugging my own thread but it’s a good one lol)

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/05-15-2wd-to-4wd-conversion-guide-for-dummies.716703/

 

If I was you I would find a used transmission take it to a shop and have them install it. Then sell it or trade it toward a different vehicle.

 

@gearcruncher can tell you whats involved regarding the DIY route or diagnosis. Regardless if you sell or trade, swapping in another used one is the route I would take to get the most value for your truck.

 

Really depends on your financial situation. At 19 I was a student and my budget was basically zero. And 90% of the time it's cheaper to fix the car you already have.

Also consider the ability to get your money out of your current truck if the transmission has obvious problems.
If/when you're working full time, you'll likely be in a better position to change to another vehicle.

 

Sorry, missed the part where you said you modified it yourself. I’d echo others’ recommendations to fix the transmission. And 2wd can get you pretty far with decent tires, recovery gear, and common sense. I would opt for fixing it up and keeping it. It’s a great college truck, IMO.

 

I’ve actually looked into this tread before and saved it. It might be a possibility. I’ll have to let this thought marinate a bit but I am not the best welder just yet so I may need some practice before I go for a job like this.

 

I’m running Falcon wild peak 33’s that have honestly surprised me getting through some mud. And for as much as i drive on road going 4 hours from Texas to Arkansas, the tread is lasting really good for MT’s. I highly recommend them. They were take offs of a gladiator i got a good deal on.

 

I went and got the transmission looked at yesterday and the guy, a good friend of my dads, gave me two options. He said they could service it which could possibly fix it or they could rebuild it. Went ahead and got it serviced for 300 and problem solved. Keeping the taco and going to get my fenders color matched as well as the hood since the paint is fading and chipping. Thinking about color matching the rear fender flares too. Let me know what you guys think.