Learn me up good

This isn't my first rodeo jumping into a new specific culture of one kind of truck. I used to be into Jeeps in a big way and have built up and sold 2 XJ's and a YJ. Back then I was mostly focused on rock crawling. Then I jumped that ship and got into the diesel world and built a nice 2nd gen dodge cummins and just yesterday I sold that bad boy and am now going to do something I've wanted to do for at least a decade now. Build a expedition/adventure style 1st gen Tacoma.

So I'm looking to go to school.

Learn me what is the best overall 1st gen model year to shop for and why?

What year should I avoid the most?

What is the most common thing to go wrong with the 3.4L engine and what to look for in the used market?

What is that "thing" that 1st gen Tacomas are know for sucking for? I.E. 2nd gen Dodge Cummins are know for their dash pads cracking and steering box getting sloppy.

What is are some weaknesses or common things I'm going to want to correct as soon as I buy my truck?

What is the first mod everyone does?

I'm sure I'll have a ton more questions after I find a truck. These should get me started on that path to have a head full of useless knowledge about one kind of truck.

Thanks guys!

 

Welcome! You'll find a lot of us here are avid first gen-Tacoma fans, so you're starting off on the right foot committing to a first gen lol.

I just got a 2004 myself for the same reason, love 'em and didn't want anything newer. I may have gone for an early second gen if I hadn't found the truck I did.

Anyhow, when it comes to first gens I really don't think that there's a year you should "avoid". Personally, I recommend anything between 2001-2004 because of the updated front end (just looks better IMO). The primary thing you need to watch out for on these trucks is rust, especially in the frame. Tacomas (especially the early models) were notorious for frame rot due to rust, and Toyota issued a massive recall/buyback on a lot of Tacomas for it.

So yeah...be sure to check the frame on any truck you look at. If the frame is good and it was well-maintained, you're good to go. High mileage isn't much of an issue with Toyota trucks as I'm sure you're aware. The 3.4l v6 is arguably the best 6 cylinder motor Toyota has produced. Didn't have any of the head gasket issues that plagued the prior 3.0 v6.

As for mods, the list is endless. Mine has a TRD supercharger, headers and exhaust and I love them...unfortunately TRD doesn't make the s/c or headers anymore but they are still produced by an aftermarket company, Magnunson if I'm not mistaken.

Bumpers, sliders, decent set of A/T tires and possibly a 2 or 3 inch lift are on my list for mods once I save up the coin.

What's your budget for the used truck? Tacomas hold their value like crazy, for all the right reasons. I found my '04 with only 25,000 miles on it (not a typo) and got it for $17k, plus taxes and fees.

 

Also I recommend going with the 5 speed manual, just because it's fun as hell to drive

And another reason to opt for the 01-04 year Tacomas is the 4x4 shift on the fly button, you can engage 4Hi by pressing the button on the side of the shifter. Not all of them come with it, it was an option if I'm not mistaken.

 

One more thing...if you can, try and find a Tacoma with the TRD package. You'll get better suspension and most importantly, an electronic locking rear differential.

 

You want to stick to 1995-2002 Tacoma. I don't like the drive by wire (02-04).
3.4 engines and 2.4/2.7 are solid. Just need to replace the timing belt and water pump on the V6.
Depending on where you are and look, frames can be rusty. Surface rust usually isn't a problem but rusted through and perforation is. Common rust spots are the rear spring perch and frame cross bars.
It appears that Tacoma 1st gen anything does not go by blue book value. For a clean truck epecially in 4WD manual with low mileage, expect to pay $7K-$16k depending on the year and options.

 

Yea I specifically want a 1st Gen. I really like their size over the 2nd gen and def a 3rd gen. Plus I just like older 90's or early 2000's trucks better.

I think a 2000-2004 will be my year range probably.

Thanks for the info about the frame I did not know that. I knew there was that one "thing"... every car/truck has it's one "thing". I will make sure to check the frame more closely then I already had planned on.

What year models came with a supercharger or was it only a factory ad on?

Did all year models of TRD come with the E locker in the rear?

I will be doing a lift, bumpers and sliders right away if the truck I buy doesn't already have them on it.

My budget is 15k but I'd like to of course keep that as low as I can so I have extra fun money for accessories.

 

J shifters are also shift on the fly.

 

I stand corrected....by the way @DriverSound I dig your avatar, my username references the same band

 

I believe e-lockers did not start until 1997 and it doesn't have to be TRD to have it. Also 1995-1997 are the only single cabs that came with the 3.4 V6.

Also, Toyota offered frame coating on Tacoma's due to the rust so some trucks will have coating. Just make sure it's not flaking off.

 

Yep, all TRD models in the first gens come with the locking rear differential, and the majority of them are v6...I believe there was a year or two where the 4cyl was offered with the TRD package but they are rare. Like Driversound says, the TRD package started in '97

The supercharger didn't come factory installed, but many trucks had them installed by the dealer or TRD (mine did). The 3.4l loves boost

 

That's the kinda stuff I'm looking for! Rust on the spring perches got it. And I understand about KBB value on trucks like these. I just sold a 1999 Cummins for over 16k!

I have only ever owned manual jeeps/cars/trucks. No reason to change that now!

Good to know about the elockers. I'd prefer one from the factory but am no stranger to working on axles and regearing them if need be.

 

Yeah there are a few popular options for a locker if you don't happen to find a TRD Tacoma, so I wouldn't sweat it by limiting yourself to just that model. ARB's air lockers are real popular here in the forums. I'm sure you know how pricey they can be though, so finding one already equipped is nice.

 

The 4x4's with the manual trans that I have seen have 4:10 gears though not all have e-locker. Some came with stuck actuators so e-lock didn't work so make sure you lock the rear if you come across one. I forget, I think e-lock only work on 4lo unless you do a "gray wire" mod. I prefer to have air lockers on trail anyway.

95-02 are basically the same. 03-04 drive by wire which can have problems and the whole throttle assembly need replacing (not cheap $1K t0 $1.5k part). Most of the time, you can tell if the truck has been maintained by condition. If the timing belt has never been replaced, I would bet the rest of the maintenance was neglected. I'd rather have an older higher mileage truck that was well maintained than a newer, low mileage truck that has not been maintained.

 

Yeah the locker only works in 4lo, it's more than capable of handling 4hi and 2wd though...Toyota just programmed it that way to be safe. Most people only need it in situations where you'd be in 4lo anyway. As mentioned, if you search "grey wire mod" on the forums you'll see an easy DIY fix that can enable the locker to work outside of 4lo

 

I will make sure to test out the locker if I find one with it.

Thanks for the info on the 03-04. I will avoid them, I'm all about KISS and I'd rather not even fool with drive by wire.

I had read about that and added it to my list of things to look into or do.

 

Is this a typo or am I missing something? 1st gen's = 95.5-97....98-00....01-04. Are you talking about problems with the 01-04 models with the drive by wire?

 

A big mod some people do, if they have the skill and money, Solid Axle Swap (SAS). IFS is ok, but I wish Toyota had stayed with the solid axle.

Anything and everything you can think about modding is on here. Someone has done it or tried to do it. Check out the Expo thread for some great ideas for going that direction. Also the What have you done to your 1st gen today thread will show you a lot of mods everyone has done or why something can't be done. A lot of great build threads to draw info from.

There are a few jerks on here that enjoy trolling and just ignore them and someone that knows and wants to help, will eventually pop in to help. There is also a thread for almost every topic not Tacoma related here too (Cigars, beer, tv shows, football, etc, etc), jump in and get involved, you will find people here willing to come over and help you with a mod or two, or even to help get you out of a jam.

Welcome and I look forward to see what you decide to do.

 

Granted I haven't been here long, but it seems like the first gen forum doesn't have much of an issue with trolls and people trying to start crap, that seems go on mostly in the 3rd gen forum, lol.

 

The elock was available from the start in 95.5. Not sure on this but i think TRDs werent arounf till 97***just read eon's post and he mentioned trds showed up in 97***

Not all TRD's have a factory elocker. Most did but not all..

OP, @O906 if you get a truck with frame rust and it was from one of the affected states and one of the previous owners has it inspected and sprayed by toyota by the deadline some of the newer models are still covered to thus day to get a frame replacement done for free by toyota. Reguardless of ownership time or a new owner it dosent matter, its still covered. The warranty replacement follows the truck not the owner. So thats one thing to consider if you live in the rust belt and find a good truck but the frame is toast. Sometimes you can get a real good deal like that, if you buy it with a known bad frame. There is a 15 year warranty on the original frame from the on duty date of the truck, the day it was bought off the lot,(not manufacture date)if, it was inspected and sprayed on time. There is a ton of info on that here in the forum if ya look for it.

One thing im a fan of is manual hubs with the simple plain ole standard j shift transfer case! Not buttons, actuators or solenoids to go titts up on ya. Much less shit to go wrong and the manual hubs keeps the whole front end from spinning constantly. Unlike the models with ADD. Less wear on parts and bearings, shit like that, some have argued slightly better mileage because of it too. Also i too would prefer a non drive by wire model, never really seen to many instances of failure on them but still. Like you said "KISS"

 

Man I'd be bummed if I found a TRD first gen only to find it didn't come with the locker lol

I didn't know they were available pre - TRD days, I learned something new today