Looking to replace '14 access cab

So, it has come about that I need to replace my '14 access cab. V6, 4wd, alloy wheels, 6' bed, non GPS entune radio, factory tow package. This is nearly the idea truck, and I pretty much love it. But, this is going to be an insurance payout, and I think reality dictates that I'm not going to get enough to buy the same truck. Reality also dictates that I'm not going to be able to FIND the same truck.

So, my question is, what should I be looking for, and avoiding? I need basically the same truck, not a lower trim package, but I really don't want to pay for a loaded truck, either. I hear the '16s weren't that great, anything to that? I also hear that the 2nd gens are the best. Would prefer to stay with '14 & up.

Budget is likely to be around $25K MAX.

TIA

 

14 and up in a second gen in NH or New England, corrosion is going to be the key for you to watch out for. Frame rust is terrible in salt states, so that would be my only suggestion. You can definitely find a 2.5 gen for under 25k! Right down the street from me @ 16K:
https://www.ferneliustoyota.net/inv...oma-base-4wd-4d-access-cab-5tfuu4en0fx146545/

 

Oh my lord! That is insanely close to what I had until Saturday! While black is not my preferred color, I'd be on my way to get it if I was closer. Someone took nice care of it.

As far as rust, my truck wasn't doing too bad. Minimal rust, never been undercoated. Most of the rust was due to paint abrasions.

 

I have also heard several times now not to get a '16. Any truth to that?

 

That's a 3rd generation Taco, the first year of the 3rd gen.

The jury is still debating vigorously, in some places, as to whether the 3rd gen is worse, better, or about even with the 2.5 gens (2012-2015 years.) As a 2014 4.0L 6sp MT ACLB owner I am biased towards 2.5gens, because the 4.0L V6 (1GR-FE) is very well-proven and well-regarded as far as reliability. (Gas mileage and power, not so much.)

The 3.5L V6 (2GR-FKS) in the 3rd gens also seems to be holding up pretty well, but it is only about 9 years old, so it's not as time-tested as the 4.0L V6 (1GR-FE) motor in the 2nd gens. The 1GR-FE was introduced in 2002, so the oldest examples are now 24 years old. (And, the 2nd revision of the 4.0L V6 1GR-FE, with dual VVTi, is still sold in the current-model-year 2024 Toyota 4runner..)

If I was you I would look for a replacement 2.5gen (not a 3rd gen) and be willing to travel as far as you have to go -- even across the country -- to get a good 2.5gen with low miles, complete service records, clean title, and little or no rust.

If the seller is honest, transparent, and has basic mechanical competence, they can provide you with 90-95% of the info you need, via TXT/phone/pictures/video/documentation, to make a purchase decision. Of course, such vehicles combined with such sellers are pretty rare.

 

excellent info, thank you.

 

Most of the complaints come from the fact the early 3rd gens had crappy transmission shift timing in the automatic trans trucks. I believe Toyota attempted to fix these issues from 2019+ through software updates. I'd go drive one in person to see if you notice it before you make the jump.

The 2GR-FKS motor used in the 3rd gen's is often made fun of as being a "minivan motor" since it it's used in lots of non-truck Toyota vehicles like the V6 RAV4, Camry, and even the Sienna lol. It develops alot of its torque in the higher RPM band since it was designed to be a car motor as opposed to a truck/SUV motor like the 1GR-FE. That said, the 2GR is a great motor & performs just fine.

The 2nd gen's 1GR-FE was explicitly designed to replace the legendary 5FZ-VE in efficiency, reliability and performance. The 1GR has been Toyota's choice of motor for all of it's petrol-powered 4x4 offroaders for nearly 20 years. Gasoline Land Cruisers, Hiluxes, Prados, etc all use the 1GR-FE due to it's reliability.

 

x 2

 

Yes, that's one of the things I heard about the 3rd gens, that the shift timing was junk. I was told that could be tuned out. Honestly, my '14 has some crappy shift timing at times, and I got rid of my '12 4 cylinder Tacoma because the shift timing was total shit. That thing couldn't seem to stay in one gear going flat and straight.

 

You can almost certainly purchase the truck from the insurance company, ask them. Then flip around, use the $ to repair your truck. you will have to salvage title it, but that isn’t important if you aren’t going to resell it.

 

Also; Edmunds, Kelly blue book, and a couple of other sites for vehicle sales.
It took me 6 months to find my v6 mt 6’ access 2015. Persistence is key.

 

NH rust is a nightmare...Even if you lets say find a nice southern salt free truck you will still have to bring it back north..That means you will have to treat the frame constantly....Tough proposition...I know NH and not just tacos. but so many other vehicles have been corroded out..

 

My understanding is that spraying the truck isn't a big deal. My boss has done his since it was new, and it's a '12 chevy 3500, with not a speck of rust on it. Which is pretty unusual around here. Mine, which has never been sprayed, has very little rust.

I personally don't have any interest in buying it back. I'm not a car guy, and wouldn't have any cue on fixing it. But my boss wants it. He's rebuilt several vehicles, apparently.

 

UPDATE:
Insurance says the buyback on the truck is $6K. ByeBye truck.

Insurance payout is $18.6K Not bad.

 

I would say that by now, any problems encountered with the '16 third gen should have been corrected. I had a second gen, I now have a third gen. With the tune, there is no consideration given to going back. None.

OP, find what you want and buy it. Don't get hung up over second/third gen, it's a waste of time.

 

"With the tune, there is no consideration given to going back. None."

What do you mean?

 

That's a Bargain!.... For the insurance company. That is bad for you on a truck you are looking to pay $25k for. Find ads for other similar Tacos in your area, or as close as you can, and submit those with a counter offer.

 

Yes... Dont accept that offer. They know they are underpaying you

 

One thing I will say in favor of 3rd gens --

Never having ridden in one or driven one myself --

is that, the more time passes, the more opportunity they have to start to potentially match the reputation of 2nd gens for engine/drivetrain reliability.

When I got my 2014 Access Cab, used, in Sept. 2021, that was only 5 years or so into the history of the 3rd gens. Really too early to tell about reliability.

The earliest 3rd gens are now about 9 years old & while I haven't attempted any kind of quantitative analysis, anectodally what I come across on the forums here seems to be that they are, as a rule, holding up pretty well.

If they keep that pattern until 15+ years of generation age they may then be considered more or less on the same page as the 2nd gens. Reliability-wise.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...a-trd-off-road-4x4-100k.836754/#post-29968421