Most desirable year?

I drove a 2012 Regular Cab Tacoma after driving a 1998 Xtra Cab Tacoma; my first impression was that I couldn't feel where my tires were, as instantaneously that I can with 1st Gens.

I think the 1st Gen Tacomas and 3rd Gen Rangers are going to be the last of the compact pickups running on North American soil for the foreseeable future.

Most desirable? 1998 to 2000 for the aesthetic appeal (for me).

 

I'm not gonna type or read a bunch of stuff man, it's cool. I looked for a few minutes but didn't want to spend a bunch of time searching, here's one of first links from google search. Looks like it highlights a few major differences. If you're on same page as what this link says then we are in same page. If you have different opinion on what link shows, I dunno what to say. Not a big deal really. I'm not gonna debate it over internet
http://www.brian894x4.com/Hiluxdifferences.html
Edit: what's funny is this a guy I knew over at ih8mud 15 years ago lol, not sure what year he made the web page though

 

I want that frame off resto FJ40. He's only asking 55k

 

there were improvements in the vacuum lines in 03 and 04, which increase efficiency and decrease internal pressure and sludge build up in the motor
04 is presumably the best year 1st gen so suck on my tuna can

 

i don't want to suck on tuna can even if it is yours!
while your truck was in diapers mine darned near killed me or saved me, it did not roll, thank goodness!

 

That's pretty interesting. Makes sense to me-because they're the last of the 4.0s right?

 

My father's brother's nephew's cousin's former roommate said that the 2004's are the best.

If you still want a 4.0, get a 4runner. I did.

 

I mean I heard pigs can fly... But I'd still take a 3rd Gen 4R over a new one.

I think there's a direct correlation to us getting fatter and our cars getting wider as well... Not that I'm skinny, but I really like that the 1st gens are less...girthy

 

You mean your boyfriend? Coulda just said it
JKJKJKJKJKJK

What year's your 4R? Never knew you had it. Pics or IDH
For me the tossup was between a T4R an Explorer Sport Eco-6 and an RX350 when I was shopping in 2016. The RX won but I have to admit some second thoughts about not getting the 4R. But my RX's 3.5 is pretty damn nice so I don't feel too shorted.

 

source on that? there's nothing in the 2003 FSM that mentions a change like that. here's exactly what changed on the 5vzfe from 02 to 03:
The composition of the TWC (Three-Way Catalytic Converter) has been changed to comply with the LEV (Low Emission Vehicle) and SFTP (Supplementary Federal Test Procedure) emission regulations.
The same link type ETCS-i (Electronic Throttle Control System-intelligent) that is used on the ’03 Toyota Tundra with the 5VZ-FE engine has been adopted on the models other than Sport grade model.
To comply with the OBD-II (On-Board Diagnosis II) regulations, all the DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code) have been made to correspond to the SAE controlled codes. Some of the DTC have been further divided into smaller detection areas than in the past, and new DTC have been assigned to them.

 

My truck is 70" and my RX is 75" and yeah, there are certain situations where the truck's slimmer profile makes a difference. Especially in this city with its lousy drivers.

 

lol. Yes

 

I’m just gonna leave this here...

 

It's a '17. I used to have an '86 turbo 4Runner, and I still shed a tear every once in a while for it. It was a great truck. So for me, I guess there was never really a question about what I'd get, lol. I have some fairly expensive toys (telescope, etc) that was always relegated to the bed of my doublecab. The 4.0L is nice, too, not gunna lie. I kinda secretly hope I wreck the 4Runner someday so I can swap the motor/trans into my Tacoma, lol

It tows my ~3500# travel trailer quite nicely, just got back from a 3300+ mile road trip with it.

 

With enough thrust, pigs fly just fine.

I remember when I first got my 2004. It felt so YUGE. I was coming from a 1st gen 4Runner. When I first got my 5th gen 4Runner, it felt like I was driving a battleship.

 

I like it! Thanks for the pic jb

 

where on earth did you go to get 3300+ miles?

i only went approx. 2700 to the Canadian border and around most of the southern Lake Superior circle tour
guess i shoulda came back home through Chicago

 

It was quite a trip. Longest so far, especially pulling a trailer.

Started in Sac, then drove out to twinn falls ID on night 1, then off to Grand Tetons and Yellowstone NP for 6 days, then up through Kellog ID and Spokane WA to to a family reunion in eastern OR, then off to the OR coast, then Redwoods state/national parks, then back home.

The point to point mileage was ~2600 miles, but we tacked on quite a bit more driving around the Tetons and Yellowstone.


Made it back home on fumes!

 

I still go with 1st (1995.5 - 1997) because:

1. Electrical is soooo simple. If you have truck without ABS, CC, AT and push-button-4x4 (like I do) there are only two computers: ECU and SRS, and both are vital. All electronics added to newer cars are just to aid the drivers substituting lack of driving skills (In other words are designed for soccer moms).

2. H6054 headlights are terrible in original sealed beam form BUT THEY CAN BE EASY REPLACED with commonly available 200mm H4 lights. I mean the headlights can be replaced with a light required by the law in any country in the world (left hand drive, right hand drive, center hand drive ). If I had 1998+ plastic lamps I will have to do projector conversion ($$$) in order to register my truck in Poland. E-code Hella or Autopal was much cheaper.

Things really could be better (they are the same across all years anyway):

1. I know ride quality was improved over the years (my 2012 4Runner floats on my crappy street when my 1995 Tacoma is bouncing occupants treating them as a ping-pong balls), but it is a truck, not a Cadillac. Still there is not much difference in ride quality between 1995 and 2004. If you want to feel better, try Hilux from that years - Hilux was designed as a "farmer's truck", not a "street truck" like Tacoma.

2. Payload is not that great. I don't mean volume, as this is a compact pickup (can use "Compact" parking space ) but I wish the rear suspension was more "progressive". Comparable Hilux from that time (farmer's truck) is actually winning here. I am leaning to finally pull a trigger on airbags.