Need opinions on possible purchase - '04 Tacoma

It's been a lot of years since I plowed using a Powerwagon. But, I recall a significant HD undercarriage for plow use. I would check with local plow dealers to assure an undercarriage exists for your truck and exactly what mods are required e.g. hydraulics, springs, welding, interior controls. Plowing is rough on a truck and u-joints were problematic. Given the dimensions and weight of the undercarriage, try to get something removable to maximize fuel economy and road clearance in the off season. Finally, I would think you might want a heavier truck given the mile long road you intend to plow.

 

Thanks to everyone for the info and opinions... I guess I have some hard decisions to make...

~Troy

 

Troy, there is a simple way to check if the truck in question has the tow package or not. Look at the cooling fan shaft, if it is painted red, there is no tow package. If it is painted green, the truck was factory equipped with the tow package.

 

Thanks, I may check that out...

 

Does anyone drive an ext cab v6 5 speed in the mountrains? I'd like to know how it performs where there isn't much flat ground...

I may try to get the dealership to let me test drive it for a couple hours or possibly overnight. I need to test drive it here in the mountains where it will be used, not down in the "flat" city...

Thanks,

~Troy

 

According to Maverick's towing thread, no first gen's came with a towing package.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/towing/4031-tacoma-towing-bible.html#post35018

It seems like all you would need to add to be able to tow easier would be a different fan up front.

 

I used to take my 97 Ex cab V-6 up into the Maine mountains with no problems at all, but I wasn't hauling a trailer.