The 95-97 Taco Thread

Took a few pics of the truck today

 

rocky gap road red rock lv

 

im liking that roof rack!

 

Has anyone modified 98-04 leaf springs to fit a 95-97? My buddy has some brand new lift springs for 98 model (I want to do a leaf and Bilstein lift). I can get the springs for $50 and they cost like $500 new. They are 1.5" or so longer than the springs for my truck. This makes the whole for the bolt to go through on the axle in the wrong spot. It fits fine in the shackle spots. I figured I could weld up the old hole and drill a new one and it would work fine. Just wondering if anyone has done it.

 

I just discovered this thread. Glad to be here. I've owned a '96 for 15 years. Only 155,000 miles, so I'm giving it to my son in college (who is also a '96 ). I'm going through and fixing this and that -- but really not that much is needed.

I do have one very '96 specific question. I have the original fitted cloth floor mats -- they are almost worn completely through where my heels touch. Where is the best place to find fitted floor mats for my '96? I don't want generic crappy fitting mats. We live in Colorado -- hike, bike, snowshoe, ski, all the cool stuff. I think I'd like to try rubber all-weather mats.

Any links, pointers, helpful tips?

 

Weathertech floor mats for sure

 

I doubt that anyone was modded the leafpack but you can run 98-04 springs if you want to mod atleast the hangers. I am running an All-Pro leafpack designed for a 98-04 Tacoma on my 1996. I had to move the spring hanger forwards 2" and the shackle mount back 1" and use their bolts. I think their bolts are too large in diameter to use with the factory leaf pack though. At the time of this install no one offered a 95-97 length leafpack. It I were to start from scratch today I would go with a 95-97 leafpack from Wheeler's since they offer the correct length or go with some sort of add-a-leaf.

Another snag that I ran into was the All-Pro spring hangers are bent too much. I actually had to cut the original All-Pro ones off and modify a second set so the hangers sat closer to the frame. My leafpacks were not parallel for a long time before I figured this out. I explained the issue to All-Pro, they claimed the hangers were not wrong but they sent me out another set for free anyway so thumbs up for that. Moral of the story is make sure to measure the distance between the leafpacks before modding or you will have to calculate off of the axle pin locating holes.

 

If you can find them I recommend the Toyota all-weather mats. Unfortunately I believe they are discontinued and are hard to find used. I have been lucky enough to have had them in both of my Tacomas and my 3rd Gen 4Runner. The 4Runner set was a lucky Craigslist find. If you go Weather-Tech I recommend the all-weathers over the floor liners. A friend used to have the floor liners and the lip on the side was annoying when getting in and out of the vehicle.

 

i put on a lift like a few weeks ago and forgot to take pics til now!

 

That sounds like a lot more trouble than want I was going to do. If im gonna have trouble getting them to be parallel I'll probably just skip out on modifying them and buy the right ones. Thanks for the reply

 

I had weathertech floor mats and they were not a snug fit. I think they apply to several different trucks. You may have more luck with weathertech floor liners. I currently have these http://www.ebay.com/itm/1995-2004-T...Parts_Accessories&hash=item33870aba2c&vxp=mtr

Absolute perfect fit 100%

 

My buddy's 96 5 lug that's had a little bit of elbow grease put into it.

 

96 in the snow!

 

Great Pic!! Looks like some good snow for wheeling!

 

Well my engine rebuild is complete! Took me about two weeks. Few hours a day here and there after work, plus waiting on the machinists.. I also replaced the stock 3:58 gears with 4:56's. And added a lockrite locker in the rear. Tomorrow is the big day! I will have everything all buttoned up and ready for a Cruze!

Does anyone else of 4:56's with a 5-speed? I am running 265's for tires.

 

265s were (near) stock size tires for the 4wd and pre-runner models. so the stock gearing should have been no problem. Im running 32" mud tires with stock and there is a decrease in power and mpg but thats expected

 

It did fine with the 3:58's but I pull a utility trailer hunting. I wanted some extra power. The test run today was great! Purrs like a kitten! The new 4:56's are a definite Improvement!!

 

Hey fellow 95-97ers... I just put a 1 inch block in the back of my truck to level it up and noticed that I had a broken leaf spring. Anyone know of a good place to get new ones from? preferably a set. I have about 2.5 inches of lift in it now with a add a leaf and blocks so stock height springs or a small lift would be ok.

 

Look on toyteclifts.com