Toyota pickup vs Toyota tacoma

I have the option of getting a Tacoma in the $2500 USD range but I'm leaning towards the older truck

 

I had an 87 sr5 ext cab 4x4. I’ll take my 2000 with the 3.4 over the 22re. More power, gas mileage is about the same.

 

My experience with a 22re hasnt been good. 2 bad headgaskets in 200k miles. Just sold it this past weekend. Always fighting coolant issues, even when the headgasket was fine. And its a slow turd in todays traffic.

And the IFS of the 3rd gen pickups dint lend themselves to offroading very well. Its almost like its over engineered. Id pick the taco with a 3.4, or a 2.7. Both are way more powerful and reliable than a 22RE.

 

Nah, but I apologize I could have stated that nicer

 

Cause they didnt have it down pat haha.

 

What if something breaks on the 2.7/3.4 it'll be an arm and a leg to repair it vs the 22re

 

I feel like Toyota has it locked when it comes to drivetrains in general. 22re can be bulletproofed, main issue that comes to my mind is the plastic chain guides wearing out, chain slipping off, and valves kissing a piston. But it's an easy task to get yourself some steel ones and throw them on before that happens and might as well swap a new head gasket in while you're in there and boom, engines ready to roll half a mil easy (just change the oil now and then). I don't know much about the 3.4 but know a few people that haven't done any major maintenance with 300k +. I like the 4.0 I have now but dread things like valve adjustment and head gaskets on these things. So in that sense, simplicity=reliability. Imo

 

What makes you say this? Id argue that my 2.7 is lightyears easier to work on then a 22re. The newer engines lack the hundreds of miles of vacuum lines that the older pickups had.

 

Costwise

 

That is a pretty broad generalization there. The 22re was a good engine but it had its issues. Head gaskets and slipping timing chains to name the most common. Replacing the head gasket and other issues that come up with it won't be cheap. Replacing pistons and valves if the chain slips won't be cheap either. The 3.4 and 2.7 are at least modern enough to to give you more power for the slight difference in repair costs. Its very hard to just decide that it's going to cost more because it's newer.

 

I had a 1986 Toyota Pickup....I drove it for 17 years until the frame actually fell apart will driving home from work.The frame was rotted out so badly it snapped the front section in half .A fun driving experience! Now 33 years later Toyota still can't correct frame rust! Who is the fool? I still keep buying them.

 

The 22re is a great engine imo for driving around town. The 5vz and 3rz will run circles around it and are just as reliable if not more reliable for around town, off-road, and highway. The 1st gen Tacoma is a more refined version of the 80s and early 90s pickups and you should have little to no problems owning one if it’s not been abused.

 

Not much in the way of aftermarket for the Pickups, that old IFS design didn't lend itself to very many options. Much more out there in terms of various aftermarket brands for Tacomas.

At the end of the day a 30 year old pickup is not going to be more reliable than a 15 - 20 year old Tacoma...no matter how bulletproof the Pickups were, nothing is immune to the effects of age and the fact of the matter is - a 30 year old truck is going to nickle and dime you more than a 15ish year old one.

Unless you find a super low mileage one that has been meticulously maintained throughout the years, but then you're looking at something way over your $2500 budget.

$2500 isn't going to get you a spring chicken of a Tacoma either though

 

Just find a good condition gently used truck, as old as your looking at whether its ever had fluids changed, regular maintenance (not just changing engine oil), how it was stored and driven, will make a bigger diffrence in reliability in than the couple of diffrent engines you have listed. (Except the 3.0) at your price range you cant be to picky if your looking for a 4x4 so just try not to buy somebodies wore out mud truck.
Also the newer trucks will more than likely be more powerful, more refined, more reliable since they aren't as old, less time for plastic and rubber to dry rot, animals to chew on stuff, metal to rust.

If the 4x4 tacoma you found in your price range isnt ate up with rust, has a million miles or a piece of shit I'd suggest that. Sounds like it's a good price.

 

Mechanic hourly rates are what they are. Every engine has things that are easy to get to and things that take forever to access. I feel a lot less intimidated when I work on my 2.7, as I said earlier the 22re has miles of vacuum lines that can complicate any job. But aside from that the two 4 cylinders are largely similar. Same basic design, just one is updated to fit the changing times better.

But its obvious youve had your mind made up since your first post, so I honestly dont get why Im even responding.

 

The thing is, theres zero difference. If anything its easier/cheaper on the newer engines. OBD2 makes diagnosis a ton easier. Both taco motors are still 20 years old, its not like youre buying a 2 year old mercedes. "High tech" for those 1st gen taco motors is still very behind the times compared to todays motors.

 

look...a 22re is a great little engine, but its not the end all be all. the fact is, newer engines are more reliable, produce more power, and are way easier to diagnose. iv had a 3.4l 4runner that ran a supercharger for 250k miles and still ran strong when i sold it. i also have an 89 pickup and an 09 tacoma. if you think the 89 is easier to work on you are on crack. It is a pain in the ass to diagnose, there's always some new vacuum leak to track down, no codes to point you in the right direction, oil leaks simply as a result of old dryrotted gaskets that are a pain in the ass to replace. Somebody said a few post back that you should get a 3.4l.... that dude was right. im not sure what mechanical experience you have but i promise if youre a rookie mechanic trying to diagnose and fix a truck made in the 80s, youre gunna have a bad time. a first gen tacoma or 3rd gen 4runner is the way to go if youre looking for something cheap and reliable. also torsion suspension sucks, which is another wonderful feature of IFS toyota pickups. if you are just dead set on getting something older than you are then i recommend the ONLY reason you do so is to get a 1985 or older with a solid front axle.

 

@Greggl4321 welcome to TW

 

For what it's worth, I've owned both. My first Toyota Truck was a 1982. Four speed manual, extremely rough ride, crappy bench seat, and beat your kidneys to death. Otherwise, it was a pretty dependable truck, but it seriously lacked power. Now I own a 2003 Limited DC TRD, 3.4L auto 4x4. Hands down the newer truck wins out in my personal, and most likely worthless opinion. Way more power, rides better, and I've had very few problems with it. In the ten years I've owned it, make that none, other than regular maintenance items. Granted, I only have 135k miles on it, but just saying. Do yourself a favor, and buy a tacoma, you'll be glad you did in the long run.

 

No matter how many people here tell you that the 2.7 or 3.4 is more reliable you seem dead set on getting a 22re. So why even bother asking. For the price of a Toyota pickup with a 22re in decent shape you may as well get a early Tacoma with a 2.7 or 3.4. From experience I know the 22re's are nice and reliable but not in the price range you're looking at. At least not any more reliable than a Tacoma in similar condition. I don't think anyone here is going to convince you that the 22re is going to be more reliable, cheaper and ultimately the better buy.