What do 1st gen owners think of 2nd gen trucks?

I like the bigger size because of the safety aspect. Other trucks and SUVs on the road are more massive compared to what they were in 2001.. 1st gen is a charm in the city though. I love fitting almost anywhere, and being able to use the compact car spots lol. Also, I have to say that I've grown a bit fond of the lightweight feel of the truck when it comes to the feeling of the road. I've driven newer Tahoes and F150s and those vehicles really do absorb much of the road's impacts because of their size/weight. The little Taco feels nimbly and bouncier compared to them.

Like others have said, the technical design is better. Especially with the lower balljoints.

Then there's the look of it. I personally like both looks on the trucks, but the 1st gen does have a sleeker presence with the lines that flow through its fender -> doors & the bed.

All in all, I have to say that the 2nd gen has to technically be the best gen.. But.. the 1st gen or 3rd gen beat it on size/looks according to most people.

 

I’ve had a 2011 TRD v6 and sold it less than 2 years of owning it for my current 03 5 spd 4 banger. Both are great trucks, it just depends how big of a truck you want. Oil changes were very easy with the filter being inverted and accessible from the top with the 2nd gen..not sure if they are all like that. I love the 1st gen also, it’s a compact truck and has served me well for over 10 years.

 

2nd gen is nice, especially the extra power in that 4.0. 1st gen forever will be my favorite though. if i had to give a ranking list from most to least favorite it'd probably go:

1st gen taco > 1st gen 4r > 3rd gen 4r > yota pickup > 2nd gen taco > 5th gen 4r/3rd gen taco > 2nd gen 4r > 4th gen 4r

 

LMAO...

Let me start out by saying most of my buddies have 2nd and 3rd gens. They're cool. But not as cool as a 1st gen.

2nd gen is not a better design. It's wider, it's longer, it has a plastic bed.

The suspension, maybe stock is better, but who really wants stock suspension on a 4wd? Current configuration, I'd put my suspension up against any of my buddies and their 2nd or 3rd gens... even the one's with Kings etc.

As far as 4.0 vs 3.4

I'll just say this. My son sent a connecting rod through his oil pan in his 4.0 with under a hundred thousand miles...

I'm pushing 400,000 miles on my 3.4... daily driven, and wheeled on the weekends.

 

I've owned an 02,03,05, and 07. I currently own the 03 pre runner. I tow it behind my motorhome. I like the looks of the 1st gen, but the quietness and comfort of the 2nd gen. My wife drives the 03 a lot and likes it because of the size. Each to his/her own. There both good trucks.

 

1st gen size is hard to beat. It’s easy to work on, fits anywhere.

 

I had a 2004 pre runner first, until some teenager texting and driving totaled it sitting in front of my house. I then bought a used 2005 4 door which someone got most options on. It was a nice truck, but I finally sold it and found me another 1st gen. 2003 crew cab 4x4. I flew from Texas to Washington DC to buy it from a dealer there with 78K miles on it. I still drive it and do not intend to sell it until I cannot drive anymore.

 

Very happy with my first gen.

 

Being a hardcore Toyota 4x4 pick up Person when I first saw a first Generation Tacoma the only advantage I saw was the 3.4 engine. Overall I did not care for the Truck.

Maybe because the first one I worked on and drove was for fixing the frame.

It seems to me the 2nd generation for the most just share the Tacoma name very hard to compare two different vehicles.

 

When I came across @Crom's build thread, I was instantly sold on his 2009. I'll never part with my 02 but yeah, I'd take a clean 2nd Gen.

 

That’s exactly the truck I’m interested in now. I have a built 1st gen to wheel and currently have a 2018 Silverado with 91,000 miles on it, I’d be buying the four door long bed to replace the Chevy because I feel lucky I haven’t had a big repair bill but judging their unreliability ratings I’m expecting something $$$$ to happen. Torque converters notorious for failing, the stupid selective cylinder management causing the lifters to fail (I have a Range OBD2 module to deactivate it), bunch of cheap, stupid deficiencies you don’t get with a Toyota.

I don’t need a new truck to be a wheeler, need something for work with 4wd and like the space without having to go to a Tundra

 

I felt the 2 gen is bigger in size. I like the small mini truck feeling. Easy to drive , easy is fix, parts still available at a reasonable cost. No need to go to dealer if you are adding something that needs reprogramming. And it’s looks way better

 

Thanks. I feel the Same. I could never part with the truck. Way too much time into it. I keep up on the maintenance and it keeps on giving great memories.

 

I previously had a '97 SR5 and after a painful stint with a gutless Nissan, picked up a 2003 extended cab, TRD, all manual TX/4wd. 61K on it at purchase, now has 81K.

I like these **because** they re smaller and IMO the perfect pickup for what I need. Easier to park and maneuver, the 6 cylinder is more power than needed, good onroad or off as a daily driver, and let's not talk about gas prices these days. I've heard a lot about the clunkiness of the tranny but mine shifts nice and smooth, just be sure to keep the clutch hydraulics in good shape (that story in another thread.)

They also don't seem as unstable on the road as other pickups. I previously had a Chevy extended cab and it was like the rear end had wings, the slightest oversteer would cause it to want to break loose.

I don't like the later Tacos, they just seem big and clunky and way more than the average homeowner needs. I'm sure there's engineering improvements and they are roomier, I've had some people comment that the 1st gen is just too cramped for bigger guys which totally makes sense, but perfect for us little people.

For maintenance/repairs, vehicles in general are becoming more and more dependent on integrated electronics. I remember the days of plugs/points/condenser and the puzzled looks we'd have when someone mentioned ODB reader, things were simple and straightforward. The first generation seems to be a tipping point where it's not as dependent on electronics but have just enough "modernization" to make them easier to work on (except for that internal water pump business, ugh.) Still haven't tossed my feeler gauges though lol

From an aesthetic and narcissistic viewpoint, the body style of the 1st gen just seems sexier. The SR5's were more truck-like in style, but the first Taco's didn't go over the top with gentrification of body style. Now it seems like all the late model trucks have the same look to them.

 

In the summer of 2005, I traded my 2001 Extra Cab (4x4 Off-Road) for the new, bigger 2nd Gen Double Cab. In December of 2009, I traded it for a 2010 model (the same model). The '05 had a few issues... so I recommend never getting a first year of a new model.. In any case, the 2010 has been terrific, and I own it still.

 

There's something about the first gen that makes you feel like it'll run forever and never let you down. I do love the 2nd gen for it's comfort and power and the 6 speed manual.

 

https://youtu.be/jbmOYTMirrw