Which Tacoma

Hi Everyone.
I’ve been trying to look for a Tacoma for some time. I was particularly looking for a 2012-2015. So I found a 2015 that looks to be in excellent shape and need to make a decision ASAP before it gets sold. Body looks good with no dents or scratches. Seems to drive really well. It’s a TRD off-road and seems to be a little higher than stock. It’s got Bilstein shocks and struts. Did the Trd off-road come from the factory slightly lifted? I do notice from the front that it has a little negative camber. It also has 130K miles on it.
Is the 2015 a good year? Any particular issues that I should be looking at before making my decision?
Thanks

 

The Billies pictured are TRD PRO. I don’t remember what the stock Billies were labeled. 2015 was a very good year.

 

No. You can examine it for a lift. Spacers, adjustable perch 5100's, etc. Suspect that's the reason.

Tip. Tacoma's don't have struts. They have a double wishbone coil-over-shock IFS and a solid axle leaf spring rear with shocks.

Maintenance history, service records. Not words, documents.

Examine for frame rust if it's lived in snow country. Ever. By examine I mean with a ball peen, probe, camera inside boxed areas.

If you're not mechanically inclined, pay for a pre-purchase inspection by an independent shop. Things noted to need attention (not deal breakers, but upcoming maintenance) become price negotiation items.

'12-'15 are great years.

 

I haven’t noticed the TRD markings on the shocks. May have to look again.
But here is a photo.

 

Definitely lifted. How that is accomplished matters to some, others, not so much.

I see bare trees and snowy mountains in the background. Is this a region that uses corrosive salts or brines on the roads? If so, re-read post 3.

 

All I know is I have a '15 and love it. I plan to keep it a very long time.

 

I guess do have a picture of stock Bilstein vs Pro Bilstein

 

I believe maybe it was lifted after the fact. I didn’t see any blocks in the rear. Sorry yeah I meant to say coil overs. But definitely have Bilstein shocks in the front. I failed to take pictures of the under carriage.
The only records I see is from car fax. It seem to have been serviced consistently by the second owner. It had two owners.
I tried my best to examine it while the salesman was standing around watching. No major rust that I could see. I’m am mechanically inclined and tried my best to look over it best I could.

 

Make sure it's an actual TRD OffRoad and not just an SR5 with TRD stickers.
The easiest way to tell is by looking for the locker motor on the rear diff and RR DIFF LOCK button on the left of the dash.

 

It’s none of those. It has the silver Bilstein shocks and black coils springs. Maybe stocks springs?

 

Ok I’ll take a look at it again. Do you have a pic of the motor and the button. Didn’t the Tacomas have an issue with rear diff locking up?
The one salesman wasn’t to friendly. He kept throwing his sales pitch/rushing us and saying he has had appointments lined up but there was no one after us. Clearly he has no mechanical experience. But the truck was still there as of last night.

 

‘My guess then they are Bilstein Bilstein’s (aftermarket). Not Toyota Bilstein’s. No big deal. The question was is the truck lifted. The TRD Pro’s are about 1 inch lift in the front. If they are none of the above, its no longer relevant.

Some After market Bilstein’s are height adjustable. There is a user adjustable height ring. If there are spacers and blocks, not optimal, but within reason, for general road use ok.

 

Sounds like it might have bilstein 5100 (left) or 6112 (right). See pic below.

I wouldn’t worry about the shocks as it’s a fairly cheap part to replace.

Really get under the truck and poke around for rust. As others have said maintenance records or car fax at least are the most important.

 

The locking diff isn't as strong as the non locking diff but as long as your not doing any aggresssive offroading or running huge tires that shouldn't be an issue.

Here's what the button lineup should look like on a 12-15 TRD OffRoad (note the clutch start cancel button is on a manual, automatic will have a DAC button there). There should also be an A-Trac button in the center dash under the A/C controls on a 12-15 TRD OffRoad.

@TnShooter may have a pic of the locker.

 

Thanks DM93 for the info.

 

DM93
I just found this pic that was sent to me by the sales man. Seems to be an TRD off-road

 

That's good, never hurts to check as there are alot of fake ones out there and most dealers are clueless about it.

In addition to the frame check for the timing cover oil leak behind the power steering pump as that can be a labor intensive repair if it's leaking.

 

yeah the salesman was probably irritated with because I took awhile going over truck. I just wanted to make sure I checked it the best I can.

I did see oil on the front skip plate. I tried to look where it was coming from but could see anything. Salesman reply,its oil from when they did the oil change.
If the timing cover is leaking, where would I find the oil dripping on?

 

It would be on the passenger front below where the power steering pump is, transmission cooler lines are in that area too so it could be those leaking as well.
That's a pretty sloppy oil change if they spilled oil all over it, not hard to change oil on a 4.0 without making a mess.

 

Hi Guys,
Thank you all for the advice and tips,I learned more on how to buy a used Tacoma. I didn’t get that Tacoma. Just didn’t wanna deal with that dealership. I’ll keep looking.
What do you all think about 3rd gen? Which years would be good if I look at directions.
Maybe I’ll post in 3gen section.