Toyota Tacomas

[jeepman3071]

I have a friend looking at Toyota Tacomas. I'm a Jeep guy so I don't know much about them. Hes looking at used ones, particularly 2001-2004, but has seen a few older ones in good shape. Anything he should know about? Good points? Things to stay away from? His target seems to be a V6, extended cab, automatic and 4x4. He would settle for a 4 cylinder or stick.

 

[jmsjags]

they have a horrible case of the frames rusting.
http://tacoma-upgrade.com/2009/06/info-o...l-for-rust.html

here's a post from this forum even:
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/just-popped-positive-for-tacoma-rust-buy-back.153576/

 

[abycat]

I didnt know about the frame rusting. They sure have some bad stuff going on with their vehicles. im sure not a toyota fan and never have been, and im pretty sure i wont be.

He will most likely be better off with any of the other smaller trucks in that time period.

 

[jeepman3071]

good to know. He is in the market for a used smaller 4x4 truck. Most of the newer trucks are huge and have large price tags. I'll let him know about this, maybe a 4x4 Ranger would be better?

 

[gathermewool]

I think it was an '06 that my dad had. He ended up getting rid of it after 60k miles (purchased new) because small chunks of the frame were rusting off and staining the driveway. I told him to fight it, but the warranty was up and he didn't want to deal with it. He traded for an FJ Cruiser, which he loves.

 

[jmsjags]

Originally Posted By: jeepman3071
I'll let him know about this, maybe a 4x4 Ranger would be better?

the second generation was in production for almost 20 years so i would guess it would be pretty reliable. it should at least. not sure how upscale or fancy the interior is though.

 

[TooManyWheels]

I had an 03, Doublecab, V6 auto for it's first 60K miles. The worst problem I had was that the door weatherstripping would deteriorate where you swung your foot over the sill. I got rid of it because I couldn't handle the rough ride and the gas mileage wasn't that much better than my '97 Chevy full size truck.

 

[jeepman3071]

Originally Posted By: jmsjags
Originally Posted By: jeepman3071
I'll let him know about this, maybe a 4x4 Ranger would be better?

the second generation was in production for almost 20 years so i would guess it would be pretty reliable. it should at least. not sure how upscale or fancy the interior is though.


My other friend had an '01 Ford Ranger ext cab 4x4 with the 4.0 SOHC V6. He beat the [censored] out of that truck and sold it with 200k miles. It was a very reliable truck. I wasn't a fan of Fords, but I now have respect for the Ranger.

 

[Trav]

Rotten frames! Lots of them with no beds and broken backs here in the salt belt. ditto Ford Rangers, my dad had to throw his 2000 Ranger 4x4 with 53K in the junk because the frame was gone, i mean really gone not just in one spot.

Both these truck i read use frames made by Dana Corp, Expeditions with Dana frames IIRC 99-2001 have the same problem. Older ones and newer seem fine.
All Tacoma years even newer ones have frame issues.

 

[SuperDave456]

I read a report not too long ago from some Insurance association that stated that the automobiles that had the longest lifespan on the roads were the small trucks.

Lots of places use them as work trucks. Exterminators, Part Supply stores..etc.
I haven't seen too many that have the extended cab.

There should be lots of options out there. I've seen a few up for sale around my place in the last few months. But I have enough toys for the time being.

 

[Rand]

My number one choice for a small truck would be a 4.0L 4x4 extended cab(with 2 suicide doors) prefer 5mt but usually always had the 5r55e


I owned a 2002 and had pretty much no issues with it that I didnt cause myself...

Except for the timing chain recall, and a pinion seal. but that was fixed by warranty

 

[saberz]

Maybe a Nissan Frontier, which is in the same category?

 

[Chris142]

Our little shop truck is a 96 Tacoma with a 2.4 and 5 speed. It's been a great truck. It's been driven by everybody from employees to customers. Gets it's oil changed whenever I remember to with the cheapest products available.

It just turned 355K and other than normal maintenance stuff it has not had any problems.

Off the top of my head.

Both lower ball joints @ 300k.
A few sets of brakes.
Belts.
Tires.
Battery.
Seat reupholstered.
New windshield.

Frames fine but it lives in the desert and rain/snow or salt doesn't exist much here.

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: jeepman3071
Originally Posted By: jmsjags
Originally Posted By: jeepman3071
I'll let him know about this, maybe a 4x4 Ranger would be better?

the second generation was in production for almost 20 years so i would guess it would be pretty reliable. it should at least. not sure how upscale or fancy the interior is though.


My other friend had an '01 Ford Ranger ext cab 4x4 with the 4.0 SOHC V6. He beat the [censored] out of that truck and sold it with 200k miles. It was a very reliable truck. I wasn't a fan of Fords, but I now have respect for the Ranger.

I'm not a ford guy either other than mustangs however we leased 6 rangers,extended cab,2 wheel drives with a 4.0 litre motor and those trucks were badly abused,very badly abused and when we returned them in the lease they all had well over 100000 miles on them with zero problems. We put gas in them and that was it. The dealer did the oil changes and maintenance as it was included in our lease but I was very impressed with those trucks. The 4.0 was pretty hard on fuel but it had alot of get up and go.
I have a friend with a Tacoma. I think it was supercharged and he beat the heck out of it and didn't have any drivetrain issues. I think maintenance is key with most vehicles. If you can get a service history that would likely tell you what to expect.
Toyota builds a decent motor however their body designs leave much to be desired. As already stated rust seems to be a real issue.

 

[TylerL]

Toyota just bought my friend's 2000 Tacoma back for $10,000. His dad bought in when it was a few years old for
$11,000. That's a pretty good deal if you ask me. It seemed to be a reliable truck other than the frame rust, but we do live in northern indiana. Not sure if frame rust is a big issue with the 2001 to 2004 trucks.

 

[jeepman3071]

Originally Posted By: Clevy
Originally Posted By: jeepman3071
Originally Posted By: jmsjags
Originally Posted By: jeepman3071
I'll let him know about this, maybe a 4x4 Ranger would be better?

the second generation was in production for almost 20 years so i would guess it would be pretty reliable. it should at least. not sure how upscale or fancy the interior is though.


My other friend had an '01 Ford Ranger ext cab 4x4 with the 4.0 SOHC V6. He beat the [censored] out of that truck and sold it with 200k miles. It was a very reliable truck. I wasn't a fan of Fords, but I now have respect for the Ranger.

I'm not a ford guy either other than mustangs however we leased 6 rangers,extended cab,2 wheel drives with a 4.0 litre motor and those trucks were badly abused,very badly abused and when we returned them in the lease they all had well over 100000 miles on them with zero problems. We put gas in them and that was it. The dealer did the oil changes and maintenance as it was included in our lease but I was very impressed with those trucks. The 4.0 was pretty hard on fuel but it had alot of get up and go.
I have a friend with a Tacoma. I think it was supercharged and he beat the heck out of it and didn't have any drivetrain issues. I think maintenance is key with most vehicles. If you can get a service history that would likely tell you what to expect.
Toyota builds a decent motor however their body designs leave much to be desired. As already stated rust seems to be a real issue.


Living in CT, rust already is the biggest enemy of vehicles. I wouldn't think its a good idea to buy a vehicle that is more prone to rust, haha. He is looking at Rangers now.

 

[hattaresguy]

Not really good trucks, they tend to rot out rather quickly.

Buy an American truck, it will be better, I promise.

 

[dblshock]

I have a 2000 SE extra cab 4x4 v6 with the large wheels 65k mi. Nice little truck, plenty snort I pull atvs and my lund pro v boat a little, take'r down to the dump every now and again..it's a camp truck so just part time..know a couple guys have put +300k on these without driveline issues this one is the metallic red and a good looking unit.

Toyota offered to buy it back @1.5x KBB...believe that's an open offer..It's kept in a pole bld. all winter away from road salt so rust is probably not ever going to be any problem....this generation has a good market/following and resale..mine ain't for sale.

 

[MrCritical]

Reliability is good from what I hear, disregarding the mentioned frame problems.

V6/auto trans mileage is on par with full size truck v8.

The 4cy/5speed seems to be the way to go.