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December, 2024

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Toyota Tacoma

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7springsprod
Posts: 2661 - Karma: 3,181
Yes, I'm aware of the other thread on this topic. But anyways, Im moving out west next year and my buick lesabre just isnt going to cut it. Ive heard many many many good things about the taco and Im convinced this will be the perfect truck for me. Ill be in the grand junction area. I found an 02 4WD 2.7L with 79K miles for 8,000. It was in a crash and the hood and bumper were replaced. Its easy to tell that the hood was painted improperly due to lots of bubbling. Is this a decent price? Also, is it really worth get the 3.6L over the 2.7L? Also gen 1 or gen 2? 4 wheel drive is a must.
Jan 20 2013 4:48PM
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liftedresearcher
Posts: 1140 - Karma: 1,775
its really hard to say with a used truck. that thing could of beat to absolute shit by the last owner.

yotas will go for years and years if properly maintained. id spend the money and take it to a mechanic and get it inspected. it will save you in the long run.
Jan 20 2013 4:51PM
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James.May
Posts: 494 - Karma: 321
this so worth it.
Jan 20 2013 5:29PM
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Lt-Aldo-Raine
Posts: 2309 - Karma: 120
You'd be stealing it for that price. Does it have a salvage title?
Jan 20 2013 5:46PM
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Spic-N-SpaN
Posts: 2002 - Karma: 1,465
Just saying but if you live in a city you will be more then happy with your Buick. If your moving somewhere that has snow on the roads often and you plan to drive up the mountain no matter the weather and you want to do a lot of camping/hiking/biking then you would be happy with the Taco. But thats a steal as long as your sure it was just a fender bender and nothing more major. Only thing I don't like about my 4Runner (same platform) is over 60mph the RPMs get real high, and the suspensions a little rough. Its a truck. Thats not what there made for

Mods that would make it drive a little better would be nice though, if anyone has suggestions. Its a 1997
Jan 20 2013 6:00PM
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Chief.
Posts: 276 - Karma: 399
if you drive a car why not just get another car with AWD unless you absolutely need a little pussy truck
Jan 20 2013 6:08PM
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goonsquad08
Posts: 622 - Karma: 39
That's a great deal for that truck with that many miles. But like someone else said, it could have been put through some rough days. Check it out, drive it then make a decision.
Jan 20 2013 6:18PM
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prosnurfer
Posts: 1842 - Karma: 83

u have to pay close attention to the frame and underside of toyotas,  there knowen for rusting out, my buddy got a tocoma not sure the year but it was newer, 04-08 year, and ended up having the whole frame replaced by toyota for free because of a recall on certian modle frames.

there kinda like subarus with the rusting problem. maybe its because its shitty jap steel or something. but im from vermont. anywhere with snow and salt you gotta get all the way under the car and look the main frame over.

Jan 20 2013 6:20PM
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7springsprod
Posts: 2661 - Karma: 3,181
Wont actually be in the city of Grand junction. Ill be going to school(living) in rangely.
Jan 20 2013 6:24PM
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SnorkBoard
Posts: 311 - Karma: 821
This is all true. During the summer you have to get under there with a wire brush and a can of spray paint. I didn't and I wish I had
Jan 20 2013 6:26PM
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volvotom
Posts: 2045 - Karma: 712
Toyota trucks are generally great, just be careful with "salvage title" or people who say "the bank has the title" generally means either the car was a total loss at some point or that they don't own the car outright.


Jan 20 2013 9:20PM
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DANETRON
Posts: 6671 - Karma: 137
The 2.7 is a great engine. Mine was lifted on 35s and it still got great mpg and had more than enough power around town and in the trails. To be honest im thinking about getting another one. A 5 speed is important tho
Jan 20 2013 9:29PM
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Pancake_Fucker
Posts: 1852 - Karma: 1,987
I think you're better off getting a full size pickup. If you can afford one, they're not too much worse on fuel ounces you're on the highway as the little half size trucks, and they have way more power. Those tiny engines are working hard to move a truck while a big lazy v8 is putting in little effort.
Jan 20 2013 9:43PM
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7springsprod
Posts: 2661 - Karma: 3,181
So that Tacoma sold. And my dad found it for sale in a different place like a week ago, with a fresh coat of paint and cleaned up. It was a great deal we should have picked up, but we're probably going to pull the trigger if the R title on it isnt bad. Its still at a steal of a price at 11. (79k miles) 4x4 2.7 l
Mar 18 2013 9:23PM
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7springsprod
Posts: 2661 - Karma: 3,181
And here is my new Tacoma! So stoked, the frame and underside was spotless. I mean absolutely perfect. My dad's mechanic is inspecting it inside and out right now, if theres nothing substantially wrong with it then its my new ride. So stoked.
Click for larger image
Mar 24 2013 11:02AM
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Dirty.Harry.
Posts: 1779 - Karma: 351
Nice! Is is a real TRD (locking rear dif) or did somebody just put the stickers on?
Mar 24 2013 6:13PM
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7springsprod
Posts: 2661 - Karma: 3,181
Factory stickers! It does in fact have the locking differential! Its the 2.7l I4 4x4. Lets hope the mechanic finds nothing wrong with it. Its so clean
Mar 24 2013 6:26PM
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niels043
Posts: 814 - Karma: 185
those 4-cyl are great motors. 0 balls, but very reliable, easy to work on, decent on gas, and make enough power to get you out of just about anywhere in low gears (and the locker), not much left to help others though if they get stuck.
All around a great truck though, looks clean, and good luck with the mechanic!
Mar 24 2013 6:31PM
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SPskier543
Posts: 2413 - Karma: 324
I like that color, you should do a small like 2" old man emu lift with slightly larger tires and a decent set of black rims and it will look really good and perform really well offroad with that locker. Ive heard the OME lift actually improves the ride a bit too.
Mar 24 2013 7:49PM
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.frenchy
Posts: 18231 - Karma: 12,394
Click for larger image
Mar 24 2013 7:57PM
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Dirty.Harry.
Posts: 1779 - Karma: 351
That's a rare combination...you sure it has the RR Diff Lock button to the left of the steering wheel?

If it does that's awesome and pretty lucky that you got a 4cyl TRD.
Mar 24 2013 9:54PM
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7springsprod
Posts: 2661 - Karma: 3,181
I think its because the V6 has the TRD by default, and the option of the TRD with the I4 just wasnt very popular at the time, and Im also guessing its a little bit impractical. And COskier, I plan on putting a 2" leveling kit with some new black wheels and an all black mesh grill on it. We'll see how it goes, Ill post pics whenever I add anything.
Mar 24 2013 10:10PM
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Lt-Aldo-Raine
Posts: 2309 - Karma: 120
Ohhh baby looks like my old one. I miss it :(
Mar 24 2013 11:01PM
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Dirty.Harry.
Posts: 1779 - Karma: 351
The V6 does not have the TRD package by default. It has always been an optinal extra.

From 1998-2004, the TRD package got you everything in the SR5 package (pl/pw/pm, alloys, some trim bits), plus Bilstein shocks and an electric locking rear dif.

In the 4cyl Tacomas, the TRD package did not include the locking dif unless it was specifically selected (hence why that combination is quite rare). The TRD shocks get worn out as time goes on (or the truck is modified), but a locking dif is difficult and expensive to install, not to mention very useful when wheeling, so it's a highly prized option by those who want it.
Mar 25 2013 9:55AM
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SnorkBoard
Posts: 311 - Karma: 821
I've actually heard the opposite, that it makes the ride a little stuffer, I was looking to reduce the truck like ride of my 4Runner and was looking a OME 2 inch lifts and the consensus I found from reading posts on T4R and YotaTech was it makes the ride stiffer, which I guess is better for off-road performance (what the lift is made for) and no Cadillac on road.


Anyone with experience with lifted Toyotas and shocks/springs/lift-kits should chime in.
Mar 25 2013 2:09PM
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SPskier543
Posts: 2413 - Karma: 324
Maybe I mixed the OME shocks with the bilstein 5100s, which are adjusable coilovers.
Mar 25 2013 8:06PM
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