First Gen Tacoma Q's?

[OregonSR5]

Hey everyone, just thought I would ask this here since you all seem so helpful and knowledgeable. I am strongly considering trading my 1985 4Runner for a 95 Tacoma Ex Cab SR5, 3.3, auto. I just really want something more practical and better suited to long trips. While I do love my first gen runner, I am just not in a place to be giving it the attention and time it needs to be a good rig for long trips and daily duty. What can you all tell me about this generation tacoma? Looking for information on the above mentioned powertrain, reliability, mods and things to look out for.

Thanks all!

 

[tanglefoot]

The 3.4 is a great, torquey, long-lasting engine. Just make sure it's up on timing belts--replacement interval is 90,000 miles. The most famous problem with the auto trans pertains to the trans cooler. There isn't much separating the engine coolant from the trans fluid in the cooler, so the "pink milkshake of death" can occur when the fluids mix, doing bad things to the trans and engine. Installing a separate transmission fluid cooler is a popular preventative step.

Front suspension lower ball joints can be an issue. They sometimes let go if they get too worn. Replacing them is recommended.

The Tacos are built with lighter-duty construction than the earlier Trucks and 4Runners, so frame rust must be carefully monitored. You can't jump sand dunes with an already cracked frame like the earlier ones.

I've heard that steering racks can be a trouble spot.

If I were to get a Taco, I'd look for one with the 2.7L 3RZ, 5-speed manual and manual-locking front hubs. I think that's the best combo for ease of ownership, and the 3RZ has a chunk more power output than the 22RE. It has almost identical output as the 3VZ-E V6, but it's lighter.

 

[washington taco]

Go for the newest version of a gen 1 you can afford. I have 322,000 miles on my 2000 yes the steering racks are week but easy to replace and lower ball joint as well. The 3.4 is outstanding and still rev mine to 5,000 RPM. Tons of aftermarket support all the repair videos on You Tube just real easy to own.

 

[OregonSR5]

The rig in question actually has 235k. He says that he has records of all maintenance and that everything works as it should. Oregon truck it's entire life so rust isn't such an issue. The interior and exterior are pretty flawless for a 95. I have never owned an auto before and am hesitant.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Get one with a 5 speed. I've had the 3.4 with both transmissions (an 04 Taco with the 5 speed and a 99 4runner with the auto.) The 3.4/auto combo sucks. Poor power and poor fuel economy. Combine the low MPG numbers with the undersized tank and you have a vehicle that will need to refuel every 250 miles or less on the highway and if you are off road even more frequently.
.
One of the nice things about Tacomas is that they're very easy to find with 5 speed manual transmissions. 4runners of that generation are much harder to find with manuals.

 

[OregonSR5]

Any other input out there?

 

[ca18_sean]

If I were to get a Taco, I'd look for one with the 2.7L 3RZ, 5-speed manual and manual-locking front hubs. I think that's the best combo for ease of ownership, and the 3RZ has a chunk more power output than the 22RE.

That's my daily driven work truck. I have a 2000 with 315k miles and no serious work done to it. Runs great. The 3.4L is a great motor as well though!

 

[pluton]

I'm a '97 4Runner owner now, previously had a '91 4WD truck, both manual trans. I second the idea of a 5-speed versus the auto. Above 200K miles, an AT is getting ready to take a dump, depending on how the PO treated it. And, ATs can fail with little or no warning. MTs, on the other hand, last longer(with normal care) and usually give plenty of warning in advance of failure. Since I buy 100K mile trucks, I go MT. If I was buying new, I'd get an AT for the convenience.