High?? Mileage Tacomas

[gabepari]

So, in my never ending fit of AAAADD (Advanced Adult Automotive Attention Deficit Disorder), I have settled (I think) on an '01-'04 double cab Taco. It will eventually be fitted with an AT Flippac and, sooner than that, sporting a snazzy Overland Teardrop in tow to accommodate the whole family on our little outings. I was almost set on an 80 with a RTT pulling the Teardrop, but the appeal of the Flippac is too much for the wife to pass up. Apparently being able to stand up, out of the dirt, and get dressed is sort of important to her :snorkel:

So, I've been looking around the net for the killer deals and most of them seem to be in the 100-130K miles range. Other than the timing belt, is there anything else I should be looking at? Trucks with less than 100K seem to be quite a bit higher in price.

I've found that an auto tranny is the only option for 1st gen dbl cabs (kind of a bummer, but ok I guess). Do all TRD trucks have the rear diff lock? Do non-TRD models have the rear diff lock? I've seen some trucks without the TRD stickers but sporting the little diff lock button to the left of the column.

I'm not a stickler on color, but white or silver if I had my drothers. Oh, and NO, I can't afford the kitted out white one in Prescott (sorry James).

Off to do some more research. And try to sell off 2 or 3 vehicles to keep the wife from killing me for buying another rig :coffeedrink:

Thanks for any info,

Gabe Pari
www.socalteardrops.com

 

[SAR_Squid79]

For a Tacoma over 100K miles, you should look at timing belt, water pump, gaskets (head, valve cover, transmission), axle/differential seals, driveshaft u-joints, and CV axles. Fortunately - all of those items are a pretty easy fix if they need replacing. But those are the most common components that wear out.

Every Tacoma that is "TRD" should have the rear e-locker. When I bought my truck and ran the VIN, it came back as having the 'TRD Off-Road' package, but it did not have the TRD decals. (I added them later) You should also be aware that lots of people that DO NOT have a TRD Off-Road package have added the decals for looks, and increased resale value. Watch out for that.

 

[CA-RJ]

130k shouldn't be a problem on a well maintained Tacoma. At that mileage, the timing belt should be done. If it hasn't been done, change it, the drive belts, water pump, idler pulleys and the camshaft and crankshaft seals. I would flush the radiator and drain and fill the diffs, t-case and transmission. I would also check the spark plug wires as well as the plugs.

 

[Rexsname]

I've got 211,000 on my '01 Tacoma. I recently bought lower control arms and lower ball joints. In this area, it was cheaper to buy new parts than it was to pay to have the bushings pressed out and new ones back in. If the one you find has been treated gently,the front end work may not need to be done yet.

Catalytic converters are not cheap and will need to be replaced at some point with a vehicle with this many miles. My fuel mileage went up conciderably after having the converters replaced.

I've had mine since new, and despite some expensive maintainence lately, I still love my truck:smiley_drive:

REX

 

[xcmountain80]

I think there is a rule somewhere than states if High Mileage and Toyota are in the same sentence the odometer must read 300,000+.

Aaron

 

[gabepari]

I think there is a rule somewhere than states if High Mileage and Toyota are in the same sentence the odometer must read 300,000+.

Aaron

That's why I included the "???'s" after "High" :ylsmoke: As not to offend

Does a rear diff lock indicate that the truck has the TRD package?

Gabe

 

[SAR_Squid79]

TRD Package

Tacoma TRD Off-Road Package:

• Only available on 1998 - 2004 Tacomas
• Only ExtraCab and DoubleCab models
• TRD Package was available on both PreRunner & 4WD models.
• TRD Package WAS available with either the 2.7L or 3.4L engines
• Electronic RR Diff Lock (w/ push button activation to the left side of the steering wheel)
• TRD Progressive rate front coil springs (the coils get closer together at the top of the coil)
• 'TRD' Bilstein shocks all around
• TRD decals on the rear quarters
• Wider fender flares
• Larger tires from the factory.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Also every TRD I've seen has bucket seats (vs the silly "split bench" of the SR5), power windows and power locks and power mirrors. My SR5 has manual locks and windows and manual remote mirrors.

 

[ChuckB]

Also every TRD I've seen has bucket seats (vs the silly "split bench" of the SR5), power windows and power locks and power mirrors. My SR5 has manual locks and windows and manual remote mirrors.

I'm Taco-sitting my buddies '02 ( I believe) and it is an SR5 DC Pre-Runner with manual everything. I kinda like it, but haven't seen another one.

I'm thinking along the similar lines as Gabe, although minus the trailer initially. I also wish the DC was available with the manual tranny.

 

[Cackalak Han]

One amendment to SAR Squid's list is that the DC Tacoma TRD's came with Tokico's all around. At least my 01 did.

As far as the manual transmission, I wouldn't worry about that too much. I've always had manual cars since I was 17 (starting with the 86 Mazda 626. Loved that car). I swore I'd never get a slushbox, but honestly, the auto in my Tacoma does not bother me much at all. Sometimes, it's actually nice to be able to eat and drive easily, or just sit back and relax after a long day of skiing, biking, etc.

IF the manual would've been available, I might have gotten that instead, but I do not regret getting an auto. IMO, it shouldn't be a deal-breaker. Truck bed, seats four--couldn't ask for more.

 

[TheRedDawn]

I have a 2003 DC with 125,000 miles. Did the timing belt + the other stuff that goes along with it right around 112,000. (Bought it from the dealer with 20k)

I occassionally pull a loaded trailer and will have the bed loaded with 2,000+ pounds of gear 10x a year, (I added airbag suspension as the max carrying capacity is around 1,500lbs). Sometimes I add an oversized cab over camper too. Basically, I push the scale when it comes to pay load.

I baby it in all other aspects of driving and the occassional off-road lake access camping trip.

Besides routine maintenance, (and an impossible to find/fix squeek in the dashboard), I haven't had to have any other work done to it besides a few headlights/driving lights. Clean bill of health at the 112,000 mark.

I wish you the best in finding a great Tacoma. I am beyond 100% satisfied with mine and can't imagine ever owning another truck. :victory:

 

[czenkov]

I have a NON-TRD and all manual everything. I DO NOT have the e-locker but do have an "ETC" button on the lower left corner of the dash. From what I understand it adjusts shift points - nothing more. Hope this helps in your search.

 

[Stealth 4x4]

Great choice for a platform to build on. That's the best, IMHO, which is why I bought one. Also a cheap, but great thing to do to one with that many miles is to get a set of steering rack bushings from Energy Suspension and install them. Like night and day before and after. Personally, if I bought a used one I'd swap out all of the fluids with synthetic, get new filters, clean the injectors and throttle body, re-torque critical components like the nuts on your U-bolts lower ball joints, etc., or at least make sure they are not loose, and get an alignment. Might be due for brakes... new shocks too, which would be a good time to get a lift. Also check your carrier bearing for the two piece rear driveshaft (if you get an extra or doublecab).

My 98 ex-cab taco has 235,000 miles, and my '03 D-cab is up to about 113,000 miles. The only major repair either has needed is a rear diff for the '98. Neither have needed a new steering rack, tranny, motor, or anything that cost more than about $400 to replace. At 235k. I finally replaced a u-joint in the '98 last week. All new belts and hoses as needed for my Tacos has usually meant about every 100-120k miles. And I do a new water pump and thermostat about every 125k, whether it needs it or not. A lot of stuff has already been covered. Yeah, go find a nice used one and get to work! It'll take good care of you if you take care of it.

 

[Purzell]

4runners

Hi,

I don't want to start a new thread before asking this here...does this apply to 3rd Gen 4runners as well? I've been checking those out too and see many with over 150K in my price range.

Thanks!

 

[robski]

I bought an 01 tacoma double cab non trd 4x4, with 189xxx miles way cheap.. I figure the money I save for getting this one, I'll use it for maintenance and some accesories. So far the only thing I replaced is spark plugs, air cleaner, fluids and a set of new tires and still runs great. I only wish that they offer a manual for double cab. Higher mileage is not bad as long as PO maintain it with oil change and timing belt service.