High Mileage Tacomas

[DaveInDenver]

Nothing lasts forever. The problem with buying used is that there's a previous owner who did who knows what. But I'd trust a Toyota to 250K with reasonable car and 100K really is relatively low miles.

I'm not young either Clutch and remember when 100K really did mean your car was done. Volvo, Honda and Toyota primarily changed that in the 1970s and 1980s and necessitated adding a 6th digit to odometers. There was a time when 100K would be an instant walk, you know like on a Duster, Chevelle or Pinto.

I'd personally look at any Toyota with under 200K and judge solely on the individual vehicle's merit. Some are exceptional, some so-so. Thing is even a badly abused 200K Tacoma is usually still running.

Having had a few old Toyotas now I think the main difference is that they usually don't fail without warning. My 22R-E blew its timing chain at 175K but that wasn't the engine's fault totally. I swapped from the stock nylon guides to metal-backed aftermarket (D.O.A. Racing Engines) with no real reason (they hadn't failed) other than preventative.

I did not use OEM or equivalent OSK parts but rather the domestic crap supplied in the kit. The chain tensioner had failed and in retrospect I should have realized that it was telling me for about 3 months. But I thought /for sure/ that the noise was just valvetrain chatter, it simply could not be the timing chain since I had just done it. Wrong. When I took it apart the tensioner had failed and the metal back guides took the slack for while, apparently flexing at the top of the driver's (long) side until it eventually fatigued and snapped off. It wrapped around in the chain and lodged around the crankshaft gear, snapping the chain.

It decided to do this about 1/4 mile from home and the starter drove me home the couple of blocks to the garage. Didn't need a tow truck even.

 

[Clutch]

Nothing lasts forever. The problem with buying used is that there's a previous owner who did who knows what. But I'd trust a Toyota to 250K with reasonable car and 100K really is relatively low miles.

I'm not young either Clutch and remember when 100K really did mean your car was done. Volvo, Honda and Toyota primarily changed that in the 1970s and 1980s and necessitated adding a 6th digit to odometers. There was a time when 100K would be an instant walk, you know like on a Duster, Chevelle or Pinto.

I'd personally look at any Toyota with under 200K and judge solely on the individual vehicle's merit. Some are exceptional, some so-so. Thing is even a badly abused 200K Tacoma is usually still running.

When I started buying Toyotas, they weren't popular like they are today, actually got a quite of bit of flack for buying non-American. Now kinda crazy how much they are going for...one on a dealer lot with 247K on it going for in the high teens. Toyotas are great and all, but that is just ridiculous.

Yeah, had 3 engines in our '76 F250 before it 100K, that truck was worked very hard though.

I have been looking and looking for a replacement for mine, as it is getting up there in miles...335K on it currently. I don't want to pay what the prices they are commanding. Trying to find a super low mile clean one that the owner doesn't think is gold is darn near impossible.

Just gonna keep on fixing mine, but they'll will be a day when I will have to break down and buy another. Better off just buying a new one I am thinking...because the used market is kinda silly.

 

[DaveInDenver]

I did the analysis with my 1991. At a point you have to be realistic and know when it's time to cut bait. It needed major stuff (body work, drivetrain & suspension love) a lot of little things that added up to a significant amount of money and time. So you spend x dollars to do essentially a partial frame-up restoration against spending y amount for a new(er) truck.

That tipped it for me to a low mile (true low, 42K) Tacoma even though it was about a 30% premium over what I estimated would be to rebuild my '91 from the ground up. If I was to make it even close to equal (4.0L V6, 6-speed stick, etc.) it was cheaper to replace it. That was tough because there's a lot of emotional baggage with a truck that took care of you for almost 2 decades.

Another thing that factored in was that Toyota is starting to discontinue parts for the 3rd gen so it becomes more of a labor of love like old Cruisers than a practical thing. There's a big aftermarket but if 555/OSK/Aisin/Denso OEM or similar parts are not easy to come by it (in my mind) removes a major advantage to owning a Toyota. They are a sum of their parts and putting in Delco/MOOG/etc undercuts that reliability.

 

[toylandcruiser]

When I started buying Toyotas, they weren't popular like they are today, actually got a quite of bit of flack for buying non-American. Now kinda crazy how much they are going for...one on a dealer lot with 247K on it going for in the high teens. Toyotas are great and all, but that is just ridiculous.

Yeah, had 3 engines in our '76 F250 before it 100K, that truck was worked very hard though.

I have been looking and looking for a replacement for mine, as it is getting up there in miles...335K on it currently. I don't want to pay what the prices they are commanding. Trying to find a super low mile clean one that the owner doesn't think is gold is darn near impossible.

Just gonna keep on fixing mine, but they'll will be a day when I will have to break down and buy another. Better off just buying a new one I am thinking...because the used market is kinda silly.

have you priced out old high mileage cummins or wranglers? They are going for retarded prices as well.

 

[Clutch]

have you priced out old high mileage cummins or wranglers? They are going for retarded prices as well.

Won't even look at those, they were POS when new!

The Dodge/Rams are shipping crates for the Cummins...and the Wranglers...you just get the crate!

 

[toylandcruiser]

Won't even look at those, they were POS when new!

The Dodge/Rams are shipping crates for the Cummins...and the Wranglers...you just get the crate!

Ha

 

[Clutch]

I did the analysis with my 1991. At a point you have to be realistic and know when it's time to cut bait. It needed major stuff (body work, drivetrain & suspension love) a lot of little things that added up to a significant amount of money and time. So you spend x dollars to do essentially a partial frame-up restoration against spending y amount for a new(er) truck.

That tipped it for me to a low mile (true low, 42K) Tacoma even though it was about a 30% premium over what I estimated would be to rebuild my '91 from the ground up. If I was to make it even close to equal (4.0L V6, 6-speed stick, etc.) it was cheaper to replace it. That was tough because there's a lot of emotional baggage with a truck that took care of you for almost 2 decades.

Another thing that factored in was that Toyota is starting to discontinue parts for the 3rd gen so it becomes more of a labor of love like old Cruisers than a practical thing. There's a big aftermarket but if 555/OSK/Aisin/Denso OEM or similar parts are not easy to come by it (in my mind) removes a major advantage to owning a Toyota. They are a sum of their parts and putting in Delco/MOOG/etc undercuts that reliability.

That is the thing buying used...I know what my truck needs and what it doesn't. Used vehicles are such a crap shoot. In these last 2.5 years, believe I have put about $7,000 into it, including tires. Whole under carriage is basically fresh, suspension and final drive components. Body and frame are in great condition. Guessing the engine is the next that is going to go...so what do you do? Install a fresh engine and trans...and see how much further it can go, or buy a new one?

It is getting to the point that it is making me nervous that is going to strand me in the back country...which is really no big deal, I could live out there for weeks on end....it just an expensive tow bill.

Having this thing for 14 years, definitely attached to it...has taken me to a lot places. That and have it setup exactly how I want, great suspension, Wildernest, ARB bumper...what more do you need, yan know?

 

[DaveInDenver]

Never owned a new car so I have no idea. But from what I read about the 3rd gen Tacomas it's kind of a crap shoot on what you get there, too. Some are fine, some have small issues, some have major issues. You get a warranty but it's still a pain and what good is a warranty if your 3rd member grenades on the trail?

My feeling is that the sweet spot for Toyota trucks is 30K to 100K. Been around and used enough to find all the issues, recalls and the like but not really worn out yet. It's a low risk buying from an unknown source, which is why it's nice being in the TLCA, member of a Toyota club, etc. You get the beta on what's out there and a good network for identifying what to look for. I ended up buying certified pre-owned from a Toyota dealer so I had a year of baselining and having them fix little things otherwise.

In your case since you've done all of that and assuming the frame and body are holding up, it's seems simple that an engine refresh or rebuild would eliminate the unknown.

 

[wilsfox]

I have 428K Miles on my 97 SR5. Original motor, does not burn any oil. For some reason my frame is rust free as well.
I have replaced every suspension component, clutch, brakes, quite a few other things, but the engine still runs strong.

 

[Clutch]

Never owned a new car so I have no idea. But from what I read about the 3rd gen Tacomas it's kind of a crap shoot on what you get there, too. Some are fine, some have small issues, some have major issues. You get a warranty but it's still a pain and what good is a warranty if your 3rd member grenades on the trail?

yeah the reason to buy new, is buying piece of mind. Reading on TW as well...3rd gen does seem like a crap shoot as well, but you do get a warranty. Do plan on keeping it for 15+ years and 300K...so what is going to go wrong out of warranty. Believe the SR 2.7 Manual trans is most likely the safest bet for longevity.

My feeling is that the sweet spot for Toyota trucks is 30K to 100K.

Agree with you there, will pay heavily for the Toyota tax at that mileage, which has me thinking of just buying new. Can get a brand new SR ACLB 2.7 4WD for $25K. No hunting down a clean used one...just go order it.

In your case since you've done all of that and assuming the frame and body are holding up, it's seems simple that an engine refresh or rebuild would eliminate the unknown.

Originally an AZ truck...no major cancer type rust, did get a little surface rust in Idaho the first year, in the areas where the frame has been blasted by gravel, but I got under there and addressed it. Absolutely no rust on the body.

Yeah, fresh engine and trans would be the last things I would have to do for awhile. Brand new truck, would still have to do the suspension, find a used Flip Pac, winch bumper. Cost of those things alone is a fresh engine and trans for the old beater.

 

[DaveInDenver]

It would have to be a SR since you can't get any SR5 with a standard shift anymore, all automatics. The SR 2.7L can get a 5 speed. You can get a stick in the TRD, too. That would be the 6 speed and the only way to get a stick with the V6.

If you ask me for all the talk you really don't want a new truck so you should just stop thinking about it. Get a 5VZ-FE in a crate from Toyota with zero miles on it and be happy. I'd personally find a used one and build it on a stand, but then it might not be perfect and would be subject to the original owner breaking it in right not to have any defects in the block casting. And of course the machine shop might screw something up, so you wouldn't want them touching it, either.

 

[Clutch]

It would have to be a SR since you can't get any SR5 with a standard shift anymore, all automatics. The SR 2.7L can get a 5 speed. You can get a stick in the TRD, too. That would be the 6 speed and the only way to get a stick with the V6.

Last week I test drove a SR5 2.7 with the auto, plenty for power for me...I kinda like the sport mode with the new autos, that said I don't want to see the repair bill when it goes belly up out of warranty.

Thought the ACLB the V6 manny is only available in the Sport? Don't wan't to spend that much anyways. $25K is pretty much my cap, why I am looking at the SR. Decent price fairly bullet proof drive train, not exactly what I want, but it will get the job done.

If you ask me for all the talk you really don't want a new truck so you should just stop thinking about it. Get a 5VZ-FE in a crate from Toyota with zero miles on it and be happy. I'd personally find a used one and build it on a stand, but then it might not be perfect and would be subject to the original owner breaking it in right not to have any defects in the block casting. And of course the machine shop might screw something up, so you wouldn't want them touching it, either.

Very true, pretty much have everything I want and need out of truck. Everything but piece of mind, which really...if the engine seizes, it seizes. Hopefully it goes close to home.

Didn't know you could buy a crate engine from Toyota, inquired about it a couple years at the Tucson dealer, said they don't do them. Could you give me some more info on it? Thanks.

Engine rebuilds are crap shoot, thought of a low mile JDM as well...yet another crap shoot.

 

[DaveInDenver]

I bought a factory 22R laser short block about 10 years ago. I only assume that a long block would be available but couldn't say for sure.

It was a thing of beauty, too. But that was a perfect example of more dollars than sense. Even at the point that my parts guy got it down to I could have basically rebuilt a whole long block for the same price.

 

[JLee]

Last week I test drove a SR5 2.7 with the auto, plenty for power for me...I kinda like the sport mode with the new autos, that said I don't want to see the repair bill when it goes belly up out of warranty.

Thought the ACLB the V6 manny is only available in the Sport? Don't wan't to spend that much anyways. $25K is pretty much my cap, why I am looking at the SR. Decent price fairly bullet proof drive train, not exactly what I want, but it will get the job done.



Very true, pretty much have everything I want and need out of truck. Everything but piece of mind, which really...if the engine seizes, it seizes. Hopefully it goes close to home.

Didn't know you could buy a crate engine from Toyota, inquired about it a couple years at the Tucson dealer, said they don't do them. Could you give me some more info on it? Thanks.

Engine rebuilds are crap shoot, thought of a low mile JDM as well...yet another crap shoot.

I see a 5VZ short block listed, but I'm not sure if they sell a complete long block:

They list new heads at ~$1k/ea.

 

[Clutch]

I bought a factory 22R laser short block about 10 years ago. I only assume that a long block would be available but couldn't say for sure.

It was a thing of beauty, too. But that was a perfect example of more dollars than sense. Even at the point that my parts guy got it down to I could have basically rebuilt a whole long block for the same price.

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I see a 5VZ short block listed, but I'm not sure if they sell a complete long block:

They list new heads at ~$1k/ea.

Thanks, actually not too horrible. A lot cheaper than a brand new truck.