Thoughts on a 01-04 Tacoma DC

[BWCA_XJ]

I received a good offer for my 1999 XJ and am seriously looking at a 2001-2004 Tacoma double cabs. With that said, I was wondering if anyone can advise what to look for in a Taco of these years, I also had a few questions. . .

- What is considered high mileage? I have seen several in the 70-90k mile range for $14,000 - $15,000 (which is about my price point). Is there any concern with looking at a Tacoma with this high mileage?

- This might be a bit of a strange question, but our traveling companions are two large dogs (65lbs and 85lbs). My wife and I do take long rad trips and I am wondering if the double cab Tacoma, with the seats folded, would provide enough room for larger dogs?

Thanks very much for any information

Cheers :ylsmoke:

 

[mtnbike28]

Double Cabs...

You will get several folks here tell you that is too much $$$ for that truck. Around here that is a little higher than I have seen. But not by much for the perfect truck. Remember in rust states, the frames were rotting on all Tacomas, so they are getting rarer.

I love my DC, and have had no problems in the first 120k miles I have driven it. The only maintenance was a rear axle seal and Toyota has an improved seal when it goes.

I would just make sure normal fluid changes have been performed and if it has over 90K miles, that the timing belt has been done or ask for $750 less since it is due. (but this is not a deal breaker, I have not done mine yet at 120k and my 4Runner went to 130k before I did it)

The back seats don't fold in a way to help dogs IMO, They would rather be on the seats, or a very easy removal of the back seat... if I remember it was 4 bolts and less than 15 minutes, then build a simple platform and the dogs will LOVE you!

hth

 

[Applejack]

That kind of mileage is what I would consider "low mileage" for these trucks.
The only thing I would do is the timing belt/water pump as mentioned, and add a tranny cooler if you plan to pull anything or if you do a lot of hill climbing.

 

[MDH33]

I'm in Colorado also. I just picked up a 2004 double cab with 75K on it. I looked for a very long time and the only 2001-2004 double cabs I could find in the 14-15 range all had more than 100K mileage.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

They don't hold their high resale value on a whim. They are a time proven truck, a popular aftermarket and user following (look at the number of Tacoma specific products and clubs, etc). The only shining light is that if/when you decide to sell the truck, that resale value will still be there based on the trends of the past.

70-90k wouldn't scare me off on a well maintained and clean truck, consider my old Tacoma just hit 208k. It has been absolutely been used and abused yet still runs like a top.

 

[tacollie]

I wouldn't hesitate buying a Tacoma with 150k miles as long as it has been maintained well. My 02 had a hard 160k miles on it when I sold it and it was going strong.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Actually, $14k for a DC with 70-90k is a good deal. It's common to see 01-04 DC's with >100k in that range.

With routine maintenance those trucks will easily go 180-250k so 70k is nothing, really.

Definitely look for a TRD with a locker. IIRC The TRD package also includes the power windows, doors and RKE. I don't know if the non-TRD DCs had power windows, my 04 non-TRD Extra cab did not.

I recently paid ~$800 for doing the T-belt, water pump, seals, radiator flush and a few other odds and ends on my 99 4runner, so factor something like that in too.

 

[DaveM]

I don't know if the non-TRD DCs had power windows, my 04 non-TRD Extra cab did not.

My 2003 DC non TRD has power everything. These are great trucks and I agree with others on that being considered mid to low mileage for these trucks.

 

[4xdog]

I bought a 2001 TRD DC with 66k mi on the odo in February of this year, for $15k from a private party. We were both happy with the deal, and ten months later I'm even happier.

I sold our family's 1981 Pickup (2WD, alas) this summer, so I figure I know a little bit about these vehicles, having had the same one around for 28 years.

It's a Toyota pickup -- so that means many repairs that would require service on another vehicle can be fixed by giving the truck a stern talking to. They seem to fix themselves when they know it's expected. (smile)

I expect to be driving this truck for a decade or two. The slightly high purchase price (by some measures) seems cheap over the long run. Corrosion is probably the only thing to really take care over.



It looks like Toyota didn't change the windshield glass from at least 1981 to 2004!

 

[austintaco]

I bought my 03 DC new at the end of 03 and I have 63K trouble free miles out of it except for the dash rattle fix and the ball joint recall. I like to throw that up in the faces of my peers at the fire station that love their Fords, Dodges, and Chevy's.
That being said, I have made the common upgrades to the truck: Tundra Brakes, Tundra coils and all pro leafsprings, deckplate mod(questionable mod), leather heated seats( one of the top mods to do if you plan long trips...taco seats suck), Campershell(great for the dogs, two boxers)...and a few others.

The downside to these trucks in no particular order:
Bed space- too short to stretch out if you are sleeping back there
If you plan to tow-add a tranny cooler and look into strengthening the frame. On that note, all DC's are Auto, so make sure they had the fluid change and flushed or do it as your first bit of maintenance.
Front of the frame needs to be strenghtened if you add a winch.

That's about it. I love my truck, and I see myself driving it for several more years to come.

 

[BWCA_XJ]

Thanks for all the responses. The 01-04 DC is definitely on my short list of vehicles as well as an FJ and if the price would ever be right, an 05 or newer DC Taco.

Although, with that said the deal on my 99XJ fell through - the person who was looking to buy could not get the financing. So, the wait continues. I am in no real hurry to sell it was one of those situations where someone "really wanted" my Jeep and made an offer. Heck. . . it only has 70,000 miles on it.

 

[deadbeat son]

Wow, I traded in my 99 XJ with 100k in July of 2005! Yours has some really low mileage.

 

[robski]

Mileage don't scare me specially toyota brand as long as the owner take good care the preventive maintenance . I was looking and still looking for 01 thru 04 DC, but most I have had seen is way overprice here in our area.

 

[LandRoverHyter]

Hey guys old thread but im looking at a truck with 188k one owner with a ton of history and all service heres a little info on the truck from the owner...
Everything is strait. I will first point out that the ONLY issues with the truck are cosmetic and the front Cat. No wrecks, scratches (nothing down to the metal but 3 or 4 won't buff out as they say). The front and rear driver side doors met a rock on an off road trip. The dents were repaired front looks smooth but the rear door has a few places that need touch up paint. All maintenance is done to a "T". I bought the truck new off the lot in 2002 and drove it for work until 2007. In those 4.5 years I put about 175,000 highway miles on the truck. January 2007 was when I got a new truck for work and parked the Tacoma. That's when mist of the mods started to make it a weekend expedition rig.

Steering and Suspension are very tight. The MT tires have a hard time balancing 100%. They give a noticeable vibration from about 60 to 70 mph. other than that smooth as silk. The truck is perfect below 5 mph and above 50 mph. The 5 to 50 is fine but with the 650 lbs. ToyTec coilovers you will feel every bump in the road but it corners better than stock. I guess you could say very little body roll.
I like the stiff ride personally. The ToyTec CO have less than 1,500 miles on them so I'm sure they will give a little over time.
In short to make this a DD I would put a set of 275 AT's on the Stock rims and 285 or 305's on the Black rims for riding.


I have complete progress pics on the following: front and rear bumper build, Timing belt, water pump, and T-Stat replacement, Flex-A-Lite Fan install, 4.88 Yukon gear and ARB locker installs, Rear brakes, and a couple more I can't think of. I personally did all of my own work except for setting up the gears. Had a pro do that one. Don't like other people messing with my stuff.

the other mods..
FT RR ARB lockers w 4.88
FT RR home made bumpers
ARB snorkel
Flex-A-Lite 675 twin fan
Lotek Double gauge Volt Trans temp

It takes 10.5k to buy the truck and its 400 miles away. Worth it? or should i run chicken run?:Wow1:

 

[mtnbike28]

Run away?

That is high to me knowing it was used off-road. I don't like the vibration statements... I have seen several stock 01-04 DCs on Craiglist under 10k....

With gas on the way up, I think these will come down a little more... wait and find the perfect truck.

My 2 cents