High Mileage Tacomas

[Gunnslinger]

Looking at Tacomas for a teenage driver. There seem to be good examples for sale in our price range, most with 100,000 miles or more on the odometer. If anyone has advice or warnings regarding high mileage Tacomas, I'd be grateful for the information.

 

[Laxaholic]

I hope you aren't saying that 100,000mi is high mileage for a tacoma?....

 

[pnw_chris]

I hope you aren't saying that 100,000mi is high mileage for a tacoma?....

Right? Mine is at almost 250,000mi and it runs like a top! They will run a long time if taken care of and properly maintained.

 

[Laxaholic]

My '97 4Runner, extremely similar to a Taco, is at 213,000....I haven't had a single problem. Not one.

 

[txmxer]

Ive had two newer (05) tacomas, the most previous one has 175,000 miles and I was driving it on 1,500 mile road trips multiple times a year. Also bought a first gen (99) with 180,000 miles that I kept for 20,000 miles without any issue.

 

[DRTYTOY]

Both the 2.7 and 3.4 are great motors if properly maintained. I have the 3.4 in mine and my dad has the 2.7 in his both over 200,000 miles. Only down side of the 2.7 I know if is the exhaust manifold can crack and cause the motor to run lean which will eventually burn a valve. Both trucks have been wheeled hard a LOT. My dad's taco did have the head re done because of the burnt valve and just had his T-case re-built and I had my tranny(5 speed) rebuilt but that is after a lot of wheeling. These are the only big ticket items to fail. Both trucks are 2002 FYI.

 

[Happykamper]

My 2004 has 248,000 and no problems!! When I take it out it's usually a long fun trip and I trust it impeccably! At 100k it's just getting warmed up

 

[Happykamper]

100k just check timing belt date.

 

[Clutch]

I hope you aren't saying that 100,000mi is high mileage for a tacoma?....

Long time Toyota owner here, but when did 100K become low mileage? I keep on seeing ads for Toyotas with 150,000...180,000 on them, and the seller claiming "low mileage!!!"

Might be a little old skool, but.....>30K is low mileage to me. No matter the brand of vehicle. Anything over 100K is high mileage, if it keeps on going with little fuss it is considered "bonus mileage"

What to look for a "low mileage" Tacoma? [/sarcasm]

Frame rust, I went and looked at one with 122K on it recently, felt tight...but the frame was too rusty for my taste. My 17 year old Tacoma with 335K on it, hardly has a spec of frame rust on it.

Check the rear spring pack, those like to break...or have premature sag. There was a recall.
Rear Axle seals
Drive shaft carrier bearing
CV Boots
Probably going to need a new set of spark plugs.
See if they use Toyota brand oil filers or Wix, if I see a Fram I walk away.
Check the boots on the rack and pinion.
I like to check the oil and air filter, the one I looked at the airbox was full of leaves, makes me question how well the owner was on maintenance. Not crazy about cold air intakes either, if there is a proper box built around, I am kinda ok with it...if it is out in the open, I walk.
If they let you, I like to jack it up and check the ball joints, and brakes.
3.4 V6 Needs the timing belt/water pump done at 90K miles.

Having all service records is a bonus. If owned by some OCD old fart with a fuel log in addition to service records, even better.

About all of what I can think of off the top of my head.

 

[toylandcruiser]

100k just check timing belt date.

Depends on what motor. The 2.7 is a chain

 

[JLee]

I sold my last Tacoma (5VZ) with 282,9xx miles on it. 100k is a baby.

 

[Happykamper]

Quote Originally Posted by Laxaholic View Post
I hope you aren't saying that 100,000mi is high mileage for a tacoma?....
Long time Toyota owner here, but when did 100K become low mileage? I keep on seeing ads for Toyotas with 150,000...180,000 on them, and the seller claiming "low mileage!!!"

Might be a little old skool, but.....>30K is low mileage to me. No matter the brand of vehicle. Anything over 100K is high mileage, if it keeps on going with little fuss it is considered "bonus mileage"

What to look for a "low mileage" Tacoma? [/sarcasm]

Frame rust, I went and looked at one with 122K on it recently, felt tight...but the frame was too rusty for my taste. My 17 year old Tacoma with 335K on it, hardly has a spec of frame rust on it.

Check the rear spring pack, those like to break...or have premature sag. There was a recall.
Rear Axle seals
Drive shaft carrier bearing
CV Boots
Probably going to need a new set of spark plugs.
See if they use Toyota brand oil filers or Wix, if I see a Fram I walk away.
Check the boots on the rack and pinion.
I like to check the oil and air filter, the one I looked at the airbox was full of leaves, makes me question how well the owner was on maintenance. Not crazy about cold air intakes either, if there is a proper box built around, I am kinda ok with it...if it is out in the open, I walk.
If they let you, I like to jack it up and check the ball joints, and brakes.
3.4 V6 Needs the timing belt/water pump done at 90K miles.

Having all service records is a bonus. If owned by some OCD old fart with a fuel log in addition to service records, even better.

About all of what I can think of off the top of my head.





******** yes clutch your very old school if you think 100k is a lot of miles on " any" Toyota . And yes the 2.7 is chain....either way . You can abuse the heck out of a Toyota and it's like a great hunting dog! It just keeps working. Get your kid a Tacoma . Teach him to keep it till he runs the wheels off it. And then hand it down to your 1st grandchild .

 

[washington taco]

348,000 on my first gen. Lower ball joints will need to be replaced if not done already, steering rack, brakes, timing belt every 90,000. Check fluids, Toyota coolant for a first gen is red. If they used ANYTHING else walk away. Brake fluid should be flushed and filled along with the clutch reservoir. Check the back part of the frame aft of the forward spring perch on the rear leaves.

 

[Gunnslinger]

Thank you all for the feedback! It is what I expected to hear. I think the Tacoma with a Flip Pac is tough to beat as the ultimate North American exploration platform.

 

[Clutch]

******** yes clutch your very old school if you think 100k is a lot of miles on " any" Toyota.

Heck yeah it is. Problem with buying used, you have no idea what it has been through or how it was taken care of. Just because it is a Toyota doesn't guarantee it will go 200-300K. See plenty of clapped out Tacomas out there commanding a high price with high miles, just because it is a Toyota. Seeing lots of "low mile" ones at the 100K mark, with pretty badly rusted frames.


The clutch on my very clean...'85 4Runner that bought with 60K on it, went out at 70K. That engine seized at 120K. The low mile used replacement engine, needed timing chain guides, and new crank bearings. Sold it at 225K.

The '92 which was also purchased at 60K, needed a new clutch at 100K and upper and lower balljoints. Sold that truck at 150K.

'99 Tacoma bought at 70K needed a clutch and timing belt at 90K. Suspension too as the stock TRD was clapped out. 120K the rear axle bearings and seals went out. 180K, driveshaft carrier bearing, pinion bearing and seal, Radiator...then pretty good until 250K. Then it needed a rack and pinion, CV's, ball joints, control arm bushings, axle bearings and seals again. Another drive shaft rebuild. Valve cover gaskets, o-rings on the fuel injectors, oil cooler o-ring....and about 3 starter rebuilds.

Recently a new fuel pump, another clutch, 3rd member rebuilt.

Think that is it off the top of my head.

Sure, these will go 200-300K. But they will need attention, they won't be completely trouble free. If you're willing to keep on fixing it, anything will last a long time.