Looking to jump from Land Cruiser to Tacoma....

[kai38]

I have a 95 FJ80 right now but I'm thinking of switching to a 4dr 4x4 Tacoma.
I know it won't be the new body style, what years should I look for? Stay away from? Thanks, Kirk
http://pbase.com/kai38

 

[Nullifier]

I'm pretty sure that all years of double cab up to '04 are the same. '05 and up are the bigger style. the big thing to decide is weather or not your looking for one with a TRD package. Chances are your going to upgrade suspension over factory even if you have the TRD package. You may find it better in the long run to get a regular 4WD double cab and add an arb locker. Just depends on how much you can save when looking at TRD vs non TRD. If it will save you $1500 or more and all other things are comparable then I personaly would save the $ at time of purchase and add in an arb locker and regear a non TRD truck but that's me.

Oh and remember that White is the official E.P color LOL!

 

[BajaTaco]

I'm pretty sure that all years of double cab up to '04 are the same. '05 and up are the bigger style. the big thing to decide is weather or not your looking for one with a TRD package. Chances are your going to upgrade suspension over factory even if you have the TRD package. You may find it better in the long run to get a regular 4WD double cab and add an arb locker. Just depends on how much you can save when looking at TRD vs non TRD. If it will save you $1500 or more and all other things are comparable then I personaly would save the $ at time of purchase and add in an arb locker and regear a non TRD truck but that's me.

Oh and remember that White is the official E.P color LOL!

I concur. Especially with the last statement. (btw, cool bike!)

 

[kai38]

I had a white FJ60, and now have a black FJ80. I want the Tacoma in white, I really dont like the black at all.

 

[njtacoma]

Double Cab tacoma 04 and earlier

Our 04 Tacoma Double cab, has the locker but is not a TRD. It was a fairly common option package on the Front Range of Colorado when we were shopping in 04. The dealer I ultimately purchased from had 2 white double cabs identically equipped. It might be worth looking around to see if they were similarily outfitted in your area. We knew that eventually I would be changing the suspension out so hated to pay for the "good stuff" when we would be pitching it.

In fact when the tacoma first came out I went out with a group where two of the regular cab v-6 trucks had the factory locker from the factory. So just because its not a TRD doesn't mean it won't have a locker.

Did any one mention it should be white?

 

[edgear]

Lunar Mist (silver) is a nice color too....

I think the Double Cab (in the old body style) was only available from '01-'04. I'm a big fan of the factory rear e-locker, but if I had known I would eventually replace all of the stock suspension, I would not have opted for the TRD package.

 

[mountainpete]

White may be the official EP color, but RED trucks have more horsepower, get better fuel economy, are more capable off-road and the owners are generally more witty and better looking than others :hehe:

I concur with the remarks already mentioned. Since you are looking at the use market, it's probably easiest to find a Double Cab TRD model - these will all have rear lockers. If you can find a non-TRD with a locker, grab it and change the suspension.

There were some changes between years of Tacoma double cabs, but they were generally minor. Earlier versions didn't all have ABS and as a result could fit many more styles of 15" wheels. There were also some minor adjustments made through the years which made the 03 & 04 models slightly different. I will try and look up exactly what they were.

Overall, there isn't a year to avoid. In my opinion, the ideal model is an 03 or 04 with low miles.

Pete

 

[beerhiker]

Im probably going to be looking for same as soon as I can part with my Jeep, I was under the assumption that you had to have the TRD package to get the the rear locker, so i guess just look for the locker switch in all white ones.

 

[brittan]

There are small differences...my 01 doesn't have ABS...Expeditionswests' 04 does. For the most part they are the same. I hate to see someone get rid of an 80 though. I am trying to find the time to build my 80 up...although I admit its because I need more room for the family.

 

[flyingwil]

One thing you should look out for is TRD posers. Some people just slap the TRD stickers on there, but they are not TRD equipped. To Identify a true TRD look at the rear diff. It should have a rear locker. That is the give away item, up until today I have never heard of the e-locker on non TRD trucks. A local Dealer should be able to look up the VIN and tell you if it is TRD.

It's a Toyota, and few Tacos have problems. One predominant problem in the Tacoma's is the "Dash Rattle" and should be listened for during the test drive. There is a dash clip that commonly breaks just to the driver's side of the Passenger airbag, that becomes dislodged, and causes the dash to rattle, many people throw plastic tubing between the window and the dash to prevent the noise as opposed to repairing the 98¢ clip.

If the Tacoma has a tow package I would also look for frame damage. The rear of the Taco's frame is a C channel, and an improperly weighted trailer or bed for that matter could bend the frame. An easy way to tell this is look at the area between the bed and the cab. The gap should be even.

A common Mod, the K&N air filter, if equipped... remove the filter and inspect the MAF sensor. Over oiling the filter could cause premature failure of the MAF. Just use common sense.

Hope that helps!

 

[njtacoma]

TRD vs non-TRD

I don't know if they offered it in all the markets, but here in Colorado it is pretty common, in fact when I went to look at the one we purchased I told the salesman I was looking for a double cab non TRD with the locker. He told me you couldn't get it that way so I politley told him that my inventory search said he had 2 white ones and red one. Just about every Toyota dealer between Fort Collins and Denver had atleast one on their lot that was equipped with a locker but no TRD package.

I'm not sure about extra cabs, or standard cabs from 2001 - 2004. I have personally looked at one earlier v6 standard cab that had a factory locker, but me thinks that must be pretty rare.

 

[azskyrider]

MAJOR EDIT: the tacoma with the sport scoop on the hood and TRD graphics is not available with the rear locker. The off road package which does not include the hood scoop but does include TRD graphics does have the locker.