Tacoma DC buying suggestions

Grease Cruiser

Adventurer
I am looking at buying a Tacoma double cab 4X4 for the family daily driver and some mild wheeling/ camping trips. I have been looking for the 2001-2004 body style with the TRD package. I will be doing some mods like adding a rack for the roof top tent, bull bar, rear bumper, sliders, etc.

I have come across a few with higher miles (around 100K miles) and was wondering if there is anything to look for in particular?

I have owned a lot of Land Cruisers and am not too familiar with the Tacomas. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
John
 

SOAZ

Tim and Kelsey get lost..
Grease Cruiser said:
I am looking at buying a Tacoma double cab 4X4 for the family daily driver and some mild wheeling/ camping trips. I have been looking for the 2001-2004 body style with the TRD package. I will be doing some mods like adding a rack for the roof top tent, bull bar, rear bumper, sliders, etc.

I have come across a few with higher miles (around 100K miles) and was wondering if there is anything to look for in particular?

I have owned a lot of Land Cruisers and am not too familiar with the Tacomas. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
John

I'd say make sure the locker is there. Engage it and make sure you can feel/hear it engage. Get a v6. Ask if the timing belt has been done. Shoule be done between 80 and 100k. Maybe someone else can help more. They are bullet proof. I would get a fully loaded one and just look for any signs of abuse and otherwise you are good to go!! No real issues to be aware of that I can think of!
 

viter

Adventurer
make sure power steering works well - no whining noises from the pump (if there is means the pump or pump's seals are worn out), steering rack is not leaking from under the boots and steering rack shaft itself has minimal play (grab the end of the shaft, one side at a time, and try to move it up and down - should move very little), check that tie rod ends are not worn out (grab the wheel at 3 and 6 o-clock positions and try moving it from side to side - if it moves and you can hear/feel metal on metal clunks inner tie rod ends probably need replacement). check for worn wheel bearings (they are sealed cartridge type, so they are not rebuildable/adjustable and need to be replaced if develop considerable play before they jam up).

these are really good and dependable trucks but steering racks seem to go out on them relatively early, but other than that I can't really think of any common problems.

good luck!
 

Nullifier

Expedition Leader
dont for get you flack jacket if your going onto ttora.com LOL lots of self proclaimed internet police over thier waiting for newbies to post a question that has already been asked or in the wrong thread. Search before you post on TTORA or those idiots will flame you.
 

Grease Cruiser

Adventurer
Thanks for all the great info. I figured they were reliable, just like any other Toyota product. I have found several around me that I may go look at this weekend.



dieselcruiserhead said:
what is the world coming to... :) Wife not happy with the 4BTJ80 ? :(

Andre: Yep, I am going back to a gasser! I really like the 4BTJ80 but it is a little much right now. It kind of sucks to just start up and drive to the grocery store. It is a nice cross country expedition rig but we are hoping that a DC taco will suit our needs a little better especially for our NEW DAUGHTER!

In fact, I am contemplating selling it all! Yes, even the troopie! I really like all my Cruisers but I am now on this "things have to be practical phase" of my life. I am hoping the DC Taco and a 45 diesel pickup will fulfill my needs for the time being.

Know anyone who would be interested in my Cruisers? Later.
 

dieselcruiserhead

16 Years on ExPo. Whoa!!
congrats man, tell Mitsi congrats too, that's great :) I figured as much based on her size at Moab!

Anyway, where to post/sell them... these guys for sure, post here.. and/or then mud.. Then worse comes to worse, ebay, where you'll probably get the most $$. I know what you are going through when all your trucks are 'big.'

I went through a lot of the same stuff with my pig for many of the same reasons.. And now I finally have my motor placed so I don't actually have to run 4" or taller springs, for the first time in years.. It's sitting stock right now, but will need something (bare minimum 2.5") That said probably will run 4" or taller and 35's again because it is a sweet all around setup as we all know... It can be tuned to be great all around on both of your rigs.. Also you are like me, restless.. I'd just chill on them for a while.. That troopie is literally a dream rig.. For all of us, you included! Where is that smile I was looking for, oK, here it is: :drool:

:)

PS congrats again! A
 

dieselcruiserhead

16 Years on ExPo. Whoa!!
PS also you might pick Kurt's brain.. He bought a '04 DC with a supercharger.. Likes it a lot.. His solution is the taco and his 40, which he's driving less and less unfortunately, but I don't think he'd ever (or I'd be really sad to see him) sell it. I think you/we all go in phases.. Hanging around with the proffitts guys sure doesn't encourage you to keep things small.. But again they are both all around sick rigs, even for around town.. Nothing wrong with short trips with it.. I used mine even for groceries.. I've always had a car/dder for winter primarily though.. I would go back and forth, sometimes I'd DD the pig for a month or two, then switch to the other and the pig would sit for 3 weeks or longer even... ..even around here with everything so close... Ironically they both get about the same mileage...

RE the taco, they sure are sick.. I've thought a lot about them too. I'd love one that is diesel... For years I've thought they should make them a little more 'mid size' sort of like the new ones. But they are a little too expensive for me and I am into the environmentalism full bore these days. Around here the bio situation is much easier but if you can get that dialed feel a lot better about things. I figured out one day I am about 14% of the greenhouse gas between the increased efficiency of the diesel, and the bio, assuming I get 25mpg or better...

My complaints on the taco are they are a little bubbly IMO with the auto (but a matter of preference I suppose, but I've always been die hard standard trans), this might eventually get to you or not. I loved my Benz 300D with the auto, first auto I've owned.. But the auto actually has a slight loss of power with it.. Even with his SC, versus NA with the manual, the manual is faster he claims and he does miss it... Also, they are fairly small trucks inside even with the DC. But work fine, again matter of preference.. You guys are a little smaller than me :).. I think you might never be happy maybe even with the taco. Problem is that is a $20G expense and you can't get the consistent market value versus what you have now.. I think, if you can, maybe take a little height out of the troopie and dial it. I would dial it anyway, it will continue to grow on you.. It's a lot of truck to drive around but you'll get used to it..

Again all the same stuff I went through with the piggie... I'm also in the same stage. Less cruiser and more practicality... Cruiser really is and has always been my big excess. But currently RE cruiser, don't really have too many plans to give up on it, at least in the near future that I could imagine... But we'll see how restless I get once I get it all done, that might be another story.. I suppose its a tough affliction.. Last time I talked to HC, he sold the 4BTJ62 finally and went with a 100, sounded like he'd never been happier.. So I suppose it goes both ways.. "tough affliction" we go through sometimes :)
 
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