what to get in a Tacoma

[958mtm]

Most likely getting a 4x4 Tacoma and interested to know what is prefferable.
For use with daily driving, off road, and whatever else.

what's the gas mileage on a 2.7?

gas mileage on the 3.4?

TRD or not?

I see TRD on just about every toyota around, how do i know it's really a TRD pkg. and not just an advertisement like sticker. Look for the locker switch?

Is the TRD only available in v6 auto?

And is there any particular year preffered (exclude pre 90's)


What to stay away from....

thanks. J>L

 

[KToy]

yes it will have a locker switch left side of the steering wheel.

trd hold resale value better. and the 2.7 liter has bd gas milage if u get an extended cab if u ask me. its a big 4 cyl. get the v6 cuz it has way better resale value.

when i buy a car i look at the resale value compared to the price i am paying. that way if i want to i can sell it later and not lose a ton of money.

i would stay away from special paint jobs that ppl put on there trucks. get a white, black, silver or something common so that when u do sell it other ppl prefer the color u chose as well.

my.02

 

[Caleb]

we have the 2.7L in our truck at work...its just a standard cab and I must say, that has to be one of the most gutless engines ever...get the V6 no matter the price difference...

 

[V-DAWG]

The locker switch does not mean it is a TRD. My friend has an '04 that is not TRD, but it still has the locker.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Go with the 3.4L, awesome engine...

Get the locker, regardless of the TRD package (True TRD has the locker, but many others had just the locker)

If you plan to do any suspension mods (which I would highly recomend), then the TRD is kindve pointless... Unless the price is right.

BTW... I love my Taco

 

[chans]

If it has the TRD locker the drain plug will be on the drivers side, if its not then it will be on the passenger. The 2.7 gets about 2 mpg better than the V6 but you will have to watch out and make sure you get the 4.10 or 4.30 gears. If you get stuck with 3.55 then it will be gutless. Also the 2.7 uses a timing chain not belts.

 

[958mtm]

If it has the TRD locker the drain plug will be on the drivers side, if its not then it will be on the passenger. The 2.7 gets about 2 mpg better than the V6 but you will have to watch out and make sure you get the 4.10 or 4.30 gears. If you get stuck with 3.55 then it will be gutless. Also the 2.7 uses a timing chain not belts.

Is this true about trd pkg. having a signature "drain plug on drivers side"?

Any other way to tell if it's TRD?

I don't necessarily care if it is or not but i will be buying it at a car auction in California, and just want to be sure of what i'm getting.

Thanks

 

[chans]

Is this true about trd pkg. having a signature "drain plug on drivers side"?

Any other way to tell if it's TRD?

I don't necessarily care if it is or not but i will be buying it at a car auction in California, and just want to be sure of what i'm getting.

Thanks

The TRD locker has the drain plug on the drivers side. The Tacomas could have been ordered with the locker but not with the TRD package. The TRD package has the locker, Bilstein shocks all around and bigger tires. So if the shocks are yellow and the drain plug is on the drivers side you know its the TRD. Be careful because for 15.00 anyone can buy a TRD sticker off of EBay. Either way make sure the truck came from the factory with 265 75 15, 265 70 16 or 31 10.50 15 tires and you will get lower gears.

 

[958mtm]

Alright let's say it's the 3.4L ex. cab, with trd pkg. What gears does it come with?

 

[Hickey]

If you don't absolutley need the 4x4, and you're buying in Cali, get a "Prerunner". Not many of those around here. Basically a TRD in 2wd with a stock lift.

 

[958mtm]

Ha!, that would be kinda cool, but seriously i'm the kind of person that gets a kick out of putting it in 4wheel when "flexing" on a parking block. Ya that's right poser style. It would be pretty sweet for desert racing though.

 

[chans]

Alright let's say it's the 3.4L ex. cab, with trd pkg. What gears does it come with?

It would depend on the door code but most are 4.10. It could be 3.91, 4.
10, 4.30 or 4.56. The last two are usually with the autos.

Model Code Ratio
RZN140L-TRMDKAB 3.416
RZN140L-TRMDKAB 3.583 2001-2002
RZN140L-TRPDKAB 3.727 2001-2002
RZN140L-TRSDKAB 3.583
RZN150L-CRMDKAB 3.416
RZN150L-CRMDKAB 3.583 2001-2002
RZN150L-CRPDKAB 3.727 2001-2002
RZN150L-CRSDKAB 3.583
RZN161L-TRMDKAB 3.583
RZN161L-TRMDKAB 4.100 With 10.5R 15 Tire, 7JJ Wheel 1997-98
RZN161L-TRMDKAB 4.100 With 31x10.5R 15 or P265/75R 15 tire 1999
RZN161L-TRMDKAB 3.909 2000
RZN161L-TRMDKAB 4.300 With 31x10.5R 15 or P265/75R 15 tire 2000
RZN161L-TRPDKAB 4.100
RZN161L-TRPDKAB 4.555 With 10.5R 15 Tire, 7JJ Wheel 1997-98
RZN161L-TRPDKAB 4.555 With 31x10.5R 15 or P265/75R 15 tire 1999-2002
RZN171L-CRMDKAB 3.583 1997-1999
RZN171L-CRMDKAB 4.100 With 10.5R 15 Tire, 7JJ Wheel 1997-98
RZN171L-CRMDKAB 4.100 With 31x10.5R 15 or P265/75R 15 tire 1999
RZN171L-CRMDKAB 3.909 2000-2002
RZN171L-CRMDKAB 4.300 With 31x10.5R 15 or P265/75R 15 tire 2000-2002
RZN171L-CRPDKAB 4.100
RZN171L-CRPDKAB 4.555 With 10.5R 15 Tire, 7JJ Wheel 1997-98
RZN171L-CRPDKAB 4.555 With 31x10.5R 15 or P265/75R 15 tire 1999-2002
RZN191L-TRPDKAB 3.909
RZN191L-TRPDKAB 4.300 With 31x10.5R 15 or P265/75R15 or P265/70R16 tire
RZN196L-CRPDKAB 3.909
RZN196L-CRPDKAB 4.300 With 31x10.5R 15 or P265/75R15 tire
RZN196L-CRPDKAB 4.100
RZN196L-CRPDKAB 4.555 With 31x10.5R 15 or P265/75R 15 or P265/70R16 tire
RZN196L-PRPDKAB 4.100
RZN196L-PRPDKAB 4.555 With P265/70R16 tire
VZN150L-CRMDKAB 3.153
VZN150L-CRSDKAB 3.153 1997-98 & 2000, 3.583 1999
VZN150L-CRSDKAB 4.100 With 31x10.5R 15 or P265/75R 15 tire
VZN160L-TRMDKAB 3.909
VZN160L-TRPDKAB 4.100 With 10.5R 15 Tire, 7JJ Wheel
VZN170L-CRMDKAB 3.909
VZN170L-CRMDKAB 4.100 With 10.5R 15 Tire, 7JJ Wheel
VZN170L-CRMGKAB 3.909
VZN170L-CRMGKAB 4.100 With 10.5R 15 Tire, 7JJ Wheel
VZN170L-CRPDKAB 3.909
VZN170L-CRPDKAB 4.100 With 10.5R 15 Tire, 7JJ Wheel, or P265/70R 16 tire
VZN170L-CRPGKAB 3.909
VZN170L-CRPGKAB 4.100 With 10.5R 15 Tire, 7JJ Wheel
VZN170L-PRPDKAB 3.909
VZN170L-PRPDKAB 4.10 w/ P265/70R 16 tire
VZN195L-CRPDKAB 3.909
VZN195L-CRPDKAB 4.100 With 31x10.5R 15 or P235/55R16 tire

 

[rockdog]

Ok, educate me on what trd means. I know it says toyota racing development under the letters. But in real world terms what are you getting with the trd package? I always thought it was short for turd. Please tell me it isn't meaningless like jeeps (trail rated) I always wonder when I hear that , how many ppl are sucked in by that term.

 

[actionjackson]

I have an 04' tacoma that I bought 9 months ago and love it. I bought it to commute my bikes to film shoots at moab ect. I got the four banger and I get great gas mileage 27 - 31 mpg. And I don't hang my head like hardcore does every time he filles his gas tank. If you are going to tow I would get the trd. My truck is an srs so it comes with an extended cab (a must have in my opinion) and four wheel drv. The trd comes with the lockers as mentioned the bigger engine tow and then you can get the four door trd for 8 grand more if you think it's worth it also you can get a supercharger--but if your going to do that just buy a diesel ford truck.

 

[958mtm]

Ok, educate me on what trd means. I know it says toyota racing development under the letters. But in real world terms what are you getting with the trd package? I always thought it was short for turd. Please tell me it isn't meaningless like jeeps (trail rated) I always wonder when I hear that , how many ppl are sucked in by that term.

I'll second that. To me it's seems like something that they are trying to sell like HEMI or Trail rated or spec v. But i'm going to assume that the trd options are not all the same, but come with different combos of options depending on what you want to pay for. I'm looking for the e-locker but if it comes with more i'll be happy.

I hate it when they try to apeal to people just by placing a meaningless sticker on somewhere. And what's with everything getting bigger and bigger, the new Tacoma is about the same size as a Tundra.............Maybe even bigger...............................

 

[Fade2Black]

I'll second that. To me it's seems like something that they are trying to sell like HEMI or Trail rated or spec v. But i'm going to assume that the trd options are not all the same, but come with different combos of options depending on what you want to pay for. I'm looking for the e-locker but if it comes with more i'll be happy.

I hate it when they try to apeal to people just by placing a meaningless sticker on somewhere. And what's with everything getting bigger and bigger, the new Tacoma is about the same size as a Tundra.............Maybe even bigger...............................

The TRD package on the '95.5 to '04 Tacomas gives you Bilstein shocks and the rear electric-locker. There were some 4-cyl TRDs made in the second generation.

As far as motors, it depends on gearing, tire size (if you lift it), and most importantly, driving style. I really don't think the 2.7L is a gutless wonder as I have heard it described by many people. It's not supposed to make the truck a dragster. With the right gearing, it will perform very well. One good thing to look for is manual hubs.

If it comes down to it, take a non-TRD over a TRD if the truck is cheaper and better for you, i.e. lower mileage, engine you want, condition. For maybe $2,000 you can make a far more capable truck.

As for myself, I have a '98 Xtracab, which is the second generation of body styles.
It has the 2.7L, a 5-spd, and is lightly modified.
It currently has 3" of spacer lift in the front, 2.5" add-a-leaves in back, and some Pro-Comp shocks. I'm running 33x12.5" BFG A/Ts on 15x10s and have an automatic locker in the rear axle, open diff up front. I had it regeared to 4.88 front and rear before the tires went on.
Even with the motor still unmodified, this truck is quicker than it was in stock condition.
I've run a number of trails in Moab, including Rusty Nail, which really tested my truck. I made it through with no mechanical damage and very little body damage. GetBent, klif01, and others can testify to that.

These trucks can be made very capable with minimal modifications, and even the TRD trucks can use some help in the lift and tire department.

When you do get a Taco, go to www.tacomaterritory.com and start reading. There are numerous very knowledgeable and helpful people there who can answer any question you will have on a Tacoma.

Good luck with your truck!