Toyota Tacoma Gen1 (1995-2004): Specs, Problems, Pros and Cons. Should you buy it?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ค. 2024
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The Toyota Tacoma has established itself as a trustworthy pickup truck for the North American market as well as other markets since 1995. It was built so well that the first generation Tacoma is still available today. What are these trucks like? We'll discuss the specs, advantages, disadvantages, and issues of the first-generation Tacoma in this short video.
Timecode:
00:00:00 - Short intro
00:00:25 - 1st Gen Tacoma Overall Review
00:01:43 - Road Test
00:03:00 - Toyota Tacoma main features
00:06:19 - Design
00:07:06 - Safety Standards
00:07:40 - Interior
00:08:09 - Faulty Gauges In The Instrument Panel
00:08:26 - Engine & Performance
00:09:18 - Mileage Range
00:09:54 - Most Common Problems
00:11:50 - Conclusion
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Purchased mine new in 2002. 280,000 miles later it's still running strong.
Best little truck ever built
Got your moneys worth
How much did you pay for it off the lot?
I put 488K miles on my Toyota over 24 years of ownership.
In 2/29/24, I bought a slightly used (6K mile) 23 Tacoma TRD Off Road, Premium pkg, 6’ bed.
I’m pushing 60 years old and retired. I now drive 5-6K miles per year. I plan on driving my Tacoma until I can no longer drive or I’m dead.
😂. Thats right old timer.
@@Donaldthefelontrump Who are you calling Old ?!?
Joking.
I retired when I was 43 and will probably die around 85-90. At least that’s when most of the men in my family die.
The women usually die in their 90s to early hundreds.
I just bought a super clean rust free garage kept driven by an older gentleman In his 70s. It’s a gem with 80,000 4x4 manual, excellent condition in and out for 15,000 no regrets
Congrats! It's a very good truck!
Dude, $15k....that's cheap for your forever vehicle. That's how long that's gonna last.
360K on my 96 Tacoma. Still running strong. Everything stills works. Currently under going a refresh and fab work. The cylinder walls still have the factory honing marks. Total shocker.
These last forever. Got 375k on my 01. Had her for 2 decades since i was a teen
@@santibouphavongThe one I’ve been working on has a 3.4 5VZFE with 229k miles, is overheating and today it overheated completely out of nowhere on the highway and blew a 4 inch crack in the radiator. New thermostat in it. Getting frustrating.
306k miles on my '01. Still going strong.
I have a 2004 Prerunner single cab with the 2.7 four banger and 4 speed automatic transmission. Just turned 149,000. It's a great truck, I've spent about 150 dollars in maintenance costs other than oil, filters and a battery. Not too bad after 19 years!
I have a 2001 Toyota Tacoma SR 5 with 85,000 miles and is in new condition and I love it, had it for 14 ys .the best truck ever made folks
You've had it for 14 years and have only driven 85,000 miles?
A lot cheaper to keep these old trucks running than those huge monthly payments, plus you've got a classic truck. The key is maintenance and looks. If it looks good you feel a lot better about it. My '02 416k and kicking.
Exactly. I have a 2004 PreRunner and that thing still runs great.
I bought a new ‘03 with the 3.4 V6 and a 5 speed tranny. It not only survived the frame recall, it was bullet proof. Drove it for 17 years and never even had to replace the clutch. It was as dependable as the sunrise. I miss it and want another……
I bought my Tacoma PreRunner new in 2000. 232,000 miles and running great. The only issue is my driver's side seat is worn out, as am I : ) The best work truck ever!!!!
btw that reg cab red truck u kept showing is a toyota pickup not a tacoma. Looks the same but I could tell.
I was going to say the same thing...
The one in the thumbnail ain’t a taco either
Thumbnail is a taliban hilux
I can here to say that. It’s not badged Tacoma
I own that exact same truck. Mine is a 94 4x4 22re. 200k, just broke in.
greatest vehicle ever made
Agreed - my '03 4x4 is the only truck I ever wanted. Still driving it, and will probably STILL be driving it 10 yrs from now
Yup, just put a new motor in mine a couple years ago and it’s going to outlive me
You are SO wrong on at least several statements. #1: the 2.7 liter engine has 150 hp, NOT "142". #2: "All models come with anti-lock brakes standard". WRONG. My 2000 Tacoma 4x4 with 3RZ-FE ( 2.7 liter 4 cyl ) engine & automatic transmission (bought it brand new ) does NOT have "anti-lock brakes". #3: "Only the headlights remained consistent throughout every model year". WRONG. The headlights AND grill AND front bumpers were totally changed 3 TIMES throughout the entire era of the 1st gen Tacoma. #4: You showed the earlier Toyota PU truck at least a couple times that is NOT a Tacoma. "The Tacoma's brakes are not the best rated, but adequate". TOTALLY WRONG. The brake systems on the 1st gen Tacoma were rated THE BEST IN THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY during their time of production from '95 through '04. I know, because the critics/testers in EVERY 4x4 and offroad magazine said so back then. You were also wrong about "handling" because many of the 1st gen Tacoma's came with the horrible "Tokiko" shocks. Mine did. They were barely adequate for overall ride quality, but going over rough terrain and body roll was TERRIBLE. But I replaced them with the amazing Bilstein 4200 series shocks that came as standard equipment on all TRD ( Toyota Racing Development ) Tacoma packages. The Bilstein 4200 series shocks cost far less nowadays vs back when the 1st gen Tacoma's were in production, and these shocks are one of the very best upgrades you can do to your stock Tacoma, because they are superior for overall ride quality, and are nothing short of amazing for rough terrain, plus they totally eliminate virtually all body roll when negotiating tight turns & twisty roads. The truck stays level & planted, which also makes the truck much more stable & safe to drive through turns & sudden lane changes. I was so appalled at your many inaccuracies that I had to abandon your video at the 8:49 time stamp........so I wouldn't be surprised if you have even more inaccuracies. Lastly, the robotic voice you use is not only insulting, it's pathetic. 2 THUMBS DOWN.
Hel yeah. Good post.
@@DiogenesWasRight90 Thank you.
wtf 😂
Exactly on point. I have a 2000 PreRunner as well-caught all the same mistakes in this vid.
95 4x4 Tacoma is still my daily driver after all these decades and has outlasted much newer vehicles. It's super affordable to maintain too. My 04 Chevy Tahoe is the second best vehicle I have owned. It died at 250,000 miles. Well it need $3K worth of work to get it on the road again. The Tacoma has never done this to me. It's always super reasonable to fix and it's partly why it's still my daily driver. I keep maintaining it and it just keeps driving.
How many miles does your Tacoma have now?
@@jaymoar3561 It's around 215,000 because I didn’t use it to transport my kids since it's a single cab. I would only use it on days I could pick up one of the kids. Now that they're in middle school it's my daily driver again. I put 8,000 miles on it last year. I live 10 minutes from work, so it's low mileage. Most of those miles are from camping and fishing trips. I got it in 2008 with less than 48,000 miles.
How often do you change your lower ball joints. Also how you know when they need to be replaced
@@FOURFTP I past replaced them at around 150K because it felt like the truck was floating. There was play and it was unstable. Haven't even thought about it since then. I off road with it too.
@@TheSonoranDesertGrower I just picked up a 95 4wd drive about 2 months ago the lower ball joint fail on me and a mechanic fixed the side it broke then told him to replace the other side. Now I’m kinda scared it will happen again. I’m not sure what brand of lower ball joints he put
Ive had 2 tacomas’ a 2017 4cyl pre runner that i sold.. and now a 2003 4wd i recently acquired.. love them both.. lucky to have owned one
I've had 2 HiLux, 1985 and 1991, 4 cyl, 5 speed, and 2 1st Gen Tacomas, 2.4 liter 4 cyl, automatics, 1995, and 2000. My 2000 has 225,000 miles on it, bought it 12 years ago with 47,000 miles on it out of Virginia so body and frame were excellent, body has rust from 12 years of winter and road salt here in Western NYS. Frame is still solid. All 4 trucks have been excellent. Regular maintenance, oil and filter changes, have only needed to replace both lower ball joints, one side upper ball joint, 1 sway bar, transmission lines, radiator, and drivers seat, (support wires underneath it broke), exhaust system, and starter contacts besides regular replace items like battery, tires, brake pads and rotors. Still runs excellent and our daily driver.
01 taco here, 260k miles. No issues EXCEPT mid frame repair was required on both sides. Done properly cost $3500 usd.
1997 Tacoma first gen. 2.7 and automatic. Just replaced a belt and still going strong at 230,000 miles. 4x4 definitely makes it awesome. Indestructible!!!!
I get more attention in my mint 1998 single cab 4x4 than I do in my Lexus is250
i currently own 5 1st gen tacomas.. the 1st gen tacomas and the 2nd gen mr2s. are my favorite vehicles.. followed closely by my 1st gen tundra.. wish we could still get these little beasts new
Awesome video. Was really cool to recognize the fair oaks neighborhood in the video with the dark green Tacoma. Small world
I have a 1999 we bought new, 2024 were over 300k miles...great little truck...this truck always starts...
I have a 2002 Tacoma regular can prerunner that I bought new and it’s still my daily driver. Awesome truck.
Lol, 2024 Guatemala is looking at the U.S...🇬🇹🗣️ you had the best trucks and you let them all go!
I bought mine brand new in 2001. V6 ext. cab, 4x4, 5 speed and have been daily driving it for the past 23 years. Ive replace tires and struts/shocks a few times and im on battery no. 4 now. Shitloads of oil changes and 160k later things are very close to like new still. Fixing to give it her first brake job and figure ill do a clutch soon too.
I just acquired my father's 2004 PreRunner. He can no longer drive. Has 250,000 miles and the thing runs like a top. I'm looking foward to doing some restoration on interior and a good cleaning.
I truly miss the Tan or Brown interiors. After 34 years of Gloomy Gray and Death Black interiors being shoved down everyone’s throats from Every automaker since 1990, is very old and outdated.
My 23 TRD OR, Premium pkg came standard with Black Leather interior.
I immediately reached out to Katzkin and had them make me TRD Red Leather seat covers with black trim and stitching.
Once they took off the Death Black Leather and replaced it with the TRD Red Leather I sold my Black Leather to a friend who also has a 23 Tacoma TRD with Gloomy Gray cloth interior. He’s now loving his Black Leather seats, but not nearly as much as I’m Loving my Red Leather interior.
Great voice dude! 💯
I have a 96 tacoma, 2.4 litre, 5 speed manuel transmission. Runs great.
I bought mine new in 96 - drove it for 11 yrs then bought my 03 and gave the 96 to my daughter. She drove it for 5 yrs then sadly sold it. If it had AC I would have bought it back from her.
I have a manual. A man named Manuel shifts your gears?
437,000 on mine. Replaced motor at 390k because I let it run out of oil.
Wow my buddy is selling one at 300k 4x4 v6 with a blown head gasket for 2000 dollars should I do it?
This is amazing and great to know. Looking at buying one with 260 right now.
I have a 98 V6 tacoma manual 4x4 with 204k mi and it runs great. I kinda wanna get it wrapped and lifted.
376k still strong
Only problem I even had with them were frames rusting out, overwise great trucks. Had a 1985, 1991, 1995, and my current 2000 Toyota I'm driving with 242,000 miles. Probably got one more year before it won't pass NYS Inspection due the Western NYS Road Salt. All 4 were 4 cylinders, first two 5 speed manual, due to bad knees, last 2 have been automatic transmissions.
Nice! Can you do the Nissan Hardbody D21 next?
would love to see a video on 2ndGen Tacos
Correction: All 1st Gen Tacos didn't come with ABS brakes. My 2002 SR5 4WD built in California doesn't have it. Wish it did. Great reliable, well built & simple to repair truck.
I have a 1996, 2.4 tacoma. 169k miles on it. Just blew it's head gasket. changed oil every 6 months (1,500 miles, if that). Did not thrash it. bought it off original owner, he took care of it as well. so no, i'm not impressed with its longevity.
That green single cab Tacoma you kept showing has sidesteps I’ve been looking for, but I can’t find them anywhere. Anyone have any idea where I could find them? Please internet do your thing
they menschen several model years effected by the automatic transmission problem but don't specify which years, anyone know that they are?
At about 20000 miles my crankshaft bolt the head snapped off from over torking it at factory but with 230000 miles that is the only time it's been in the shop.
Oh, and I have the big 4 cylinder 4 wd and pull a 20 ft pontoon boat all over Ind and Ky. The little truck is a beast !
Do a second gen video please
Great vid! 💯
Theres a 2003 V6 Tacoma with 48k miles on it near me and im fiending for it
I want to know when you guys are talking about route issues is it because if the truck are used in salty states ? Because am planning to buy a used truck in Nigeria for my farm work will I still have issues of route?
BUY ONE
I had to change my motor it's a 3.4 v6 but for some reason the motor runs hood but it don't have near ad much power SD the old motor. Any idea why?
hoping i can get a 95 as my first car👍👍👍
You gonna do a first gen tundra?
just turned 200k on my 2000 taco
I daily my 86 4*420r .
I have a 2002 with 2WD and the 2.4L engine. It really needs an LSD. Anyone know how to upgrade? Thanks in advance.
The head gasket just blew on the one I have
How many miles?
My 2000 was a great truck, but the frame rusted through, and Toyota bought it back.
Why do you have a 5th Gen pickup/Hilux pic for the thumbnail?
Is this voice over done by AI?
I have a 97 V4 tacoma automatic 4x4 with 168k mi and it runs great.
I bought my tacoma 23 years ago
Straight 4
The recall for rust still available in 2023?
Recalls typically remain in effect until all affected vehicles have been repaired or the manufacturer provides evidence that the defect is not a safety issue. It's possible that some of these vehicles may still be affected by the recall if they have not been repaired yet.
If you own a first-generation Toyota Tacoma, you can check the NHTSA website or contact your local Toyota dealership to check if your specific vehicle is included in the recall and to schedule any necessary repairs.
Lmk if it works I’ll call too lol
No, and it wasn't a recall. As part of the settlement for the frame rust lawsuit, Toyota extended the warranty on the frames for 15 years after the date of first service. That window ended in 2019 for the newest of the 1st gens. I got mine replaced in September 2019, I got in just a few weeks before the window closed.
ABS is not standard on all models.
Why is the thumbnail not a Tacoma?
439k on my 2001 tacoma.
2.7 make 150 horsepower 2.4 142
I don’t consider the ride average, and the abs brakes suck. Otherwise the most reliable truck on the road.
I agree on the brakes being weak the back drums is partly why , I’m gonna do the 1st gen tundra front rotor and caliper upgrade it’s helps a lot truck is solid other wise
The thumbnail is a pickup not a tacoma
"Outdated Design?!?"
Is ChatGPT doing TH-cam videos now? Terrible!
Thumbnail pic isn’t a Tacoma.
The big 3 losers only wish to build and have a reputation in the World like the Hilux/Tacoma.
As a former skilled trades contractor who worked in multiple GM plants throughout Michigan, I strictly forbid my family from driving ANY General Motors vehicles !
If it is not 🇯🇵 engineered it will not be in our driveways !
Keep oil change filter 3000 to 4000 miles 90s mine 1990 toyota 4x4 extra cab sr5 black stick 3.4 v6 new frame new transmission cheaper 65 thousand dollars truck by dodge
Hola Hola
Rust alert
Toyota repeatedly avoided responsibility for frame rust wherever possible-first ignoring the design flaw, then avoiding replacing All rotting frames with a properly, anti-corrosive prone design. The majority of frames were left in place (shortly thereafter to fail). Planned obsolescence. My dad saved the lives of downed, WW2 Japanese pilots, no questions asked. His(now my) truck is a Toyota ignored, rotted death trap in my driveway.
Your comment is all over the place😂 just part out the Tacoma and there you go no death trap
Toyota did one of the largest and most expensive recalls ever with the frames on the tacoma. It's not their fault if you refused to take it in.
Hello, I have a 1996 Toyota Tacoma 2.4 Pickup truck. I have a problem that no Toyota dealership on planet earth has ever heard of... or at least what they have stated. The other day my truck was trying to start on its own. No, it does NOT have keyless entry. Key was NOT in ignition. Truck was cranking but not fully running. I inserted key in ignition, it would still not turn off the truck. I had to disconnect the negative battery terminal cable (which was temperature hot) to get it to shut off. About half hour later I reconnected the terminal and it acted normal, no longer trying to crank on its own. I'm suspecting the solenoid on the starter?? Any suggestions?? Thanks
Check your ground connections.
Resolved the issue. Turned out to be the starter solenoid. Replaced the starter which has the solenoid attached and problem fixed thank goodness!@@ToddHudgensKY