How Are Tacomas to DIY?

[OK-944]

Thinking about a used Tacoma - 2012-ish, manual trans, extra or crew cab, either four or six cylinder.

Question - how are these trucks for "weekend DIY Guys" like myself?

Thinking of what I've done with my 944's (engine/brake/suspension/power steering rebuilds...seat/dashboard reupholstery, etc.) how does this experience translate to the "Tacoma Realm?"

Also - I'm of two minds about going with a four vs six cylinder Taco...thinking of the smaller engine as perhaps more "bullet proof," and easier to work on/rebuild - but otherwise everything and everybody keeps pointing to the six as way more useful/practical.

Comments? Thanks!

[craigster59]

People like the 4 cylinder 22R engine on the older Tacomas. I see 2 older Tacomas each towing a Tacoma, both beds filled with body and engine parts 2-3 times a month heading south for Mexico. They love them down there.

Having owned both 4 and 6 cylinder I would go with 6 as that engine can even seem anemic at times. Maintenance will be minimal, just standard stuff like oil and brakes. Both easy for a DIY guy.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by craigster59

Both easy for a DIY guy.

+1

With respect to brakes there is probably a proportioning valve on the driver's side rear way up top in the brake line(s). Find that and know it can be bled. It's up top so air bubbles can get removed through its bleeder. It sounds like an insignificant factoid until you spend a weekend looking for why the pedal is spongy.

[Pazuzu]

If it's anything like my 2011 Nissan Frontier, then the 5-speed will wake up the 4 banger just fine. I'm still surprised how quick my truck is because the 5-speed lets you wring the gears out a bit more. I would expect a slushbox on the 4 cylinder of either truck would make it pretty slow.

That being said, consider the Frontier. I've been blown away with it over 3 years, it's the smoothest manual transmission I've ever driven, feels sturdy, drives great, comfortable. Turns like a fat pig because the steering stops are poorly designed. I was a true blue Toyota guy for many many years, I wouldn't pick a Taco over this.

[Dpmulvan]

Originally Posted by OK-944

Thinking about a used Tacoma - 2012-ish, manual trans, extra or crew cab, either four or six cylinder.

Question - how are these trucks for "weekend DIY Guys" like myself?

Thinking of what I've done with my 944's (engine/brake/suspension/power steering rebuilds...seat/dashboard reupholstery, etc.) how does this experience translate to the "Tacoma Realm?"

Also - I'm of two minds about going with a four vs six cylinder Taco...thinking of the smaller engine as perhaps more "bullet proof," and easier to work on/rebuild - but otherwise everything and everybody keeps pointing to the six as way more useful/practical.

Comments? Thanks!

Owned Toyotas forever, I’d get the six, you can haul a dskh and 6 fighters up a mountain ( kidding). Seriously other than brakes, wheel bearings not much goes wrong.
Well engineered, easy to work on. Might just need something like a blue driver to reset abs, traction et after a brake bleed if you go with newer models.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Dpmulvan

Well engineered, easy to work on.

Get the six.

I would maybe not say easy. I would say do-able. The engineering for durability makes it a bit more tedious but by no means a show stopper.

I had to change out the rusted front bumper bar on a 2004. The amount of fasteners was insane. Bolted upwards and downwards. Brackets, etc compared to the one piece "plastic" nose. It was integral to the front end and not a piece of fascia. Impressive but annoying given the rust belt.

Not the truck but showing bumper. (good looking truck but I think the 2005 and on are built for full size human beings - nice way to say kinda small for a fat guy)

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Dpmulvan

Owned Toyotas forever, I’d get the six, you can haul a dskh and 6 fighters up a mountain ( kidding). Seriously other than brakes, wheel bearings not much goes wrong...

I concur on the six cylinder.

Routine maintenance on the SR-5 and then my newer Tacoma was a breeze.

I'm sure you have looked around, but my son used this site when he drove the Tacoma:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/

[look 171]

You need to work on those? Why? They never break.

Get the 6 for our American Hwy if not the 4 is Ok too but lack a bit of real oomph when needed going up the long grades out here in the west still, you will be fine. I have had those old 22RE engines in many of my cars and trucks and not a real issue just don't load them up with 3000 lbs of bricks and expect it go fly up the mountain .

[Pazuzu]

The Tacomas never had the 22RE, they have the much stronger and more advanced 2.7L engine.

[3rd_gear_Ted]

Originally Posted by craigster59

People like the 4 cylinder 22R engine on the older Tacomas. I see 2 older Tacomas each towing a Tacoma, both beds filled with body and engine parts 2-3 times a month heading south for Mexico. They love them down there.

Having owned both 4 and 6 cylinder I would go with 6 as that engine can even seem anemic at times. Maintenance will be minimal, just standard stuff like oil and brakes. Both easy for a DIY guy.

I have spoken to the I-10 Toyota guys a couple of times.
They have a network of west coast sources for Toyota parts and older trucks.
They localize all the stuff to LA and hit the road. One operable truck tows the inoperable truck, both packed full. sometimes three pairs in a caravan.
When they hit the Mex border its 5 days driving in only daylight to Guatemala.

I have two 22R project trucks @ my AZ home. I get notes on my gate a lot.
Thinking of a Somalia style urban assault vehicle.
Need a Browning 50 Cal?
Hello FISA just kidding

[WPOZZZ]

Very timely thread as I'm picking mine up in a couple hours. Very high mileage 2020, but maintained. I just need to do some cosmetics to make it more presentable. I remember my 01 4Runner was a PITA to remove the oil filter without making a mess. I hope that is improved.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

The Tacomas never had the 22RE, they have the much stronger and more advanced 2.7L engine.

Ishould clarify. My old trucks

[look 171]

Originally Posted by WPOZZZ

Very timely thread as I'm picking mine up in a couple hours. Very high mileage 2020, but maintained. I just need to do some cosmetics to make it more presentable. I remember my 01 4Runner was a PITA to remove the oil filter without making a mess. I hope that is improved.

180 k miles isn't real high mileage in those vehicles. Over 300 is really high mileage. AT 180k, suspension rubber parts needs to go. Replace with factory parts, you have another 150k on them. I am not sure if the strawberry mile shake issue with the radiator has been fixed. One some of the older V6, late 90- 2000s. The trans cooler leaks into the radiator and it mixes with the coolant. Not good, every 100k, we change out the rad.

[flatbutt]

I had a little over 225K on my '06 4 cyl Taco when the frame finally rusted out. Never a serious issue. The worst was a cracked leaf spring and Toyota replaced both stacks at no cost to me.

[Rusty Heap]

I'd love to own a Tacoma but the A-pillar is raked WAYYYYYY too far back for a limited headroom height and line of site out of windshield. ICKY

[Bob Kontak]

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

That's hilarious!

[911 Rod]

^^^ Ha! I didn't see that coming!
If it's anything like my 16 Tundra, it's easy to work on.
Like an old 911, everything just makes sense.
But there's rust .....

[HobieMarty]

It's a Toyota, so yeah, it's pretty easy to work on.
I want an older Tacoma also. Guy on my street has an older one like the model pictured a few posts up. It is silver, is a crew cab, and just sits on the street because he has a newer one. I want that truck!!! Maybe I should stroll down there and ask if he wants to sell it. Lol.

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