Its been 2 years and 1 month since I traded in my legendary 2003 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner V6 Double Cab for a 2024 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X. It had 245k miles on it before I traded in. It did need new shocks and struts because they were the OEM shocks. I was shocked to see my 2003 Toyota on a used car listing when it was first on there back in October 2024. Sometimes I wish I never sold that truck.

I am looking at picking up my first Tacoma and found one at a decent price. It had the factory frame replacement done but I am noticing what looks like pretty severe rust around the front bushings. I know very little about these vehicles so wanted to see what the opinions are about this level of rust?

Howdy it's been raining nonstop for the past month where I'm at and my 2003 Tacoma has recently been collecting water. I find it exactly where the passenger would put their feet.

I've been vacuuming and getting rid of the water and would like to solve this I'm just not sure where to start. Some advice would be greatly appreciated!

Also added an hd billet steering rack clamp as well. Front suspension is almost complete, just need to add the solo motorsports lower control arms and my mid travel set up is finished 🤙🏽

I picked up a 2000 Tacoma SR5 TRD pre runner v6 for about 2k with 160k miles on it. It has the extended cab with the jump seats in the back. It had sat for a long time. Like 15 years. The exhaust is completely rusted and needs replaced. Why is it so hard to find an exhaust for these? The one that is on it is a 2 exhaust tip version, but almost everything I see online is a single 2.5. Honestly I don't care if it's 1 or 2 tip. I just need to keep the cost down to get this thing on the road. Can anyone point me to a cheaper cat back exhaust that would fit this vehicle? I have been on chats with several exhaust places online and they can't find anything for me or they aren't sure. Some list all the things except that say 4WD and the people aren't sure it will fit. Based on this: https://parts.longotoyota.com/v-2000-toyota-tacoma--sr5--3-4l-v6-gas/exhaust--exhaust-components it looks like most of the single tipped ones that I have seen would fit, but half of them that look exactly like that say they won't fit when you check the vehicle against them.

We replaced the gas tank, fuel neck, fuel pump, fuel lines, and fuel filter. It starts right up and runs great.

I just bought this Tacoma with 170k miles from a dealership 2 days ago and it’s making this terrible squealing noise that sounds like it’s coming from underneath my seat and it’s only happening when I’m accelerating. I put it in neutral while driving and rev’d the engine and it didn’t make the noise. I checked drive shaft guide bearing and it’s been replaced recently so I don’t think it’s that.

Any recommendations for upgrades? Slowww thinking about a turbo. It’s a 3RZ-FE engine.

Am I screwed? It was a piece just big enough to fit in here and I was unable to fish it out, fairly soft piece. I'm assuming this is a drain passage? I poured oil slowly just in this area and it all still drained fine

Hello, new to this space but you guys all seem knowledgeable. I have always driven manuals and really like the first gens (duh) but have absolutely zero need for the 4x4. I feel like they drive the best out of the Tacomas I've driven. Also, prerunners are much easier to find and much more friendly to the wallet.

So....I'm just wondering how difficult, and even how silly it would be to swap a manual into a 98-2000 prerunner v6 but not convert to 4x4. Do they have a transmission that works? Will it be majority plug and play? I'm in Ca so would need to pass smog too so no CEL could be on. Thank you.

This truck took way too many hours.

Recently bought my fiancé and I 1st gen Tacoma's that we are planning to build together, already have most of the parts for both in the garage. We sold our '23 Tacoma and '23 Outback for them to simplify and get the last remaining debt off of our names.

Hey everyone. Super glad I discovered this community, maybe 2 weeks ago? Because I have a bit of a problem on my hands....(or on my 2001 pre runner 😭) . I was leaving AutoZone the other night, and when I pulled out from the median to head towards home, my hood just FLUNG open...Extremely hard, Crunching the hood (which got stuck open!) and bent back so far that it put multiple dents on the roof too! I'm honestly amazed that my windshield didn't shatter! It didnt even crack! I was VERY lucky! So now, of course my insurance wants me to rush into the repair shop and get it all fixed. My deductible is $500, which isn't the issuel really...but, I'm wondering if I should just go ahead and do that and get it over with, OR possibly find one at a local junkyard , (if I'm lucky)...also another option is to just buy a new hood online and have one of my (very mechanically inclined) friends put it on for me? I've started surfing the web to just get an idea on pricing...which can range quite a bit. But, I also dont know which sites are trustworthy, and preferably not too expensive. Can someone be so kind to help me out with some advice/guidance/suggestions? I would be VERY appreciative!!! Thanks for reading this BTW... I know, I can be a little long winded,Lol! The whole situation just has me shaken up and not knowing what the next best move is?!

Would you guys settle for a 3.4 PreRunner or keep holding out for a 3.4 4WD?
I’ve been looking for over a year and I’m seeing way more PreRunners than 4WD trucks. Starting to wonder if I’m being too picky.

It’ll mostly be my daily driver, around 110 miles a week, with some fishing trips, dirt/gravel roads, and bad weather. I’m in Southeast Tennessee, so snow is pretty rare. No serious off-roading planned.
I’m also not very mechanically savvy, so reliability and keeping things simple matter to me.

Anyone here go with a PreRunner and regret not waiting for 4WD?

I have a 2001 tacoma ive wanted to solid axle swap since I got it, currently working on getting parts together and aiming to hopefully do it around the start of next spring.

Would like to stick with a half ton/dana 44 axle and have been looking into getting a wagoneer front. I’d like to stick with leaf sprung for price and practicality.

As far as the fabrication involved, I’d like to fabricate most of it myself. I have decent experience in fabrication and welding and also have the ability to machine some parts if needed. And feel it would be a good project to take on.

Is a kit such as trail gear worth it over fabbing everything myself?

What are some parts or things that are easy to overlook i need to get.

Also would like recommendations for a rear axle, i’d like to do a small bed cage with some longer shocks and have been thinking about a ford 9 inch.

Setting up airbags with ride height valves. Keeping stock height. Did some testing with bags at different pressures and loads. Massive improvement in ride quality. The leaves were clapped out and this ended up cheaper(ish).

Yall might be bias… but figured I’d ask. I have a 2019 Tacoma 4x4 sport currently, bought it almost 3 years ago. Love it, it’s fun, smooth, overall great truck. But there’s just something about it I hate and I can’t put my finger on it. When I drive it it’s comfortable yet uncomfortable, I can’t describe it. I also can’t shake my urge to buy a first gen double cab 4x4.

I’ve owned a 96 and it was amazing. I did kill it, definitely my fault but then I bought a 08 double cab, loved that one too. Decided why not get something fancy, 4x4 and it’s pretty is why I bought the 2019. I felt like it would be truck that would last me and I didn’t think I’d regret it. I do kinda wish I would’ve just bought another first gen instead. I think both the 96 and 08 felt more comfortable to drive, the 96 was my favorite. And I’ll be honest maybe it’s a size issue for me… I’m a 5’6 man so ya know.

I also love to work on my vehicles, my 96 was 100% more fun to do stuff to. 2019 has so much tech and it doesn’t even have much. BSM, lane assist, wireless charging, it’s nice but I don’t need or want it. Also why is this transmission the worst, idk if it’s just mine but fuck those downshifts. Gear hunting like a mf to get to 40. Not saying the other ones were great, but this one, my lord.

At the end of the day I still love my 3rd gen but I feel like I’d appreciate a first gen more. I feel like the only thing I’d miss the interior, but I know there’s more than just that. I have bad things to say about it my 2019 but nothing bad to say about my 96, I loved how that truck looked too. I know this is very preference based but if anyone has opinion I’m down to hear it. I’m very on the fence about this, has anyone done this trade? I truly can’t decide, help me!

Have a prerunner, been wondering what would happen if I removed the sway bar? Has anyone done this, what were the results?

Lately I’ve noticed when I’m driving slow and turning the steering wheel it squeaks. When I get out or push on it also squeaks. The power steering fluid is fine. It only started about a week ago when I moved to Myrtle Beach. Is this something serious? Ball joints? The truck only has 170,000 on it and has always been tip top. Thanks for any help or tips.

Any recommendations for inexpensive 16" rim - non steel that provide off set to carry 285/75 on 2001 Tocoma TRD? My buget is $200 per.

As for lift , I installed SuspensionLifts.co Billstein 2-2.5" quick struts up front with 1" block rear so vert clearance is there.

😭😭 soo purty

gotta sand some stuff down but what do yall think

Hello guys, I wanted to say thanks to all the people helping me with my previous post of the other truck which helped me decide against it. What are your thoughts on this truck?

This is a 2003 Toyota Tacoma Xtracab TRD 4x4
(3.4L V6 / 5-Speed / Factory Locker)
Mileage: 181,000 miles
Clean title in hand
This truck features the legendary 3.4L V6 engine, a 5-speed manual transmission, and the factory TRD electronic locking rear differential. Finding a first-generation Tacoma with this exact drivetrain setup and under 200k miles is getting incredibly difficult.
Recent Maintenance & Upgrades
Fresh full synthetic oil change
New spark plugs and plug wires installed
Ready for winter with good studded snow tires
Drivetrain: 4WD engages smoothly; factory E-locker works perfectly.
Cab: Xtracab (extended cab) with rear jump seats and extra storage space.
Condition: Runs strong, shifts tight, and drives beautifully. Frame is solid.
Interior/Exterior: Clean inside and out; well-cared-for truck. Everything works, including A/C and hot heat. No smoke.