Tacoma dbl cab wanted 04 or 05 model better?

[Duane]

So I'm shopping for an 04 taco dbl cab and the prices are darn high for a 2001 to 2004 model.
I can get an 2007 with less mileage for about 3K more.
What does everyone think? Is an 04 model style that much better than an 05+ model? Is the 4.0 litre better on fuel than the 3.4 litre?
Any pros and cons would be appreciated

 

[Duane]

Maybe I should ask..what are the cons to the new style Taco? Any years with specific problems?

Or should I just pay the extra for a good used 01 to 04 model Tacoma?

thanks

 

[Jomama]

Is the 4.0 litre better on fuel than the 3.4 litre?

Supposed to be, but I didn't think the 4.0 liter came in the Taco till 07? When I was researching mine their seemed to be fewer bugs and "known issues" in the later years, so I was looking for a 07-08.

 

[beaufort-fj60]

I have a 2002 3.4 with 110000 zero problem miles on it.... zero problems, and I tow a 22' boat with it.

my wife has the 4.0 in a 2005 4runner... the 4.0 has a strong feel compared to the 3.4, almost feels like a v8. The 3.4 is weak but dependable

 

[bkg]

Supposed to be, but I didn't think the 4.0 liter came in the Taco till 07? When I was researching mine their seemed to be fewer bugs and "known issues" in the later years, so I was looking for a 07-08.

4.0 available in 2005.

 

[BELMONT148]

05+

Pros:
Larger interior
better suspension (IMHO)
bigger motor
6500 lb Towing
better MPG
utilitrac bed
Synthetic bedliner
no timing belt


Cons:
Larger footprint for wheeling
Motor not as dependable as 3.4l
some cheap interior materials
synthetic bedliner

01'-04'

Pros:

Smaller footprint
bulletproof motor/drivetrain
nice interior materials
quality Japanese construction

Cons:
Slow motor
lack of towing
tight interior

I have owned both, now own a 07' and if it weren't for my growing family and need to tow over 5000 lbs. I would have bought an 04' with under 100k miles in a heart beat. But yeah they are all priced high regardless of old body style or new.

Jeremy

 

[Nickkw]

I have an 02 d-cab and an X-runner. Build quality, IMO, is much better on the 02. Been beat on hard, and no where near as many interior rattles as the X. I do get 3-4 mpg (19-21 depending on how much I wanna listen to the s/c) better in the X, but I contribute that to having 33x12.50 on stock gearing with the 02, and the X being lower to the ground, less wind resistance, ect. If you do go with the +05, stay away from the 6-speed manuel.

 

[snoopandmike]

I have an 04' and love it...I started with the simple ome lift and 35's and did the rubicon numerous times with no issues. I have since sas'ed the truck with a Dana 44 and am running 39.5 iroks and the truck is still chugging along. I have the tried and true 2.7L and the truck is a SR5 model. But all and all plenty of room inside ( i am 6'7") so if you can get a 04 do it.....

 

[ken_79-fj40]

I've got an 05 extended cab with the 2.7 and I like it. But it's certainly not stacking up to be anywhere near as reliable as the first generation Tacomas. At least not for me. When the lease ran out on my 98 I had my father bought it. It was a 3.4 5 speed truck. It's been like any other Toyota I have owned (and there have been several) in that all it's required is regular maintenance pretty much. It split an axle boot up front at 180k so I had to put an axle in it. No big deal. On my 05 the shocks were toast at 30k, both front wheel bearings were shot at 74k, the alternator quit at about 90k, and now the A/C compressor is seized up solid. Oddly enough so is the A/C compressor on my brother in law's 05 with 40k on it. I have also had more frame rust issues on my 05 than any other truck I have owned in 20 years. I have coated everything I can reach inside and out with Rust Bullet now, but it was downright nasty. My 89 and my 4 runner have double the mileage and the frames on them are mint in comparison. So I would go for an earlier one. If I could get an earlier double cab with a 5 speed I would happily trade my newer truck in on one. But they never made them.