Updated 17 October 2007


The Taco

Purchase Date: 20 February 2006
Model: - 2001 Toyota Tacoma Xtra Cab 4x4 TRD

Standard Equipment:
¤ 3.4L V6 DOHC Engine
¤ 5-Speed Manual Overdrive Transmission
¤ 4WDemand Auto Disconnect Diff
¤ 2-Speed Transfer Case
¤ Coil Spring Double Wishbone Independend Front Suspension
¤ Power Assist Rack & Pinion Steering
¤ Front Stabilizer Bar

Notable Options:
¤ SR5 Package

¤ TRD Offroad Package
¤ Towing Package
¤ Power Windows, Locks, & Mirrors (a first for me!)
¤ Sliding rear window
¤ K&N FIPK (aftermarket)
¤ Drop-in Bed Liner
Background:

I had been searching for used Toyotas for a while. I've always sort of wanted one, but I never could really pony up the kind of money it takes to get a new one. I had been surfing eBay, Auto Trader, and the local stealership used car inventories in search of a Toyota Double Cab, but the more and more I looked at the Xtra Cabs, the more I liked them. The Jeep was a really fun and capable vehicle, but after using it as my daily driver for over two years, the rough and loud ride was becoming more and more tiring.

I found this Xtra cab on the Auto Trader online at a dealer that was relatively local. Their advertised price was a little high, so I emailed an offer that they ultimately accepted. I had done my research on Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, and NADA. I knew what was fair for this truck as well as what was fair for the Jeep on trade-in.

I had also signed up for a month of unlimited Carfax reports which turned out to be well worth it. I found quite a few trucks with questionable histories using Carfax, but this one appeared to be what I was looking for. This one has a below average mileage on the odometer (56,000 miles), it was a one-owner truck, it was regularly serviced, no reported wrecks, and from the looks of the photos in the ad, it appeared to be unmodified.

I went down to check out the truck on President's Day, and it was nearly spotless. One tiny chip out of the paint and some rub marks from the crappy drop-in bed liner. It was, in fact, mostly unmodified except for the K&N FIPK, which is fine by me. I test drove the truck, and while it's a little snug for my fat butt, it drove like a Cadillac (compared to my Jeep, at least...). So, to make a long story, well, not as long, I went home with it that day.

One of the things I was looking for in my used Toyota is the factory electronic differential lock. This is a feature that is standard on the TRD model Tacomas but still a stand-alone option, albeit seemingly rare, on non-TRD trucks. In the photos in the ad, I could see the locker button on the dash, so I figured this was one of those non-TRD locker-equipped trucks. After all, it had no TRD stickers on the bed, and the truck was not advertised as a TRD. So this was a bonus for me. I could get my locker without paying the mark-up for the premium TRD package. But I had a few more surprises...

After getting home with my new used truck, I crawled under it to look around. Hmm. Interesting. Bilstein shocks (standard on TRDs). Progressive coils up front (standard on TRDs). BFGoodrich Rugged Trail spare tire (TRD came standard with BFG Rugged Trails). Could I possibly have a TRD truck without the TRD decals? The dealer said nothing about TRD, and they made no mention of the differential locker in their ad or in person when I went to look at it. I just kept my mouth shut about it and decided I'd get things clarified after the deal was done. I didn't want them jacking up the price on me or anything.

So after purchasing the truck, I contacted Toyota about obtaining a build sheet or a replacement window sticker. After a couple of weeks, they got me in touch with a customer service rep who was nice enough to fax me a copy of the build sheet. Sure enough, listed right there on the build sheet is the TRD Offroad package! I already knew that it had the TRD stuff on it, but it's nice to have concrete evidence that it came that way from the factory. This is a nice little bonus for me.

Accessories and Modifications:

Completed (newest to oldest):

- Bestop SuperTop. Pic 1 Pic 2 Pic 3
- 265/75/16 BFGoodrich All-Terrain TA/ko tires.
- Old Man Emu HD Suspension.
- UWS Diamond Tread Tool Box.