Unicorn Tacoma- toyota pros

[amassi]

Helping family member move and their neighbor has a 2002 Tacoma crew cab 4x4
84,000 miles
Service records every 3500 miles.
I couldn’t find a scratch or dent, garage kept and it shows.
I’m going to buy for a hunting rig that’s easier on narrow roads than my king bed F150

Despite all the positives I’m knowledge poor on toyota, is there anything I should look for or have a mechanic check over.

 

[CorbLand]

If its a v6, it has a timing belt. I would see if that has been replaced. If not, plan to have that done at 100K.

 

[displacedtexan]

I'd mostly be worried about plastic/rubber stuff.

Belts, hoses, to a lesser extent seals and wiring connections.

Time is hard on them, regardless of usage.

 

[flyinsquirel]

If it’s the 3.4 it’s due for a timing belt if they didn’t already do it. Check the ball joints and run the snot out of it. Nice find.

 

[amassi]

V6 with auto trans
Belts and hoses were all replaced in 2021. Only 7,000 miles since.


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[CorbLand]

My brother had a 2001. Solid pickup, gutless little thing but it would go pretty much anywhere, just not fast.

 

[mullet dredge]

Check and see if it falls under the frame recall. Other than that, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it. I just sold my beloved '09 single cab this past weekend. Growing family needs more space....sticking with a Tacoma but upgrading to an access cab next. Love them!

 

[amassi]

My brother had a 2001. Solid pickup, gutless little thing but it would go pretty much anywhere, just not fast.

The engine leaves some to be desired for sure


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[amassi]

Any review of copper discover trek all terrains? They’re basically new look beefy.


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[Eagle]

As already mentioned, check on the frame recall, and get underneath it and see how the frame looks. I'd be AMAZED if it's not rusted all to hell, regardless of whether it was garage kept or not, unless it's spent life in the desert SW. Some trucks had a goopy material applied to the frames by toyota to mitigate the rust issue, it didn't really work, so look for that as well.

 

[WeiserBucks]

X1000 on changing the ball joints even if they appear to be fine. That gen Taco is infamous for catastrophic, unexpected ball joint failure that will result in the truck parting ways with the steering knuckle and tire at the worst possible moment.

 

[amassi]

As already mentioned, check on the frame recall, and get underneath it and see how the frame looks. I'd be AMAZED if it's not rusted all to hell, regardless of whether it was garage kept or not, unless it's spent life in the desert SW. Some trucks had a goopy material applied to the frames by toyota to mitigate the rust issue, it didn't really work, so look for that as well.

It’s a ca truck. Snowbirds in Palm Springs in the winter, very dry not cal in summer. No salt on roads. I crawled all around and frame looks great


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[amassi]

What are they asking for it?

Given the insane market for Tacomas in CA an embarrassing low amount. It would be an easy flip but I’ve been really looking for a small hunting rig and this just dropped into my lap


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[Customweld]

Nice find!, Other than power (or lack thereof) you'll enjoy it. Taco's make nice little woods trucks.

 

[justinspicher]

Any review of copper discover trek all terrains? They’re basically new look beefy.


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I have used these on my 96 tacoma for several years now and haven’t had any issues. I’m a huge fan.

 

[amassi]

Yes trd package


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[Gutshotem]

Wash/rinse that frame up really good and keep it clean. Fluid film at least once a year.

 

[amassi]

Wash/rinse that frame up really good and keep it clean. Fluid film at least once a year.

Never used this, easy to apply? Just spray?


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[WeiserBucks]

Never used this, easy to apply? Just spray?


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Depending on exposure to corrosive environments it's likely a waste of time and money.

 

[Verdehunter]

I have the exact same truck. Picked it up in '13 with 52k on it. Now has 136k on it. Great truck. Would not hesitate to take it anywhere. Sure, everything made more recent has more power, but I didn't buy it for that. It gets me where I need to go. I've never had the ball joint issue, however, I did just have to redo the rack and pinion. Mostly because I have been hard on it and have pretty much beat the hell out of it over the last 10 years hunting. Other than minor annoying things hear and there given it's a 20 year old truck, I wouldn't hesitate to get it. I just put my second set of Cooper ST Maxx on mine. Only replaced due to age, not tread wear.