Jeff's Tacoma

[Patrolman]

I ended up picking up the Taco that was listed here. Not my dream Toyota, but still a good rig for my needs. I had sold my 87 several months ago when our baby was born, and really missed having a truck!

As some know, it is a 1996 approx 213,000 miles, 4 cylinder with 5 speed and 4wd. Short bed. Only the basics. No power windows, no power locks, no AC. Has PS and cruise which are both very nice. Also has bucket seats which is a MUST for me and a nice center console. Runs like a top and should be a good rig. Not anticipating any major mods, just a basic work truck and the occasional 4wd trail. Still keeping the 4Runner for major duty.

[Beefy]

Nice pick! Definitely well worth the price it was listed for!

[Chris]

Good to see Jeff, I had to ignore thst thread due to temptation. Glad you snagged it!

[Patrolman]

Yep. Should be happy with it. It was a good find. Needs just a couple minor odds/ends. The one thing I am disappointed about is apparently the E-locker won't fit into the rear housing without a considerable amount of work. I really like having one but not a deal breaker.

[Zukrider]

its not that big of deal to make work. but, since it is a taco, you could probably source a complete axle! much better and easier to do.

nice rig. there is a lot of toppers and such on CR right now for taco's.

[Haku]

Yeah

The Tacoma's with no elocker have the desirable "8.4" diff, which is definitely the strongest of the 8" differentials. It has trussing across the bearings caps and the pinion shaft is thicker then any of the other 8" differentials. I'm running a welded one in the rear of mine and its been holding up very well. You can get most of the popular lockers for them (ARB, Detroit, Aussie) for them, but no one makes a spool surprisingly (hence the welding).

They are definitely harder to put an elocker into because they have a larger housing due to the trusses and such. I think you would have to weld a completely new flange to make it work. Not sure the width of the Tacoma axle (I think its 2-3" wider), but I have an older IFS(probably the stock one that came under my 88') one, modded for an elocker that I'll sell along with the elocker differential and an actuator motor that will probably work with some TLC (no guarantee's though). That would come with a wiring harness too. Let me know if you are interested. Its just taking up space in the garage at the moment.

[Brody]

Nice Jeff. I like that body style on the Tacos.

[Patrolman]

They are definitely harder to put an elocker into because they have a larger housing due to the trusses and such. I think you would have to weld a completely new flange to make it work. Not sure the width of the Tacoma axle (I think its 2-3" wider)

I believe the Tacoma is wider than previous models. The housing flange would have to be cut/welded, so it is definately a big job. Would be easier to simply swap in a complete e-locker axle. I may just leave it stock for the trouble it is worth. The 4Runner still has the e-locker for more serious trails. The 4Runner will also have the dual t-case. Much harder and more $ to do in the Taco.

[Patrolman]

there is a lot of toppers and such on CR right now for taco's.

I actually have a utility topper already that should fit no problem. It opens on both sides and the back. Also has a lumber rack built on it. Kept it from the previous truck thinking I could very well get another truck eventually.

[4runner freak]

Jeff, you need to trade 00regcab the bodies!
He is trading his extracab/bobbed bed(modified to fit a standard cab frame) straight across for a std cab.
I have been tempted to buy a standard cab Tacoma just to swap him.
He lives right down the street from me and I get very tempted!
BTW, he works at a body shop, so he has done this VERY well.
It looks stock, it is so clean.
http://ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=176891
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v476/PhntmSk8r/Toyota/0410101458.jpg

[Patrolman]

I would have to pass. No intention of making serious mods to this or doing any sort of lift. Also, with the shorter bed, I can't use the topper. As much as I would like an Xtra cab, I like my topper too.