2002 SR5 on Bring A Trailer....

It just hit $11K. 4 days to go...crazy

 

BAT comments section has a way of romanticizing what many of us have seen over and over on Craigslist.

 

If it was a 4X4, I would easily paid that and more when I was searching for one last year.

 

Of course you would have, but it's not! That's the crazy part. For me, nothing special to see here.

 

eh.. tougher... hard to say. my tacoma went through hell. but so did the tundra.. these 1st gens are just larger 1st gen tacos if you look at how theyre built.


the v8 is amazing though. but my 1st gen taco is still the one that holds a special place in my heart.

 

Exactly. I didn't even give 2WD's a second look unless it was to make sure it wasn't 2WD.

 

Depends on why you want the truck too. 2WD 1st gens are useful as work trucks, looks like that's what the seller used it as.

 

Personally I don't see why anyone would drive a 2wd. Let alone pay a premium for one. I hope that those involved in the auction check the market before sending this one over $20k.

 

For me and my uses it makes zero sense to have 4wd. I tow 2 Boston Whalers and even at low tide on an algae covered launch ramps, my tires don't spin. There's 2 launch ramps that I use when i go to the colorado river that are dirt roads leading in, with dirt launch ramps. Never had a problem at any water level. Other than that -1% of the time . . I'm on asphalt 99.9% of the time... so no need for the extra weight, transfer case, and more shit to maintain/ go bad etc. If I was off-road, or snow, or on mexican sandy beach trips, 100% I'd be 4wd no doubt . . .but mines just a 'Comi-fornia' pavement princess unfortunately.

 

At the end of the day, a truck is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. The buyer of this thing might have a bonkers reason that makes no sense to any of us.

I look at so many SoCal trucks and wonder why they are 4X4 when it's it's obvious by the owner or state of the truck that they never actually need or use it. 4X4 is just not needed for a lot of people. The 2wd truck in our garage serves its purpose, if it was 4x4 all it would do is increase fuel expense.

 

Up to 12,500 now. I'm still in the game by price is right rules

 

If it's at $12.5K four days out it could easily go to $18-$20K or more. I've seen prices increase 25% or more in the final hour (not that I'm a BaT expert by any means, just a casual gawker).

 

"Those BBS Wheels Doe"!!!

 

This. I don't want the extra complexity...more things to go wrong. Better steering feel. Less weight. Plenty of capability for dirt and gravel roads. If I get to a place where 4wd is required, I probably shouldn't be there...

As far as BAT, people tend to overpay...I think people can get caught up in an auction environment. Thus my estimate...

 

Absolutely true...

 

Pump up those Tundra prices. Tacomas suck!

 

I can easily count 30-40; 1st gen V8 2wd access cabs, around my small town that are the local landscapers truck of choice, seen pulling 6-8’ trailers loaded full all day long

 

Yeah I'm sorry but I wouldn't buy a 2WD truck ever. At least not here in Tennessee. I don't care about the 99% of time I don't use it. It doesn't take much around here for a 2WD truck to become stuck and they are completely useless in just about any amount of snow. I've seen many 2WD trucks struggle at the boat ramp too.

Also, it doesn't seem like the 2WD Tundras really do that much better with MPG so it's not like you can claim much savings there.

 

Yeah

 

You could be right. Ive had several Tacoma’s and they are cool too, just haven’t had the best of luck with them.

 

I’d do a 2wd..


But only because 4x4 swap

 

And then might was we'll go straight axle too...

 

That would be an excellent use of this truck.

 

FGTacos and FGTundras really are very similar. I would not call either one tougher...the only real weakness I can think of for Tacos is the rear-frame needs bracing if you plan on carrying any weight back there for any length of time. But that's just $80 and basic welding skills or a few hundred bucks to a good welder. The biggest weak spot of both trucks is the susceptibility to frame rot.

I've had most of the iterations of FGTacoma (4/6 cylinder, AT/MT, AC and DC) and I've had non-VVti AC and VVTi DC Tundras. The only time I've really felt the difference with the V8 vs the V6 (or even the I4 with a MT) was when towing. If I planned on towing anything over 1000lbs for any lenghth of time, the V8 is worth it all day long.

When comparing the FG Tacos/Tundras, the two biggest differences to me (more than the difference between V6/8 because of weight) are the interior feel and driving experience. The Tacoma interior always felt more truck like. Almost no bells and whistles at all....it's 100% truck (to this day, I can't stand first Gen Taco seats). The Tundra came along at a time when people expected to be able to get bells and whistles on a 1/2 ton truck...so it just feels more polished and "comfy." Driving wise the Tacos drive much smaller compared to the Tundra ACs and MUCH smaller compared to DCs.

I've also owned several 3rd Gen 4Runners and they kind of split the difference. Since they share the same platform they drive small like the Tacomas (smaller even, with the shorter wheelbase) but they were not aimed at the same buyer. They charged a premium for them and so their customers expected more comfort and bells and whistles, so the interior is less sparse than the Tacoma. And they one thing this 3rd Gen 4Runner has that neither Tacoma/Tundra has is the 5sp with 4 full doors...I'm really digging driving a manual again.

Having said all that, if I keep this 4Runner long term I could see a 1/2UZ swap in it's future...cause who doesn't want a V8 MT in a small vehicle...

 

My next big project is a second gen taco reg cab with a 4.7.. that’s a dream build.



or a 4.3l 3rd gen runner

 

You might have some sort of diagnosable condition man.

 

That should fit. It came in the 4runner.

 

It’s probably depression. Or at least that’s why my doctor says!


It’s an addiction man.. I just love wrenching. I love projects. I get bored without them.

 

That’s why I hope to one day be able to do it. The 3uz also interests me.