Toyota · 1995-2004
Tacoma (1st Gen)
The first-generation Tacoma (1995-2004) replaced the Toyota Truck with a more car-like, US-designed compact pickup built in Fremont, California. It came in regular, Xtracab and (from 2001) Double Cab forms with 2.4/2.7 fours or a 190-hp 3.4 V6.
- Years
- 1995-2004
- Drivetrain
- RWD (2WD) · PreRunner (2WD, 4WD-height; from 1998) · 4WD
- Engines
- 2RZ-FE · 3RZ-FE · 5VZ-FE
- Sold in
- US · Canada
Spec sheet
- Generation
- 1st Gen
- Production
- 1995–2004
- Assembly
- Fremont, California (NUMMI)
- Sold in
- US
- Canada
- Codes
- N140
- N150
- N160
- N170
- N190
- Body styles
- Regular cab
- Xtracab
- Double Cab (4-door, from Oct 2000/MY2001)
- Bed lengths
- 74.5 in interior (regular & Xtracab)
- 6 ft Xtracab
- 5 ft 5 in Double Cab
- Drivetrains
- RWD (2WD)
- PreRunner (2WD, 4WD-height; from 1998)
- 4WD
- Transmissions
- 5-speed manual (R150F)
- 4-speed automatic (A340E/A340F)
- Trims
- Base
- SR5
- TRD Off-Road (from 1998; V6 4WD/PreRunner only)
- PreRunner (1998+; regular cab from 1999)
- Double Cab (2001-04)
- S-Runner (2001-2004, 2WD Xtracab V6 5-spd; 800/month)
- Wheelbase
- 103.3 / 121.9 in
- Length
- 174.8 / 203.1 in
- Width
- 66.5 / 70.3 in
- Height
- 61 / 67.7 in
- Curb weight
- 2,580-3,705 lb (2001 4x2 Regular Cab 4-cyl manual to 2004 4x4 Double Cab V6 automatic)
- Payload
- 1,375-2,069 lb (2004 S-Runner V6 to 2001 PreRunner Regular Cab automatic)
- Towing
- 3,500 lb standard; 5,000 lb for Xtracab V6 and Double Cab V6 with the tow package and Class III hitch (2001 and 2004)
Engines
| Engine | Disp. | Config | HP | Torque | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2RZ-FE | 2.4 L | I4 | 142 | 160 lb-ft | 1995-2004 | 2WD only |
| 3RZ-FE | 2.7 L | I4 | 150 | 177 lb-ft | 1995-2004 | 2WD & 4WD; standard on 4WD |
| 5VZ-FE | 3.4 L | V6 | 190 | 220 lb-ft | 1995-2004 | dropped from regular cab 1997+; shared with T100 |
Related
Overview
Introduced in February 1995 as the replacement for the Toyota Truck, the Tacoma was engineered more for ride, handling, comfort and safety than for payload. Design work began in 1989, and Calty chose Kevin Hunter's exterior in 1991. Builds were at NUMMI in Fremont, California.
Three engines were available: the 142-hp, 2.4-liter 2RZ-FE (2WD), the 150-hp, 2.7-liter 3RZ-FE and the 190-hp, 3.4-liter 5VZ-FE V6 shared with the T100. 2WD trucks used five-lug wheels; 4WD and PreRunner (introduced for 1998) had six-lug. The TRD Off-Road package arrived in 1998 with a locking rear differential.
The truck was refreshed in October 1996, July 1997 and October 2000; the last introduced the four-door Double Cab and the sporty S-Runner (800 per month). ABS became standard in 2003.
Frame corrosion later became its defining problem. In 2008 Toyota extended a 15-year corrosion warranty (and offered buy-backs at 1.5x KBB retail) for 1995-2000 trucks, later including 2001-04. The second-generation moved to an open C-section frame.
Trims, Bodies and Drivetrains
Trims
- Base
- SR5 — SR5 package: chrome or color-keyed bumpers and grille surround, air conditioning, white-faced gauges with tachometer, tilt wheel and AM/FM cassette/CD (2004 brochure)
- TRD Off-Road (from 1998; V6 4WD/PreRunner only) — off-road-tuned suspension with Bilstein gas shocks (Tokico on Double Cab), P265/70R16 BFGoodrich tires on 16-inch alloys, locking rear differential, fender flares and TRD graphics
- PreRunner (1998+; regular cab from 1999) — 2WD with the 4x4's ground clearance (about 11 in vs 8.5 in on the 4x2), skid plates and front tow hook
- Double Cab (2001-04)
- S-Runner (2001-2004, 2WD Xtracab V6 5-spd; 800/month) — 2WD Xtracab with the 3.4 V6 and 5-speed manual, lower ride height, color-keyed grille and bumpers, 16-inch alloys with P235/55R16 tires and white-faced gauges
Cab and bed
- Body styles: Regular cab, Xtracab, Double Cab (4-door, from Oct 2000/MY2001)
- Beds: 74.5 in interior (regular & Xtracab), 6 ft Xtracab, 5 ft 5 in Double Cab
Drivetrain and transmissions
- Drivetrains: RWD (2WD), PreRunner (2WD, 4WD-height; from 1998), 4WD
- 5-speed manual (R150F)
- 4-speed automatic (A340E/A340F)
Highlights
- Name derived from Coast Salish name for Mount Rainier
- Designed at Calty Design Research in California (Kevin Hunter proposal)
- Fully-boxed frame (to rear spring hanger)
- TRD Off-Road package from 1998 with rear locking diff; anti-lock brakes standard from 2003
- StepSide bed option MY2000
- S-Runner: color-matched monochrome sport truck, 3.15 final drive, 16-in wheels, Tokico shocks and sway bars
Known Issues
- Frame corrosion (inadequate rustproofing / trapped moisture in the boxed frame) - subject of the 2008 extended corrosion warranty and buy-back program
- Spare-tire carrier recall for 2001-04 trucks in cold-weather states (Nov 2012)