Originally Posted by
Martinjmpr
I'm not aware of any specific problems for the Frontier that aren't related to abuse (I've heard of the "exploding front diff" but my understanding is that trucks that suffer this are being used pretty hard.)
I got tired of paying the "Toyota Tax" last year and sold my 4runner. Toyotas are nice, don't get me wrong, but I think the prices on the used market are outrageous, especially for the Tacoma.
Since you're looking at used, have you considered maybe one of the last of the Rangers? I owned a '99 Ranger (albeit a 2wd) for several years and liked it. In fact, my DD is a Ranger (it's a Mazda B2300 but that's actually a Ranger.) Again, a 2wd but solid and reliable even at 20 years old (its a 1996.)
If you can live without a true crew cab (the Ranger crew cab was offered in other markets but never in the US, sadly) then you might add the Ranger to your list. You can probably find one for half the price of a Tacoma. Otherwise I think a good condition Frontier would be fine for what you intend to do.
ALSO remember that the Tacoma's of that vintage are all plastic after the cab. Frontier, Ranger and Colorado all have metal beds.
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