1996 Toyota Tacoma 4X4: Why I Love This Truck
I bought my used 1996 Toyota Tacoma in 2001 from a used car dealer. It was a demo truck for the dealership so I got a good deal on it. I drive it every day and I take it four wheeling on the weekends. The four wheel drive still works great and can get me out of any jam I get myself into.
I use it for landscaping and pull a trailer load of yard debris every weekend as well. I have driven it from South Carolina to Oregon two times while pulling a trailer weighing over 900 pounds. It has 185,000 miles on it now. This truck is over 12 years old has taken a real beating and it still runs great. I keep up with the regular maintenance like oil changes, changing the spark plugs, rotor cap and checking the tire pressure. I have had only two problems with this truck.
The disc brake rotor went bad on one of my front wheels and I had it refinished for $25. The ignition clutch plate was the other problem I had. I found out this is a common problem for this year make and model. My buddy also had the same problem with the exact same truck. When this goes out your truck will make a clicking noise when you try to start it. Most people think it is the starter but this is not the case. I had a mechanic replace it two years ago and it has run great ever since. It is a little plate that costs about $80. Do not try the after market kind, they do not work. Only use factory Toyota parts.
Other than those two problems this truck has been very good to me. This truck was built to last. I love the fact that the timing belt will never go bad on this model. The timing belt is actually not a belt but it is a chain that only needs to be tightened when you start losing power. I have had many offers for this truck but I love it too much. I highly recommend this truck.
Published by Nurseryguy
I received my B.S. degree in Horticulture from Clemson University. I am now the owner of Oregon Grown Nurseries L.L.C. located in the Pacific Northwest. I hope to share my knowledge and passion with others. View profile
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