Toyota Tacoma 1st generation

Model codes	N140, N150, N160, N170.N190
Model years	1995 to 2004
Assembly	United States
Body style	2-door regular cab, extended cab 4-door crew cab
Engine	2.4 L 2RZ-FE I4 2.7 L 3RZ-FE I4 3.4 L 5VZ-FE V6
Transmission	4-speed A340 automatic 5-speed manual
Wheelbase	Regular Cab: 103.3 in (2,624 mm) Xtracab/Double Cab: 121.9 in (3,096 mm)
Length	174.8–203.1 in (4,440–5,159 mm)
Width	66.5 in (1,689 mm) Between wheel well: 40 in (1,016 mm) 2001–02 Crew Cab: 70.1 in (1,781 mm) 2003–04 Crew Cab: 70.3 in (1,786 mm)
Height	2WD: 61.0–64.1 in (1,549–1,628 mm) 4WD: 66.3–67.7 in (1,684–1,720 mm)
Curb weight	2WD: 3,155 lb (1,431 kg) 4WD: 3,877 lb (1,759 kg)

The Toyota Tacoma is a pickup manufactured by Toyota since 1995. The second-generation Tacoma was named Truck of the Year by Motor Trend magazine in 2005 . The car was named after the US city of Tacoma (Washington) .

A model with the name Tacoma was first introduced in 1995 that came from the Hilux offered worldwide . The Hilux was sold in the US until 1995 simply as a Toyota Truck . The empty weight is given as 1429-1756 kg.

Overall, there were three engines for the Tacoma: the 2.4-liter R4 with 142 bhp (106 kW) and 217 Nm of torque, the 2.7 l-R4 with 150 bhp (112 kW) and 240 Nm of torque and torque the 3.4-l V6 with 190 bhp (142 kW) power and 298 Nm of torque. The 2.4-l R4 consumed 8.25 l / 100 km, the 2.7 l R4 out of town 9.2 l / 100 km and the 3.4 l-V6 out of town 10.9 l / 100 km , 

Rear-wheel drive Tacoma had five-hole rims. There were the 2.4-liter R4 and the 3.4-liter V6 engine depending on the selected equipment line, as well as manual or automatic transmission.

All-wheel-drive Tacoma had six-hole rims, as used in earlier pickup models. The frame is made up to behind the front leaf springs made of rectangular tube, from where it is made of U-rails. The manual gearbox of the 3.4 l V6 has the designation R150F, while the automatic gearbox has an A340F (Aisin code: 30-40LE). The 1995 to 1997 manufactured Tacoma with simple flatbed had on request a manual transmission also in conjunction with 3.4 -Liter V6. From 1998, this version was only available with four-cylinder engine. The versions of Toyota Racing Development (TRD) existed from 1998. In the case of the V6 engine, the cars were equipped with a limited slip differential at the rear.

The Prerunner models were also delivered from 1998. They have the same suspension front and rear, the same suspension geometry, the same frame, the same design and the same engines as the Tacoma 4x4 of this model year. The Prerunner was equipped on request with the TRD off-road package, which also included a limited rear differential (and some other changes to the chassis, such as the Tacoma 4x4), when the car had installed the V6. One drawback was that there was no manual five-speed transmission. The automatic transmissions of the Tacoma V6 were called A340E. Because of the similarity between Prerunner and 4x4 you can convert a Prerunner with purchased parts in a 4x4, but this is not recommended by the Internet community.

The Prerunner is only offered in one trim level, the Xtracab extended cab model. Another detail: it's possible to order a limited-slip differential when you opt for the V6 engine.

The 4-cylinder engine is equipped with the Soft Ride suspension, while the one powered by the V6 engine gets the same suspension as the 4X4.Except that the Prerunner is only offered with 2-wheel drive.  Special alloy wheels and relatively comprehensive equipment are features not to be overlooked. On the road, the 4-cylinder delivers, while the 3.4-liter V6 proves to be just as reliable as it is smooth. Its performance is exemplary. It's still unfortunate that you have to endure the off-road-style suspension to enjoy the V6 on the Prerunner version.
While Toyota makes undeniable concessions during its marketing year, the Tacoma family still includes less esoteric components. Thus, the regular 4X2 model with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine is still in the catalog. A rather sad choice since this relatively noisy engine isn't particularly lively. Since it's the only one offered on the Extracab 4X2, it's better to turn to the Prerunner, which, despite its absurdity, allows you to drive a 2-wheel-drive truck powered by a more powerful 4-cylinder engine or the indestructible V6.

In the first years of production, the Tacoma sold quite well and attracted especially young buyers. The first generation has undergone a total of two facelifts , the first in 1998 and the second in 2001. The changes were limited mainly to new grille and headlamps. The mechanical changes were the use of a contactless ignition in 1997 and 1998 longer leaf springs behind. All four-wheel drive models after 2000 had an automatic differential freewheel (ADD).

The only change in the model year 2001 was a new, four-door double cab model . The cars with extended cab had a bunk with 2 m in length, while the double cab had only a platform length of 1.7 m. Many customers were bothered by the short bunk, but the Tacoma shared that disadvantage with most of its competitors.

In 2001, Toyota brought along with the facelift on the front of the vehicle also a new S-Runner equipment package out, which included the installation of the V6 engine. These included 16 "alloy wheels, a manual five-speed gearbox and Tokico gas shock absorbers. From 2001 to 2004, 200 of them were produced per month. In 2003, Tacoma outperformed last year's sales by 16.5%. In the next few years, the Tacoma gained more and more popularity. In 2004, he outclassed the Nissan Frontier and the Dodge Dakota , but still was 2.2% behind the Ford Ranger .

In 2008, Toyota spontaneously announced a 15-year warranty against rust-through (without mileage limitation) for the 1995-2000 models, as it had been found that the frames rusted due to inappropriate rust protection on a small number of Tacoma vehicles. Toyota promised to either repair the frames or buy back the cars at 1.5 times the KKB price.