My 2000 PreRunner Story

Hello from Tacoma, WA! (lol)

Here's my story, in pictures:


In April, after I finally took my car to the car wash, I parked it in front of my apartment, and a big truck with a extended bed turned the corner too sharp and pulled off my front bumper. I bought this 2008 Sante Fe from my grandparents in 2016 for $2,000. It was an amazing car, v6, tons of storage space, but it never really fit my "vibe".



I started to consider living in a van in the city to save money. I discovered what "kei" vans were and went to check one out. I was looking at the smaller one. It was on FB Marketplace for $7,000 I believe. I was going to have to learn how to drive manual, and better yet, it was was right hand drive. After some contemplation, I realized "van life" was not necessary for me at this time. But I wanted to have a car I could sleep in, but also haul things. I run a event production company and also roadtrips!

So I started looking at mid-sized truck. Clearly I enjoy the idea of "compact". Tacoma's were highly recommended of course but most were out of my budget of $7,000. I was starting to lean towards Ford Rangers.



Then one fateful day on CL, I came across this listing. I was the third person to inquire and the first to offer full price. After some back and forth and a test drive, I was sold. At the time, I didn't really consider the fact it wasn't a TRD / 4x4. Looking back on it I have some regrets. But to be honest, I don't plan on going off road too often. I think RWD will suffice for now. (insert your RWD 4x4 conversions here)



Day of test drive.



First morning with "Taco".



When I discovered the truck had seat covers and removed them to find these awesome original seats, I decided to keep the interior and other cosmetic things as original as possible.



"get a bluetooth cassette deck" they said. I'll pass.



I've heard good things about this 2.7L I4 F DOHC engine! Little slow up hills but I sued to drive my Grandpa's Chevy. I'm not sure the engine power on that one, but I learned how to "drive like an old man".



I replaced the tail lights with some OEM. Also added a vintage decal. Little too low but I'll probably get a new one and redo it.



And there you have it! This is "Taco". Not the most original name, I know. But I love it. Excited to learn more and get my hands dirty. Never changed my own oil but this is where that changes.

Anyone else have a 1st Gen PreRunner out there?

- Wyat

 

I've got a 1st gen Prerunner! The 3RZ is a great little engine with some decent power for what it is. It'll get you around and get decent MPG while you're at it. I had a 2000 Prerunner with the 3RZ but ended up selling it for an 04 with a V6 - I planned on building it up and carrying a dirtbike, camper shell, etc so the extra juice on the 3.4 was a big upgrade. I am planning on doing a 4x4 conversion as well - already have the parts just need to get the time to start installing.

Great little truck you bought there, looks like it's in nice shape! How many miles are on it?

 

Also - you can find a whole lot of info on the 1st gen pickups here:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/1st-gen-tacomas-1995-2004.4/

And can read about other builds here as well:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/1st-gen-builds-1995-2004.102/

Welcome to TW!!

 

My first vehicle was a 2000 2.7L PreRunner AC just like you have except green in color. Bought with 210k miles. It was a great truck for well over 100k more miles until it was totaled from someone pulling out of a blind driveway. The guy said “I couldn’t see around the big bushes”. Cop said “well I think you might want to trim them then”.

Keep it maintained and it will be a great truck for you I’m sure!!

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld

 

198,000 miles! My dream is to have a over-the-bed rack and to get a hardshell pop-up tent. Do you think the truck will be able to handle that? Before I can afford that I'm planning on getting a soft topper and then building some storage and a place to sleep in the back. Weight is obviously a key factor.

 

Oh gosh. So shitty how that happens. I'm being super cautious where I park mine now.

 

I think it would handle that - but I think you'll probably feel a difference being loaded vs unloaded.

 

Welcome to TW!