Towing with 1st gen

I'm looking at buying a:
2001 V6 4x4 SR5
Private seller does not know if it has a 'tow package.'

It does have the hitch and electrical bit.

Was there a 'tow package option' for the 1st gen taco, like there is 2nd gen? Or does it by default tow 5000 lbs because it's a V6 4x4?

 

It did come with a towing package, albeit very rare.

There's a recall out for the towing light module. Run the VIN with Toyota.

Oh and please check the frame. That's what you should be worried about. I've heard of too many people who have been burned because of a rotted frame.

 

So, I ran the VIN, it says "There are no open Safety Recalls or Service Campaigns for this vehicle."

Does one need the -rare- 'Tow Package' on a first gen taco to achieve the 5000 lb towing capacity?

 

No. The only thing the towing package comes with is a tow hitch, the light module, and reportedly a fan with differently pitched blades to pull more air in. Last one is not confirmed.

Any 6-lug v6 Tacoma can pull 5,000 pounds.

 

And am I correct in assuming that 6-lug = 4x4?

 

Not to derail another thread about towing, but you told me about the light module that I have in the last thread on the subject. Out of curiosity, how would I verify the fan? Is it different enough to tell in a pic compared to somebody else's?

 

Pop the hood and look at the fan clutch. If it still has an OEM fan clutch it should be marked with orange or green paint. Green is the towing spec fan clutch.

Doesn't necessarily mean you have the tow package if green. My truck came with the green fan clutch but it didn't have an OEM hitch, mine is Uhaul brand.

If you're gonna tow often it's a good idea to install a trans oil cooler. They're cheap, mine was like $50. Don't need a fancy expensive one.

 

6-Lug means PreRunner or 4x4. Some rare 5-lug trucks came with the 3.4l v6, but was capped at a towing capacity of 3,500. This is due to the braking power of the 5-lug vs. the 6-lug.

 

It's one of those urban legends about the towing package. No one can say for sure, something about the color of the clutch?

 

Orange paint, standard. Green paint, towing. I never heard of the actual fans being different though.

 

OP, I just want to reinforce you absolutely need to inspect the frame. That's the one weakness of this generation.

 

I'll have to look at mine. I'm assuming I have the tow package, just curious if the fan is a different pitch or not

 

Some owner's manuals state how to look for the the towing clutch. 2003 manual does, my 2001 manual does not.

I've never seen anything in the parts catalog for different style fans, only 2 different fan clutches.

 

Do you know what the functional difference is between them?

 

Not sure exactly. Back when I first I got my truck heard that the green clutch moves more air than the orange but that doesn't make sense to me if the fans are the same. So I always assumed that the green clutch just engages at a lower temp. I never looked into it further after seeing I had green.

Because I have a Uhaul branded hitch & not Toyota I assumed I didn't have the tow package. So I then assumed that all doublecabs came with the green clutch. But some doublecab owners confirmed that they had orange clutches.

 

^This ^ I suggest this one

$52 Hayden Automotive 678 Universal Rapid-Cool 9.5” x 11” Add-On Transmission Cooler – Not for Direct Replacement of the OE Cooler

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C3DDKO

and use this guide for install
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/hayden-transmission-oil-cooler-install.108470/

As for the fan clutch, cheap enough (and EASY) to replace. Even though it says 'without tow', its still the heavier duty clutch. My 2002 had 156k or so when I replaced the fan clutch. While it hadn't failed, it certainly was 'tired'. Can definitely tell a difference.

$89 AISIN FCT-013 Engine Cooling Fan Clutch - Compatible with Select Toyota 4Runner, T100, Tacoma, Tundra

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00829HBEE

https://youtu.be/WzhlACxqeqQ

 

You got me curious so I did a quick search. Found a post here on TW where someone said the green clutch came on some 1st gens with or without hitch. He aslo states that it was not an actual recommendation for the green clutch to be used for towing until the last years of the 1st gen.

This is consistent on my assumption that I do not have the tow package although I have the green as well as why my 2001 owner's manual doesn't mention the fan clutch but the 2003 manual does.

In that thread there was mention of fluid viscosity change to make the fan clutch engage earlier. Which reminds me, some months ago that subject came up again in the "what did you do to your 1st gen today" thread. I think @Speedytech7 was one of those to do it? I forget.

 

There is also an optional electrical box for the trailer connector. It lives in the behind the drives seat access door where the jack is stored.

I had one, but it failed and I had no turn or brake light on the passenger side of the trailer. Replaced it with a Hopkins vehicle specific trailer wiring kit and removed that failed part.

 

That part was on recall, did you lookup your VIN with Toyota?