Toyota Tacoma (1995.5–2004)
U.S.-market specifications. Items flagged UNVERIFIED have not yet been matched to a Toyota factory document. Confirm them before you rely on them.
Overview & model years
Introduced in early 1995 as a 1995.5 model, the Tacoma replaced the U.S. Toyota Pickup. 4x4s used double-wishbone coil-over front suspension, and the 3.4 L V6 became the enthusiast choice. The 4x4-height PreRunner 2WD arrived for 1998, Double Cab for 2001, and the S-Runner 2WD for 2001–2004.
Known issue: frame corrosion on 1995–2004 Tacomas led Toyota to run a frame inspection / replacement campaign. Check your VIN with Toyota or NHTSA.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| U.S. model years | 1995.5–2004 |
| Body styles | Regular cab, Xtracab, Double Cab (2001–2004) |
| Built | Fremont, California (NUMMI) |
| Front suspension | Double wishbone, coil-over |
| Platform mate | 4Runner (1996–2002) shares engines and front suspension design |
Engines (U.S. market)
| Engine | Years | Type / displacement | Output (SAE net) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2RZ-FE | 1995–2004 (mostly 2WD) | 2.4 L DOHC I4 | 142 hp (106 kW) / 160 lb-ft (217 N·m) |
| 3RZ-FE | 1995–2004 | 2.7 L DOHC I4 | 150 hp (112 kW) / 177 lb-ft (240 N·m) |
| 5VZ-FE | 1995–2004 | 3.4 L DOHC V6 | 190 hp (142 kW) / 220 lb-ft (298 N·m) |
Drivetrain: transmissions, transfer case, axles, lockers
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Manual transmission | 5-speed |
| Automatic | 4-speed A340E (2WD) / A340F (4x4) |
| Transfer case | Part-time two-speed |
| Front axle | IFS, double wishbone coil-over |
| Rear axle | Solid axle, leaf springs |
| Lockers | Factory electric rear differential lock available (factory manual lists capacities with and without it) |
Dimensions & weights
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Length (range) | 174.8–203.1 in (4,440–5,159 mm) |
| Fuel tank (4x4, 2000) | 18.0 US gal (68 L) |
Length range is from Wikipedia’s Tacoma article; other dimensions vary widely by cab/bed and are pending confirmation.
Fluid capacities
| System | Capacity (US / metric) | Fluid |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil (5VZ-FE V6, with filter) | 5.5 US qt (5.2 L) | 5W-30 typical |
| Engine oil (I4, with filter) | 5.7 US qt (5.4 L) | 5W-30 typical |
| Automatic (A340F) | Drain & refill 2.0 L (2.1 US qt); dry fill 10.1 L | Dexron III |
| Manual transmission | 2.3 US qt (V6) / 2.6 US qt (I4) | GL-4/GL-5 75W-90 |
| Transfer case | 1.1 US qt (1.0 L) | API GL-4 or GL-5, SAE 75W-90 |
| Front differential | 1.2 US qt (1.1 L) | API GL-5 hypoid gear oil (viscosity per manual) |
| Rear differential (4x4) | Standard cab/Xtracab 2.7 US qt (2.8 with locker); long-wheelbase 2.6 US qt (3.1 with locker) | API GL-5 hypoid gear oil (viscosity per manual) |
| Power steering | 0.8 L | Dexron |
| Fuel tank | 18.0 US gal (68 L) | Unleaded |
Refill capacities are approximate. Fill to the dipstick, check plug, or reservoir mark, not by volume alone. Use the fluid grade on your oil filler cap / owner’s manual.
Key torque specs
| Fastener | Torque (ft-lb / N·m) |
|---|---|
| Wheel (hub) nuts | 83 ft-lb (110 N·m) |
Always confirm torque values in the factory repair manual for your exact year and engine. Use a calibrated wrench; tighten wheel nuts in a star pattern and re-check after 50 miles. Values marked UNVERIFIED are commonly published figures we have not yet matched to a Toyota document.
Paint colors
Code 6Q7
Code 8N1
Code 4Q2
Code 751
Code 8P1
Code 040
Code 202
Swatches are approximate screen colors. Order paint by the code on the vehicle’s ID label (driver door jamb or firewall, marked C/TR or COLOR), never by the swatch. Lists show common U.S. colors and are not complete for every year. Code–name pairs confirmed via the automotivetouchup Toyota color listings; availability varies by year and trim.
Trims & options
| Trim / package | Years | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Base / DLX | 1995–2004 | Steel wheels, vinyl or cloth |
| SR5 | 1995–2004 | Upgraded trim, alloy wheels |
| Limited | 1998–2004 | Leather, chrome trim |
| TRD Off-Road package | 1998–2004 | Bilstein shocks, electric rear locker, larger tires |
| PreRunner (2WD) | 1998–2004 | 4x4 ride height, 2WD |
| S-Runner (2WD) | 2001–2004 | V6, 5-speed, lowered sport truck |
VIN decoding basics
| Position | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1 | Country: J = Japan, 4/5 = USA, 3 = Mexico |
| 1–3 | World Manufacturer ID (e.g. JT_ = Toyota Japan) |
| 4–8 | Vehicle descriptor: body, engine, series/model code (varies by era) |
| 9 | Check digit |
| 10 | Model year: B=1981 … Y=2000, 1=2001 … 9=2009, A=2010 … S=2025, T=2026 (no I, O, Q, U, Z, 0) |
| 11 | Assembly plant |
| 12–17 | Serial number |
Decode any 1981+ VIN free at NHTSA vPIC. The paint code and trim code are printed on the ID label, not encoded in the VIN.
Factory manuals & brochures
Official and public sources only. We do not host copies of copyrighted Toyota manuals.
- Operation CHARM: factory service information, 1982–2013 (public, free) ↗
- Toyota Owners: owner’s manuals & warranty guides (official) ↗
- NHTSA vPIC VIN decoder (U.S. government) ↗
- NHTSA recalls lookup by VIN ↗
- Toyota Technical Information System (official factory repair manuals, paid subscription) ↗
- Toyota Newsroom (official press kits & spec sheets) ↗