Toyota Tacoma as a Toad??

I towed a 1998 Tacoma with no problem. It was 4x4 with 5 speed manual transmission. As an aside toyota is paying 1 1/2 blue book for that yr due to frame rust issues.Unfortunately even 1 1/2 blue book didn't get me a replacement. If you have one call your dealer and get the frame inspected.

tropical36 wrote:

lanerd wrote:
I went to Remco and they don't have any listings for Tacomas older than 2000....but I don't believe there were any differences. The 2000 is towable as is with the same configuration of yours. In addition, I have an 86 Toy p/u with the same configuration and we towed it to Alaska and back. We do have selectable hubs (I don't know if you do or not), but all I ever did was put the trans in neutral (left the transfer case in 2w high), turned the key to ACC and made sure the hubs weren't engaged. Never had a problem and it runs today like it did when it was new.

So, that said, if an 86 and a 00 is towable, I would bet that your 97 is also.

Hope this helps

Ron

Sounds the opposite of the way it should be, but then I'm thinking Jeep 4 x 4 here, whereas we put the transfer case in neutral and the auto tranny in park or the manual tranny in top gear. Now we're good to go forever at any speed and the newer Wranglers don't have a steering lock to contend with,so no key in the ignition, no fuse pulling or battery disconnecting either.

Both the OP and myself have manual 5-speed transmissions... no need to put transfer case in neutral.....but you could if you wanted to...just no need for it with the manual trans.

Ron

Some of the newer manual transfer cases do NOT have Neutral. I know the newer Frontier is that way. Has 2H, 4H and 4L, that's it. The towing page says TC in 2H and STICK shift in N. The automatic isn't towable.
Late model Tacoma (unless they changed, I looked in 2009) did not recommend towing ANY of their models. Salesman said "Just go ahead, lots of customers do." I pointed out that I was already in a warranty dispute over a Corolla where I had NOT broken any rules and wasn't about to set myself up for an immediate rejection. Oh, and Goodbye.
An OP here tows his 2WD Automatic Tacoma with a REMCO driveshaft disconnect.

lanerd wrote:
I went to Remco and they don't have any listings for Tacomas older than 2000....but I don't believe there were any differences. The 2000 is towable as is with the same configuration of yours. In addition, I have an 86 Toy p/u with the same configuration and we towed it to Alaska and back. We do have selectable hubs (I don't know if you do or not), but all I ever did was put the trans in neutral (left the transfer case in 2w high), turned the key to ACC and made sure the hubs weren't engaged. Never had a problem and it runs today like it did when it was new.

So, that said, if an 86 and a 00 is towable, I would bet that your 97 is also.

Hope this helps

Ron

Sounds the opposite of the way it should be, but then I'm thinking Jeep 4 x 4 here, whereas we put the transfer case in neutral and the auto tranny in park or the manual tranny in top gear. Now we're good to go forever at any speed and the newer Wranglers don't have a steering lock to contend with,so no key in the ignition, no fuse pulling or battery disconnecting either.

I went to Remco and they don't have any listings for Tacomas older than 2000....but I don't believe there were any differences. The 2000 is towable as is with the same configuration of yours. In addition, I have an 86 Toy p/u with the same configuration and we towed it to Alaska and back. We do have selectable hubs (I don't know if you do or not), but all I ever did was put the trans in neutral (left the transfer case in 2w high), turned the key to ACC and made sure the hubs weren't engaged. Never had a problem and it runs today like it did when it was new.

So, that said, if an 86 and a 00 is towable, I would bet that your 97 is also.

Hope this helps

Ron

I towed a 2004 for several years. It was an automatic 4x4 and required the driveshaft disconnect. It would do well as long as I kept it cleaned and lubed. This had to be done every time I drove or towed in the rain. I would never do that again. Mine had a button on the side of the 4x4 shifter then had neutral and 4 low. I saw and talked to several people towing them. The secret is to find a true manual transfer case. It will have 2h, 4h, n, 4L. I have been told they quit offering these somewhere around 2002. The transfer cases like mine were not true neutral. If I put my transfer case in neutral and jacked it up, the front and rear tires were still connected. You will not find any Toyota dealer that will tell you it is ok but there are some out there doing it. I love my Jeep and it is easy to tow but I miss my Tacoma.

Looking for something older that I can buy as I already own 3 vehicles that cannot be Flat Four towed..and was hoping to find a small 4x4 pick up truck

TS7101 wrote:
If you think about it, the Toyota Tacoma with a manual trans. and a manual transfer case with the right base plate should be good to go. But I cannot find any information regarding Flat four towing it.,I mean no where...no towing guides, nothing in the owners manuals etc..
It could be any small 4x4 pick up for that matter...I'm not picky!
Just looking for a pick up instead of the usual dinghy's
I don't like getting in and out of the Wrangler...too tight!!
I thought for sure somebody on this forum had towed an older Tacoma before.

Have you tried one of the newer JKU four door Wranglers for getting in and out of? Can't beat them for any kind of terrain and simplicity for towing.
As for Toyota, I didn't find any of their PU's in the more recent Dinghy guides, 2011 or 2013.

If you think about it, the Toyota Tacoma with a manual trans. and a manual transfer case with the right base plate should be good to go. But I cannot find any information regarding Flat four towing it.,I mean no where...no towing guides, nothing in the owners manuals etc..
It could be any small 4x4 pick up for that matter...I'm not picky!
Just looking for a pick up instead of the usual dinghy's
I don't like getting in and out of the Wrangler...too tight!!
I thought for sure somebody on this forum had towed an older Tacoma before.

Didn't somebody around here have trouble towing a Toyota Tacoma 4x4 automatic with driveshaft disconnect thingy?