Vehicle Description
2003 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4x4 Xtracab
"Toyota Racing Development, (TRD), was created to be Toyota's
factory performance division, developing parts and programs for
both street-driven vehicles as well as competition vehicles," says
David Wilson, president of TRD. TRD develops products in-house and
puts the TRD brand on products from high-performance aftermarket
manufacturers. The variety of available parts ranges from wheels
and suspension components to intakes, exhaust systems, and body
kits. Toyota offers all kinds of vehicles with TRD upgrades and
badging straight from the factory. The TRD brand signals a higher
level of performance in the rolling chassis, drivetrain, or both.
TRD models represent the highest performance you can buy directly
from Toyota. Models bearing the TRD brand include sedans like the
Avalon and Camry as well as off-road-oriented vehicles like the
Sequoia, RAV4, Tundra, Tacoma, and 4Runner.
It isn't often that a 20 year old new truck rolls through our
doors, but it has and is now gracing one of our many overstuffed
showrooms. Offered for consignment, this ultra low mileage, (16,893
title verified), garage kept, 2 owner 2003 is a ready to be used
and not trailered 4x4 in classic Toyota form. This truck looks new,
drives like new and even smells new inside. Well equipped with many
power conveniences, including a locking rear differential, the only
thing it does not do is drive upside down on the ceiling, which is
a bit disappointing but understandable. Ready to tackle the urban
jungle, or perfectly at home on the Sedona Red Rock Loop, it all
comes together to make us ready to strap in, pull the lever into
4-High and take the path less traveled.
Please Note: This vehicle carries a Manufacturer Buyback/Lemon Law
branding on the title. Please research with your Country, State,
Province, County, or Local DMV to ensure proper title procedures
are followed.
Exterior
This like new TRD Tacoma in Imperial Jade Mica presents with no
rust on the stamped steel body panels. This deep dark green bathes
the entirety of the body and 16-inch 5 spoke wheels, all spit
shined, are all wrapped in 265/70R16 BF Goodrich Rugged Trail TA
knobby all-terrain rubber. Black is the color of choice for the
mirrors, trimmings and a sprinkling of chrome for the badging,
tubular step bars, and grille add to the allure. The gaps remain
well minded and only a few minor stone chips are noted in the
finish. A chrome bumper, dressed with black plastic down low leads
the way in front of you and gray fender flares over the front and
rear tires and help keep the mud splash at bay and out back is the
well capable bed with a drop in liner and dent free tailgate. Tall
tail lights flank this beauty and a chrome step bumper is noted
below. Climb every mountain!
Interior
Luxurious and effective, with the factory gray broadcloth buckets
up front which flanka gray plastic console, complete with storage
box, cup holders and the shifters for the transmission and transfer
case. Foldable matching rear jump seats that have never been sat in
are seen in the back and gray carpeted mats over top the carpets
makes for a quick cleanup. Floating below the curvy gray padded
topper is the black faced dash with white face gauges. The center
of the dash has many original knobs, a controller for the heat and
AC, the factory AM/FM/CD & Cassette player along with a LCD clock
and push bottom for the electric locking rear differential. Gray
molded vinyl makes up the door panels and is dressed with
broadcloth inserts just above the rocker switches for the power
windows, power mirrors and window locks. Breathe in that nearly new
interior...
Drivetrain
The factory 3.4Liter DOHC 6 cylinder fits nicely into the engine
bay. This engine presents as nearly new with the mere 16,893 miles
and it's hard to spot any patina or even an inkling of corrosion or
rust. A 5-speed manual transmission and just behind along with the
dual range transfer case. 4.10 geared axles are seen fore and aft
to assist with the mud slinging. Some kids grew up on mean streets
with crips and bloods, but me, I was born on a back road on a 4x4
rollin through the mud.
Undercarriage
Some surface rust on the usual subjects, all is secure and sturdy,
structurally sound underneath with its black finish, stainless skid
plates and light coating of road dirt. The reason for the earlier
noted manufacturer buyback is due to the frame being cracked/bent
and the frame was replaced on October20th 2003. Since then the
frame was treated to the Toyota recall corrosion resistance kit on
August 19th 2010. To this day the frame remains solid and like new.
The front suspension isequipped with a double wishbone independent
front suspension and out back are traditional leaf springs. Power
front disc brakes and power drums bring this rig to a halt, which
is good,because what goes up must come down! The OEM single exhaust
is on for the exhale and breathesspent gasses out the OEM
muffler.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter, and smooth runner, this truck can get the tires
singing and the exhaust playing a melodious throaty tune. All
functions, including the air conditioning were operational. As
stated multiple times, this is like driving a brand new 20 year old
truck. Sing with me: Let's get a little mud on the tires...
Yes, it has a branded title, but the frame issue was rectified with
a replacement and even treated to the well known recall a few years
later. A reliable Toyota drivetrain coexists with the utilitarian
but luxurious interior which remains like new on this decidedly
good looker. 4 wheeling in a classic Toyota, you'll have the hikers
and mountain bikers turning their heads when you are coming and
going...throw a little dust or mud on 'em just for kicks!
