The 1st Gen Toyota Tacoma is the PERFECT size Off-Road Pickup

After owning my 1st Gen Tacoma for 3 years now, I can confidently say that it's one of the best valued little trucks out there. They're fantastic off road, and LOVE being put to work.
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Can I review your car?
Shoot me an email with some basic info at: [e-mail]!
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- Instagram:
/ bernromulus
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Intro - 0:00
About The Tacoma - 0:59
Clearances and Specs - 2:13
4WD System & Tips- 2:35
Grip Testing Demonstration - 4:12
A Tour of Phantom - 6:48
Towing, Hauling, and Camping - 10:31
Reliability - 12:04
Closing - 13:35
#firstgentacoma #phantomtacoma #toyotatacoma

[@Realistick]

Insane that you managed to get it for 2500, I still get night terrors from the price I paid for my tacoma, great video!

[@BernonCars]

I know!!! I can never get rid of this thing lol. Oh my that doesn’t sound good 😂

[@permafrostgaming3720]

I got my Tacoma for $800 and I love it I just have a hard time finding people online that know enough about the early ones to answer questions I have about it

[@BernonCars]

I recommend the 1st Gen Tacoma groups on Facebook

[@permafrostgaming3720]

@@BernonCars Okay thank you! Enjoyed the video by the way good stuff 👍🏽

[@BernonCars]

I appreciate that!

[@omgcheeter]

Great video. My first Toyota ever was a 95 Tacoma extra cab 4WD 3.4 auto. Then I had a 95 single cab taco 2.7 4WD auto and now I have a 95 T100 4WD extra cab auto with the same 3.4 engine. These engines just keep on going

[@BernonCars]

Thank you! They really are great trucks. How do you like the T100?

[@omgcheeter]

@@BernonCars compared to my previous Tacos I like the T100 better. The extra cab is slightly bigger than the one my 95 had. The front Suspension is also different in the T100 as it uses torsion bars that the height can be adjusted

[@BernonCars]

@@omgcheeter interesting! I’d like to find one for a review/comparison one day.

[@jamesarnold6059]

I had a 95 1/2... pretty sure that was the first year

[@omgcheeter]

@@jamesarnold6059 yup it was

[@WorkinonmyB-again]

Love your truck. The truck I loved the most was my 97 Tacoma. Best grill, manual 4WD, 5 speed manual, 2.7 (best engine I’ve ever had). It was the closest thing to the way Toyota trucks were in the late 70s through 80s. Base get you there every day truck with nothing extra to break. Traded in the 97 Tacoma to get a 2000 Tundra V8 to tow my boat and have more room for the kids. I now have a 2018 Tacoma built up to look like Marty Mcfly’s truck. While I love the new truck, I prefer the simplicity of my 97.

[@BernonCars]

Thank you! Oh yes I certainly agree. It’s nice to go into something minimalistic!

[@robertjebediahfreeman]

Bro i have a 99 Tacoma and you are correct about the uncomfortable seats. So I went online to Amazon and ordered some oasis seat covers. Makes a night and day difference. They cost $120 but are worth it. They make your interior look nice and make your seats very comfortable. I highly recommend 😉

[@BernonCars]

Ohh interesting. I wanna find seats from a Lexus and rig them in lol

[@eljefeslash]

First of all, the 00:56 mark - hilarious (I so remember those commercials)! Awesome Tacoma! That voodoo blue is so cool looking (and nice touch with the old school 4WD badge on the tailgate). I've always loved Toyota trucks, and I'm glad I got a 1st Gen when I did b/c the models now are more like mid-size trucks. I agree with you on the J shifter as well.

[@BernonCars]

Haha classic Toyota advertising!!! Thank you! I’m really happy with it so far. Such a dependable truck.

[@tacoman864]

Another awesome video Bern.

[@BernonCars]

Thank you! 😆

[@jaymoar3561]

Love the videos with the Tacoma.

[@BernonCars]

Thank you!!

[@kyleconger2109]

I've been watching all kind of videos on old tacos, and rangers, comanches, ect. This one is my favorite. Beautiful truck!

[@BernonCars]

Sweeet!! Thank you!!

[@tomthumb753]

My first gen was great offroad. My third gen feels huge offroad.

[@BernonCars]

Right, especially with the huge hood

[@Tierone1337]

I love the first gen!

[@niyi1866]

Nice bern keep it up!

[@BernonCars]

Thank ya thank ya!

[@jacobprimeaux2652]

I just bought a 2000 Tacoma for a work truck. 4wd, 3.4 v6, manual, so basically like yours but a 2000. I love this truck more than any other I've ever had, and even though its for work I now feel the need to get a little off road with it. Thanks a lot for the video; it was helpful. -- Oh, and love the Toyota jingle throwback; I was humming that to myself the other day while driving this thing and thinking of Super Off-Road on the SNES :D

[@BernonCars]

Nice!! They are such lovable trucks. I'm glad you enjoyed the video!!

[@ryzen397]

Good video, that commercial for Toyota was great! I love my 04 Tacoma TRD 5spd with the 3.4L v6. It's the best size truck, more reliable than any newer truck, and its a manual!

[@BernonCars]

Thank you! They are great little trucks!

[@chasescarlett7183]

Sick video. Love your center console

[@BernonCars]

Thank you!

[@mr.chad6x319]

I have a 2004 Preruuner with 204k and I still get ton of looks and compliments on it. I have had people offer up to 15k for it. It drives just like when I bought it and other than parts that needed to be replace by age, NO trouble what so ever...... Yours is great! Im very happy you were able to get your hands on it. Take Care Buddy!

[@BernonCars]

Thank you!!

[@fahrgast237]

Loved the video, I love my 2x4 99 Taco, but I do wish I had four wheel drive. Love the voodoo blue!

[@BernonCars]

I definitely enjoy having 4WD! Thank you!

[@TheRealHungryJoe]

$2.5K?! Get outta here! That’s insane but they are very reliable ! Congrats

[@BernonCars]

Yes sir!! Very lucky to find it haha

[@mflmanga]

great video!

[@BernonCars]

Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@bmxtaz]

Great video. Plenty of information about the different platforms and specs.

[@BernonCars]

Thank you!!

[@charlyvenom2002]

Totalmente de acuerdo...totally agree, i need someone here in Barcelona🙏

[@wanderingdaze7018]

Good info👍

[@BernonCars]

Thank you!

[@KJwaggy]

Dope video! I have a the same truck but the automatic ‘96 model , looking for a similar aftermarket mesh grill to yours but not having much luck… I imagine you just modded your stock grill, am I right? Dig the paint job btw! Very slick

[@JohnnyTrulove]

Such a cool truck. I may go check out a 96, v6 5 speed this week. I have a 00 4runner and love it too.

[@BernonCars]

You totally should!

[@calebrowe7591]

This is an awesome video man! I have a very similar year and I was just curious about how you did your grill!

[@BernonCars]

Thank you! I found a write up on the “Satoshi Grille” on one of the 4Runner forums!

[@llrmo]

Hope to see more Tacoma videos!

[@BernonCars]

Absolutely! Planning on an off roading trip soon. Just budgeting now haha

[@jmarchese1149]

yessss!!!!! wildpeaks are great! got em on my 4th gen 4runner v8 :)

[@BernonCars]

Really good tires!

[@natureview2891]

Great informative video. Thank you. I love the front grill. Any link/info on that would be great.

[@BernonCars]

Thank you! I made it myself actually!

[@carni6319]

Your spare tire is swinging around. I looked through the comments and didn't see anyone mention it. Sorry if this is a duplicate. Awesome video, love the Toyota commercial parody.

[@jamesarnold6059]

Just made a similar grill for my 02 manual out of an e-track system. Had those manual hubs on my 95.5. You have excellent taste lol

[@BernonCars]

Hahaha thank you sir!!

[@---rg1gb]

Loved that intro toyota commercial. Too funny

[@BernonCars]

Im glad hahaha

[@vincehertzog2586]

I noticed you put in a touch screen, I pretty much want to know everything you used to do that. I have a 1996 Toyota Tacoma, I’ve always wanted to put one in but didn’t know you could actually do it.

[@tomgerard7518]

Great little pickup

[@BernonCars]

Indeed it is!

[@M3CHANICALMICHA3L]

Great video! I see the Maryland plate, 301 all day!

[@BernonCars]

Thank you! Yes indeed 301!! 😆

[@FourcornersZia]

Not to mention it’s the most customizable vehicle with a HUGE aftermarket. I’m switching my 2nd gen for a 1st. They last fever!

[@BernonCars]

Very true!! That's why I love em!

[@FourcornersZia]

@Broken Ankle Sports 🏀 I decided to keep mine. The used car market is ridiculous rn. Not gunna lie, I love my 2nd gen too much to let it go.

[@gunslayer0073]

What exhaust are you running? Sounds very good all around. Nice vid and beautiful truck, thanks 👍.

[@BernonCars]

Thanks man! It's actually some $25 generic eBay muffler I found like 3 years ago haha

[@dimesauce10]

Cool video

[@BernonCars]

Thank you!

[@nickp2884]

Great video! I have a 96 Tacoma and also don't like the steering wheel that comes on them and want to do a swap. Any issues with the airbag wiring? Do all of the connectors for the bag, horn and cruise match up?

[@BernonCars]

Thanks! I actually had to swap connectors. The Camry’s airbag plug was different, everything else worked without any mods!

[@k-art-L]

have you changed your tires size, also do you have the 3.91, or the 4.10 gears?

[@mujtaballa3105]

Love the taco! We both have manuals!!

[@BernonCars]

Lets go!! That's awesome!

[@ochocinco8five]

Other than the center console cars very clean and modern looking very good job just need a more modern interior and you're set for almost life

[@BernonCars]

Thank you!

[@TrevDB99]

Awesome video man! You put an exhaust on it?

[@BernonCars]

Thank you!! I did! I ordered this cheapo $25 resonator on eBay in place of the muffler. It’s the PERFECT volume!

[@RJIVHALO]

My 2004 2.7 auto Tacoma has the same transfer case shifter as yours. I’m not sure what one’s got that other shifter you showed.

[@BernonCars]

Some V6 Limited/SR5's have the push button shifter.

[@McLuna2K]

Can you share link to buy flare?

[@gasmonkey5152]

Where did you get that grille bro ? Nice truck btw 👌

[@BernonCars]

Built it myself actually!

[@N0Bark]

Liked for the jump at the end of the intro lol

[@BernonCars]

Haha thanks

[@MikeLaRock88]

0:55 bro, you seem too young to know about those corny old commercials lol. Good stuff 👍👍

[@BernonCars]

Hahaha I’ve watched all of them! 😂

[@Miles-wy1zr]

I just got this exact truck. I’m gonna change the fluids. What coolant do you personally use? Mine currently has green prestone.

[@BernonCars]

Nice! I unfortunately sold it a year ago and I don’t remember which color coolant I used!

[@philgriswold2133]

Great video. I have a 1999 much like yours. Could you let me know more about the year of 4runner that you got the buckets out of? Were the direct bolt up, or did you have to modify? Was there a reason you didn't get the console? One more question, does the steering wheel for a 4th gen Corolla fit right on and the air bag work?

[@philgriswold2133]

Sorry, I meant to say Camry.

[@BernonCars]

Im glad you liked it! They were from a 3rd Gen 4Runner, I don’t remember the year. 3 of the holes line up, and the other needed to be drilled and I bought a nut, bolt and washer to fasten it and it’s solid. Air bag works, but I had to switch out the connectors. But no airbag lights

[@inphiknit]

If you are not going rock crawling you probably have all the ground clearance you need already. I've decided not to lift mine because of 5he trade-offs related to every day driving. Diff locks are awesome. Enjoy that beautiful rig.

[@BernonCars]

Yup exactly! That's why I'm not too pressed to lift it immediately myself. Better tires for now!

[@FinnedFusion]

What front grill is that and where’d you get it ? How much did it cost to paint it ? Igot a 96 that I want to paint eventually

[@BernonCars]

Built the grill myself! Followed a tutorial on a forum

[@---rg1gb]

Consider Coverking seat covers for extra comfort

[@BernonCars]

I’ll look them up!

[@wanderingdaze7018]

Do you have a link to the flares?? I wanna put some on my 96

[@BernonCars]

I’ll see if I can find em.

[@celaljasem]

You said hub centric, I was under the impression that manual locking hubs can’t have hub centric. Can you post a link to the ones you bought. And what lights are those? Link?

[@BernonCars]

These are hubcentric, at least on my truck. Do you have Instagram? KZbin doesn’t let people send links. I don’t think I have a link for the headlights anymore, but they’re from Auxbeam

[@HotSizzleTV_]

I want one of these so bad. Can anyone help me find one I would like a trd pro or or trd off road I seen one of these today with big ass tires I fell in love at first sight. I want one at an good price something cheap.

[@Anonymouso283]

Please tell me all the mods you installed to make your Tacoma sound so good…!

[@BernonCars]

Just an eBay ram air intake and a generic bottle resonator I found online a few years ago!

[@Anonymouso283]

@@BernonCars Can you send me links to your products you bought or is that asking too much.. 😝 I appreciate it man, thing sounds pretty damn good. Wanna make my 03’ sound like that.

[@aaronwhite979]

Did you paint the wheels yourself? What color?

[@BernonCars]

Plasti dip in Bronze! Eventually I wanna get Method’s in bronze, but this fits my budget now haha

[@matt25675]

What mods did you do to make it look so sawheeeet

[@BernonCars]

The fender flares, spacers and grill really made a huge difference!

[@AV-ft6pv]

You should get black door handles

[@BernonCars]

I think I’m going body color actually!

[@samuelnehil7858]

excuse me sir, did you put spacers on?

[@BernonCars]

Yes I did!

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

Ngl I prefer chrome instead of the body color and black here.