Toyota: toyota tacoma timing chain, interference engines, timing chains

Question
HI...I'M LOOKING AT BUYING A 1998 OR 1999 TOYOTA TACOMA
2WD PICKUP...5 SPEED MANUAL..OR MAYBE AN AUTOMATIC...IS THERE SOME STANDARD AMOUNT OF TIME AT WHICH THE TIMING CHAIN WILL NEED REPLACING..?...IF THE TRUCK HAS OVER 100K WITH THE ORIGINAL CHAIN, SHOULD I FIGURE ON AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR BEFORE TOO MUCH LONGER...?..THANKS A LOT..!

Answer
Lamar, don't sweat it!  Timing chains have a LONG life!  If you bought a car, brand new, with a timing chain and you needed a certain time... then I'd say after about 300K, you could invest in a new chain.

Chains can last the life of the vehicle but you can replace it because during it's time, the chain expands and contracts during the engine's heat.  But, you should be fine at a measly 100K (For a Toyota, a 100k is like a newborn baby:) LOL!)  Now, the bad part.  Typically, Toyotas bulid "interference" engines with timing chains.  Essentially, if the thing snaps, you could cause SEVERE damage to the engine (but the chains LAST ALMOST FOREVER, so it's a rarity).  I can't remember how to check a timing chain to see JUST how good it is but if you'd like, reply back and I'll look up my notes to help you out.

Meanwhile, I hope whatever Toyota product you buy gives you NO PROBLEMS. I'd like to atleast know what you end up buying though!:)

Hope this helps!
-David D.