98 Tacoma 4x4 starter issue??

The only way to determine the cause with any certainty is to check power when the hard start condition occurs. Check to make sure that the battery cables are tight at the battery, starter, and ground.

Toyotas have been known to have bad contacts in the starter relay - the contacts are easily replaced.

Probably the starter contacts. A common problem on Toyota starters. My daughters 98 Corolla would just "click" when she tried to start it. She had to turn the key sometimes 3 or more times before it would start. Finally it wouldn't even click. I took the starter off and replaced the contacts. It has started fine ever since. That was about 2 years ago. I believe the contacts for it were about $20 at the dealer. If you have a starter/alternator rebuild place nearby, you can get a set cheaper than that. Here is a site that tells how to replace the contacts.

bbtaco

Thanks for the info bbtaco and Ray O.... It's funny you mentioned ground, I found a ground wire going from the chassis to the negative battery clamp broken and seperated at the clamp. I taped it back where it belonged but it didn't stop the problem. Although I'm not exactly sure what that ground wire's purpose is, it doesn't look like it's for starting the vehicle. I will probably just go right to the starter contacts since the more I search the net, the more I'm seeing as you said, this is a common issue for these trucks.

Thanks again ;)

You're welcome and good luck!