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A First for Me

Discussion in 'New Members' started by TRVLR500, Aug 31, 2014.

  1. Aug 31, 2014 at 7:46 PM
    #1
    TRVLR500

    TRVLR500 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hello Everyone,

    I've been lurking on this forum for quite a while since i was plannoing on buying my dad's 2004 4X4 SR5 Regular Cab Tacoma and I just went and picked it up about a week ago.

    It's the first Japanese vehicle I've ever owned, the first 4X4 and the first time I've ever owned anything that is only 10 years old. I've been driving a '73 Cadillac Coupe DeVille as my only car for the last 18 years. Still have it too but it came time for a second vehicle since the Caddy is going to need some major work.

    This Taco is in REALLY good shape. I doubt it's ever even seen 3000 rpm and I have ten years of perfect service records all done by a reputable dealer out in California. The only one my dad ever trusted to work on it and they have done all the service for the last 10 years.

    It has 120,000 miles on it so I'm in the process of doing all of the maintenance that is due right now. I just changed the air filter and put in a set of NGK iridium plugs which immediately made it run better and idle smoother. Amsoil in all the stuff underneath and probably in the negine is next along with a grease job.

    There is zero rust on the frame and from what the mechanic that has been servicing it told my dad this VIN# didn't have the problem. We'll see if that's true because it has spent 8 years of it's life out in California in a garage when it wasn't being driven and the last two in Reno basically in the garage for the most part since my dad hurt his back and can't drive it. His wife took it out once in a while to keep it from having any problems from sitting for too long.

    It's about to get a lot rougher treatment in Utah once winter sets in and it won't be garaged. I'm going to fluid film the frame to help prevent what could be the inevitable. For the time being though I haven't found any rust although I have yet to roll around under it with a creeper.

    When I went out to Reno to get it I really enjoyed the ride back to Utah. (Not as much as the Caddy though). Anything that will run at 80mph all day and then climb a mountain is something I need to own so now I do. Especially when it gets 20mpg. It's got the 4 cyclinder in it.

    I'll post pics as soon as I figure out how to do it.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2014
  2. Aug 31, 2014 at 7:48 PM
    #2
    1993t100

    1993t100 I’m good looking and I drive a Jeep.

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    Big Sexy
    Nebraska
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    You'll catch heat from the v6 assholes on here ;) I'm kidding, but a lot of people don't believe in the 2.7. I think it's a wonderful engine! Congrats on the new truck.
     
  3. Aug 31, 2014 at 7:55 PM
    #3
    teneighty

    teneighty I'd rather be skiing...

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    Right behind you. NY
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    18’ F150 SCREW LB 3.5 EcoBoost
    Bilstein 5100’s (x4), 275/65/20 Cooper XLT AT3’s
    4 cylinder? :laughing:

    :anonymous:
     
  4. Aug 31, 2014 at 8:03 PM
    #4
    TRVLR500

    TRVLR500 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yes, I've seen some of that on here but that's the way it is. I've spent a whole lot of time on this forum over the past few months. Personally, I really don't see the 2.7 lacking in a big way. It just needs to be revved. As a matter of fact it'll break our 80 mph speed limit out here in 4th gear without hitting redline so for me as a daily driver it's perfect and it's got 4 wheel drive. As far as more low end grunt and power I figure that anywhere the 4 won't take me I don't need to be going.

    Besides, if I want cubic inches I have 480 of them under the hood of my Caddy.
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2014
  5. Aug 31, 2014 at 8:42 PM
    #5
    AndyTaco

    AndyTaco ACLBFTMW

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    Waco, TX
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    '10 ACLB V6
    "Raptor Style" grill mod, aftermarket wheels, 265/75/16 Goodyear Wrangler Authorities, TRD Shoulder pads on seat belts, no mud flaps, AVS Hoodflector bug shield *removed*, Dee Zee Ultrablack Bull Bar w/ license plate mount, dipped my fuel door for no reason, N-Fab Spare tire mount w/ full size matching spare, dipped eyelids onto my headlights for no reason, dipped my hood for no reason
    Congrats and welcome! Nothing wrong with 4 cylinder. I drive a v6 but don't have any TRD or 4WD (or even SR5 for that matter) so you're still a step ahead of me! Nice lookin' 1st gen, love the white ones. Good luck with your new(ish) truck! Have any mods planned after maintenance?
     
  6. Aug 31, 2014 at 9:07 PM
    #6
    TRVLR500

    TRVLR500 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I have read that the stock suspension sucks and I can say that I have to agree so I'll be putting all new springs and shocks all the way around. Not until next summer or so though. Other than that, I have no plans for turning it into a serious off road/rock crawler. It will stay stock for the most part. I do want to put LS in the rear end or a locker which it doesn't have.

    I have no intention of lifting it with the new springs either. It's high enough for me although I'm sure I'll end up with an extra inch or so with newer aftermarket suspension. When the Michelin MS/2's wear out, which will be quite a while, I may go to a more aggressive tire because I have found out that while MS/2's are great on pavement they leave a little to be desired when it comes to mud.

    I bought this for daily transportation and mild off roading if I want to get away from it all. I have been off road in it a few times and the way it is stock, it can go a whole lot of places. I was actually amazed where it would go and what it would climb when we went hunting in WY in it about 8 years ago. With a locker or LS and better suspension I'm sure I'll be quite happy.

    Now all I have to do is figure out how to shift it smoothly which seems to be the same problem others have had from my reading on this forum.
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2014
  7. Aug 31, 2014 at 9:28 PM
    #7
    AndyTaco

    AndyTaco ACLBFTMW

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    Waco, TX
    Vehicle:
    '10 ACLB V6
    "Raptor Style" grill mod, aftermarket wheels, 265/75/16 Goodyear Wrangler Authorities, TRD Shoulder pads on seat belts, no mud flaps, AVS Hoodflector bug shield *removed*, Dee Zee Ultrablack Bull Bar w/ license plate mount, dipped my fuel door for no reason, N-Fab Spare tire mount w/ full size matching spare, dipped eyelids onto my headlights for no reason, dipped my hood for no reason
    1st gens look awesome without a lift, and with the new suspension it'll look even better.

    As far as the tires are concerned, I highly recommend the Goodyear Wrangler Authorities when it comes time for the switch. They're much cheaper than Duratracs and honestly I think they're just as good. They're the cheapest A/T tires on the market I believe (don't quote me on that), and are great on the highway and off road. In fact, they almost got me through a fairly large puddle of 3ft deep water, without 4WD. *ALMOST*[​IMG]

    So they're great for mud, highway, and general off roading.

    Best of luck to you!
     
  8. Aug 31, 2014 at 10:33 PM
    #8
    TRVLR500

    TRVLR500 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks, Andy. I like the 1st gens as far as the Toyota's are concerned as well. This one is so short to begin with that the stock height and tires do just fine for my purposes. I won't hold my breath on the tires. MS/2's last a long, long, long time and for what I'm using this truck for they really are the prefect tire. I just have to stay out of the mud if it gets too deep. I'll keep your recommendation in mind when the time comes.
     
  9. Aug 31, 2014 at 10:45 PM
    #9
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon Musk Moderator

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    Welcome to TW!
     
  10. Sep 1, 2014 at 5:34 PM
    #10
    Fenwick1993

    Fenwick1993 Hillbilly

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    Chesapeake, VA
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    Stonewall is the fattest 5 lug slug ever
    Good looking truck! Welcome to TW! And there's nothing wrong with having a 4-banger. My Tacoma has the 2.4L.
     
  11. Sep 1, 2014 at 7:49 PM
    #11
    TRVLR500

    TRVLR500 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks Fenwick and Sean. The 4 banger ain't no powerhouse, that's for sure, but I didn't buy it for that. The power that it has is just fine for my purposes which are daily driving and mild off roading. It does just what I need and with 4 wheel drive a whole lot more than I really need.
     
  12. Sep 2, 2014 at 4:56 PM
    #12
    hoyden

    hoyden Active Member

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    Dawn
    southern Illinois
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    a bunch
    Hi!
    What's the cap/shell you have on your bed there?
    thanks!
     
  13. Sep 2, 2014 at 5:02 PM
    #13
    kirkofwimbo

    kirkofwimbo Well-Known Member

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    Welcome! That is a sweet little truck you got. 120k miles is just broken in, I'm sure it will treat you well for a LONG time!
     
  14. Sep 2, 2014 at 6:48 PM
    #14
    TRVLR500

    TRVLR500 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    It's a Vision. As for who actually makes it i have no idea. It's been on there since the day it was new. It seems to be a pretty high quality shell because it's pretty much still like new after ten years.
     
  15. Sep 3, 2014 at 6:19 AM
    #15
    Fenwick1993

    Fenwick1993 Hillbilly

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    Stonewall is the fattest 5 lug slug ever
    Yeah it sure ain't a powerhouse, but it's a good motor, and it'll get things done. It'll haul 1000+ pounds of scrap metal in the back and still get 25 mpg.
     
  16. Sep 3, 2014 at 11:17 AM
    #16
    TRVLR500

    TRVLR500 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Nope, it isn't. It's actually geared too high. It has 3.90 or right around there in the rear end. It's got power up above 3500 rpm but it takes too long to get there. 4.11's or 4.56 would work much better but I'll live with what it's got. Maybe a few years from now? Who knows.
     
  17. Sep 4, 2014 at 10:47 PM
    #17
    hoyden

    hoyden Active Member

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    Dawn
    southern Illinois
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    a bunch
    Lookin' it up now! Thanks!
    (and definitely a good looking truck! :) )
     
  18. Sep 6, 2014 at 6:16 AM
    #18
    TRVLR500

    TRVLR500 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I found a sticker on the inside of the rear window of the shell. It's made by "FastTops". I don't know anything about camper shells because I've never owned one before but this one seems to be of very high quality to me. Except for one chip in the paint and a few minor scratches from 10 years of use it's in real good shape.

    Thanks for the "good looking truck". I've liked this truck ever since my dad bought it. I think the regular cab 1st gens are quite nice looking.
     
  19. Oct 6, 2014 at 5:31 AM
    #19
    xcmtb83

    xcmtb83 Well-Known Member

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    Nice truck, gotta love the reg cabs. I have an early V6 one myself and the same shell, kind of. Fast tops is the new owner of Raven caps I believe. When Fast Tops took over I think they may have did away with the window style I have. I would prefer your window style.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Oct 6, 2014
  20. Oct 6, 2014 at 12:52 PM
    #20
    Pitthunter

    Pitthunter Well-Known Member

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    Pittsburgh, PA
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    Very nice truck. With that history it should be around a long time. Welcome to TW!
     

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