New Truck!

Hello everybody, I just got my first truck! 2004 xtra cab SR5 5 speed 2.7 4x4. New frame, brake lines, spare tire carrier, etc. I got the undercairrage plastered in fluid film to hopefully slow down any body rot. When I got this truck the interior was FILTHY. There was dog hair everywhere, and it looked like the previous owner either frequently spilled coffee, or dip spit on the carpet. I took out the seats and rented a carpet/upholstery cleaner to clean this thing up, I'll be getting some weathertech, or husky floor liners before winter. Other things I've done is restore the headlights, paint the camo vent shades black, and install a plastic tool box my dad used to have in the back of his dakota like 10 years ago. I ordered a OEM Toyota style grille to get rid of the ebay special billet one it has now. I really love driving the truck, but I do wish the 2.7 had more sack. It cruises around town fine, but when you really get after it, especially on hills it leaves something to be desired, but for the most part I'm happy with it. I plan on getting a big "TOYOTA" decal for the tailgate like they had on the pre '95 trucks, and 95-99 tacos. Anyways here's a bunch of mostly before and after pictures of cleaning and what not. Enjoy!




This salt stain was VERY bad. I thought it would never come out.

But it did!!!

Before

After

The day I got the truck

How it looks now (no rear vent shades, fronts blacked out, toolbox mounted)

 

Nice job on the first truck. Similar story with mine when I first got it. Guy with a husky owned it. Hair everywhere. Passenger side door was clawed to hell too. But that's been taken care of. Just as a precaution. You may want to have a look under your carpet on the drivers side. With a salt stain like that you might not like what you see underneath. But it's better to stop the rust now rather than later. I had some light surface rust on my floor pans and that's with the previous owner using floor mats. So I'd recommend taking a look.

 

Good call, I'll look under the carpet tomorrow. Same story with the dog here as well. The passenger side door panel is clawed to hell, as is the glovebox door, and passenger side of the plastic on the shift boots.

 

Oh, and yeah. The 2.7 is a dog. It's slow as hell. But it's a tough lil guy and will take a lot of abuse. Just be sure to check your valve shim clearances if that hasn't been done. Not something super crucial, but you'll want to check them at some point.

 

Welcome!!

 

Welcome!Nice resto you got going on!

 

So I looked under the carpet and there was a little bit of surface rust. I just smeared some axle grease all over that area to hopefully prevent more rot. Like I said I'm getting floor liners so that will all be protected.