MCObray's 2002 Toyota Tacoma DC TRD

My search Craigslist radius from Redding, CA to Bellingham, WA finally paid off. My wife and I set out early in the AM hours to pick up this 2002 Toyota Tacoma DC TRD in Gig Harbor, WA. I am beyond stoked on this vehicle and look forward to many memory-making miles. Now the recap on what has come before...
Cherokee, now in Portland:

'99 Jeep XJ by Bucky Images, on Flickr
4Runner, now in Medford:

'00 Toyota 4Runner Highlander. by Bucky Images, on Flickr
Legacy Outback, now in Las Vegas:

Subaru in Snow. by Bucky Images, on Flickr
4Runner, now in Eugene:
Sunday drive. by Bucky Images, on Flickr
Cummins, now in Corvallis:
New tires. by Bucky Images, on Flickr
Powerstroke, now in Oregon City:

My Tacoma:
2002 Toyota Tacoma DC TRD by Mason Obray, on Flickr

My plans are to bump up a tire size once the tread runs out on my current Michelins, add 2" OME lift, and new wheels. At the time of adding the lift, I will in all likely replace the Lower Ball Joints, Upper Ball Joints, Tie Rod Ends, etc. I also want to do the Tundra Brake upgrade.

Question: Does my Tacoma need a Transmission Cooler? In my two previous 4Runners ('99 and '00), I put a transmission cooler in right away to avoid the "pink milkshake". Is so, does anybody have a write up?

Thanks!

 

Man, love your past vehicles as well as your new tacoma - you've got great taste! look forward to seeing what you do with this truck.

 

Thank you. I have sincerely enjoyed every past vehicle I have had... they all served different purposes, but my new Tacoma is definitely here to stay.

I have wanted an ARB Bull Bar since I was 16, so when the time is right, i'll definitely be adding that.

 

ScanGaugeII installed on the drivers column:
ScanGaugeII - 2002 Toyota Tacoma DC by Mason Obray, on Flickr
265/70/16 Michelin LTX A/T2s installed, to replace the 10 year old Michelin's that the previous owner had. Awesome tire!
2002 Toyota Tacoma DC by Mason Obray, on Flickr
Side profile shot:
2002 Toyota Tacoma DC by Mason Obray, on Flickr

 

Man I love that 00 4Runner. I found a set of the 5 star (4Runner) wheels locally that Im going to put on my DC. Good looking Tacoma also.

 

Thank you... The 4Runner was awesome!

I am looking for a set of 5-Stars as well on Craigslist for my DC as well... probably one of my favorite wheels next to the FJ TRD Anthracite.

 

I really lucked out with the set I picked up. I had been looking for close to a year. I paid 40$ for the set. Im getting the powder coated and will be putting them on this spring. Trying to decide what size tire I want to go with. Good luck on your search.

 

Headed into the foothills of the Cascade to lace some lead through some fire arms, as well as do a little exploring with a good friend of mine. The Tacoma performed flawlessly, and I even got to cycle the suspension making our way down to Abiqua Falls through some off-camber sections of the gravel road. The Michelin's LTX A/T2s did not miss a beat, and the best part was getting back onto the highway and having a smooth / quiet ride back home for 40 miles... Love these tires!
Abiqua Falls by Mason Obray, on Flickr
Crooked Finger Rd. by Mason Obray, on Flickr

 

The wife and I got out in about today in the Oregon Coast Range. It's so great living in a centralized location where you have mountains on both sides of you (Cascade / Coast Range) and are only a +/- 1 hour drive away. We did some exploring and stopped for lunch at Kilchis Falls.
2002 Toyota Tacoma TRD by Mason Obray, on Flickr
2002 Toyota Tacoma TRD by Mason Obray, on Flickr

 

That sure is some beautiful country, I'm in Montana and envy all you guys in Oregon and Washington! Going to make it out there one day for a vacation.

 

Nice truck, I like the topper!

 

Montana... man now that would be the place to visit! Oregon is starting to get a wee bit more populated, but aside from that, it's a great place to explore.

Thanks, me too. It was included in the purchase of the Tacoma, so I was stoked to get it. The Leer Topper turned out to be a lot nicer than I imagined so I plan on keeping it for now.

 

Coming over Cedar Creek in the Oregon Coast Range.
2002 Toyota Tacoma TRD. by Mason Obray, on Flickr

 

Best thing about having a tacoma here is no fuckin road salt!!!

 

Over the weekend, my wife and I payed a visit to Central Oregon with two main objectives; Smith Rock and Bend Ale Trail. We had a great time enjoying the geography, as well as throwing a few pints back in the town of Craft Beer. I have not done much to the Tacoma, aside from replacing a o2 sensor. I am on the hunt for a new set of wheels via Craigslist, or SCS if I feel like splurging... Life is good!
Warm Springs, OR. | Deschutes River by Mason Obray, on Flickr
Smith Rock by Mason Obray, on Flickr
Smith Rock by Mason Obray, on Flickr
Smith Rock by Mason Obray, on Flickr

 

Front windows got tinted and wheels swapped to 4Runner 5-Stars.
Willamette River. Independence, OR. by Mason Obray, on Flickr

 

love those wheels on the Tacoma, have my set sitting in garage when im ready to upgrade tire size

 

Same here, as far as affordable goes. They are a nice, cost effective touch in appearance.

 

Wife and I decided to kill a Sunday morning in the Cascade Foothills. A fun lil section of gravel road plus great views made for a great start to the day. On other note, I was experience unusual steering wheel shakes at HWY speeds, so I took the truck in and got the tires/wheels rebalance at my local Discount Tire. Truck is handling much smoother at HWY speeds, which I am pleased. I will note that about 10 miles of getting back on the road after the rebalance, a wheel weight from the drivers front flew off and went into the median... Luckily no one was to my left or else that would've left a nice scratch / dent!
Video of the Tacoma heading towards the Trailhead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whZxLeU5NKM
Abiqua Falls, OR. by Mason Obray, on Flickr
Abiqua Falls, OR. by Mason Obray, on Flickr
Abiqua Falls, OR. by Mason Obray, on Flickr