Modding an Older Truck

I’ve always partial to new car although Ive had plenty of used ones. I just bought a 2001 Tacoma with 161K miles, and this is the second vehicle I’ve ever bought with high mileage like this.

Here’s what I’m getting at. I don’t want to leave it stock. I want to mod it but more for functionality since I need it for utility, dirt, snow and long commutes.

However, I’ve never put money into such an old car. On a new car it’s easy because you expect to keep it for a long time (even though you often don’t). You also don’t expect it to break down or have to do major engine and tranny repairs. Also, new aftermarket parts to new car sorta fits together.

This truck has 161K miles. It’s on owner, dealer maintained, rust-free local from SoCal, no accidents, garaged, clean paint and clean inside out. Apart form a couple of tiny niggles here and there, it really seems to need nothing. I’m going to take it in for inspection to make sure, but I think I did well even though I was looking for a TRD and I settled for SR5. This one is V6 5-speed manual 4x4.

So, with 161K miles and the fact that I have long commutes, I expect to hit 200K miles in about 2-3 years and 230K in about 3-5 years. Maybe sooner - I have other cars I might drive to reduce miles on this one.

So how do you feel about modding such a truck? I think I have answered my own question, but I would love some input.

I’m not going to go crazy on mods either. Just lift, tires, wheels, head unit and speakers, tint, shift knob, etc. Maybe also a bumper and a winch. Oh and a tow hitch since this SR5 didn’t come with one like the TRD does.

I have a feeling the answers are going to be “it’s just barely broken-in” but let’s see

By the way, if the owner's here and you recognize the truck I would LOVE to meet you. It would be invaluable to me to know more about it. Dinner and beer is on me.

 

For what its worth...

I took my 5-speed 2004 Tacoma with 180K and basically did what you want to do (2.5" OME lift, 285's, SCS wheels and an ARB bumper). It now has near 220K and I have not had one single issue with it (OK the ADD actuator went out, but thats not totally uncommon). It doesn't drip one bit of oil (or any fluid for that matter) and has never missed a beat. I know everyone says these trucks are bulletproof (there are definitely some shitty ones out there), but of the 8 or so trucks I've owned since 2000 my Tacoma has been the most reliable by far. It's certainly not the fastest or fanciest, but it always gets from point A to point B and back again. I have a 2007 4Runner (stock) that drive on a daily basis and it's the antithesis of the Tacoma (quiet, comfy and practical) but every time I get in my Tacoma it puts a smile on my face. The 1st gen tacoma's are the last vestige of what a truck was meant to be: a no frills, bare bones tool that gets the job done day in and day out without any fuss. If you can't tell already I love these trucks and will keep mine until it is no longer financially practical to own.

If you have a solid platform that is in good shape I say go for it, most of the 1st gens on this site that have major issues are driven by guys who think their trucks were forged by the hands of Zeus himself and can withstand being flogged day in and day out (everything mechanical has a tolerance limit). I'm not hard on my Tacoma, but I definitely take it off-road regularly and put it through it's paces and it's held up wonderfully over the years.

If you want an example of a couple well modded 1st gens that have thousands of miles of off-road driving but still look and drive well due to a diligent owner check out @Digiratus or @Box Rocket.

Don't kid yourself, @161K your truck is well past being "broken-in" but that doesn't mean that with a caring owner and some TLC (routine maintenance) that it won't last you another 100K+. Beautiful truck BTW, reminds me of my rig when I first bought it.

 

With regular maintenance your truck will last 300k+ miles easily. The 3.4l is arguably the best 6 cylinder motor Toyota has made. Just stay on top of your maintenance and mod away, you won't have to worry about any major issues.

 

My all stock 2004 TRD 4x4 with 474k miles on the original 3.4L & auto trans. Still runs great! 156k miles on my lifted silver 04 TRD 4x4 3.4L & man. trans. And 190k miles on my lifted 2000 3.4L & auto trans 4runner 4x4. With proper mechanical maintenance & frame rust preventive maintenance these trucks are unstoppable! Pictured is my 474k mile truck.

 

Awesome, thanks for the great feedback. Much appreciated. It's pretty encouraging then.

Great thank!

474K! Wow. And I was blown away that my dad's '97 F-150 he sold at 330K miles. That's awesome.

I'm really good at the maintenance side of things and I baby all my cars. I think it'll be ok