1997 Toyota Tacoma in sad shape

I own a 97 Tacoma 4x4 2.7 liter with 275K miles, and I have been a very bad owner! My truck is in desperate need of a tune up and I am trying to do it on my own. Can anybody give me a list of EVERYTHING that I need to replace/fix during a DIY tune up? is it something that I (no automotive repair experience) could do myself? Are there other things that I need to do? Any help much appreciated!

 

Other than changing all the fluids, spark plugs and filters (air, oil, gas) I'd say your best bet is probably just to go with the "replace stuff when it breaks" mentality. Tough to say what you should do without knowing what service has been done in the past. Have you done anything to it?

 

Focus on stuff that will stop you dead. Then "fix it as it's breaking" is ok.

Get your timing belt/water pump done, or do it yourself. Check suspension components, ball joints especially. Make sure your brakes have pad/shoe left. Vacuum that mofo out.

Change your oil with high quality stuff.

Set up a maintenance schedule. Little by little and on your own time is better than paying the only mechanic open on a Sunday top dollar to get you moving when something breaks that could have been replaced proactively. When something goes wrong it has the tendency to add collateral damage.

Then grease your drive train and read up on new fluids for your geared bits.

Now open another beer if you do that.

 

The 2.7 4cyl has a timing chain I thought? Not sure what the maintenance interval on it is though but it might be time to get it looked at either way at his mileage

 

Go to the DIY and How To thread. Find the link to the pdf of the Toyota repair manual, then read the list in the maintenance section. Some things are simple to check/do, others are a little harder.

 

Sorry, didn't see the 2.7. ...I'm not sure on the chain/belt on that motor

 

The 2.7 is a chain.

 

Fuel filter? Clean out the intake tube along with MAF and Throttle Body Cleaner? This and plugs usually make them run 100% better.

Any leaks?

I see a lot of nice cars bite the dust just because of a small leak....they just go too long in between checks and ....'poof'....eat a bearing, blow a head gasket or burn up a tranny.

A good freeze in winter has killed many a block also w/o good antifreeze. Freeze plugs are a misnomer.

Make a friend nearby from the board....even if you have a boyfriend, have someone who knows these trucks take a look and pinpoint a coming problem. It'll still live....it usually takes a wreck to kill these things.

 

Yep its a chain.

 

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate all the info.. here is what I've been able to do .
I changed the oil and oil filter, air filter, spark plugs and wires, replaced PCV valve, got new wiper blades, vacuumed and cleaned up interior...and built a platform for my dogs in the back seat and had new tires put on it.
Then had beer Now I need to flush and replace all the other fluids, change out the fuel filter *it was difficult to reach so will be getting assistance with that (was thinking about moving it so I won't need help next time...?), timing belt/water pump, and I know that the suspension components are shot (lots of squeaking and groaning going on in the front end when going over bumps or bumpy roads etc.), I have started a maintenance schedule on the Verizon Hum app. so I figure that will keep me on track. I do have a power steering leak but nothing else leaks ... well the windshield washer reservoir... also the whole truck vibrates really bad at certain speeds ie. between 40-45mph, then at 60-70mph and 80-85 so any advice on what might cause that .. Gonna hit up the local pick N pull here in the next couple weeks so looking forward to that adventure
*Gotta start somewhere*Love this truck*learning cause girls rock*

 

check tire balance and then u-joints. Ball joints can groan and known to be weak on the first Gens.
Search for how to check them BUT...the best way is take them apart and feel them....If the rubber is shot, they need to be changed anyway, new universal rubber is ill fitting and usually falls apart again quickly.

Did you clean the intake parts? A clean MAF does more than just run better, it affects mileage, the throttle body affects idle.

Sounds like your on the right track.

 

I'm getting my lower ball joints replaced this week, they're leaking grease and popping/clunking like crazy when I'm driving, especially while taking turns. There was a recall on LBJ's for some first gens, @a.dorerahoo.com you should check with Toyota and see if your truck qualifies under the recall and get them replaced for free. Mine didn't unfortunately, they're just shot from age and off-road abuse most likely.

Best way to check your lower ball joints is to jack up the front end of your truck and see if there's any play in the joints themselves. One way to do this is to see if you can move your wheel side to side (should be next to no side to side play in the wheel, could also indicate a bad wheel bearing) or check the joint itself to see if it moves up or down when you push on it using leverage with something like a long screwdriver or small crowbar. There's a good video on how to do this somewhere on the forum, I'll see if I can find it.

 

I have a '98 with about 80,000 miles on it. Is it too early to replace the water pump? I know the 2.7 has a chain, does that have to be replaced?

 

'98.........it's 18 yrs. old.....I don't think it's early to replace anything......your chain should be ok but at this age anything can happen.


To O.P. I use a 2x4 to flex under the tire. Easier on the old back.