Problem child new Tacoma ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The shrug says it all.

I had been looking for either a 3rd Gen 4runner or a 2nd Gen Tacoma for months out here in Arizona and the wait finally got the better of me early this month and I finally pulled the trigger on a '06 Tacoma DCSB TRD OR...

I paid what the asking price was after (what I thought) was a close inspection of the vehicle and assurances "nothing needs to be done to it" by the previous owner.

Full disclosure: I have a mechanic who had been working with me checking rigs out but... Yeah, I butted. Impatience got the better of me and the rig was underpriced so I jumped without checking for rocks.

Needless to say, I'm learning a fun and expensive lesson!

The "new" shocks were some super cheap Chinese things and when I did get over to my buddy's shop on a lift... I got a well deserved "I TOLD YOU SO".

Needs complete front suspension including lower control arms, shocks, CV joints, upper and lower ball joints... basically everything. While we're at it, the passenger side wheel bearing is shot. And a brake line is dangerously worn. And there's a couple error codes, rear brake pads have to go, trans needs a flushing... did I mention this was a problem child?

Here's the thing, though: I don't care.
I'm so happy to have a Toyota truck that I'm legitimately like, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

So you know what? I'm having it lifted while we're at it. Why the Hell not, right!?! It's my money and I'm the one who pulled the trigger so I might as well go all in.

After a stupid delay on getting the lift in (vendor's mistake on shipping), I'm geared up to FINALLY get my truck tonight after work. I can't wait!

So the moral of the story is I'm a moran for jumping the gun on something I should have known better than getting and although my wallet is getting completely rear ended I'm pretty sure the end result... is going to be badass.

So there. I'm here because every damn search on the Internet for anything Tacoma related has 50 threads on TacomaWorld and figure if there are any kindred spirits out there, I'm probably in good company here.

...

TLRD; Hi! I paid too much for a truck that I'm sinking a bunch of money into to get it back into proper running order... and I couldn't be happier!

 

Get after it mate!

 

SOON

 

Sweet...good luck man

 

Good looking truck!
How many miles on it?

 

I think it was the microwave oven becoming a standard home item in the mid 70s, along with credit card advertising, that propelled the idea of instant gratification. Which has caused much financial grief for many.

Or sometimes financial joy, as in the case of your mechanic.

Thank you for being candid. It will help others understand the value of a prepurchase inspection and to take the sellers assurances with caution.

The good news is you like the truck, seem to have the funds to deal with the issues, and at the end should wind up with a refreshed ride that will last a long time!

Welcome to the best website to help you further drain your wallet!

 

165K. I'm the third owner. My buddy working on making it road worthy thinks one of the previous owners was running a heavy trailer a lot or something. That's possibly why the sub-par components made it on and whichever shop put them on did a terrible hack job which made things worse.

 

I can't agree more now because I'm a case study on why NOT to purchase a used vehicle without having someone who knows their stuff crawl all over it.
Yeah, I have some buyers remorse because I could have really put a lot of cool shit on the taco instead of making sure the damn wheels didn't fall off first.

Let my hard lesson be a warning to others!

 

You may wish you had bought a Ridgeline but probably not

 

Or a Datsun...

 

I put over 300k on an '84 Datsun truck

 

That's not too bad on miles. Once you get it all maintained you will be happy. It's a great truck. Mine is a 2011 but mine is only a 2wd.

 

The wheels are FJ wheels by the way. Look great!

 

Got my truck back...!

My buddy Pat over at Transparent Auto Solutions in Tempe did a great job.

Outer and inner wheel seal on passenger side, wheel bearing on that one too, CV axles, upper/lower ball joints, front upper/lower control arms, bushings (replaces with poly ones), brake hoses, gas cap, trans flush, oil changed, rear & front diffs and transfer case drained and filled, oil & filter change, cleaned KnR air filter, fixed the air flow meter, rear brake shoes, lube job and drove it a bunch of times to make sure there was nothing else. All with a raging head cold over the last 4-5 days. Pat is the man!

Also put a 3" Toytec lift with the Bilstein 5100s for good measure.

All-in-all I'm very pleased.

 

Had to admire it for a little when I got home.

Going to get it aligned tomorrow or Saturday morning.

 

looks good. this site will drain your wallet. I stayed away from this site for several years and lurked around here and there. it wasn't until recently I had to replace some parts and bam, i replaced more than what i needed to..ahahhahaah .

 

Truck must drive like new now! Lift looks great!

 

Congrats and kudos to your buddy Pat .. he done a ton of work on it and at least you know what all is new now and hopefully it will be a great truck for you for years to come .. looks great! how's the ride after he did all the suspension work, lift etc ?