Couple questions

Ok I've had my Tacoma (99 V6 auto 4x4) for a while now but it was originally bought just for off-road activities (mainly hunting and fishing) to keep the wear and tear off my daily driver. Due to recent financial adjustments it is now my daily driver. Which is fine by me because it really is too nice of a truck to be a stump jumper. Any how let's get to it. Since I didn't drive it on a regular basis or to be more specific I've only put maybe 1000 miles on it since buying about a year ago I never really payed attention to little minor issues about the truck. I hate to run them all together on one thread because that usually causes confusion but I got shit to do.

First issue is and this isn't really an issue but I have searched and thought about it til I just said F*** it. On my gauge cluster by the 0 on the tach there is a pen sized green light. Could someone please tell me what this is for. I'll attach an image.

Second issue- idk if anyone knows this but if you type in 1st gen Toyota Tacoma cruise control trouble shooting on google search about 80 pages with about 30 articles per page pops up (if my math is correct that's like 2 million articles) and so far I haven't found a page that has a step by step guide for trouble shooting. As it stands right now as far as I know I have all the components for cruise control and it is a factory setup. When I turn the cruise on no indicating lights come on and if I try to set it (whether I just bump the paddle or hold it down for a few seconds) nothing happens. I tried searching for a picture of a factory gauge set with cruise control indicating lights on but no luck. With that being said I don't even really know where to start at.


Third issue- TRACTION!!!!!! I'm assuming it's because my little champagne colored snatch wagon is so light in the rear end but I have noticed the traction in this truck in 2 wheel is horrible! I have brand new grippers on but this truck will break traction on the slightest incline go forward or backwards. I'm not sure what gear ratio is in it and as far as I know it's all bone stock. Do I have a mechanical issue or is it simply because of being so light? Are lockers an option?

Ok I'll finish with that for now the boss is cutting eyes at me for the past 10 minutes now. Guess she wants the D!!! Thanks for any advice

 

The first issue is the resting pin the needle rests on is missing, so you see the light shine through.
Second issue with cruise control, very well could be related to your lights issue. Cruise can be disengaged by the brake switch when you apply the brakes. Double check brake light bulbs. Also, do you have the trailer wiring harness?

 

She wants the... 'D'inero??? So she's just like any other woman? Lolol

 

nah she def don't want the money! I do make some pretty good change on the pipeline but a few weeks after we first got together she stuck with me through a bankruptcy and a drawn out divorce. She seemed happier than ever when I literally had nothing. She's one of the few straight up chicks in this world.

 

Yes to the trailer wiring harness

 

Does it function correctly? I know there is an issue on Land Cruisers of that era where the trailer wiring converter box shorts inside. This can affect cruise control, as well as other lights. Try unplugging it and see if anything changes.

 

Hate to be "that guy," but for the cruise control issue, did you check fuses? Since its not even coming on, I'd assume you have a power, ground, or switch issue. Assuming its a standalone cruise control module like what I'm used to dealing with

as for traction, do you have the e locker button to the left of your steering column? That will help but only to be used offroad. With stock tires, on a rainy day it, it was difficult to keep my open rear end from sliding around on pavement. My only suggestion is what I did. 2.5" lift and 285/75/16s or 285/70/17s. Basically 33s. This will require the pinch weld mod and slight bumper trimming. Or you could load the bed with sand bags. If you look at the first gen stickies there's a guide to tell you what gear ratio you have if youd like to know. If I'm not mistaken, most v6 4x4s have 4.10s. Hope this helps!

 

I haven't ever hooked a trailer up to this truck but my grandpa used it one time and he's Johnny law when it comes to traffic rules and refs or any law for that matter. I seriously doubt he would have taken it if there was an issue with the trailer lights and I know he would have said something to me if it weren't working properly. But just to eliminate the possibility I'll drag my lookers across it.

 

You can just test with voltmeter leads in the 4 pin leads as well, just to make sure you're getting 12 volts when being used. Not saying it's it, just eliminating possibilities. Thinking out loud with ya.

 

Hey "that guy" lol it's all good. As far as I know I checked every fuse associated with the cruise control. Every fuse in my truck has been checked, tested and/or replaced. Every empty fuse slot has a fuse in it just to make sure I didn't miss something. I do not have the e locker.

 

I think the rest has been answered. I'll add to the traction issue. I have a camper shell, sleeping platform and tools in my bed...the hi lift alone is like 50 pounds. Anway, that's probably 400-500 pounds. I can't get my rear end to break traction or slide out even in heavy rain. I believe this is due to all the weight.

 

The previous had some audio upgrades in so I've been running down and removing some useless wires once I get that crap out the way I'm gonna jump in head first. Just want to have a plan going in I did notice on the steering wheel he had something aftermarket installed because there is a small round hole (obviously cut with a really dull dremel or they trapped a saber toothed field mouse in there and it chewed its way out which come to think of it the second of the two seems more plausible) pretty much directly opposite of the factory installed CC. I think I'm gonna tear into the steering wheel first and see what that looks like.

 

Thanks for the input but I'm trying to stay light as possible. A heavy truck is a usually a stuck truck.

 

Well i think an arb locker actually winds up cheaper than lift, wheels, and tires so you could try that if you wanted. But the ride is much better with a lift in my opinion. Depends on where you want to go with it. I have an open front, but was using 4 low and locked in the rear on 285s and still got stuck in the snow yesterday. Bottom line is you will always have a limit. More money = more possibilities.

 

My 2001 had a cruise control issue where it would not always come on and then when it was on if I hit a bump it would go back off. I called Toyota and it ended up having a recall and was fixed. They said it was a wiring harness issue.

 

Yeah, Toyota might issued a recall for the trailer convertor box, I know there was a TSB for it. Depending on how bad they were melted inside, it could affect very little to lots of things.

 

Yes, if I remember correctly they said it was a fire hazard and something to do with towing as well.

 

I'll see if I can find a TSB number, so anyone can read up on it if they want.

 

I hear you ...I'm working on taking some of the weight off. Other concerns with a fat truck besides getting stuck are fuel economy and stuff wearing out. Although, I have a locker and 33" mud terrain tires so I kinda gotta do something real dumb to get stuck.

My truck isn't my daily driver. I maybe put 5,000 miles a year on it. So fore me the weight isn't really an urgent thing. The biggest reason to get it lighter is that on really rough roads it doesn't drive so well.

 

TSB #TC01021 for the issue with the trailer converter.