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Keep it or scrap it?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by NHtacomaownah, Mar 7, 2018.

  1. Mar 7, 2018 at 3:03 PM
    #1
    NHtacomaownah

    NHtacomaownah [OP] Member

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    Hey TacomaWorld,

    I'm looking for some advice. I've got a 2003 tacoma with just over 200,000 miles on it. The truck needs about $6000 of work. The front end needs rack and pinion, ball joints, control arms. I also need to do the clutch. I am wondering if it's worth it to do the work and potentially get another 100,000+ more miles out of it or just scrap it and get another truck. The truck is paid off. It's also an east coast truck and there is no way anyone out here in CA would want to buy it from me so I'd have to do a trade in. Let me know what you think.
     
  2. Mar 7, 2018 at 3:06 PM
    #2
    Gunshot-6A

    Gunshot-6A Prime Beef

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    I'd get a new one...

    OR

    Make it a project truck. Seems like a perfect candidate for an LT desert machine / trail truck with all that front end work pending...
     
    SnowroxKT likes this.
  3. Mar 7, 2018 at 3:28 PM
    #3
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    El Dorado, CA (NOT El Dorado Hills)
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    Let me guess... Dealer is suggesting doing the work???

    You can get a steering rack for less than $600 - not all that difficult to install yourself. A few bolts and some time:
    http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/toyo...t-by-low-range-off-road-tac-sp-1gen-urpk.html

    Ball joints etc... can run you $250ish, more if you go geniune OEM, maybe $400ish. There's a WHOLE discussion on OEM or not, but most do just fine with a good quality aftermarket like MOOG or 555, expect to spend about double for OEM. There are some vendors here with good deals on teh OEM parts, though...
    http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/toyo...coma-4x4-lower-ball-joints-made-in-japan.html
    http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/toyo...coma-4x4-lower-ball-joints-made-in-japan.html

    And I doubt you need new control arms. That's just the mechanic being lazy and not wanting to press out the old the bushings (it's faster/easier for them to charge you for a whole control arm with pre-installed bushings). So maybe $30-40 for the bushings...
    These are poly bushings:
    http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/toyo...r-and-lower-control-arm-bushings-8-3115g.html

    So, that's like $5000 CHEAPER than what your dealer is quoting you...
     
  4. Mar 7, 2018 at 3:35 PM
    #4
    scocar

    scocar hypotenoper

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    Get a second opinion and a quote from someone who is worth a shit.

    Call Toyota or go to https://www.toyota.com/owners/ and enter your VIN to see if your truck was one of many affected by the lower ball joint recall. If so, they will replace those free.

    East coast, shmeast coast. What is the actual condition of the frame. You live in Tahoe, so it may be rusted to shit, or not. Post pics.

    Do what you can to save this truck, and whatever you do, do not trade it in. They will hose you, and you can fetch far more by selling it private party.
     
  5. Mar 7, 2018 at 4:28 PM
    #5
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    It comes down to do you have a place the tools and time ?

    Your ahead selling it outright a vehicle dealer might give you a few hundred he has made already on the sale to you
     
    Gunshot-6A likes this.
  6. Mar 7, 2018 at 4:37 PM
    #6
    robssol

    robssol If it ain't broke, leave it the eff alone!

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    Depends on frame condition, as others have mentioned.
     
  7. Mar 8, 2018 at 6:56 AM
    #7
    NHtacomaownah

    NHtacomaownah [OP] Member

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    The frame was recalled and replaced. It about 60,000 miles on it. Still relatively rust free.
     
  8. Mar 8, 2018 at 7:00 AM
    #8
    robssol

    robssol If it ain't broke, leave it the eff alone!

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    New frame! Definitely keep it and build it!
     
    2002Tacoma4x4 and 4drtaco03 like this.
  9. Mar 8, 2018 at 7:08 AM
    #9
    scocar

    scocar hypotenoper

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    Keep it. It seems like you aren't into doing the work yourself, so go get a second opinion.

    Also, you are in nor Cal. Post up in the NorCal thread and ask if anyone is up for helping you diy. There are many very capable guys who go out of their way to get shit done. The only one who I can think of in Tahoe is @jberry813 . He may be able to refer you to a good local shop. But there are many others who routinely head into the Sierras and love wrenching.
     
  10. Mar 8, 2018 at 7:12 AM
    #10
    NHtacomaownah

    NHtacomaownah [OP] Member

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    Thanks, everyone. I would like to do the work myself, but I'm not super confident. I have a relatively equipped garage, but the biggest thing I am lacking is a way to get the front end off the ground to do the work. I appreciate the help and will reach out to some fellow first gen diehards.
     
  11. Mar 8, 2018 at 7:42 AM
    #11
    Masshole_And_His_Taco

    Masshole_And_His_Taco RIP Rick

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    What this guy said^^^
     
    2002Tacoma4x4 likes this.
  12. Mar 8, 2018 at 8:34 AM
    #12
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    Just get a 3 ton hydraulic floor jack and a couple 6 ton jack stands. $100 for the floor jack, and $50 or so for the stands. I got a pair of 6 tons (they're taller) from Harbor Freight for ~$45. My floor jack is at least 15 years old - a craftsman. Honestly, it's one of the first sets of things one should have in their garage...

    The work itself isn't that difficult if you know how to turn a wrench. It's not rocket science. There are TONS of helpful videos and tutorials on how to complete the work on this site. If I can do it, you can do it. Just take a bunch of measurements for where the tie rod ends are screwed on to the rack, etc... so you can get the alignment close (i.e. drivable). Then take it to a shop for a true alignment.
     
    Last edited: Mar 8, 2018
  13. Mar 8, 2018 at 8:55 AM
    #13
    Dalandser

    Dalandser ¡Me Gustan Las Tacos-mas!

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    This guy has extremely detailed how to videos for all of that stuff:

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9EMiD9KPy61kJ6hdXcbjxA

    He works on 3rd gen 4runners which are mechanically identical to our trucks in a lot of ways concerning the stuff you mentioned that needs replacing. The clutch is basically the same as his auto transmission swap videos with the extra steps of bolting on a new clutch, which you can find plenty of videos for.
     
  14. Mar 8, 2018 at 8:58 AM
    #14
    taco57

    taco57 Well-Known Member

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    Keep it.
     
    cruxofthebisquit likes this.
  15. Mar 8, 2018 at 9:05 AM
    #15
    Gunshot-6A

    Gunshot-6A Prime Beef

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    A harbor freight floor jack can be had for ~$100.

    Between a Haynes manual and University of Youtube, you can accomplish anything. I believe in you!
     
  16. Mar 8, 2018 at 9:11 AM
    #16
    maju

    maju Well-Known Member

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    Keep it, fix it...
    $6000 is quite a bit less than a new truck.
     
    robssol likes this.
  17. Mar 8, 2018 at 9:22 AM
    #17
    otis24

    otis24 Hard Shell Taco

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    Keep it!

    I live in the bay area. For some reason I like working on these trucks. I wouldn't mind coming up to Tahoe to give you hand. Especially if you wait until the snow is gone and I can use a day for mountain biking.

    I've done all the things listed minus the clutch. I'm sure we could figure that out. On the other hand that might be worth paying someone to do for you. I have jackstands and a bottle jack. I also have a high lift, but it's only useful if you have sliders or some kind of bumper to use it with. I also have a pitman pullers for the tie rods and lower ball joint castle nut.

    Are you from New Hampshire? My parents live in Newmarket near Portsmouth. I was there over Christmas...it was friggin' cold.
     
    scocar and NHtacomaownah[OP] like this.
  18. Mar 8, 2018 at 9:25 AM
    #18
    otis24

    otis24 Hard Shell Taco

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    Also post in the Norcal board. There's a bunch of members in the Tahoe area. They can recommend shops etc if you choose to go that route.
     
    scocar likes this.
  19. Mar 8, 2018 at 9:26 AM
    #19
    otis24

    otis24 Hard Shell Taco

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    And also -
    :worthless:
     
    2002Tacoma4x4 likes this.
  20. Mar 8, 2018 at 9:34 AM
    #20
    otis24

    otis24 Hard Shell Taco

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    Probably the inner bushings. But still the bushings are replaceable.

    Edit: I mean in-board bushings...where they control arms attach to the truck and cam alignment bolts etc.
     

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