New Tacoma owner!

Hi everyone, just wanted to drop a new post and say hello! I just picked up a 2018 white dcab 4x4 offroad, traded in my 13’ f150 fx4 ecoboost for it. So far loving the taco, the mpg and being able to park in the garage again .
Have cruised through the forums a bit and learned about the ac drain issue on the 3rd gens so went ahead and took care of that today. Below are some photos of how I modded mine to keep my frame rust free, any other tips are greatly appreciated and I look forward to getting contribute back to the forums!

My ac mod consisted of the following:
1- 5/8” 90* elbow
1- 5/8” pushloc for 1/2” synflex airline
Roughly 2’ of 1/2 synflex
2- 5/8” fomoco spring clamps

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome!

AC drain problem??

 

Welcome Ed!

 

Thanks and yeah the issue where the ac drain tube dumps right out onto the pass front frame rail and causes it to rust. I have 220 miles on mine and it already has surface rust, and I’m in Nevada where it’s dry lol.

 

Congrats and welcome Ed !!

 

Cool. I’ve never heard of it or seen any major issues. I checked mine and no rust so all good here.

 

Thanks for sharing !

 

What’s everyone’s consensus on the first service being a 5000 mile interval on break in oil. I’m thinking I will do the first oil change myself at 2000.

 

Pretty sure all 3rd gens need the A/C drain mod

 

Welcome @Evolved25

 

I’ve never seen a single post about it. I have no rust and even if it drains on the frame it’s a non issue. The frame rust issue was mostly related to trapped water like the cab mount.

 

It honestly would take years for the ac drain to cause enough rust to penetrate through the frame, I just figured it was cheap insurance (free in my case) to mitigate something that could be an issue down the road is all

 

It’s a sticky in the 3rd gen section.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rust-on-frame-with-a-c-drain-mod-fix.444138/

It’s one of the first things people do when they purchase their trucks. And yes, I agree with the OP, it would take a long time to cause considerable damage. You’d get damage faster from salt.

OP, do you have pictures of the rest of your truck? Not that your undercarriage is ugly or anything...

 

Hah here’s the night I brought it home

 

Ah ok, I never bother with the stickies. I imagine the majority never do as well given how many questions we get repeated over and over and over. That said, still a non issue, my truck is almost 2 years old now and no rust, and even if there was its only surface rust, truck will be long gone before its a real issue.

 

The 5K service is merely a tire rotation and fluid check. The first oil change isn't until 10K because it's full synthetic.

Lots of guys change it before that and the discussion can get pretty nasty. I've been running synthetic in vehicles for almost 10 years, at 10K intervals, with no issues.

And nobody I know that's waited til 10K for the first oil change has blown the motor.

 

Welcome!

 

I think I will error on the side of caution just to be safe, dealer said it was “break in” oil which has always meant to me...detergent free. I’m sure the oil doesn’t break down but I do a lot of short trips and dont want the moisture that builds up to start sluging anything up. Appreciate the info!