New member already in trouble

Hi all. After 13 years with my 04 Tacoma time came to upgrade. I was big Toyota believer ( had RAV4, PREVIA,MATRIX) until now. My 04 Taco just needed oil changes and regular maintenance. I just bought 08 TRD Sport and what a pile of junk. I am very disappointed to see how quality went downhill. All wheel bearings scream like pigs, front lower ball joints has to be replaced, oil pissing around crankshaft... list goes on. Same milage as my 04 which needs nothing. What happened with Toyota? I read all over internet about all issues I have. Can't believe people pay so much $$ for these cars.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rear-diff-trouble-on-2nd-gen.649351/

 

You bought a 12 year old vehicle ... if it was neglected by the previous owners, well then you have a 12 year old vehicle.

 

I would agree with you, but why do I read all over internet about exactly same issues I have. Wheel bearings are famously going bad, differentials are problem even on new trucks, I see new trucks already going for frame recall? It isn't just my truck, would you agree?

 

Just sell it and move on.

 

Haha, I wish you would give me this advice before I started repairing that truck . I have too much invested in repairs now . Talking about bad decisions......

 

That's why you research before you purchase

The frame problem is pretty well known. I think it was the most expensive recall to date. And the front bearing problem is something I have to take care of within the next year. Also clutch bearing issues on 2nd gen MTs (learned this one the hard way). Haven't heard of the diff problem though, that's a new one to me.

The thing is, even with those costs, these trucks are still less of a money pit in the long run compared to many other vehicles.

 

considering there are 2nd gen tacos with will over 500k compared to alot of chevys, dodges getting no where near there i would say its worth the investment in the long run.

 

Welcome to TW! If the 04 Tacoma wasn't giving you any problems why did you sell it ... especially for a Tacoma that's only 4 years newer?

 

Let me guess. You didn't have a pre purchase mechanical inspection performed by a professional. (not a dealer necessarily, but a pro mechanic with a bent towards Toyotas)

You bought because of 'reputation', it looked pretty, and you thought you were good enough at wrenching to determine all was well?

There are pig in a poke vehicles of all brands. And while I always buy used, history of the vehicle and full examinations do matter.

Your post sounds very disgruntled, as in you'll never be happy or trust the truck. If that's the case, sell or trade it and move on.

 

Welcome aboard?

 

Sorry to hear of your issues-sounds like the prior owner was pretty rough on the truck. If they submarined the thing could explain a lot of your problems-carfax report and used car check? How many miles and what area are you in? I see auction cars that have been flooded and most are not worth salvaging-the problems never end. If your truck is a flood victim just dump it and move on. It takes a minute to find a good one-spent 3years looking for mine. Bought an 09 that was traded in with 17k miles in 2017-procomp lift/wheels/tires-now at 63k with no real issues-oil changes/tires and that pesky center driveline bearing twice-but it was a southwest mall crawler so.....

 

This is like dragging a stranger home from the bar and complaining you now have herpes, your wallet and case of beer is missing.

You must have sealed that deal really quick. No test drive, no PPI, just hand over the cash and bounce?

 

Sounds like reasonable maintenance parts, the pain is all at once of course. Drop a grand into it and not look back. I’d have to assume the deal was a private seller who knew about these issues. But if the drivetrain is solid give the thing the love.

 

Lots of guys on this site have second gens that have provided many hundreds of thousands of miles of trouble free service. They have a few quirks but overall I think it’s one of the most durable and reliable vehicles ever made.

no vehicle is perfect of course, especially after 10+ years.

 

I've got 74 miles short of 270k and other than replacing the engine rather than repair it (mines an 06 so ya know headgaskets) i've had very minimal repairs mostly.

 

Hi all sorry for late response. To answer all your questions....
I live on Vancouver Island that is Canada .
You all in US are very fortunate, Taco prices down south are very reasonable. Here in PNW not so much. I had budget $20k - was looking for double cab, bellow 200k with canopy, stock only in acceptable condition.
Why upgrade from my awesome Taco 04 extra cab? My family likes to go outdoors and I just could not fit me/wife/dog and 2year old into my truck anymore. And so I used this as an excuse..

I found couple trucks - all bad jokes or gone before I could get there, this one was equally bad, but I was running out of patience. 2 months worth of time lost, driving around on my weekends. Private sale is ONLY way to get decent price here, I test drove one Taco at local Toyota stealership year 09 - 170.000km - $26k with tax no canopy LMAO they would not back down and Taco still sits on their lot as of today.

So I went with dblcab 08 - 178.000km - TRD Sport (impossible to find OR here) with Leer canopy for $18900 plus tax. Guy looked sketchy, didn't want to talk about truck much. I inspected truck myself as I would not let anyone touch my truck other than dealer doing recalls. I do all wrenching myself (driveway warrior), I didn't find person who I would trust and didn't have to pay for work yet . I also love to learn about my truck so when poo happens in the middle of nowhere I know where to look and with today's web support (youtube, tacomaworld etc.) all is so easy to do.
Owner gave me clean CARFAX report, all receipts for oil changes in trucks lifetime. I am third owner. Truck spent whole life in Vancouver. Guy just drove that truck, did oil changes and did not understand much about anything past oil and tires. Test drive was not so great, it is hard to hear anything else over dead bearings so I took a gamble. No major leaks, no jerking etc, motor oil just black no water in it, exhaust clean.... With great experience before with my older Taco and how easy it was to wrench on it I kept my chin up, I can fix her up..

Repairs done so far:
new front shocks 5100
new rear shocks 5100
new front wheel hubs/bearings
new rear wheel hubs/bearings/axle seals - had to use machine shop to press bearings they were cheaper than buying tools for it
new spark plugs
tossed out K&N air filter (I am not believer)
cleaned MAF and throttle body
fixed non working A/C -recharged
fixed non working outside temperature/compass (found help here)
removed all obsolete old/non working alarm wiring
new synth motor oil/filter
new front brake rotors/brake pads
new brake fluid - flushed old one
new rear springs - courtesy of TOYOTA - recall was not done
fresh undercoat/frame inspection - courtesy of TOYOTA - recall was not done - frame was in good condition
new plug for trailer - old one was broken
modified cabin air intake as I found big puddle of water inside after heavy rain (wonder why he had these heavy rubber mats inside- now I know) - added metal screen to prevent mice and rats go thru air intake (great mod I found here BTW)
new roof rack on top of truck bed canopy
auto/transmission full flush and filter replaced

Still pending:
front lower ball joints
wheel alignment (maybe)
aftermarket alarm I am putting in

So I am in it for $23k total now , after month working some weekends and evenings on it truck drives like a dream after all but damn! I can't have that much fun in such a short time (she said).
Thank you all for being here, I already found tons of help here