New Member of 1st Gen Tacoma :D

Hello everyone. The other day my mom and I were driving down Buford Hwy and spotted a decent looking Tacoma. My mom wanted a smaller truck to help with her yard projects and such and told me to take down the number and give the owner a call.

The truck is a 2001 Tacoma Double Cab w/ 310,000 miles on it. 2 owners before me. Body is in great shape. Tires seemed to have 60% life left. Electronics, lights, doors latches/locks, windows all work well. Startup crank is strong. Automatic transmission seems to be in good condition. Even in my drive way which is on a slope, it shifts into all gears nicely. Engine seems to be cooled well. Meter shows right in between too hot and cold. Idle shows just below 750rpms and the engine noise is quite tame, no mysterious noises. Virtually no rust underneath the truck.
Upon driving it, I noticed when I accelerated there was a decent vibration coming from the front drivers side wheel. I figure it could be 1) rotation/balance needed (front two pair are different from the rear pair). 2). bad wheel bearings. 3). most probable - bad cv axle from what I have researched.

The other thing is I do not know what trim I have. I believe I have a prerunner because there are 16 inch tires on it and it seems to have a factory lift. The car has an original paint and the TRD decals seem to be pretty old but I don't think it is a TRD. There is also prerunner and sr5 badges on it. It is 2WD and 4 cylinder, blue shocks, 6 lugged wheels, and the factory trim so nothing crazy special.

I don't consider myself a mechanic by any means and I have a lot to learn. I just want to get this thing driving reliably for my mom to use around the town. It being an older truck, I probably won't pour too much money into it and if I discover any major problems, I will probably just sell it.
A little about myself, I am 28 years old. Got my degree at Kennesaw State University. I just enlisted for the Marine Corp. This will be my project until I ship out.

If we have any Georgians that want to take a look at the truck, I will be glad to bring it out and even buy you a lunch and a beer . I am located out of Covington. I have a mechanic friend but if there is someone who is knowledgeable in first generation Tacomas I would much rather prefer them to come out and look at it.


Thank you for allowing me to join!

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome to TW!

Front end could be any of what you said.

Preerunners have the badge on the tailgate, though it could've been removed. I don't think they came with a 4 banger though.

 

Welcome aboard new member
Check the ID sticker on driver side door column, emissions sticker on hood underside for factory info. Go to My Toyota.com and open a free account using VIN# All the correct info and more can be found there.
Do you have a diff lock switch on dashboard?

 

Welcome to the cool club of 1st gen owners!

 

Welcome to TW

 

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome! Drove it a lot around town today and I really dig the car! Strange that the vibration is more noticeable at times and sometimes its not. I also started to hear a leaf like noise. Almost as if something is fluttering in the engine compartment. From my research it seems to be a faulty gasket on the exhaust manifold. Seems like this car will be full of projects. Hopefully i can get it driving just right. Thanks everyone!

 

Welcome from SE VA! i don't think they made prerunner, trd or sr5 cars....only trucks! i know, semantics ....lol....Good luck, seems like you are on the right track. Enjoy the journey!

 

At least it's not a SUV and he calls it a truck...

 

Haha I like that. Too much of a headache trying to figure this guy out. I just removed the decals and debadged it. Thank you Sir!

 

Nice truck. Welcome aboard.

 

FYI - This is an idiot gauge. By the time it shows H, it's way too late.

2WD does not have CV axles up front. I'd lean towards wheel bearing with that mileage.

 

Welcome to the best damn Tacoma forum on the interwebs! Thank you for joining.

 

I know you said you debadged and took the decals off but you get over here and at least put this one on!!!

https://shop.tacomaworld.com/

 

Welcome to TW!

 

I need one of these! I would rock a Tacoma world shirt also if they existed.

 

Not doubting your knowledge but can someone verify if the 2wds don't have a CV axle? I am away from the truck right now but I thought I remember seeing the boots for a CV axle?

 

You were probably looking at the steering rack boots.

CV axels are what give the front wheels power on a 4WD.