1999 Tacoma SR5 TRD Imperial Jade Build, Sweat and Tears

Finally got a truck again.

1999 Tacoma Xtracab SR5 TRD 5 Speed Manual in imperial jade mica.

Will be adding updates as they go.

Its too bad the clear coat is kinda hammered.













*Repairs / Upgrades Since Purchase*
~Grey wire mod (locker works in 2wd, 4hi and 4lo).
~4runner map light.
~Replaced wrong color china made inner door handles with correct color OEM.
~Was missing the front 2 skid plates, found and replaced.
~Replaced ultra bald tires with General ATX 31x10.5r15 c
~Truck came with one of the sway bar links not bolted on. Replaced both sides with Moog.
~Rear locker was unplugged at the transmission.
~Lubed squeaky clutch pedal.
~Lubed squeaky drives seat on bumps.
~Buffed oxidized paint.
~Buffed oxidized headlights.
~Scrubbed interior.
~Came with airbag light on (fixed by unplugging then replugging the 3 airbag computer connectors behind the center of dash at the bottom).
~Pealed the crazy dark tint off all the windows including the windshield.
~Cleaned a 5 gallon bucket of dirt and hay from under the bed liner.
~Replaced broken Ilco key with Genuine Toyota key.
~Replaced and programed missing Viper alarm fob.
~Replaced fully worn OEM cab bushings with Energy Suspension (black).
~Adjusted rear brake bias to keep the rear from locking up before the front.
~4Runner ignition key light mod.
~KC's 2" C2 area flood light as back up lights.
~Bilstein 5100 front (2nd clip from the bottom, 4 clip adjustment) and rear.
~Added heat shield to passenger side exhaust manifold to lower intake temps.
~2001+ steering rack with Moog inner and outer tie rods.
~Replaced center support bearing for driveshaft
~Changed NGK plugs to Denso
~Cleaned up the rust under the bed on the frame rails and repainted.
~Replaced fuel filter.
~Replaced Delphi MAF (reading incorrect IAT temps) with Denso MAF.
~Replaced AC idler pulley (Gates).
~Heat shield taped power steering reservoir.
~Heat shield taped air box.
~Shimmed driveshaft center support.
~Redline MT90 oil in transmission (Changed to Motorcraft Fully Synthetic

$34 XT-M5-QS Full Synthetic Manual Transmission Fluid - 1 Quart , black

XT-M5-QS)
~Fixed transmission leak.
~Baja Design S1 Wide ditch lights.
~4Runner tweeter and sails.
~Re-installed Tacoma emblems on doors and SR5's (OEM).
~Electric adjustable side mirror swap (with harness).
~Replaced leaky CV seals with OEM.
~Replaced CV shafts with OEM 4Runner shafts.
~Jason Camper Shell paint matched.
~Custom 10 gallon auxiliary fuel tank with gauge and dump switch in cab.

*Needs/Up Coming/Wishlist*
~Airbag light on again and again.
~Manual hub swap
~Check valves.
~Changed timing belt, etc.
~Under seat subs.
~Air mattress for Tacoma bed.
~Add back up camera.
~Rock lights.
~Steam clean all fabrics in the interior and use ozone.
~Rock sliders.
~Go on trips and take cool photos.

 

With the first 30 min of buying it, my friend helping me scrap the tint off the front windshield. Also the seats are pretty dirty.

 

Nice truck man.
Brings back old memories for me.
I had an SR5 Auto 4WD.
It was my first build. Still wish I had never sold that truck.

 

I think I know what you mean. Theres only certain cars that give you a feeling. For me I had a Suzuki Samurai and an 87 Montero/Raider that gave me that feeling but I couldn't find anything else, until this tacoma, very similar feeling, very happy to have bought it.

 

I have had 3 different Tacomas besides that truck. (4 total)
It’s still the one I liked the most.
My current truck is better in all ways.
But I still liked my Gen 1 the best.

Sometimes I think if I found a super low mile Gen 1, I’d trade.
But you never know what you got, until you get it.
I know what I have now.....if you know what I mean?

 

Im going through that right now with this truck. I not a fan of stuff like random screws instead of the stock ones and cheap china knock off replacement parts.

On mine I was wondering why there was so much body roll on turns, I look under the front and one of the sway bar end links wasn't even hooked up and the wire for the rear diff lock was unplugged at the transmission. Ive gotten most of it sorted in the few days that I've had it. Went to the junk yard and got all the right screws and clips.

 

Previous owner put on the replica door handles of the wrong color and pretty sure the wrong style/year. Went to the junk yard and got the right ones with the right screws.

 

Decided to take the rest of the tint off. It was so dark I couldn't see at night and it had a nasty brown color to it anyways.

 

AC idler pulley was squealing, pulled off the skid plate and lubed the pulley really well with white lithium grease and it went away.

The driver seat was also creaking like crazy over every bump. Pulled the seat out and lubed all the springs and pretty much anything that moved and it went away.

The clutch was creaking like crazy and also white lithium that too.

Found out one of the spark plug wires coming off the coil pack that crosses over to the other side was fully corroded. Cleaned it and the truck runs a lot smoother now. It was getting some knocking on take offs if I didn't keep the rpms up and now thats gone away. Also the exhaust would drone pretty bad at low rpms and now a lot of that has gone away too.

Used compound, polish and wax again for the 2nd time. Trying to get all the oxidation off.

Having a weird issue with the cab light on the drivers door (the red one). Its intermittent. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Tires are coming in a few days, 31x10.5r15 General ATX.

Also trying to figure out what the bed is slanted down in the back. Ive seen some other tacos like this. I don't see any frame damage. Looks like Ill have to shim the bed up in the back to level it.

 

I believe the 98-00’ trucks had the door light.
I don’t have the wiring schematic for those years.
So I can’t really help you there. A quick search show AutoZone has it free if you sign up for a free membership.

The bed itself is hard to remove. I’ve had it off 3 different 1st gens. It’s been years since I had one off. Seems like the gas filler neck was the biggest thing to watch for.

Interesting fact. The rear bumper mounting bracket can be flipped and line up perfect if you ever do a 3” body lift. I don’t really recommend a body lift. But we all live and learn. Lol. I was young, didn’t know any better, and it was cheap.

I now go suspension lift. Even then I’d prefer no spacers.

 

Thanks. I would never do a body lift. I was talking about the bed being slated down in the back. It looks like the 2 tabs where the back on the bed bolts to are slightly bent down.

So the green line would be level and the red line in an example of what mine is. Either Ill have to bed the tabs back up or level it with shims.

 

Yes, I see what you are saying.
Shims maybe be an option. Mine did not slant in the back.
But it was not stock for very long either, so maybe I never noticed?

BTW, I’m still looking for that wiring diagram.
If I find one, I’ll try to take a look and see how the door light operates.

 

After fixing the plug wire this thing runs so much better. Seems like the gas milage is going to be a lot better too. The first tank I got about 150 miles at the half mark and about 300 when the light came on. I filled up today and Im at 150 miles with a bunch of wheeling and it still has a long way before half a tank.

Took it out on its first off roading since buying it. Did pretty well, especially with fully bald tires. I hit 2 decent hills and it did well. Thank god for the locker though.

Probably shouldn't of compounded, polished and waxed the day before.

 

Thanks for looking. I appreciate it. Ill let you know if I get it fixed before that.

Ive seen a couple other tacomas around town here where the bed is similar.

 

Took the bed liner out and there was an entire 5 gallon bucket of dirt, hay, screws and random stuff. Forgot to take a photo till I was almost done.

 

Drop-in Liners are bad for that.
I had mine Rhino Lined. It was a little expensive but well worth it.
It was a lot thicker than the roll on stuff you DIY.
I don’t even know if Rhino Liner is even still in business?

You are starting to get it looking really good.

 

Swapped in a 4runner map light. It wasn't till after I bought the part that I found out they also made one that functioned as a dome light (3 switch). Oh well, might swap that another time.

Was fairly easy. Used a coat hanger and sent it through where the dome light is then pulled the wire back. If you use this type, its only 1 wire, the body of the light acts as a ground. You have to cut the headliner but the cut outs in the roof are there for this light. If you remove the mirror you will feel them and you can use them as a guide of where and how much to cut out of the headliner.

 

That’s pretty cool. Probably something I would have done to mine, if I had known about it.

 

I don't mind the liner too much. Id never let it get as bad as they did. I missed taking a photo of it but it was legit a 5 gallon bucket full. The photo I posted was it almost all cleared out.

 

Here's the wiring diagram with the door courtesy lights. You most likely just have a loose connection somewhere. I'd check the door switch, but if your're dome comes on correctly, then that's not it. Could just be a loose bulb or connection at the plug. The plug is accessible through the window switch hole.