I'm new and I'm proud!

Hello! Long time lurker, finally got around to creating an account and writing this post. Here's the story so far on my 2006 SR5 4x4..

The story begins the day before COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, in a Mazda Miata. The sea was angry that day, my friends! So too was the rain, like an old man trying to send back soup in a deli. On my way home that day I crested the peak of a steep grade in that little car only to find an inch of standing water on the other side. That little Miata didn't stand a chance, it got loose and found its way into a k-rail. She was toast, totaled, off to meet the golden gates of the Junkyard in the Skies...

Enter the dawn of a new age, the Age of the Tacoma.


The moment I saw her (and her price) I knew she was the one. On the test drive and the drive home I could feel she needed some work, but it wouldn't be anything I couldn't handle. Turns out "needed some work" was the understatement of the new decade! Let's review all the work I've done since I picked her up in March:

- LCA bushings were shot (I found cardboard stuffed in the void where bushing was supposed to be on one of them - I guess this is the "poor man's alignment" that one gets at Pep Boys that they don't tell you about), attempted replacement.
- During LCA bushing replacement, found that it had two different LCA's installed (one was OEM, one was not), could only install replacement bushings on one of the two arms. Replaced LCA's and bushings with OEM.
- Decided that was a good time to mount up these slick new Method wheels I've been holding onto for a couple years since winning them in a raffle I didn't know I entered at King of the Hammers 2018. Threw on some KO2's, as one does. Also decided to replace the spare with a new steely and a cheaper tire, also as one does.
- Accidentally ordered tires that were a bit too big for stock suspension because I wasn't bright enough to double-check my wheel/tire specs, so the natural fix was to throw on an Icon Stage 1 suspension lift and own it!
- It was around this time I carefully installed the propeller hitch to let everyone know that until I own a boat, this truck would be my boat.
- At this point noticed a very wet boot on the steering rack, so that needed replacing too. That was a particularly frustrating job to do alone.
- Figuring the bulk of my problems were now done I installed a new Kenwood head unit, backup camera, and locking hitch latch that all installed without as much as a single rusty or seized-up fastener. A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one.
- Decided now was the time to pull up the dealer's plastic floor lining and throw in some Weathertech floor liners.
- Registered the VIN with Toyota's website and double-checked the maintenance records on the recommendation of a random thread I came across here, and sure enough found every problem I addressed recorded in the final service. "Customer declined work, mentioning they'd trade it in." Of note, however, was a line item for a bad carrier bearing. Went under the truck and sure enough found my propeller shaft to be a hotdog flopping in a hallway with daylight visible through the rubber cushion of that bearing.
- Replaced the carrier bearing and while we had the rear propeller shaft out took the opportunity to replace the three u-joints also along that shaft.
- Once the sky stopped raining ash, replaced the engine & cabin air filters since my lungs hate me enough already.
- Replaced the old, raggedy, torn-up tonneau cover with a new one that won't flop in the wind. Also applied stickers for additional travel length, lighter unsprung weight, and more horsepower.

...and that's it, so far! In such a short amount of time I've learned a lot about this truck and have truly made her something special. Between what I picked her up for initially and what I've invested, I'm still well under what a new TRD Off-Road would have been with all kinds of useful experience gained so I'm calling that a success in and of itself. It's time to go exploring!

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List of modifications from stock:
- Method 312 Matte Black wheels, 17x9 -12/4.5"
- BFG KO2 tires, 265/70/R17
- ICON Stage 1 Adjustable Suspension System, default front lift setting
- Cardone 972629 Rack & Pinion w/ Inner Tie Rods (replaced outers as well)
- Kenwood Excelon DNX697S Navigation Receiver
- Kenwood CMOS-320 Back-Up Camera
- Pop & Lock

$94 PL5400 Black Manual Tailgate Lock with Bolt Codeable Technology for Toyota Tacoma

PL5400 Tailgate Latch with Lock
- iDatalink Maestro RR Interface Module
- Weathertech Floor Liners
- Bully Trailer Hitch Receiver Cover, Chrome, Propeller
- Extang Revolution Tonneau Cover
- FalconZero F170HD+ Dash Cam
- Apparently there's a remote start system installed but I can't make heads or tails of it..

 

Welcome to TW

 

Loved the boat hitch comment.

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld

 

Quite the writer you are, great story and welcome aboard!

 

Welcome to TW

 

Welcome to TW

 

Welcome to the TW

 

The title made me think of this:


Welcome!

 

You're an excellent writer sir, great job getting your truck tip-top!

Welcome aboard!

 

Somebody got it! Thanks for the welcome wagon everyone

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome!