Preventative maintenance needed for high mileage vehicle?

I'm getting ready to celebrate my 13th anniversary with my 2006 Tacoma (2.7 L, V4, automatic transmission, regular cab). She has over 295K now on her and has been very trustworthy. I've got to keep her going for a while longer because I can't afford a vehicle right now.

In general, only items that have had to be repaired include replacing u-joints (multiple times), valve cover gasket/crankshaft seal, starter/alternator rebuilt and new drive belt. Also, there is the general maintenance (spark plugs, regular oil change, air filters, rotors/brake pads) done on a regular basis. Only issue known at this time is an oil seepage on the side of the oil pan.

Does anyone have suggestions on any preventive maintenance that may need to be done or other original parts that may need to be replaced to prolong her lifespan?

I really appreciate any input. Thank you.

 

Brake fluid.
Most people neglect it.

 

The rubber hoses under the hood. These like to age, lose elasticity and begin leaking......

Tranny fluid and filter.
Coolant change.
Power steering fluid change.
Brake fluid change.
Lube the U-joints.
Differential fluid change.


Not to pick nits, but I think you have an inline 4, not a V-4.

 

Sway bar bushings. Maybe look for some pull off shocks and struts.

 

Thanks, @fixnfly, adding it to the list.

 

@Knute, thanks for this input and the correction on the V4. It's a 4-cylinder. I need to be more specific and read more.

 

@Boco10, thanks for the advice. I haven't had anything done before on the suspension system. May I ask what you mean by "pull off" shocks and struts?

 

Find someone that mods a new vehicle and buy lightly used parts from them.

 

how are your lower control arm bushings? typically they go out at about 200k.

maybe find a nice alignment place and ask them to look over the truck?

 

Just curious, I bought my 2006 Tacoma in October 2006 which makes mine 14 years and 5 months. How are you coming on 13 years unless you bought it in February of 2008?

Have you replaced the PVC value yet? To me the most important item anyone can do with a Tacoma to keep it long term is used a product like FF to coat the frame.

 

@pahaf, yep, definitely plan to take to a brake/alignment shop for an inspection. It's been my experience that it's better to give folks specific things to inspect or either they'll say 1) it looks fine when it's not or 2) come up with a laundry list of stuff that doesn't need to be fixed. Plus I'm trying to learn, how to troubleshoot and just started doing minor repairs myself. I'll add lower control arm bushings to the list, thank you.

 

@Markcal, yes, you correctly calculated when I bought my truck used. Thanks for the heads up on the PCV valve. And, good reminder to have the frame inspected for excessive rust again, especially since there's a recall out for that. I haven't had any issues to date but need to keep an eye on it.