150k maintenance suggestions

Hey all,

New to the forum, and pretty new to being a fellow Tacoma owner.

I got my 2001 PreRunner about 1.5-2 years ago from a family friend. They were the second owner, and they got it from one of their family friends. It had about 108k original miles on it at that time.

It has been a complete joy to own, as the only trouble it's ever given me was when I needed to replace the spark plugs.

Now, I am steadily approaching 150k and my radiator just cracked along the top.

I was about to call up my local parts house to see what they had in stock, when I figured I might as well do the belts at the same time. Being somewhere in between a certified mechanic and a total dingus, I figure this job might take me a couple of days.
I'm thinking I'll put a new thermostat in too.

So, my question to you all is this: What else might you replace/check while you have the radiator pulled out?

Thanks ahead of time, I appreciate any help you can offer!

Lucas

 

The radiator is a quick job, the accessory belts aren't bad even with the radiator still in but you could to make them easier. Timing belt is a whole mess you probably don't want to get into unless its time.

 

replace drive belts, proper coolant change, a new thermostat and waterpump wouldn't be a bad idea while you're at it. The AISIN brand waterpumps are known around here for being of very good quality and basically OEM. Other than that, perhaps a brake fluid drain and fill, a small amount of transmission drain and fill (there's some good threads on here about this), as well as power steering fluid. Basically every fluid

 

Cool. Good deal. Are my original Pulleys fine to keep using? Anything I should check as far as those go?

 

pulleys are good. Just replace them when they start making noise

 

I should mention, on cold, and especially cold AND WET mornings, there is always some squealing until everything warms up. When I say cold, I'm talking California cold, so lowest being 40-50 degrees fahrenheit... It sounds like its coming from the belts but the belts don't show signs of cracking or tearing. Would this be the pulley noise you are talking about?

Thanks for the help!

 

I found a youtube video on this. I think I've got it from here... Thanks again for your help!

 

It's pretty normal due to humidity as well. Happens to me especially when i see mildew on everything in the mornings. Though, if it keeps for longer than a few seconds, I recommend tightening your belts a little bit. For me it was the belt that's connected to the power steering pulley. I had to tighten it a little bit a few times until it was tight enough.

 

Awesome. Thanks for pointing out exactly which pulley it was for you. It definitely lasts longer than a few seconds. It usually lasts for a few minutes on a cold start. Since I have only had it for less than a 2 years I don't know if the belts have ever been replaced. I am thinking they may just be stretched out. Before I tear into the new belts though, I will try and see if its a pulley as well that is making the noise. Then I can replace that at the same time as refreshing the belts.

 

Good luck! and take a look at the youtube videos that help you determine if the belt is tight enough

 

I replaced my cooling fan bracket assembly. From what I've read here on TW, it's like a bomb going off under your hood when it goes bad, with little or no warning.

https://www.partsgeek.com/x6myd3t-t...8848&msclkid=ac88f9ffc6a41d75010999deed1a8d25

 

How about the upper and lower radiator hoses?

 

What's the labor time to change?

 

I have no idea, I did this myself, super simple job. remove the cooling fan, and about 4 or 5 bolts, the top part of the timing cover. disconnect the to radiator hose, which might cause you to loose s small amount of coolant, but really it's an easy job, so easy even a "crippled old man" can do it.

 

No rad hose removal either?

 

yes, check my edited comment

 

Also, don't be dumb like I was, put a piece of cardboard or something in front of your radiator, so you don't mess up the cooling fins when you remove the fan. I banged my fan into my radiator. No leaks but I don't like the fact that the air isn't flowing through it like it should.

 

Less than an hour

 

Welcome to the forum!
These trucks don't need much especially at only 150,000 as it's just getting broke-in. Belts and hoses would be good since replacing the radiator.
I wouldn't even bother with the water pump as my '96 has 414,000 miles on the original water pump, original radiator too for that matter.

 

Holy