Inherited Tacoma - looking for advice/help

Hey

Just joined the forum. Here's my story...

My dad bought this 2003, SR5, TRD V6 Tacoma new in 2004. He loved this truck (almost as much as I did, envying him for having it since I was in school and couldn't afford anything but a civic). Fast forward to 2010, he passes away suddenly and leaves me the Tacoma.

This truck has been driven from NJ throughout the entire country. Up and down the east coast - from NJ to the west coast and Vancouver twice - and all sorts of adventures in between. Its totally stock except for the cap.

She has 78k miles (amazing) on her and I just took over ownership. First step I changed the fluids and belts (squealing like a pig). Now I'm scheduling an appointment to bring it in for the rust examination (I'm hoping it fails...but I doubt it from the looks of it).

My question is - I'd like to get it running like new again and thwart off any future problems while the mileage is still so low. So I was thinking from reading the boards of having the dealership do the following while the frame rust inspection got done (I'm sure none of these have been done):
Timing Belt
Trans flush and fluid replacement
Rear diff flush and fluid replacement
Ball joints
Fuel filter

I'm also considering replacing the shocks while I'm there because the truck was loaded with gear for LONG periods of time when my dad took the cross country trips. Seems to bounce a little. Any other suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I plan on keeping my dad's adventurous history alive with this truck, so I want it to be ready for it. I plan on some mods in the future, after I read up on the posts here.

Thanks
Bill

 

one things for sure....your dad kept that truck really nice...

 

sorry about the loss man, and the truck looks great sounds like you have most of the maintinance checked you shouldnt have much to worry about if its been a street queen most of its life.

 

Funny you say that...

The interior is littered with cigarette burn holes...on the carpet, the seats, the 4wd shifter skirt (I can fit 4 fingers through that hole) and the headliner - YES the headliner!! It still smells like cigarettes and wet dog after I've spent close to $200 bucks on cleaning products. The exterior looks nice and shiny now...but when I got it, it was last washed (seriously) in 2006. I shit you not.

 

sorry to hear about your dad

but why would you want it to fail the frame inspection?? you say you want your dad's adventures to carry on with the truck?

that's low miles and looks MINT

 

From what I was reading on here - I'll save a ton of cash if they have to replace the frame and I'll get a ton of free labor if I buy the parts. Sorry if I wasn't clear - I'm going to be driving this truck until I kick the bucket.

 

Pictures can be deceiving (bumper)...

 

well i cant wait to see you add some mods!

 

If I was in your shoes I'd put new interior/carpet,headliner,seats recovered not cheap slip-ons. I'm sure it's paid for,with low miles and you fathers memories in the truck it's win win.

 

x2 replace all of the interior

 

Thanks for all the advice and condolences, I appreciate it.

Did you do the interior work yourself? I've seen some "pre-cut" carpet kits online...I was thinking about it.

 

Replace the water pump too.

 

Might better interior at a junkyard or get the seats and headliner redone.

 

Yep! I would go leather if I had to replace mine...

 

I had an '01 (Nov. 2000), it was perfect and I put 136,000 miles on it by mid 2005. Nothing at all failed on it!

The timing belt and water pump can be changed at the same time (cheaper that way), but doesn't need to happen until 90,000 miles... Your call.

The truck looks beautiful... Your dad will be happy that you are loving his truck enough to do all of this.

Welcome to TW!

 

x3... get the interior all buttoned up new.

And I'd leave it stock, personally.

Like you said, this truck has seen ridiculous amounts of adventures as is. No need to mess with it.

My stock '98 TRD has been to the top of the world and back... no problems.

 

Sorry for your loss, but I'm sure this truck represents a great connection to your father for you. Something he loved, spent a lot of his time in it, and now it's in your hands.

The first picture you posted I swore it was taken in 2004. I guess all the shit caked on the outside acted as a protective cocoon all these years... ha!

 

Sorry to hear about your father. The factory service manual is available on this site. Down load it and use it. I think the fsm says 90k mile for timing belt. I bought a timing belt kit on e-bay the came with an mitsobihi belt and an asain water pump (oem parts). and a few other things that should be replaced with the belt. You replace all this at once because you have the front tore apart so do it while your there. Really nice truck!!!