200,000 Mile Club (1st Gen Tacomas)

My 04 has 228,000 on it and still runs like brand new! Love this truck has never let me down. Wish it was a v6 but the 2.7 is super reliable

 

love the headlights! Beautiful truck..

 

just joining in the fun. my taco is sitting right around 293k, still running strong. no transmission or engine rebuild. and I sure do love these 1st gen taco's!

 

Nice Taco! Any idea what your ARB bumper weighs?

 

Not sure on actual weight but my arb with winch is about 250 I’d geuss

 

That’s with a warn m8000 with steel cable

 

Thanks for the good information.

 

Question....I'm about to do the second timing belt on my '03 V6 which has 221,000 miles and wondering how many of you have replaced your front camshaft seals? Mine have NOT been done but they are NOT leaking and just worried that even with the proper tools I might end up with a leak. I live in California so don't have to worry about extreme temps.

I know I should probably do them while I'm in there but just curious if others have left the STOCK front camshaft seals in and what mileage you have?

This is a great walkthrough on timing belt including front camshaft seals but....he ran into some issues which is exactly what I'm concerned about.
https://adventuretaco.com/yes-were-...-belt-and-more-in-two-trucks-at-the-same-time

 

I have owned my '98 since 2019, but have a lot of maintenance records from the previous owner. Although it should have been done earlier, the best I can tell the 1st timing belt was changed at 191K miles in 2009 and no records of the front seals being changed. The second timing belt was changed by a Toyota shop at 285K miles in 2016 and there was a note about the front seals being changed (as well as the rear main seal and valve cover gaskets). Just because I'm a bit anal and not too trusting of past owners, I changed the timing belt again (#3) along with the water pump and all belts at 330K miles. I asked about the front seals and the shop said they still looked good and didn't like to change these unless there is evidence of a leak - can create more problems than do good. It's tough to know for sure, but age and miles are working against you. I expect any cam shaft seals that are almost 20 years old and 221K miles would be worth changing if you're in there anyhow. If the truck was a few years newer with fewer miles, I would have a different opinion...just my $0.02.

 

Thanks Kenny! I'm leaning towards replacing them and what you said makes sense (seals becoming brittle, etc.). Considering I won't be in there again for another 90k-100k miles, which is 9+ years for me, I should do them this time.

Putting seals in freezer before hand plus little heat on the head and think I'll be fine. Tackling it in early May so I'll report back

UPDATE 5/10/22----- did both camshaft seals and the crankshaft seal even though they weren't leaking. Glad I did as it was pretty easy process and no evidence of leaks!

 

I did look at your link and wondered if those guys had a weird problem installing these seals. Anyhow, freezing the seals is a good idea but I would be careful adding spot heat on a non-cooled aluminum head. I think you're making a wise decision. Seals are relatively cheap, so you can buy a few extra just in case! Best of luck and please do share your experience when you do this work.

 

243 K miles on my 2003, and no plans to buy another truck for the rest of my natural life.

 

Put me in coach.

 

Last two in excess of 300K Bought one used and had to replace the clutch at 200 and 12 thousand.

 

220k and still running like a champ

 

209k on my '99, definitely not running like a champ but not terrible either. I'm still having fun replacing parts bit by bit, so easy to work on and so much information available online. It lived part of its life as a ranch truck so its a little worse for wear than most but at least it was in CA away from all the salty roads...

 

I'm almost certain that I have a few tight valves. Plan on remedying that myself as soon as my parts come in.

 

I thought about checking valve clearance when I did my cover/tube seals late last year but it was a little beyond my experience....so I painted my valve covers instead, which was definitely the best use of my time...[shoots self in foot]

 

The job sounds daunting at first (that's how I felt too) but after reading up on the procedure and doing some YT research, you'll gain confidence. Timmy's videos are really helpful!

You got this man.

 

Thanks for the vote of confidence...that reminds me, I need to "buy" Timmy more than one beer for all the content generation.