Son’s High School Taco

Hello, everybody,

I bought my son a 2004 Tacoma Ext Cab for his first vehicle. Of course, when he graduates, it comes back to me. It’s got 205,000 miles on it, but most everything is in great shape.

It has the 6 cyl with a 5 speed. I figure learning manual transmission will help keep him off his phone while he’s driving, plus it might impress the ladies.

We won’t be doing any major mods to it (yet), but he does want some black steel wheels (Procomp 69s, Vision Soft 8, etc), and he thinks he wants to get rid of the shell and get some roll bars. Why the heck not, right? Put some KC smileys up there and cruise. We might go up a size on the tires, so any thoughts there are welcome. Nothing too aggressively wide - just a bit taller. It’s got 235/85/16s on it now. The only mod we’ve made is installing the lazy fat cat underneath.

I also want to teach him basic maintenance as well - oil change, plugs, coolant, etc. Any tips welcome.

That’s about it for now. Thanks for any advice you can offer.

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Thank you both! There is a lot of content on this site. I’m sure every question I could ever come up with has probably been answered 3x, but I don’t mind making people repeat themselves

 

That looks like a killer first truck, welcome!

 

Welcome to the TW

 

It’ll be for sale on this site as soon as I hit my 50 newbie posts!

 

San Angelo, TX - might be a bit of a haul

 

Welcome, what an awesome first vehicle. You sure he'll give it back when he graduates?

 

Title’s in my name, so I’ll report it stolen if he doesn’t

No, I figure if he really wants to hang on to it, he can have it, but I would bet he’ll want something a little newer for college.

 

Makes sense, but I bet there's a solid chance he gets the bug. Positive outcome either way!

 

Welcome, and what an awesome project to do with your kiddo! Life skills for sure. Have fun!

 

Thanks! That’s what I’m hoping. When I was his age, my dad taught me how to change oil, filters, etc - the basic stuff. I’m hoping to do the same with him.

 

Couldn't have picked a better vehicle to learn how to drive and maintain IMO. My dad taught me to drive a 5 speed at 15. He told me I'd never want to drive anything else. I'm 54 and have never owned an automatic. I lost my dad in 2017, so your post hit home (in a good way).

I flush the radiator every 5 years with Toyota brand fluid only. I switch between Lucas Fuel Injector cleaner and Sea Foam every month. Change the oil every 5,000 and rotate tires at the same time. I get parts from https://toyotaparts.bochtoyotasouth.com/account/login they're cheaper than all local Toyota dealerships. You have to order by VIN. 331k miles and it's in as good of condition as a brand new truck.