How/Where can I learn more about my truck as a home mechanic?

I don’t have a ton of experience working on cars, just maintenance and a couple part replacements here and there. I like working on my own truck as much as I can but I still have a lot left to learn. I was looking for one of those Chilton/ Haynes manuals but couldn’t find one for a 2021.

I considered taking classes at my local community college but it just didn’t work out. Hands on experience is best but is there any online courses I can look at or any other books that would be helpful? I’m just looking to learn about any vehicle really, doesn’t have to be only the Tacoma.

 

You've come to the right place!

Search for the DIY maintenance topic of your choice and you'll find most things documented here.

YouTube can complement with additional details.

Lots of knowledge on this board as well...

 

Agreed. Since you're on TW, you're definitely at a good starting place. Google/TW works well if you want to do a specific task. And honestly, browsing this forum lets you just pick up a lot. Tacomas are popular so you will always be able to find something somewhere online, especially here.

Youtube videos are really great for learning to work on cars in general and visual references (eg. how an engine works). Just watch a bunch and you'll get the idea. You can also find some really good channels for some more technical stuff (eg. Tinkerer's Adventure).

How much do you actually want to do with your truck or car (basic maintenance/mods, rock crawling, tuning)? Like you said, hands on is the best, so based on that, just start tinkering after searching/reading/watching tutorials and you'll learn as you go. You will also need lots of tools, time, and money depending how bad it gets...

 

If you feel like killing a few trees, I would get a toyota official service manual. They are only online so I don't know if there is a way it can be printed off but I believe you can rent the manual from tis for a couple days...You can for sure tinker to learn, it's what got me started before I became a mechanic by trade but there are some aspects of vehicles nowadays that can turn expensive if you don't know how to work with the system. Especially where computers are concerned. Youtube university can be a good resource but look for multiple ways to do things before you start because some videos may look good but in reality are not the proper way to go about things and can lead you astray

 

The best option I have found is to post in your region whenever you need work done and have someone walk you through it. For the correct amount of beer, I will teach someone how to do anything from a simple oil change and brake job to changing transmissions and re-gearing. Many jobs require specialized tools that someone in your area most likely already has and is usually willing to help out a fellow Tacomist over good conversation and BBQ.

 

Google
YouTube
Money for tools
Money for parts
Lefty loosie
Righty tighty
Something to work on
The desire to do it

Always worked for me

 

https://www.youtube.com/@TheCarCareNut

This guy is excellent.

 

tbh, tacomaworld is really a good resource. And youtube.

 

I found this guy earlier this week and as myself who also doesn’t have a lot of “mechanic” experience he is a great resource. He doesn’t over complicate anything and keeps things simple and easy to understand.

 

Agreed, this forum is great and rich with good advice. I can do most anything to my 2002 GMC Yukon but this new Tacoma is a computer on wheels ( like most new vehicles ). I could tell quickly that beyond general maintenance I would be limited on what I can fix on it myself in the future. I bought the factory service manuals for my GMC from GMC but I doubt that Toyota has that option.

 

Before you take something apart, always ask yourself what will I need to know to put this back together properly. Be methodical, keep track of what goes where and take lots of pictures.

 

Buy a beater vehicle to learn on, so if you FUBAR something you're not messing up a 40K truck. Subscribe to Mitchell1 DIY/ AllData DIY for access to repair info. Watch TheCarCareNut and SouthMainAuto on Youtube(Not ScottyKilmer dude is a hack)

 

The best way to learn about auto repair is to own a Jeep or Scout. Toyotas do not require nearly as much repair.

 

Know your limitations and keep some money aside in case you screw up and have to take it somewhere.

 

Here's a link to the factory service manual (warning, it's huge). You could save that PDF to use as a reference when you're working on something, it's not super easy to navigate, as far as I can tell it doesn't have "smart" links but you can Ctrl+F and search for keywords. Still not ideal since it's such a big document, but it's something. Otherwise all of the suggestions so far have been good, Youtube, these forums, etc. when you have a specific question on how to do something.

 

Welcome to the forum and good on you for wanting to learn.

Learning something new is like putting a puzzle together - you start with the edges & corners - AKA: the basics. Basics defined is: "the central and most important principals".

Good maintenance has more to do with frequent checks, inspections & services than replacing parts.

Start out with section 7 of your owners manual, Maintenance.
You will find very comprehensive checklists for most of the vehicle.
Read & reread this section and perform the checks on a regular schedule (weekly or bi-weekly for example).

After doing this several times you will become comfortable with the tasks and more importantly know what to expect before you do the check - if something has changed (a low fluid level for example) it will stand right out to you as not normal and prompt you to investigate.

For example, it is easier and less expensive to discover a leaking power steering hose on a routine Saturday morning check in your driveway than have the system run low on fluid, damage the pump and need a tow from some remote location.

Section 9, Specifications, clearly provides all the needed information for any replacement fluids as well as light bulbs. Other specifications are also provided for lug nut torque, brake pad thickness, spark plug type, etc.

Keep reading sections 7 & 9 until you understand exactly what they are talking about - if you need further guidance there are thousands of members here willing to help you learn.

 

Speaking from personal experience ...

It is amazing how fast you go from thinking a "zerk" is a alien race from StarTrek and soon be complaining that after preparing to grease the propeller shaft (no ... this is NOT an aid for driving through water!) you find your model year does not have zerks to grease.

 

I would start by checking out post #1 of this link. Lots of How To videos below the Maintenance Map.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-maintenance-maps-get-300k-miles.789809/

 

You need an FSM. As far as I know they are not currently available.

Best thing is to befriend someone who will answer your questions and watch youtube.

Outside of that if you want to learn, start taking things a part.

 

Hah I have a Jeep, that’s one of the biggest reasons I’ve become interested in working on my own car. Couldn’t afford to get the starter changed twice, a cracked radiator, O2 sensors, and currently has a coolant leak that I haven’t been able to track down, even with UV dye. My poor girlfriend is driving it around with no AC in 105 degree weather.