Chicagoland area members

Howdy,

Im a recent college grad who is planning on moving to the rockies and is looking for a daily driver/overlanding rig.

Ive never worked on cars before but am pretty stoked to comb through old threads and learn as much as I can.

Open to any first gen or pre 95 truck with 4 wheel drive (and rear diff) and under 200K miles. But also please feel free to educate me if I should be looking for other things

Currently based in Chicago but willing to travel/bus/train a bit to find the right one. Thanks in advance yall!

 

Biggest thing is checking ever inch of the frame for rust. Don't just do a visual inspection but use a ball peen hammer to tap around to find any spots that may be soft or sound different.

 

Thanks @Squirt. Lol I just took an hour long metra up to vernon hills to check out a 2004 77k tacoma and the whole underbody looked ripply af. So much rust covered up by paint. knew it was a lost cause 2 min in haha.

Im also open to gen 2 tacomas or any toyota 4wd car under $20K. Unfortunately i dont have the option to be super picky since im moving to the rockies in a month and half

 

If you can get a 2nd gen with a 4.0L I would. Better power for large mountains. I loved and miss my old 09'
09'+ all have traction control, electronic limited slip differential (maintenance free but it does use your brakes which isnt all that bad), stability control and back up cameras.
I have the front weather tech floor mats, CB antenna mount, Rok Blokz mud flaps oil filters and some autozone LED bulbs leftover from my old truck if you're out by Aurora and want some decent stuff for a reasonable price.

 

Might wanna check to see if this truck is for sale. It does have that one spot that doesn't look too good but you could buy a brace from "Safe T Cap" that'll go over that and strengthen that "weak" spot...
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/09-dcsb-trd-offroad-chicago-burbs.791162/#post-28829912

 

Frame rust is the biggest issue to look for. Too bad you’re moving that soon. My 07 will be for sale when I get the new frame under it. But work timeline has that as a month or 2 out before it’s done if I’m lucky.

 

Sadly the safe-t-caps done right are $$$$ or time so the rust won’t come back.. best bet is finding a truck with a new frame. But they’re getting harder to find.

 

Yeah they are just a bandaid but could still buy some time before the frame is completely done for.

 

You absolutely do not want to buy anything of that vintage from around here unless it was a recent transplant from outside the area. Even the replacement frames only last a handful of years around here so don't assume that one that has had a frame done is in great shape either. I'd travel for the right truck out of state. SE has deals normally, Toyota's are expensive in CO/UT

 

New (very soon) Tacoma owner. Has anybody with a crew cab done a rear seat delete mod and have taken out the rear panel? I have an access cab coming in about a month and I'd like to see if it will work to replace the jump seat panel. I'm near Joliet/Aurora. Tnx!

 

Hello Chicago Land TW Members....

I looking a lead on a new/used Hood for my 2006 TRD OR.

I'd like to find a scooped hood #53301-04150....

I ordered one from Toyota in June. They told me it was backordered till Sept. Today they told me Jan 2024.

Thanks

 

Anyone know of OTT tuners in the chicago area?

 

Anyone with a newer plain scoopless hood looking to swap for a sport scoop hood in the area? 3rd gen newer black color code 202.

 

Main ain't perfect, but it's definitely up for a swap. 2018 OR (it's currently on a 2018 Sport that id love to get the skewp back on)

In STL, but if you're down we could possibly meet up somewhere in the middle.

 

Does anyone in the area do fluid film applications? Send me a PM if you do these by appointment.

 

Hit up Kevin.

https://calendly.com/dcpwheaton/30min?month=2023-11&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

 

Still looking for someone to do fluid film. Kevin - your calendar is not taking any appointments clear until next year.

also, does anyone need/want a set of 2020 off road wheels? PM an offer.

 

@CygnusX191 is looking for a set of wheels

 

I'm looking for ONE for my spare. Maybe we can find 3 more people looking to do the same.

 

What size?