Questions about a newly purchased 2008 Tacoma with 180,000 miles

Hello Tacoma world, as the title says I just purchased a 2008 access cab Tacoma, it has a 4.0L V6 and has the TRD off-road package. I would post pictures but the dealership is replacing a couple small things, either way can anyone tell me how many miles they have on theirs and any pieces of advice/what to expect? (I am coming from an old civic) One last thing it has a couple paint chips on the hood, how should I go about fixing that/finding the right paint (it's indigo ink pearl). Anyway, I have enjoyed scouring your posts and am glad to join this community.

 

Welcome.

If you have no idea what maintenance has been done, might start with new fluids for Differentials, Transfer Case, and Transmission. New Spark Plugs could be important, as they are seldom changed as often as they should be (every 40k, which i admit I only did mine at 40k and 110k).

You can pick up a paint pen for pretty cheap from the dealer. Was literally 25% the cost of what my sis paid for a Ford paint pen for her truck, lol.


Oh yeah... and did you look at the frame of your truck? Depending on where it's from it might be ready to snap in half or have parts starting to fall off. Take a look if you haven't already!!!!

 

You can ask a dealer to run a service history with the VIN. It will only list things that have been performed by a Toyota dealership, but it's a start. A service advisor once complemented my truck and I responded "Thank You" of course, and added: "I wish I knew more about its history: especially service history...." He responded: "Let's see..." and ran a report using the VIN. It was extensive: Listed build info, with dates, delivery to what dealership, owners and on and on. Recalls, campaigns and if they were done, warranty status (such as the frame) etc etc. It was initially a courtesy car, then a Toyota Lease, then sold to a private owner at 12,000 miles as a Toyota Certified pre owned vehicle.

You can also go to the Tacoma Owners site and open an account, which will show more stuff. Finally, you can run a Carfax report. Even after purchase, it's worth the money IMO.

Welcome to TacomaWorld

 

If you don't get much info from a history report the things I'd want to look at is pull the belt off, check the pulleys and belt condition. Like was mentioned change the fluids PCV and plugs and try and get a look at the U-joints, grease them and see if it pushes out rust, if so plan on replacing them. I'd also look upward behind the water pump pulley and make sure there's no excessive buildup of dried coolant, by the time you see coolant on the ground it will have been leaking pretty bad. You have to get under with the skid plates off to see below the pully sufficiently. 180K is well within the life expectancy of those items or the failure window depending on how well it's been taken care of.

 

Thanks for the advice Ryan, this weekend I went through the recommended maintenance checks and everything is now in good order. I ordered a paint pen that should be here later this week and most importantly I had my frame sand blasted and coated despite low levels of rust. I've learned a lot about trucks this past week and I am glad to keep learning more; thanks again!