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Low hanging fruit for 1st gen mods?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by jerrynerdalert, Jan 25, 2025.

  1. Jan 25, 2025 at 12:54 PM
    #1
    jerrynerdalert

    jerrynerdalert [OP] Member

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    I have a 2002 3.4L Ext Cab Tacoma, and looking for some of the most common and easy-to-do mods (now that I'm graduating in the spring and will have some time and money). What are some of the things y'all have done to your truck that are the most bang for your buck?\

    sAtYdp9A.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2025
  2. Jan 25, 2025 at 12:56 PM
    #2
    ace_10

    ace_10 Well-Known Member

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    Lower ball joints
     
  3. Jan 25, 2025 at 5:45 PM
    #3
    Moonrman

    Moonrman Fix it and it will run

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    Brakes and valve cover gaskets.
     
  4. Jan 25, 2025 at 6:04 PM
    #4
    smyles1632

    smyles1632 Well-Known Member

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  5. Jan 25, 2025 at 6:05 PM
    #5
    SpencerTacoSC

    SpencerTacoSC Well-Known Member

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    Outside of maintenance...

    Smartphone mount + Bluetooth for the stereo. You can get a solid one from Crutchfield for under $200 if you don't care about a touchscreen, and a number of single-DIN aftermarket stereos look surprisingly OEMish if you set the lighting to amber. Or there are kits that will plug into the CD-changer port on the back of the factory stereo.

    Any time you take off trim, put soundproofing under it. turbodb has a good guide on his Adventuretaco site - biggest thing I notice between driving the Taco and my Mazda3 is noise (And Mazda likes to skimp on sound insulation, because weight). Even if you off-road this a LOT, you're probably going to put highway miles on it to get to the trailhead, and while you're in there, soundproofing is pretty inexpensive.

    And finally, lots of people do a diff breather relocation for the rear diff. I think the most common place is by the fuel door... lots of guides if you look it up. Not a huge deal, but worth doing in a shop day while you're working on the truck anyhow.
     
  6. Jan 25, 2025 at 7:50 PM
    #6
    Pbfender15

    Pbfender15 Well-Known Member

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    Depending where you live, waxoyl the frame inside and out. Waxoyl everything...
    Replace all the rubber bits under the hood.
    Lower ball joints as said.

    These are more maintenance than mods. Mods depend on your intentions with the truck which are different for each person. Pretty truck -- Jade is best!
     
    RustyNut1996 likes this.
  7. Jan 25, 2025 at 9:00 PM
    #7
    warmingupmymind

    warmingupmymind Well-Known Member

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    33s and lockers
    honda odyssey windshield washers, led map and dome bulbs, hidden kill switch
     
    Laxtoy, TRD493, ControlCar and 8 others like this.
  8. Jan 25, 2025 at 11:43 PM
    #8
    Area51Runner

    Area51Runner Well-Known Member

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  9. Jan 26, 2025 at 3:23 AM
    #9
    Old green toyota

    Old green toyota Well-Known Member

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    Oil leaks
    Lower ball joints. Not doing them will be a very expensive mod.
     
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  10. Jan 26, 2025 at 3:16 PM
    #10
    Parkvisitor

    Parkvisitor Do you know midnight?

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    stuff
    yes, this 1st!!
     
    darth_bronchioles likes this.
  11. Jan 26, 2025 at 3:49 PM
    #11
    MadNachos

    MadNachos Well-Known Member

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    Great suggestions. For basic extras I like adding gas struts to the hood. It's really nice to have the prop rod out of the way. A small mod that is just nice to have.
     
    Kiloyard likes this.
  12. Jan 27, 2025 at 7:36 AM
    #12
    Kiloyard

    Kiloyard Road Warrior

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    Toytec Boss/Eibach Coils & Deaver J59's
    Upgrade the old cracked rubber vacuum hoses to silicone in the engine compartment.
     
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  13. Jan 27, 2025 at 8:38 AM
    #13
    TACO in SC

    TACO in SC TuRD

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    Pretty well stock
    Please expand upon this.
     
  14. Jan 27, 2025 at 9:51 AM
    #14
    rocknbil

    rocknbil Well-Known Member

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    The ball joint design of the first gen is the worst part about them (other than the clock location.) The entire weight of the vehicle pushes down on the lower control arms and the wheels are holding it up, so basically the ball joints are in a constant case of trying to pull themselves apart - and often do, with catastrophic consequences. Recommended OEM replacement - and only OEM - is at most 50-70K miles. The real problem is you don't know when they will go, could be at 100K, could be 400K - but in the end they will and take a lot of other stuff with them.

    [​IMG]

    Maintenance and upkeep just to keep it stock will take up any budget you want to throw at it (which brings higher resale value anyway.) Your truck, and mine, are over 20 years old and every bit of rubber, particularly around suspension parts, is likely beginning to deteriorate. A front end refresh is probably first up, and will likely include a new rack.

    What we haven't seen is the condition of the frame. If it doesn't pass the hammer test any mods you're putting in are a waste of time and money. Get a ball peen hammer and tap all along the frame, front to back, especially around where the rear suspension bolts in. You should hear a clear metal ringing sound, any dull clunks are signs the frame is rusting from the inside out and there's your first huge "mod."

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    Full front end refresh (drives like new)

    Repaint the wheels (a half decent job that is still holding up)
     
    Last edited: Jan 27, 2025
  15. Jan 27, 2025 at 10:21 AM
    #15
    Fatal_Paradox

    Fatal_Paradox Well-Known Member

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    33's Bedliner Nerf Bars (Custom)
    LBJ's are still being replaced at the dealer for recall. Wouldn't hurt to call your local dealer and ask.
     
  16. Jan 27, 2025 at 3:54 PM
    #16
    TACO in SC

    TACO in SC TuRD

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    I'm sorry to hijack this thread, but it has enlightening me about the lower ball joints. Mine have never been changed and at 196k miles I'd better look into it.
    Tomorrow, I plan to go by our local dealer to buy two rubber bumpers for the gas cap door. I'll inquire if my truck qualifies for the recall and/or price for a new pair of ball joints. What's the part numbers for these?
    Here's an older thread discussing the recall. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lower-ball-joint-recall.97304/

    1/28 Edit: Today the dealer told me their records show my lower ball joints were replaced, under recall, in 2006. I didn't remember, but it was a long time ago.
    I'll check them and replace again if needed.
     
    Last edited: Jan 28, 2025
  17. Jan 27, 2025 at 5:04 PM
    #17
    SpencerTacoSC

    SpencerTacoSC Well-Known Member

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  18. Jan 27, 2025 at 6:08 PM
    #18
    Old green toyota

    Old green toyota Well-Known Member

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    Oil leaks
    Honestly I wouldn't even drive it until they are replaced. 196k is extreme risk.

    They don't take very long to change, just make sure you use the correct torque spec for the bolts you use. There are different types of bolts available.
     
  19. Jan 27, 2025 at 8:22 PM
    #19
    Laxtoy

    Laxtoy Dog is my backseat driver

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    Fox 2.5 DSC resi CO's w/ 700lb King Coils, Camburg uca's, T-100 rear leafs, 13WL Tundra brakes, 1" 4crawler body lift, 295/75/16 Hankook MT, Ruff Stuff u bolt flip, 10" Fox LSC resi shocks turned back on custom mounts, home built rear high clearance bumper with dual swing outs, Diode Dynamics SSC2 Pro rear floods, Skid Row front and transfer case skid, home built transmission skid, Mercerfab sliders, home built front bumper, Badlands Apex 12k winch with synth line, 4.56's, ARB rear locker, LonePeak wedge camper, eBay snorkel, Sierra LEDs 20" dual amber/white light bar, Diode Dynamics SS3 Max amber fogs, Mini D2S projector retrofit, Blue Sea ML-ACR, dual Odyssey PC1200's, 100 watt solar panel, 20 plate heat exchanger/home built shower kit
    Cheap fun mods (kind of think that’s what the op was asking, but obviously do your maintenance, lbj, upj, timing belt, hoses, it’s a 20+ year old truck now)

    4Runner sunglass holder https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/anyone-have-a-4runner-sunglass-compartment.564973/IMG_0339.jpg

    Also love the Gentex mirror mod
    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ap-homelink-temp-compass-auto-dimming.553041/

    After that it gets pricey and involved
    -233mm Tundra front brakes
    -retrofit projector headlights DO NOT JUST PUT IN LED OR HID HEADLIGHT BULBS, very uncool to everyone else on the road
    -expensive but awesome, add a supercharger
    https://urdusa.com/urd-magnuson-super-combo-5vz-3-4l-supercharger-system/
     
    TashcomerTexas likes this.
  20. Jan 28, 2025 at 9:11 AM
    #20
    chrslefty

    chrslefty Well-Known Member

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    Stockish
    Grey wire mod. If you like driving shenanigans.
     
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