Took My 2015 TRD OR AC LB To My Mechanic Today

Have had my truck for a couple of weeks and today took it to my mechanic. It has 217,000 miles on it and I paid $15,500. It was a single owner truck owned by a water district company in the high desert town of Yucca Valley CA. Couple of theories are that city/county type vehicles were kept up very well with regular maintenance or the other theory that employees drove the crap out of them because they weren't their personal cars.

Seemed to drive very well but needed my guys to take a look at it. Had new AC compressor and hoses; new lower control arms; new rear shocks; new radiator; absolutely no rust. Was in the shop for a few hours and I got the call. Mechanic said for 217,000 miles it was one of the cleanest trucks he's seen. As clean or cleaner than his '21 Tacoma.

Gave it the once over, checked brakes, fluids etc. The oil had just been changed so all good there and found the transmission oil was old and black but recommended it not changed because he thought it could create problems as the old fluid was protecting the transmission in some way that I think I understand. Gear oils were used but had plenty of life left. No leaks ANYWHERE. Brakes were good and the center drive shaft bearing felt a little loose. That was it.

It was in such good shape they didn't even charge me for the visit. For real.

Am over the moon with the good news. Will have the drive shaft specialist (recommended by the shop) look over the bearing and replace the gear oils before a long trip I have planned. Other than that feel very confident the truck will last me a very long time.

 

Sounds like a keeper.

I question the logic in not servicing trans. Might have some validity in older 70's-90's vehicles. But old cruddy fluid is not doing trans any good. Likely original fluid in there. Not changing will only shorten it's life even more rapidly.

I'd have it done. Drive it several hundred miles and change it again along with another filter.

 

Oh man I thought there would be a twist.

Good for you man—enjoy!

 

How did they see the trans fluid was black though?

 

Yeah I know there's more than one school of thought regarding tran fluid but I've taken my vehicles to this shop for years and really trust them.

 

Not sure probably stuck a finger in the fill hole? Tran was full so maybe that's a good thing?

 

Ha, yeah the twist was there was no twist.

 

Did ya ask the mechanic if a trans drain and fill ONLY would be an option...? I wouldn't wanna break the seal on the cover and pan, mess with the filter and magnets unless I absolutely had too, or I had it since new/known the first time for sure the last/first drain and fill was done. Sounds like ya found a really nice GEM here tho, Congrats!

 

Not doing anything with the tranny fluid just relieves him of any potential customer problems if one would arise. Smart guy!

 

I guess that proved a theory, the employees didn't trash the vehicle. When I was provided a new work truck, it was driven like I was paying for it, which is to say normally. No reason not to. Sounds like you got a nice score. I'll bet the recent work wasn't cheap, it's nice that you got it after the work was done and not before.

 

Usually these threads end something like
“My mechanic said everything looks great but there is a hole the size of my fist in the front area of the frame, Is this a big deal?”

Congrats OP, you got arguably the best year of Tacoma and it seems to be living up to its reputation

 

Congrats on your 2015, we love ours! And these days $15k for a 2015 is a score!