Just purchased a 96 Tacoma, tuneup ideas?

Hello everyone,

I signed up to this forum to helpfully get lots of information on Tacomas lol. My younger brother actually just purchased his first vehicle, a 1996 Toyota Tacoma 2.7L 4x4 automatic with 153k miles on it. Him and I always liked the truck, and it always seem the best out of the small pickup class. Plus my brother wasn't looking for something fancy, just nice and reliable, which I feel we got, or at least I hope so!

Anyway, I really wanna get this thing running like a top lol. I want to do a tuneup on it, and hopefully replace most of the fluids. I have oil and filter change lined up. I also just bought a K&N air filter for it. Currently, I'm now putting an order together at rockauto to get the spark plugs, spark plug wires, distributor, cap and fuel filter. I'd also like to replace the transfer case oil, along with both differential oils. My first question, has to do with the differential oils. Can I just use

$30 75w-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75w-90 in both of them? The manual and Haynes recommends 75w-90 for the front and 90 for the rear. I'm not sure how easy it's gonna be to find 90. I'm pretty sure Autozone has 75w-90 though. I was also thinking I should replace the automatic tranny fluid with the recommended Dexron 2?

I just wanted to know if i'm forgetting anything else to help get it running good? I'll prob do the coolant in the spring, and maybe have the valves adjusted later down the road as well. Should I put any of those fuel injectors cleaners in the gas, such as Seafoam or Chevron?

I just want to see what works well with these types of engines. It's a big difference from my Acura RSX lol. My father did have an 89 corolla so a lot of the features are similiar.

One problem we already noticed was the gear shifter only lights up sometimes. I remember my dad had the same problem. Could this be a loose wire or weak ground?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks and I look forward to using this site!

 

Sea foam does help a bit, i have used it as well as many members. Dont listen to the guy above.

Also cleaning the MAF will help a bit too.

I wouldn't use an K&N fliter as its an oil filter. AFE pro dry is very popular to use with the deck plate mod.

Don't forget that TW members get a 5 or 10% discount at rockauto.

welcome. and yes you did just buy one of the most bullet proof toyota motors available.

 

Welcome

 

got this
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/63790-seafoam.html

 

Thanks for the welcome guys!

I already ordered the K&N air filter, and I just looked up the AFE it's like $55, so I think I'll just stick with the K&N. As for the discount how exactly do I receive that? You can PM if you don't want to post in the public forum.

Like I said I'm compiling all the materials to do the tuneup. I just noticed the tire pressure on one tire was at 11 so that's already been addressed.

 

The AFE is pricey, but it can be used much longer then a K&N. you just take compressed air to it.

and just check the vendor section
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/rockauto/86042-rockauto-discount-code-introduction.html

there are lots of great deals on here through them.

 

if you buy the K&N you will also have to buy the oil/cleaner kit and that will put you up over $60. So just get the AFE.

 

The oil from the K&N can get on to the MAF and cause for engines codes where the motor thinks it is running lean and it will dump more fuel causing for poor mileage. Error code P0171 is a common one.

 

yea thats what happend to my truck. PO ran K&Ns. I was getting 13mpg city and 16 hwy lol cleaned the maf and used just paper filters and now i get lik 15-17 city and 19-21 hwy

 

I use a K&N and the key is to know when too much oil is too much. The only way you will get oil on the MAF is if you apply too much. I also clean my MAF after every filter clean after about 50 miles just in case though... But the K&N isn't the best option, I just run it because I needed a filter right away, and didn't want run a cheap ass fram.

I may sell the K&N and start running OME toyotas.

 

I just returned the K&N, and ordered the Pro Dry S air filter. Hopefully it was worth the difference lol. I just filled the gas up without doing anything tuning wise, and the truck averaged 21.1 mpg. Mostly highway, but I was pretty happy with that number, especially since I haven't touched the car at all. I'm hoping to boost the number up slightly if I can once I change all the fluids and the air filter. We'll see though. I really enjoy the 4 cylinder engine though, it just wants to go lol.

 

hmm seems a bit low..i have friend that has Full armor and skids, tire rack, and 33x12.5s and hasn't regeared and gets 22 on the highway..

 

Change the fluids-plugs and wires- DRIVE THE PISS put of it---4 banger?
My 91 got no sypathy--absolutely no problems.

 

When I bought my 2000 Taco 3 years ago; I went throught the same question as you. A mechanic good friend of mine told me to change all the fluids for synthethic which I did... we get cold weather and good cold snap here in winter.
Put K&N filter. No problem with MAF so far regarding the «oil spill»
Still good milleage, average of 20mpg, 50/50 city/hwy, 55mi on hwy
My Taco is a work/bush truck but I take care of it
Great tough truck! Love it!

Enjoy!
Cheers!

 

Good call doing away with the K&N Air wet air filter. They can mess with the MAF if not done correctly. I love my AFE pro dry.

 

How does he get that good of mileage!? I only get 18 highway!

 

idk lol thats what he told me he got coming down to the WY meet.

Are you taking into account you have bigger tires too? I mean like when you calculate? Cause with those 33's you are actually traveling farther then your odometer tells you..

 

Hmm, true. I don't calculate in my tire size... Lol I don't know how to do that.