Tinker Turd

So... I just bought a 98 Tacoma PreRunner XtraCab & it is a TURD! lol

It's been sitting for 3 years, most of the rubber under the hood is rotten, & apparently some squirrels were living under the hood, but hey - it has 92k on it and I paid $3000 for it running - so I can't complain.

I've changed the oil & filter, checked the brakes, replaced the tires, had it aligned, replaced the plugs, wires, pcv valve, fuel filter, air filter, cleaned the maf, and replaced all vacuum lines, hoses, belts, etc.

I plan to flush the radiator, tranny, brake fluid, and replace the diff fluid as well. Just curious if there is anything I am missing AND...

Wondering what I can do to beef up the ol' 2.7L hamster wheel. I don't want to waste any time or money unnecessarily, but I wouldn't mind spending a little in the name of cool.

Thanks in advance!

 

92k?

Change the oil and coolant, and get out there and finish breaking it in!

 

Pretty decent coverage.

Might suggest a 3 Step/Fuel System Clean. A fuel additive/A cleaner for the throttle body/a can of cleaner to be hooked to a vacuum source off the intake (thus cleaning carbon from intake, duh!)

Able to do a deckplate type mod to the airbox?

Only fluild I wouldn't mess with yet is Trans fluid. Sitting that long, that old, run it awhile and see how the tranny act before you remove all the old stuff and introduce clean/fresh addative Trans fluid. Can mess stuff up sometimes, trans gets used to the old fluid.

 

I ran some fuel system cleaner & injector cleaner through, but will likely do the 3 step after I run a tank through it. Thanks for the recommendation!

As far as deck plate mods are concerned, what should I expect in terms of expense & performance? Also, any particular brand/setup you've had good experiences with & have you actually modified 2.7L setup? Some mods work better with particular setups, just want to cover all of my bases.

 

A deckplate should run you $7-10...if I remember correctly.

Did the owner have gas in the tank when you bought it? Did you drop the tank to check for rust inside the tank?

 

I've been researching deck plates & cold air intakes, but haven't purchased either yet. Any idea where I can purchased a deck plate at that price? Tank was almost empty when I bought it, do I ran some seafoam through the gas ta nk along with some super, in the vacuum lines, and through the oil, then changed the oil. Haven't dropped the tank yet, but the old fuel filter was still fairly clean. You stillthink I need to?

 

I attribute all typos to my (not so) smart phone...lol

 

So this is the craigslist buy? Saw it earlier, wondered how it went. Sounds like your on the right path though.

 

You can pick up a deck plate at any marine/boating store. I thought that I remembered reading somewhere that the 2.7 airbox can only fit the smaller deck plates, but I don't remember which size is the max that would fit.

 

Yes sir it is. It took a little work, but it has come a long way.

 

I plan on installing a deck plate & swapping out the OEM airbox for an aftermarket one, so any suggestions/recommendations of brands/pricing/etc. from those currently using an aftermarket parts on a 1st gen 2.7 setup would be greatly appreciated.

 

4inchs is the max I think, why would you want aftermarket? Stock works the best.

 

Because everything I've read is telling me I'll get better throttle response/acceleration & I'd like to be able to merge without turning off the A/C or heat!