New Taco but need help

I'll be receiving my new/used 06 taco TRD from the seller very soon. She mentioned to me the 4x4 and rear locker was NEVER used before, so should I be worried? Should I changed out the oils first and test out the 4x4? I did a visual check before agreeing to buying it and it looked like she took care of it. Not sure what else I should really check that might pop up as a surprise. Oh yeah and she said the check engine light came on last year so I checked it while doing the visual and the following codes came up P0137 and PO158. Any advice before money exchanges hands? I already agreed to buying it and Im not gonna change my mind but maybe I can have her reduce the price.

 

Yes absolutely check it out before you buy it! To have never engaged the 4x4 it is very possible that there are some serious bearing or other issues. Any 4x4 should be engaged at least once a month to lubricate things. Most if not all manuals tell you that. Also rear lockers can rust in the electric actuator area and freeze up from non use. You really need to check this truck out with more than a visual. Drive it and engage the 4x4 as well as the locker but be sure not to be driving it on a hard surface.
Here is a short write-up on a stuck e-locker from non use.

 

Oh darn, not what I wanted to hear. Well I'll double check it. Problem is I can't take it to a dirt road and try it out cuz there isn't any close by. Can I at least try out the 4hi&lo on the street? I plan on changing out the front,back, and TC oil before taking it off-road.

 

Yes you can engage 4x4 high and low on a hard surface as long as you are going in mostly a straight line. Turns will bind the system and can break things. Also with locker engaged in low 4x4 it can easily break things but will be fine IF you stay straight for a few feet just to get it to engage.
If things will not engage than perhaps have it taken to the dealership or a mechanic and checked out before you buy it. It could save you a lot of money.

 

Don't be discouraged if it won't go into 4 low. Seems like most 2nd gen Tacomas have difficulty with it.

 

Straight lines I can do!!! Hopefully she doesn't freak out by all the noise the gears gonna make once I engage the 4x4. Now assuming it works, should I quickly replace the oils in the diff's? Thanks for the help guys.

 

^^ Yes.

 

P0137 Oxygen Sensor Circuit Low Voltage (Bank 1
Sensor 2)

P0158 Oxygen Sensor Circuit High Voltage (Bank 2
Sensor 2)

Ask for a discount large enough to cover two O2 Sensor replacements.

 

I just put mine into 4lo for the first time and used the locker for the first time in 4 years. Worked out just fine, took a few tries though.

 

+1 on taking it to a mechanic. I'm not a huge fan of pep boys but they (along with most local shops) will give it a quick run through for less than $50 or $100. U can make sure the systems engage at a dead stop. Sometimes just going back and forth will unstick the 4x4.

When I bought mine used it wasn't working. Took it to my shop and they basically smacked it with a hammer. Started working. Very odd...

 

Finally got the truck. Now, just as I suspected I attempted to use 4hi and nothing. While stopped I put it in neutral, pressed on clutch all the waydown, switched to 4hi, slowly let out clutch and drove for a few miles and nothing. What specific location can I tap it with a hammer to loosen it up? At one point it seemed like if it wanted to engage cuz I heard very little movement of gears or at least that's what I thought I heard, but now I don't hear anything once putting into 4hi. All I get is the blinking green light. Attempted to go into 4lo and right away the alarm went off. Any special tricks that I can try before I start taking it apart?

 

Just go forward a couple feet, then reverse a couple feet. Try several times, doesn't always work the first time you try.

 

To get my manual into 4lo I actually have to be rolling at like 1 mph to get it to go in. The visor should have instructions

 

Attempted to go forward & reverse couple times but do I have to try it over 15-30 attempts?

 

Try rolling slowly then turn the knob

 

Have you tried turning ever so slightly one direction? Im gonna guess its a seized up acutator.

 

x2 on the bad actuator. Mine went through 2 even though I used my 4WD quite often! Didn't like water is my guess. First time it went out I went through some deep water crossings, and the second was just after my power steering pump was replaced and the underside pressure washed.

 

So far I been attempting my movement going in a straight line. I attempted to turn slightly but not a full turn and still nothing. Can I move a few feet and turn the wheels and try it that way or do I have to be moving faster than 5mph, then turn wheels?

 

For my 4 banger the visor card says for 4 high you can turn the knob at anytime below 60 mph. 4 lo says neutral with clutch in 2-3 mph

 

Sure you can turn, however if your concerned, turn the dial back to 2hi make a turn and then straighten out and try again. Something might be just out of alignment thus preventing the actuator from doing its job. 99% of the time mine works fine, but sometimes, it can take a while or drifting slightly to get it to fall into 4hi.

You don't have to have the clutch in to go into 4hi, just 4lo.