First Time Tacoma Owner - Couple of Questions

Hey guys, been lurking on here for about a month or so as I've been shopping for a used 1st Gen Tacoma. Been a long time Subaru guy (3 headgaskets to prove it) but have been keeping an eye out for a Tacoma to get in to.

Pulled the trigger this past week on what seems to be a solid Socal Tacoma - '98 V6 Ext Cab, 240K on the clock but this thing is cleeeean. Moon roof (and the matching sunshade!), matched camper shell, Ranchos front and back and the remnants of an Air Lift bag system (both bags totally shot from what I assumed is inadequate pressure for quite awhile).

Anyways, like any other owner, I want this thing to last so I have a running list of jobs to tackle over the next few weeks. What are your thoughts? Anything to add or remove?

-Are $150 for two new airbags worth it? Is the ride that improved? My leaf packs look pretty shot, flat at best. Should I add those to the list?
-Take a closer look at shocks, possibly replace?
-Needs both valve cover gaskets replaced, will probably check valve clearance while I'm in there and get new plugs and wires too
-Front/Rear brakes need to be done, possibly rotors too but no pulsing and no noise.
-Tranny flush? Will take a look at the fluid later this week
-Coolant Flush
-Change diff fluid
-Check steering linkages and driveshaft
-Will probably seafoam it next weekend too

Anything I'm missing?

 

Welcome! Just picked up a tacoma myself a few weeks ago. Check your u-joints, and I've heard steering rack bushings tend to go bad, though mine seem fine.

 

Sounds like you've got most of it figured out. Used to be when i bought a used car, haven't in 11 years since i bought my taco in 04, id change ALL the fluids, new batt, alt, plugs, cap and rotor (what are those again!??!?) oil, fuel, air filters. You can check your batt and alt with a volt meter, just google how if you dont already know. There is a brake upgrade some members have done, which I have NO experience with. I read that its pretty easy. 2005 v8 tundra rotors and calipers. Look into it. Not sure about your year, but its worth looking into. I know my rotors warp way too easy and quickly.. I plan on it, SOON. Look up "axle wrap" mod. Very cheap, and it works. Also "steering wheel clunk" mod, this one again not sure if your year is affected, but i just did mine and it is a HUGE DIFFERENCE. U joints like the other guy mentioned. Its a Tacoma, it will last forever, just give it some love now and then. Btw i swear by seafoam, good SH!T! Btw the axle wrap mod cost me $16 and change, and the steering mod cost less than ten bucks. Good luck, welcome to tacoma world, and keep the rubber side down.

 

For the air bags, are you going to be loading up the bed with stuff or towing enough to need them? I have Firestone RideRite bags that I inflate just a few times a year for heavy loads. For those few times, they work great. But I leave them at the required 5lbs 98% of the time so it feels like they are not there.

Nothing feels better than if you replace a flat set of rear leafs. The OEM leafs are notoriously weak in these.

My experience with Ranchos on other vehicles are that they are a stiffer shock under no load. Not bad with weight in the bed. Do they seem shot? Not a difficult job at all. Many here(including me) have been happy with our Bilsteins.

yes, changes all fluids on any vehicle you purchase. good investment.

I know it is a SoCal truck, but check for frame rust anyways, especially around the rear leaf spring perch. It is an issue with these frames.

 

Don't bother with the airbags (not now anyway).... get yourself some nice new leaf springs. You might not need airbags with good springs. You'll probably need a little 'lift' on those springs to hold the weight of the cap.

Ronchos?? I don't call them Roncho for nothing. Spend a little more $ and get a good quality shocks and front struts.

If you're getting new brake pads, I highly recommend having the rotors 'turned' (If the rotors are thick enough to do so).

For the rear - If you're getting new shoes, I highly recommend inspecting and/or replacing the adjuster. You should be able to get rebuild kits at any auto store.

Diff fluid change (both front & rear). Transmission fluid change/flush. Transfer case oil change. Radiator fluid flush/fill. Check brake fluid. Fuel filter change (3.4L is easy.I don't know about the 2.7L). Steering fluid flush & fill. Lubricate driveshafts/ujoints.

When was the last time the timing belt was changed?
When was the last time the water pump was changed?

On my 96, I put new steering rack bushings in (sloppy steering). You could crawl underneath and take a look. Jack up the truck and start wiggling things. You'll know....

 

When was the last time the timing belt / water pump changed? Just get a new leaf pack. Maybe get a complete ome lift kit with the leaf pack. I wouldn't flush the fluid with that high miles, drain the fluid drop the pan clean it and refill with oem Toyota fluid.

 

Timing belt, water pump, idlers, thermostat, fan clutch just got done three weeks ago.

All good ideas, thanks!

I'm on the hunt now for a set of leafs that will give me close to stock height.

 

pair that up with new bilstein 5100s shocks front and rear and you should be golden

 

Congrats on your purchase! If your planning on replacing the front brakes why not upgrade to the tundra brakes? Big improvement over the smaller oem tacoma brakes and it's pretty much a direct bolt on. The tundra calibers will not clear 15" rims, they will clear oem & aftermarket 16"s. Not sure what size wheels you have.

 

The op's truck came with the factory 15's. But for sure the tundra brake upgrade makes a huge difference in braking.

 

I'm sure I could find the answer if I searched but would stock 6 lugs from a 2000+ Tacoma give me the clearance? I believe they are 16s...

 

Those wheels will clear, i had the same ones on my truck after the brake upgrade.

 

Yeah those would work. Pretty much anything Toyota 6 lug 16in + would work