Timing chain preventative maintenance?

Hi fellas! First post new member but very old forum reader.

So I’ve got a 1999 2.7l taco m/t and throughout my searching I don’t really get a clear answer on replacing my timing chain before it goes out (does it ever go out?)
I’ve heard they last as long as the engine lasts. I’m just now hitting 280k miles. And if I should replace it would I need to replace other things during that process?
Thanks!

 

Timing chains don't need to be replaced unless they "need" to be...aka you have symptoms that might suggest it's bad (misfires, loud/obnoxious rattling from engine, etc.)

They're meant to last the life of the vehicle so I wouldn't worry about it unless you suspect it might actually be bad, which isn't common

If you had a timing belt like the 3.4l v6 does, then that would need to be replaced at ~90k mile intervals

 

The timing belt doesn’t usually go bad, it’s the Nylon guides that wear out. However they are a lifetime part, unless you’re having issues with it I wouldn’t worry about it.

 

I have no symptoms and all is well, just heard a horror story of a guy who’s timing chain broke on a highway and destroyed the truck. I’m currently investing some extra $$ into her as she’s high mileage and I want to keep her for forever. Thanks for quick replies guys!

 

I would venture a guess that guy probably ignored some tell tale signs of imminent failure that led to that happening...either way though its definitely not a common thing on these trucks

 

According to my mechanic, my truck will get a check engine light before anything catastrophic happens in the event something goes wrong with the timing chain.

 

This. The times I've seen chains fail has been from guide or tensioner neglect. The chains are allowed to slap other parts that causes excessive chain wear. They get noisy long before the chain fails. If you are not hearing any noises, its doubtful there is any excessive wear on the plastic parts. I've seen cases where guide plastic and tensioner seals are exposed to extreme arctic cold sub-zero temps then warm up then cold over years can make the make plastic/rubber brittle sooner than it occurs in a normal climate. It looks like the 2.7L uses a good heavy chain that should last.

 

Well that’s a relief! Guess I should remove that from my prevent-maintenance list. I was a little worried awhile back when I cold started her up there was a dull knocking/pinging sound coming from what sounded like a really deep place in the engine and I switched from cheap Quaker state 5w/30 to Mobil 1 synthetic and that cold start noise is gone. Maybe oil didn’t get to places for that initial 25 seconds of noise. Which caused me to wonder about the timing chain stuff

 

Yes, IF your timing chain lets go, it will destroy the motor. It's an interference engine. The v6's are non interference motors, and have a timing belt, so those should be replaced at regular intervals. But even if you don't and the belt lets go, you'll just coast to a stop and nothing will be damaged.

Good thing about the timing chains is that they give plenty of warning signs before all out failure. But plenty of them last hundreds of thousands of miles with no issue.