New to me 2005 TRD Off Road Access Cab

Suspension:
OME 884 Coils
Progressive 3 leaf AAL
Bilstien 5100s

Drivetrain:
ECGS Bushing Replacement

Tires:
Cooper ST Maxx 255/80/17

Interior:
Dome/Map LED’s
OCD console organizer
Coin tray organizer
2015 OEM Shift Knob

My Maintenance History:

182822: Oil changed with Mobil 1 5w-30

182900: Cabin Air Filter changed

185250: Rear/front diff/transfer case oil changed w/ Lucas

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

75w-90 full synthetic

185300: MAF Sensor and throttle body cleaned

185300: Engine Air Filter changed

188364: Oil changed with Mobil 1 5w-30

188945: Spark Plugs changed at 188945

189000: Suspension Lift Installed

189010: ECGS Bushing Installed

190706: Cooper ST Maxx Installed


I want to start off by saying that this site has been an amazing source of info thus far and thank you to everyone who has given me advice. I snatched my third Tacoma and first 2nd Gen at the very end of November. Here she sits in the sellers driveway (Craigslist pic).


2005 TRD Off Road Access Cab with 6MT. 182xxx miles and pretty much stock as it gets. It isn't currently my DD so I've slowly been tinkering with it to fix the little things wrong with it before I get too crazy.

It had a few things wrong with it at the start:
Fog light out
Bald tires
ABS/Brake light on
Radio missing (Seller couldn't get the aftermarket HU to work w/ bezel so he hadn't gotten around to putting stock radio back in)
Rear window latch needs to be re-glued

All these little things enabled me pick to it up for a fair price. Frame and spring recall had been done in 2014 and the body is rust free. All around great shape for a 13 year old New England truck. Very happy with the purchase!

Upon getting it home (2 hr drive) I did notice the power steering was leaking a bit but just seems to be coming from the reservoir somewhere. Just glad it's not the rack..

First thing I did was put the stock radio back in when I got it home. The only bummer is the kid dropped it on the ground in the process and broke the bottom of the bezel off. I've been prowling around for a replacement here and there but for now the radio works just fine.


The night before I picked the truck up I scored some sport wheels off a '14 in great shape with Geolander H/T's with about half the tread life for $500. Tossed those on the second night. I plan on painting the original 16's black eventually and getting an A/T. I found out that the H/T's I have are terrible in the snow.



I conveniently have a shop directly across the street from my house so I brought it over and the manager diagnosed the ABS issue for me with his scan tool in the parking lot. Right rear speed sensor. I checked it out and sure enough it had electrical tape around where the harness plugs into the sensor where the plug was broken. I ordered an OEM replacement and had them replace which solved that problem. While it was up on the lift I snapped a few pics and had them replace the rusted rear diff fill plug and OEM vent that was all plugged up.

I have since hit some of this rust with fluid film for now.. Going to get the truck undercoated at a local place called "rust check". Canadian company that recently started a franchise in Portland, ME

Replaced the fog bulbs and swapped out the interior and license plate bulbs out for some Philips LED's.

 

Did my first ever (ugly) solder job with the overhead compass/temp fix. Very happy to have this working!

 

Changed the oil with Mobil 1 and an OEM filter and ran into a couple problems. Slid under the truck with a 14mm socket and “clink clink” it won’t go on. “Son of a bitch.. someone stripped the original drain plug..” Grabbed a 15mm and the plug came out a little harder than usual. Wasn’t off to a great start but the threads looked ok.

Not sure what kind of plug this is.. I’m thinking maybe a magnet used to be in that hole.

Instead I found all of the old threads


Moving on to the oil filter, I was very happy to replace whatever brand “mighty” is with an OEM. Took some force to get the old one off due to the last nincompoop using a wrench to tighten it..
Tip: The bottom half of a milk jug sits perfectly under the drain hole. Credit to my buddy Ledue for this idea.

Very happy to know what’s in it for oil and that I have a quality filter installed. The drain plug and filter are prime examples why I don’t trust anyone else to change my oil. Can’t beat the piece of mind either. Going to change the diff fluids next with Lucas.

While I had use of a garage I took off the eyebrow and broken window shades. Just need to find the best way to remove the residue.


I like the clean look much better.

 

Just met with the guys at the shop and the silver bandit failed state inspection due to swaybar bushings and an inner tie rod end. Will be all ready tomorrow morning after an alignment on their brand new alignment machine delivered this afternoon. Hopefully that’ll fix the pulling I’m getting going down the road.

They also recommended I replace my front struts at some point so I may just “have” to get some new suspension all around for safety reasons of course.

 

Ran me $428 for work and alignment but it’s got a fresh sticker. They said the power steering leak was very minor as they didn’t see it actively leaking and it was at the correct fluid level.

 

After perusing long enough on TW I found out that the locker switch is supposed to be illuminated.


I somehow was able to get my hand up inside via the fuse panel access point in the dash and got the switch out. You can see the little bulb just above my index finger.

The dealer ordered me a new bulb for $5. These little things are getting me through until it’s warm enough to work on it in the driveway again.

 

Good as new! Like many have said, the 4wheel drive selector should have been illuminated..

 

Your oil drain plug is cut like that because it’s an oversized plug to correct some gorilla over tightening the original plug! Truck looks really good for it’s age and those fixes are pretty darn minor. Nice score!

 

Thanks man! Yeah I hope the gorilla didn’t work on too much else. The truck being in such good shape is part of what has inspired my “fix the broken shit” theme so far.. I’ve already priced out a new oil pan to remedy the drain plug issue but it’s not a priority currently.

 

This is what the cabin filter looked like..

 

Yea, those are not rated for 10 years or 100,000 miles!

 

Fixed my broken stock radio from this

To this:

OEM headunit from a 2009 bolted right up. Now just curious how I can get SAT and AUX hooked up..

I have a garage now so diff fluid changes and MAF/New plugs on the way.

 

Changed the rear/front and transfer case oil. Feels good to be running fresh lube. Who knows how long the fluids had been last changed. If ever..

 

Reglued the rear window latch!

 

Cleaned the MAF Sensor and throttle body:



The sensor wasn’t too bad. The spray cleaned it right off

The throttle body took quite a while to clean as it was covered in gunk.

Did my best to get the intake clean

I’ll see tomorrow if there’s any noticeable difference in power/fuel economy. Plug change is next..

 

Changed the plugs at just shy of 189k

The electrodes were so worn down I’m surprised it ran.. they weren’t the original plugs because they were all Denso but still must have been in their for a while.


Got a little creative with the extensions

 

Made a fresh copy of my valet key so now I have a two sets. I also got an extra remote from another member.

 

Decided on Bilstein 5100's all around with OME 884's and Headstrong 3-leaf AAL. I got the fronts done so far and the leafs are still in the mail.

Kind of like Christmas

The ol girls were tired..


1/4 inch spacer from Headstrong

Took a little coaxing to get it in there.. Could have used a third hand.

The UCA is touching on the coil at full droop just a smidge. (I have the knuckle jacked up a bit in this pic)



On to the second one. This one went in much smoother for me. This one is also touching at full droop.

I ended up tearing the sway bar link boot a little with my pliers while I was removing it. Whoops!


Here she sits now. Ended up getting 3.75" of lift when I first set it down but it ended up being 2.5" after taking it for ride around the block. Big thanks to @EatSleepTacos for answering my questions during this process! Here are my measurements (from hub center to top of fender) so far:

LF Before: 20” After 23 3/4” Settled 22.5”
LR Before: 22”
RF Before: 20 1/4” After 23 3/4”. Settled 22.5”
RR Before: 22 1/4”




A little vibration going down the road but I am assuming an alignment will remedy this.

 

Helllll yeah!! Glad it’s all done and I was happy to answer your questions. Lemme know if you need any other help.

 

Oh I'm sure going to need some with the rear! Haha. I'm perusing your thread for info tonight in preparation.