Hello TacomaWold

I've been reading this forum from time to time and never wrote back. I guess it's time to change my ugly behavior. So I did register my name and here I am

I got my first and last Tacoma used with 60K miles on the clock. In 1998 I bought this 95 4x4 Dx Ex Cab 5 speed manual which still runs strong even with almost 315k miles behind the tailgate (picture from 2 years ago)



It is pretty much stock with with few small add-on's I put myself. Strangely I bought it with Michelin M/S 235x75x15 tires on steel wheels and then after few sets of tires I never though about changing the size until now when comparing to the phone's GPS I found it actually runs about 3% slower than speedo shows (So I guess the truck has really 10k miles less than counter shows). In order to get the speedo correct I need true 30" diameter tires but I don't know if it will fit without changing anything in suspension. I will be looking for advises there.

During these 17 years of owning and driving this truck of course I did few minor repairs like changing the spark plug wires, new shocks, clutch (at 270k miles), broken washer fluid reservoir, cracked AC line but nothing really major till at 303k miles when the head gasket developed an internal leak on one cylinder.

The repair was actually done at home (my son did it) so it only cost me cost a couple hundreds dollars for gasket kit and fluids. That and new catalytic converter (some a-hole stole it) made that truck running better than new. In CA we have to smog cars but it was never concern for this truck



As for the upgrades I did some small electrical changes:
1. Replaced original wimpy horn with dual tone one
2. Replaced headlights with aftermarket "cut-off" type which uses H4 bulb (replacing burned bulb in original headlights is more than PITA)
3. Replaced front marker with clear lenses type (running orange bulbs)
4. Replaced tail lights with read/clear type
5. Replaced all lights with LED except headlight and blinkers
6. Replaced all interior bulbs with LED. I mean ALL including bulbs behind the dash and inside all switches. I made my own electronic dim controller as original dimmer (rheostat) does not work with LEDs.
7. Replaced the radio with 6" touch screen unit and connected a backup camera to it. The backup camera can be turned on manually too (switch in the dash).


So from that you can see I like the truck, take care of it and I'm always open to suggestions how to make it better and even more reliable.


Rysiu

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome!