New lady Tacoma owner-needing your advice!

Well, after lusting for a Tacoma for about 7 years-I just bought my first truck since graduating college, which is a blue 2008 Tacoma, 6 speed, 4x4...and I'm in love!

I have a couple questions, since I bought it used-there's some things I would like an opinion on.
I need a toolbox to store some things in-because I'm an Ag Teacher/FFA Advisor I have random stuff come up all the time with my kids and their animals, and I have a variety of things I need in my truck at all times. Plus, I'm a woman so I'm trying to keep all my things organized in it

I would like a black, low profile toolbox without selling my soul to afford it. I need to throw things like the basics for the truck (extra oil, water, jack etc.) but then items like rubber hose to pump calf stomachs with, a change of boots and muck boots, ratchet straps, chain, some other misc tools... Anyone have suggestions?

Also, I have a belt that is chirping (I'm assuming it's my serpentine belt?)-when it's idiling, when it's under about 2,000 RPMs and the windows are down you can really hear it -but stops when I have the clutch pressed in, either to the floor or just an inch or so. It didn't do it when I bought is a few weeks ago, so I'm wondering if they put dressing on it so it stopped temporarily. What's the best thing to do?

 

Welcome toTW, I would do a search for a tool box, both on here and Amazon, good luck.

 

Tractor supply has some fairly nice tool boxes for a decent price. As for the squealing it could be the throwout bearing

 

Shoot, is a throwout bearing a tough or expensive fix? I've only had the truck since the 23 of February.

 

sometimes mine will squeal for a little while if i drive through water and then quit after a few days. If its not a terrible squeal you could probably just let it be for a little while. Ive never changed one on a yota so im not sure how big a job it is

 

1)If it's the belt, spray a little scilicone (sp)(auto parts store) on it while running, use the straw. Be careful !! Those moving parts can hurt you. If it's the belt & that doesn't stop it you might need a new belt = OR = If it's neither see 2)

2)Since it stops when you press the clutch, it might be the throw out bearing.
Try this, with the motor running, out of gear, set brake, get outside of truck, get down on ground and stick your head under truck, just behind front tire. If it's the throw out bearing you can hear it much louder. It turns when you engage the clutch, (clutch dis-engaged / out, it just rides in a yoke on the output shaft) it should be okay for a while. Serious bucks to replace it. If gets so loud it's making you crazy and you do replace it, I strongly suggest you replace the clutch & pressure plate at the same time. Any really GOOD mechanic should be able to do it.

 

Ouch, hoping it's just a belt... How much is the Throw out Bearing worse case scenario?

 

Welcome to TW. My 2008 4 banger had a belt squeak that went away when you pushed in the clutch. If the belt is squeaking you can pour a little water on it and the noise should temporarily go away. If it does, you know it's your belt. If it's the throw out bearing you are looking at an expensive repair, because the transmission has to come out to access the bearing. At that point you might as well put a new clutch in. Hopefully it's just your belt.

 

Welcome to TW!

X2 on the throwout bearing my first thought as well.

No warranty? Less than 2 weeks the seller had to know about it.
If it's just the belt, they aren't hard to change. Easier to change from underneath pay attention to the routing (I used chalk and drew a diagram on the garage floor). Good luck, hope it's just a belt.
P.S. The oil, water, and jack... You won't need it. It's a Toyota

 

I have no idea what a clutch, pressure plate & throw out bearing R&R would cost, bad guess, standard tranny, easy $1500, 4x4 tranny, more. If it's the throw out bearing, I would run it until it gets so loud you can't stand it.
I agree, whoever sold it to you had to know about the noise / problem.
Try the silicone spray, I've seen it stop a noisy belt forever. Spray it where the belt and pulleys meet. Use the straw, don't get too close. You'll notice the entire pulley - belt system get's nice & quiet. Plus it saves the rubber, stops it from cracking.
Keep us posted.
good luck !