New Tacoma Owner in Greensboro NC

Howdy folks,

I just got my first Tacoma, a 2001 that I picked up in another state. Boy howdy these things are getting hard to find, especially in good condition and with 'lower' miles. I held out for what seemed like forever to get all the features and packages that I wanted. Truck is in pretty good condition, but needs (a little?) TLC underneath, mechanically, and on the body. No complaints, though...got the exact truck I wanted for a good price, and she seems to run and ride just fine as is. Now to slowly start fixing her up!

Took it to the dealer today just to give them a chance to look it over since the truck has a somewhat unknown maintenance history, and do the oil/filter change and check all the fluids. They said I need the following:
E-brake kit (but not the cable)
Fuel hose protector (recall for double cabs)
Power steering rack bushing
Valve cover gaskets
Drive belts

I've been doing some snooping around online, and have decided to do the brake kit and valve covers myself. I'll let the dealer do the steering rack and prob the drive belts. Timing belt was supposedly done around 120K (I'm at 167K now). I've wrenched most of my life on cars and motorbikes, so I feel comfortable taking those things on.

Previous owner says that frame was treated by Toyota by the guy who had it before him (supposedly the truck originated out of Florida), but there is no documentation, and frame is looking rusty i.e. toward the rear, so I suspect that it was not done at all or not treated by the dealer. Regardless, I bought the truck knowing this, and am going to swing by the Toyota body shop, a frame shop, and a local independent body guy to get some ideas on how it can be cleaned up and treated to at least slow down the decay. Does not seem to be through-rust, only surface stuff.

Looking forward to sifting through all the threads here and getting to know the Tacoma community. Cheers

 

Welcome From Cali...

 

Welcome from Cali also!

 

Haha thanks ya'll...laughing 'cause I just moved to NC from San Jose. It's fall out here already...plus we have HURRICANES