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98 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by panamaborn, Feb 18, 2017.

  1. Feb 18, 2017 at 9:13 AM
    #1
    panamaborn

    panamaborn [OP] Member

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    Just bought this truck and I would like to fix it up, is there anything I can do performance wise it is a 2.7L automatic two wheel drive?
     
  2. Feb 18, 2017 at 11:56 AM
    #2
    BartMaster1234

    BartMaster1234 American Auto Horns

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    Hey same truck as me!

    Before you drop money to upgrade or add anything make sure the truck in good working order first. Inspect/change the fluids, spark plugs/distributor wires, cooling system, engine accessories, filters, brakes, etc etc. I hated how quiet the 3RZ-FE was so I put on a K&N cold air intake (and before anyone says so yeah I know it's sucking hot engine air and doesn't really boost HP but damn I love how it looks and sounds). You could achieve the same results and save a good $200 dollars by doing the deck plate mod (which is basically cutting a hole in the airbox and gluing on a deck plate) but since I live in California where everything is illegal and I would fail the visual aspect of the SMOG check. Another reason I went for the K&N is because it's CA CARB certified so the SMOG people won't give me trouble.

    Welcome to TW!

    Also if you're crazy enough the PreRunner is actually built on the chassis of a 4x4 so it's fairly simple to convert the truck to a 4x4. You can do it for under a $1000 if you look around for deals on a tranny, transfer case, hubs, etc.
     
    panamaborn[OP] and B-rock like this.
  3. Feb 18, 2017 at 1:16 PM
    #3
    panamaborn

    panamaborn [OP] Member

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    Thanks for the reply I will service the truck change all the fluids and filters. Going to replace the front and rear brakes asap. I don't understand what you were talking about as far as the K&N cold air intake, does it cost 200.00? What is the deck plate?
     
  4. Feb 18, 2017 at 3:01 PM
    #4
    BartMaster1234

    BartMaster1234 American Auto Horns

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    Rear brakes are a little difficult, they're drum brakes. Depending on the mileage of the truck you might not even need to replace the shoes. The front is really responsible for most of the braking power.

    K&N is a company that makes cold air intakes for cars. They claim to "boost horse power", improve engine performance, and make it a little louder. The one I bought had this sheet full of graphs and statistics where they tested a 2.4l on a Dyno before and after the installation of their intake and it actually improved the horsepower by 5 HP. I don't actually think it helps at all but I didn't buy it for the HP boost I bought it for the fact that it's CARB certified (for CA SMOG) and to make the 3RZ-FE a little louder. The intake costs $200 dollars. Looks pretty cool too and clears up some room in the engine bay since it replaces the bulky factory intake.

    The deck plate mod achieves the exact same results as the K&N intake except that it's basically free besides the cost of a deck plate. Imagine a swimming pool skimmer. The plastic access cover that you unscrew to clean it out is basically a deck plate, it's used on boats for creating storage as well. It's like a plastic manhole cover. After cutting a hole in the airbox, you insert the deckplate and take off the cover. You just use the cover if you're doing some offroading where it's excessively dusty or you have a reason where the airbox needs to be factory. If you don't live in CA or a state where you can't modify the factory emissions system you should def. do this mod.
     
  5. Feb 20, 2017 at 7:17 PM
    #5
    panamaborn

    panamaborn [OP] Member

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    My odometer does not work has anyone come across this problem with the 98 Tacoma four cylinder 2.7L, automatic trans two wheel drive? I am slowly servicing the truck and I bought it like this with the odometer not working. I took it to a Toyota Dealership to get an alignment and I asked what it would cost to fix the odometer somewhere in the range of four hundred dollars. I can't afford to fix it at this time. Wanted to know if someone here knew anything about this problem thanks.
     
  6. Feb 20, 2017 at 7:38 PM
    #6
    BartMaster1234

    BartMaster1234 American Auto Horns

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    Lol damn that's why the call it a stealership. Looks like you have a bad vehicle speed sensor (VSS). (or it could be the gears behind the ODO if you have a mechanical display) There are cheap plastic gears that has teeth that become brittle over time and break. You could probably do it yourself in under and hour (depending on your skill level) it's a $20 dollar part on eBay. Check this video:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4d4y7_Iygs
     
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    #6
  7. Feb 20, 2017 at 8:00 PM
    #7
    Sicyota04

    Sicyota04 Slowly but surely.

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    I did the deck plate mod and live in the great state of CA! Lol. And have passed smog every time w/ my Tacoma. Just sayin'. I just put the cover back on the deck plate when I go in to get my truck smogged. Works every time!
     
  8. Feb 20, 2017 at 8:02 PM
    #8
    BartMaster1234

    BartMaster1234 American Auto Horns

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    I had a friend who failed a SMOG because the MAF sensor housing wasn't black. Apparently it's called failing the visual or something?
    Got me hella paranoid so I just went ahead and got the K&N. Yeah it's overpriced AF but it looks nice and sounds good.
     
  9. Feb 28, 2017 at 3:22 PM
    #9
    panamaborn

    panamaborn [OP] Member

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    Hello I would like to change the existing exhaust with a header any recommendations can I buy a header a bolt it on or will there some fabrication involved? I don't have a shop to do the work it will be done in my driveway.
     

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