Hello and Thank You!

Hello. For the last 6 months or so I have been lurking on the Gen 1 Forum trying to learn as much as I could about these trucks. While my knowledge was limited to start, by research and reading on this Forum I was able to understand what to look for in a new to me truck, what to check (frame anyone?), what to do to make it a safe vehicle for my son (lower ball joints- OEM only), and most of all how helpful owners are to one another. Armed with knowledge- I ending up looking at 16 different Tacoma's (3 months) before finding the one for us (this will be my son's first vehicle when he turns 16 later in the year). I recently bought a 2003 Tacoma Pre-Runner extended cab with 120K miles, v6, automatic. The vehicle had 2 owners (San Antonio & Austin, TX all its life) from new and was serviced at a dealership its entire life (every 5K miles, timing belt/water pump at 90K). Before I get the:

I realized I did not have a photo- but will add one next time I go to my storage. Items that I have purchased and will install are:
- OEM lower ball joints
- Bilstein 5100 shocks
- General Suspension rear HD leaf springs (back drivers side sits 1 inch lower than passenger side)
- all the OEM parts to do the valve cover gaskets.
- 3 different sets of factory allow wheels from Craigslist (not sure which ones I will use, however I do know I will not be using the chrome wheels that came on it).
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Thanks for all knowledge provided in the Forum- it has been invaluable!

 

Welcome to TW, good luck with the repairs.

 

Welcome

 

Thank you. I am a long time Jeep CJ owner and active in that community- could not put my oldest in a CJ- wanted to give him a little more protection from others and the elements.
Great site- learning a lot (especially searching the forums before asking questions!)

 

Welcome to TW Kyle

 

My first vehicle was a '79 CJ7 with the 304 in it with a 3 speed. That thing loved some gas and hated 70 mph. I loved that damn jeep.

 

Welcome, but

J/k

Congrats on the new truck and enjoy TacomaWorld!

 

I knew it was coming!

Here are some initial photos:








Work that I have started:
Replace upper and lower ball joints- OEM
Replace Inner and Outer Tie Rod Ends- OEM outer, Moog inner
Replace U Joints- OEM
Sway bar links- OEM
Front Spring Isolators- Moog
Front Coil Springs- Moog
Front Shocks- 5100's
General Rear Springs
Rear Shocks- 5100's
Rear Addco Swaybar
Plugs and Wires- OEM
Valve cover gaskets and all corresponding parts- OEM
Fuel Filter- OEM
Bed Liner off Craigslist to cover up the 14 year old Rhino Lining Spray in Liner
Small Tool box- to lock stuff in- Walmart (bargain brand new at $120 or so delivered)
Rear bumper replacement
Still working on which OEM Wheels/Tires to go with - bought several sets off Craigslist.
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Take off the:
Manik side steps
Factory wheels from a 4 Runner

Truck was bought new at a dealership less than 10 miles from me. Registered on Toyota.com and ran Carfax- very solid service history- no missed oil changes, timing belt and water pump done, etc.... Original owner traded back in to that dealer when he bought a new 2016. It went to auction and was sold to a specialty Toyota dealer in Austin- who sold it to the gentleman I purchased it from. He had it 6 months and decided he would go back to his Volvo. Frame is very solid- truck has some marks on it- but all in it is pretty good.

Thanks again for all the knowledge this site provides folks- really helped me in my search.

 

Kyle, Very nice Taco! Looks like a great way to deplete that green from your wallet.

 

In the long term, if you plan to keep the truck, you will save more money without having to replace what most owners of diesel trucks, and other cars have to pay to replace. Good investment and definitely a beauty!! Nice buy! Did you do all the work by yourself?

 

These photos are pre-work. I bought the factory manuals and will do some of the work myself- will get some help on other items. Been over my head in repairs many times- will likely be there again.

 

Oh okay! Gotcha. Oh yes! Always have to account for mishaps you would have never expected. Awesome that you're doing all this. How many miles on this truck??

 

127K miles. Steering is a little loose- Have a buddy that has a lift- should be able to knock out the front end this weekend.

 

Dang! mine has 130k. but its a not yet done. Have to buy some OEM wheel bearings and get them installed so i can safely drive to get my alignment done! Why is the steering loose though??

 

Not dangerous or even horrible- just not as tight as I would like. Sway bar bushings appear to be the culprit.
Have a great weekend!

 

Hmm! My sway bar bushings are busted too. Probabaly should get to that