Debating buying new truck; Rust Issues on 2nd Gen Models?

Hi folks,

I am finally thinking about upgrading my 2001 SR5 tacoma. Its been a great truck to me clocking in 250k miles at the moment, but it just doesnt like big hills towing the raft trailer or dirt bike trailer any more. Its got 881's, ARB bumper + winch, dakar rear springs, new lower control arms and ball joints as of this spring, camburg uniballs and new wheel bearings front and back a couple years ago.

So my lady and her family want me to upgrade for safety reasons; mostly that i dont run a sway bar and who knows if the 17 year old air bags still work. The truck also leaks a little water through the cab seams and has a very manly mildew smell that the boys dont seem to mind but , shocker, the lady does.

My dilemma is this: I can get a rebuilt 3.4 with new heads/water pump for around 2.600 and get the tranny rebuilt with new 1st, 2, 3 and clutch for around 900. Doing all pull/reinstall myself. I will probably have to get new headers and exhaust as well.

The 2nd gen used models that I have seen on dealer lots have more rust on them than my 01'!?!?! How is this possible. Growing up in NH I lost my beloved and rare 1st gen Tundra sr5 3.4 4x4 stick to rust and have a persistent anxiety problem with rusting toyotas.

I know a clean 2015 truck with the 4.0 wont have issues hauling the fully rigged raft and trailer at around 2.500 lbs and that there are some really good deals on them right now and that it will be much safer.

I looked at some 3rd gen trucks today (hate the visibility) but if i can get a 2nd gen truck w/ 25-35k miles on it and save 10.000 then thats a no brainer for me; pays for bumper/winch, lockers and camburgs.

*edit* Sorry for rambling: Is it worth it to upgrade to a 2nd gen, will i notice that much improvement in ride quality or should I rebuild for a fraction of the cost.

Cheers and happy new year!

 

Have you ever used any frame rust protector on your first gen?

 

Personally, I’d stay the course and try to get rid of the mildew, give it a tune up and drive that truck into the ground

 

Nice story, but I'm not exactly sure what the question really is.

If it's about 2nd gen rust, particularly the frame, it happens. Especially if they live in salt country and have not been well maintained.

So as long as you examine the frame with a ball peen, pry bar, bright light and a phone mounted borescope, you should be fine.

 

Sorry for rambling. Yes, the rust that ive seen on some of these trucks is shocking for a product that is only a few years old. I dont see the same year Chevy's or Fords with this amount of corrosion.

I wd-40 my truck every couple of months and that has seemed to keep allot of it off.

 

Wrong product. Pick up some Fluid Film and apply in the fall.

All the stuff you mention needing rebuilding, engine and trans. What are the diagnostics that have told you this was needed?

You could fix the leaks, strip the interior and kill the mold, pressure wash the carpet and end the funk.

 

Has lost allot of power in the last 50k. I know there are a few exhaust leaks when i sea foamed/smoked it. Have not done a cold PSI test yet. Head gasket is leaking outta the outside of the block but I havent noticed any coolant in the oil yet. Valves are very noisy. Has some crank shaft *wobble* when shut off. Throw out bearing squeels when super cold. I figured I would do the tranny if I did the motor since there is no shortage of reputable tranny shops here in SLC and 2nd gear syncrhos are going (needs double clutch sometimes to get in there) and 3rd is kinda clunky as well.

Other than that ive replaced most of the other key components. I did the lower control arms and ball joints this spring and it felt like a brand new front end.

If I stripped the interior i've thought about getting it sprayed. I faked out the o2 sensor last year underneath the passenger seat to pass emmisions; is there any other key wiring that I would be spraying over if i did this?

 

You have the toughest toyota IMO. Have seen those trucks beat to crap with mud, offroading and just being dogged constantly around here. A good friend buys them with blown motors and slaps another one in or fixes whatever wrong and sells them quick. He bought his wrecked and fixed it and it now has over 270K miles and still going strong. I'd say fix what you have. You'd save a good bit. But I also know what you're saying about upgrading. If you kept up with the rust problems up there like you are doing already then I think you'd be fine. (use fluid film) Here in VA we get like 3-4 snows a year and are not very deep and I freak out so I don't know how you guys deal with it up there.

 

Can you ask him if he is able to reuse the original headers? Toyota quoted me and arm and leg for new OEM headers and im not sure if i will be able to get them off without torching or if they will make a good seal on the new block.

 

Sounds like some decent analysis. Verify that it's the balancer, rather than the shaft itself, wobbling, so you feel better about the bottom end.

Then do a compression and leakdown test. You may find the rings to be suitable for more service, and that a valve job would restore lost power. Or not. But at least you'd know before digging in.

A reman trans, new clutch and bearing set would fix you all up there.

Since you indicate you can do the work, you're talking saving thousands of dollars.

 

I was told to bring my 2010 in to have the frame inspected (apparently the TSB has been extended). The inspection came back good, and Toyota is scheduling a coating process (new method according to the dealer) to prevent future problems. I couldn't get much info from the dealer, but it sounds promising? You might inquire about this during your search. Good luck!

 

He said yes he uses the manifolds already on them. I think he gets motors out of local junk yards so they're pretty complete.

 

Thanks for the input boys. Im going to rebuild it. I love this truck too much to say goodbye. Besides, I cant let my buddies with their 80 series outlast me. That wouldnt be right.

Anyone know if I can get the air bags tested or replaced by toyota?

PS, @GPSdog7, you got it wrong, its Rotella T7 everything! Braap!

 

Don’t let emotion make your decision. Make the most logical decision. Does it make sense to dump a bunch of money into an old vehicle that may still have problems, or put that same money towards a newer vehicle that will certainly be safer. Don’t get me wrong, I had a pre Tacoma 93 pickup sr5 4wd tank that I loved, but in reality, that truck was no match to my 2nd gen, overall.

 

I hear you dog! lol I've been cheating on my amsoil with mobil 1 here lately.

I agree with Moondeath as well. Tough decision.

 

got any pics of the 01? sounds like a good rig

 

Here it is!

 

Go ahead and upgrade to a 2nd gen if you can afford it. Have had both, current is better. Find one that's had the frame already replaced. Good luck.

 

I took my 07 4x4 regular cab in for an oil change and ended up having them rent me a truck made for a giant, while they replaced the holey frame.

So I bet they'll be a lot of 2nd gens with replaced frames coming on the market soon.

 

If your concerned with safety if you can swing it get the 2nd gen an keep your current rig for trail use an new for DD. Not sure about airbags but the rebuild sounds like a good investment perhaps slap a swaybar on it also if that will appease the family. Also beautiful truck you have there. Always cheaper to keeper