Advice on Regular Maintenance and Mods

I have a 2007 TRD Off-Road 4x4 Access Cab with 160k miles on it that I’d like to start modifying a little bit. I’ve had it for about 2.5 years (got it w/ 113k miles) and so far have added the following: a used A.R.E. shell (which needs a little love), Yakima crossbars on the shell, a cheap plywood/2x10 sleeping platform, and BF Goodrich KO2s. About the only maintenance myself I’ve done is regular oil changes, so I’d first like to know what do all of you recommend in terms of regular maintenance that’s easy enough for a noob to get the hang of? Second, I’d like to add a suspension lift and would like recommendations on how go to about doing so… You guys are badasses. Thanks!

 

Change front and rear diff fluid
Clean maf and throttle body

 

Do ATF drain/refill, or flush.
Brake fluid flush
Power steering flush
Check idler pulley bearings
Check serpentine belt and radiator hoses
Consider front brake upgrade to 14WA calipers, and matching rotors/brakes
Consider installing oil catch can

The Search box can be your friend ...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tacoma-brakes-swaps-and-tech.468271/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oil-catch-can-install-guide.231227/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cheap-free-mods.4838/#post-45403

 

I've bookmarked a number of threads already and while the search feature is definitely handy, there's almost too much information to sift through at times. Thanks for the info!

 

I thought ATF fluid was lifetime? I've got a manual but I seem to remember hearing that.

 

Grease your drive shafts, front & rear universal joints!!! All 5 of them..

 

ATF is not lifetime. The fluid turns dark as it accumulates contaminates. Even Toyota recommends flushing ATF at 60K if vehicle meets severe service definition. That said - there comes a point when changing the ATF in a very dirty and neglected transmission can cause more harm than good because removing the suspended particles/contaminants will cause the transmission to slip.

Here is a good video from Chris Fix. After the first minute, skip to minute 5.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o690DovjDAc

 

I like this guy. Good video. Very thorough explanation. Now its time to get lost in his other videos. Thanks

 

Suspension depends on your budget an use, If you have thrle funds coilovers are the way to go, but a old man emu setup is great an toytec makes some solid stuff also.
Wont input for general upkeep all great advice there.

 

Going to ask Santa for my truck to magically have a dipstick like that video. Would be nice!

 

At one point in time Toyota said lifetime then they changed it to like 100k then dropped it to 60k. So even your service manual might go with the old recommendation. But idk if it applies same to manual vs auto.

 

Speaking of that, I've wondered for a while (even though I've never taken any action on it) if it would be possible to "plumb" up your own top-side fill tube and find/make a dipstick the appropriate length. I understand (I think I understand lol) that the fluid goes to the top of the original fill hole, so I was kind of thinking a long sweep 90° fitting (or maybe a couple 45's even to ease the turn for the dipstick) with the proper thread to replace the fill plug, then some other fittings and supports to go on up top-side. Thoughts? Possible? Possible but difficult? Near Impossible? Just seems like it'd be handier but (full disclosure) I haven't messed with the tranny at all yet, so the way it is now might be easy as pie, for all I know.

 

You are well over due for a transmission flush.

I would consult the service manual and do everything you haven’t done since ownership.

At this point youve reached the service point for everything. You kind of reached that when you bought it let alone now.

 

Yeah very true!!