1st gen maintenance gotcha

looking to purchase a high mileage, 170k, 6 lug crew cab AT. Water pump/timing belt was done at 160k. What else should i look over if i get the truck? Anything 1st time taco owner should know about?

Thank you.

 

Check for frame rust under around the front leaf spring hangers, also if lower ball joints look old then replace them asap.

 

Check where the motor mount attaches to the frame. The ears on mine were broken. Had to weld a plate in so the motor didn't try leaving!

 

“High mileage”

 

Hey, welcome to the forum!

As others have stated, check for rust, check for rust, and oh did I mention to check for rust?

These frames rust from the inside out, so make sure to do more than just a "quick look" underneath.

Aside from that, maintenance as you would with any "new to you" car. Unless I got invoices and work orders for the vehicle I'm buying, I don't assume or leave it to chance and do the work myself including;

Any and all light bulbs that may be burned out

Coolant
Thermostat
Hoses, if applicable
Transmission fluid and filter
Oil
Oil filter
Air filter
Brakes

After that, inspect wear items;

tie rods
radiator
control arm bushings
suspension components
upper ball joints
lower ball joints (A MUST)

When replacing said wear items, stick with OEM.

 

170K? Sounds like it’s ready for its first oil change.

 

If lbj and tie rod looks ok, should i still replace it out of precaution since those have never been changed in 170k miles?

Is it usually more productive to change both the tie rods and lower control arm together? (Changing lower control arms also swap out the lower ball joint, correct?)

How much should i expect to pay for these repairs?

 

If your going with OEM products I’d expect things to be on the pricy side.

 

If you are unsure when the lower ball joints were replaced, just replace them. Don't leave it to chance.

As for your lower control arms, there would be no reason why you would need to change them unless they were bent for any reason.

To minimize down time, you could do like I did and purchase a set of lower control arms (used) that way you can press out your old bushings, replacing them with new ones, and just replacing the entire lower control arm all at once with your lower ball joints.

Took me a good 3 or so hours, using hand tools only.

If you'd like, I can sell you the lower control arms that came from my truck, since they're just extra parts now.

 

Check for rust everywhere underneath, not just the frame. Check upper and lower ball joints, and also look for excessive play in the driveshaft

 

read through the buyer's guide, it's a sticky on the main 1st gen page

 

I am in the same boat love all the advice this forum has...

 

The day finally arrived. Previous owner seemed to take care of it, garaged, nice interiors. It still has many original parts, including lower ball joint, which i plan to replace. It looked caked with dirt/grime, but otherwise undamaged. Tie rod boots intact, underbody frame dry, with only minor surface rust on exhaust pipe.

Couple questions: for 2004 prerunner sr5, do they come with remote key fob, if so, how can i go about making a new copy?

How critical it is to replace the tie rod? What is the symptom that it should be replaced? If so, can i replace just portion, ie upper or outer?

 

OP, congratulations on the truck, but I have to say that our advice on here seems to fall on deaf ears.

We've given you sound advice, myself included, and you keep asking the same questions about maintenance.

2 ears, 1 mouth; 80% listening 20% talking.

 

If boots are OK and there is no slope I wouldn't touch it. I have 320k miles on factory and every year it passes safety (torture) inspection. I have a set of spare OEM outer tie rods in a box. However if any has torn boots or have any loose you can feel I'd replace it with OEM (inner are quite expensive). Outer are very easy to check without even lifting the truck. Inner you can feel on steering wheel.
How critical? They are steering components, if fail than it's not so fun. But as I wrote they don't fail just out of the blue - you will first feel clunks in steering.

 

I wouldn't see why it didn't come with a key fob. I lost both my factory originals but you can buy them off ebay or reprogram any Tacoma key fob from those years. Videos on youtube shows you how to program.