The Ultimate Off Roader’s Inspection List:

Hey guys, I assembled this list for those who beat, not baby their truck. Use this as a guide to inspect your vehicle a few times a year or after any big trip/time you did something really stupid.

Fair warning, I pulled some of this out of my brain, most of this directly off of the internet and will continue to add to this list as members provide valuable information that is Toyota/Tacoma specific. All I wanted to do is compile a consolidated list that you can go through methodically.


1. Start by washing your truck, this will allow you to see what you are looking for better.

• Simple Green does wonders in the wheel wells and frame. Spray everything down with water, spray with simple green, let it sit for 5-10 minutes, spray one more time with simple green, let it sit, scrub as necessary, spray off with water.
• Use a degreaser and LOW PRESSURE water in your engine bay, be careful around your battery, alternator, aux fuse panels and anything else you may find sensitive.
• Wash the rest of the car how you please.

2. FRAME/UNDER THE TRUCK

• Look at any high stress areas, welds, etc. You are looking for cracks or any large amounts of rust build up.
• Hangers - anyone that wheels hard has a chance of tweaking these, there is no real way to fix these, but you can replace bent hangers with BAMF Heavy Duty Hangers or Archive Garage Hammer Hangers
• Leaf Springs - Check all bolts are torqued on the shackle and the U-bolts are torqued in a criss-cross pattern.
• Body Mount Bushings - there is one at the radiator mount, one at the cab mount at the back of the front wheel well and one at the back of the cab (per side). Check the drivers and passenger side, these can crack or blowout.
• Cam Tabs - these keep the truck aligned, if they are bent then you need to look at something like the Total Chaos Gussets or the Marlin Crawler Frame Brace Kit.
• Driveline/Transmission – inspect case and shifter, leaks, fluids, U-joints and skid plates. Make sure all you diff/transmission/transfer case plugs are snug as well as all of you skid plate bolts
• Exhaust – muffler, tailpipes (rust or holes or hanging). Check all brackets and rubber do-dads holding tailpipe in place.

3. FRONT WHEEL WELLS

• Axles & Differentials - this is a lot of moving parts with a lot of opportunity to leak. Check boots, clips and the axle seal. Check to ensure everything is tight and look for leaks or drips.
• Suspension – coil overs, springs, shocks, wheel bearings, spindles, control arms. Here you are looking for any unusual play in the wheel bearing and lower ball joint especially. Make sure your shocks are not leaking and if you have greasable zerks on your UCA or LCA, give them a few pumps.
• Brakes – rotors, pads/shoes, fluid, hoses, leaks, check parking brake, brake lights. Helps to have a second person pressing on the breaks while checking.
• Steering – check alignment, fluid level, belts and hoses, pump and reservoir. Look for leaks. Check tie-rod boots for tears or rips. Check all joints for play.
• Tires – tighten (torque 87 ft. lbs.) lug nuts, air pressure, tread wear (including your full-size spare), look for cuts and missing chunks, torque beadlock bolts.

4. REAR WHEEL WELLS

• Follow step 3 and omit the parts that don’t apply (CV Boots, UCA, LCA, etc.)

5. ENGINE BAY

• Battery – clean terminals, check for damaged, corroded wiring. Check for loose connections.
• Engine – fuel injectors, spark plugs, wires, PVC valve, pumps, distributor & wire, check for leaks and cracks, air filter (clean or replace). Keep an eye out for loose wires and hoses.
• Belts & Hoses – look for cracks or bulges.
• Cooling/Heating system – look for leaks, fluid levels, clean and repair fins, check hoses and clamps, thermostat, radiator cap.
• Fluids – oil, transmission, brake, radiator coolant, gear oils, wipers, power steering (check levels and color).

6. ALL THE OTHER PARTS

• This is going to vary greatly from vehicle to vehicle but check your sliders, bed rack, roof rack, bumpers, tents, lights, wiring, drawers, cap, whatever it is. Look it over, check for loose bolts, scratched paint that needs touch up, anything that is out of place needs to be repaired.

I compiled this list mainly due to my OCD and love for my truck, I drive it like and asshole but make sure to show it some love after the fact.

Please feel free to provide input and suggestions so we can put together the best Tacoma checklist possible!

 

If you are wheeling at night make sure your lights work!

Check to make sure you have all necessary extra fluids, spare parts, tools, tire deflators, recovery gear, hi-lift is good, etc.

For those with a winch , clean the line and inspect every so often and respool to make sure it's ready to go.

Maybe making this into a PDF that has check boxes for each category and sub catagories for checking off.

 

What do I check after this?

Lol but actually this is gonna be a good thread

 

You do that a few times more and then Sell it

For all you guys with the Leaf spring upgrades/rear end changes, CHECK those Ubolt Nuts, shocks, and leaf spring end bolts. Seeing these come in loose more than we should. Dont be this guy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dM-gm6QCe-g

 

take to scrap yard......







CHECK

 

Added!