Getting a Tacoma!

Hello everyone, I've been in the market for a 2004 Toyota Tacoma for a minute now and think I might have found one! I do a lot of normal daily driving but would like to be able to drive it all over the country! What suggestions do you guys have for a build? I'm not lookin to do anything super crazy with it (yet) but if anyone has any good ideas I'd love to hear it since I'm just now starting out in all of this! Thanks guys!

 

Welcome to TW!

First of all, is your truck regular cab, access cab, or double cab (4-door)? 2WD or 4x4? 4-cylinder or V6? Automatic transmission or manual?

Regardless of what configuration your truck is, especially if it doesn't need any repairs, I feel that the stereo is a good place to start! I also highly recommend WeatherTech floor liners!

 

Its a double cab 2WD, V6, and automatic! I was gonna do radio, backup camera, and maybe suspension! But WeatherTech is a good idea! Thanks

 

I recommend Pioneer (what I've got in my truck) or JVC for a radio if you are on a budget, but Alpine if money is no object...

Your best bet for a backup camera is to get a double-DIN head unit with a touch screen; I don't like the rearview mirror screens very much. I also highly recommend tinting the windows.

 

@ashris

You haven't bought your new-to-you truck yet? Make sure you carefully inspect the frame; Toyota has a database you can run the VIN through to see if the frame has been replaced. If the frame has been replaced and/or looks new, you're good; If the frame has any significant rust then I will quote a friend of mine...

Run! Don't walk!

How many miles on this '04 DC? I'm guessing it's got a clean title? Make sure you check the Carfax and/or check for any signs of previous accident damage.

 

Make sure it’s in real good shape. Then drive it and drive it for 3+ months... then you will have a much better idea of what is necessary to you.

 

Welcome! Carefully inspect before you buy and enjoy your Tacoma when you finally make that purchase!

 

First off is to inspect for frame rust.

It’s not always a deal breaker, but it does create more work for you. Hen catch up on the regular maintenance. If you aren’t sure certain things like the timing belt were replaced, assume it wasn’t. Replace all the fluids, and even have a mechanic go over the motor real well to see if there are things that should be addressed.

Then, as far a mods, I have quite an extensive list for newbies.

1) nothing

Seriously, don’t worry about what mods you “need”. Just go out and drive it. Start with some weekend trips where the risk is low. If you fprget something, or find you need/want something, you’ll get it he next day. The more you drive and the more adventures you go on, you’ll figure out your likes and dislikes, and what suits your needs and budget.

Don’t go throwing $3k in suspension at it if you don’t actuslly need it.

If you’ve gone camping before, just toss all that stuff in the bed and go for it. No need to spend another $3k on roof top tents and other “overlander” stuff, at least not yet...

 

Just because the frame replaced, doesn’t mean it’s a good frame. Toyota literally just gives you an identical frame, wih the same issues. So it’s a newer frame, but still prone to rust.

So you still need to take the same steps to prvent new rust from starting.

 

I will never understand why Toyota keeps using shitty frames...

Also, just so you know, the deal for this truck apparently fell through and the OP got the usual 3-day ban for attempting sell her current vehicle with less than 50 posts.

 

Most folks sure have to look a lot longer than that to find the right vehicle at the right price.

So it's a Pre-Runner?

Maybe looking for a 4wd version would meet your goal better? Unless your 'all over the country' is mostly on pavement and snow free.

 

Every manufacturer does this. It’s not really a shitty frame, it’s more than in some areas of the country they use shitty chemicals that eat through frames, and it’s nearly impossible to truly prevent the rust.

Well, hopefully she knows the rules better now, and gets a good solid truck.

 

I've been really lucky with my truck's frame; It was coated once under the recall, back in October 2017.

 

I live in CA, so...

 

One of the few good things about owning a car in California! I don’t think I could afford all of the expenses associated with owning a vehicle there...

 

Aside from a smog check every 2 years, I’m not aware of any “extra” expenses. We all have to register and insure them.

Hell, CA doesn’t give a crap if your brakes or seatbelts even work, as long as it passes the sniff test.

 

Performed by some subcontracted shop that you can bribe, right?

 

I put a $25 air mattress in the bed with tailgate down. It's a queen sized so folds in a U shape, fits one person, no cover. I sleep like a baby in the fresh air. Car camping at it's best.

 

The smog shops are pretty highly regulated, so those are pretty hard to find. I went to what I thought was a pretty shady smog shop, and the guy straight up failed me because I didn’t have a current emissions compliant sticker for my k&n intake.

He was like, it’ll pass fine, you just need to call k&n to get the sticker. Apparently the reference to the applicable law changed, so my old sticker didn’t reference the right law code, but nothing about the law changed at all.

 

I was last in California, to visit family in Northern California specifically, in October 2017; I talked to a guy with a late model GMC Sierra dually and he told me spent almost a thousand bucks in various fees to register the damn thing when he first bought it. What really sucks about California is not so much the smog testing, but the fact that there is no loophole for antique vehicles; All gasoline-powered vehicles 1976 and newer must pass a smog test regardless of how often they driven!

At least in Pennsylvania, registration is not tied to whether or not the vehicle passes an emissions test, only 25 of the 67 counties require emissions testing, and anyone who drives 5,000 miles a year or less is exempt emissions testing!