New member. Used 99' Tacoma.

This Monday, my wife and I bought a 1999 Tacoma Prerunner V6 XtraCab with 195,000 miles as our work truck. Since she will be driving it sometimes too, I want this truck mechanically perfect and cosmetically pleasant so that it is reliable and comfortable for her.

Our Taco was in pretty good shape when we drove it off the lot, and it seems like someone before us tried to treat it right. Right away I replaced an air cleaner intake hose and a broken tailgate latch, and have been looking for other little or big things that need attention. Im planning to do a transmission fluid drain&fill as a preventative measure, but the truck had timing belt, tires, alignment and brakes done within 2000 miles of our purchase so I don't think it needs a lot right now.

One thing that I question a little bit is the rear springs. I don't think they are particularly bad, but leaf springs are a new thing for me. I saw that heavy duty springs are available, and it seems like it might make sense to get them considering it is a work truck. I have already built a 13' cargo rack from some extra 1 1/4" x .065" mild steel tube, which I think weighs about 50 pounds. With the addition of materials or a trailer, I think it will make sense to go with an HD spring. The shocks are Bilstein and seem to function well.

Anyways, hi everyone! Here is a picture taken after driving through a crazy Georgia snowstorm today.

 

Welcome to TW, nice truck! I love those 1st gen tacos.

 

Thanks! I like the simplicity of the 1st gen trucks a lot, less is more ya know!

 

All to well, picked this up 2 months ago because I missed my old 1st gen.

 

Nice truck! I know that 4x4 must be nice to have when things get really icy.

 

Thanks! You might find this thread helpful, it has help me a lot with the older truck. 1st Gen. "DIY" and "How To" Thread: Compiled list of helpful links

 

Welcome. Lots of love for those 1st gens. it seems. Good choice!

 

Nice! Welcome!

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome aboard

 

Welcome nice truck!! Better springs will give you better ride.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Well its been a little more than two weeks since we bought the truck, couldn't be happier. The wife drives it as much as I do, I almost wish she didn't like it so much.

My only complaint seems really nitpicky, but maybe someone here has dealt with it. The interior is very nice, but the center console is kinda beat up. Most of the damage is to the armrest part, it moves around and doesn't latch. This gives our dog some difficulty as she tries to scramble into the back of the cab.

My solution so far is to remove the whole center console behind the gear selector, not too difficult with the 2 Phillips head screws on the front and the 2 10mm bolts inside the compartment. There is a little bare patch of metal that isn't covered by carpet, so I thought I might build a small, low locker to fit where the console used to. I dont mind losing the armrest, but would like to retain some storage, and it would be nice if the dog had easier access too.

Thoughts are welcome, will post a thread in the 1st gen area if I end up making something.