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98 4WD 2.7 L 3RZ-FE 100/200K service help please

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by hotwheels22, Feb 28, 2020.

  1. Feb 28, 2020 at 7:37 PM
    #1
    hotwheels22

    hotwheels22 [OP] Member

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    gents!
    i've had a 98 2.7 L 3RZ-FE since it had 60K on it in 2000. it is time for me to get serious about some maintenance since i've only done a distributor cap, tires and oil changes. right now i am making sure i have a repair manual. would anyone help me get together a cheat sheet list of items i need to take care of? i'm a new wrench but may be able to handle a lot of it.
    anyone mind adding to my list below?
    is there a PDF available for the 98 tacoma?
    how do i check ball joints? any links?
    how do i check the suspension? any good links?
    how do i check the driveshafts? how many fittings are there? do i just pump some moly in there?
    how do i check the pads exactly?
    anyone got any PURCHASE ORDERS that i could take notes off of for a parts order?!
    trying to study up so any and all help would be really welcome.
    THANKS
    - jonathan

    plugs
    wires
    air filter
    fuel filter
    flush brake fluid
    -
    clean mass air flow sensor diode
    clean throttle body intake
    -
    oil and filter change
    transmission fluid
    -
    check brakes
    check ball joints
    check all suspension parts
    check driveshafts front and rear (grease driveshafts as needed)
    timing belt
     
    GQ7227 and Black DOG Lila like this.
  2. Feb 28, 2020 at 7:47 PM
    #2
    Black DOG Lila

    Black DOG Lila Well-Known Member

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    Virginia
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    2003 Tacoma SR5 2.7 5 speed 4WD
    Stock. EZ pass.Dump pass.Inspection sticker.Convict printed lic.plates.FG cap.
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2020
    hotwheels22[OP] likes this.
  3. Feb 28, 2020 at 7:50 PM
    #3
    HardTaco03

    HardTaco03 Well-Known Member

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    2003 Ext Cab 4wd 5 speed 3RZ
    If it has 200,000 miles you don’t need to check ball joints you need to change them along with all your bushings and all that good stuff and change your timing belt or chain or whatever you have.Prolly be good idea to change all your belts and your tensioners also.Any truck with 200,000 miles needs attention to keep going strong if you want to be proactive but you can always run it to the bitter end but I hate being broke down on side the road :notsure:
     
    GQ7227 and hotwheels22[OP] like this.
  4. Feb 28, 2020 at 8:24 PM
    #4
    hotwheels22

    hotwheels22 [OP] Member

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  5. Feb 28, 2020 at 8:29 PM
    #5
    hotwheels22

    hotwheels22 [OP] Member

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    thanks man. i’ve got an older land cruiser that needs engine work and suspension work so i have been spending a lot of time studying up on that.
    half the time i think i need to sell this thing and buy a well maintained first gen TRD and the other half of the time i think i need to study up and do the work myself.
    so putting the list together is a half way measure i guess.
     
  6. Feb 29, 2020 at 2:10 AM
    #6
    Kevin Jones

    Kevin Jones Well-Known Member

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    Va
    Vehicle:
    1996 Tacoma - 2018 Tacoma
    I've got 414,000 trouble-free miles and have only changed the belts from your above list. Guess I better get busy. :notsure:
     
    Last edited: Feb 29, 2020
    GQ7227 likes this.
  7. Feb 29, 2020 at 4:06 AM
    #7
    HardTaco03

    HardTaco03 Well-Known Member

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    You can definitely get lucky and get lots of miles out of parts but when you just run them to failure and your like me and have bad luck you end up on side the road.If it can break it will happen to me
     
  8. Feb 29, 2020 at 4:21 AM
    #8
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

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    Billy
    Largo Florida
    Vehicle:
    '13 5 lug AC w/convenience package
    A few OE parts from fancy trucks
    Here is the owners manual. Which you may or may not need. But it does have useful info in it.

    https://www.toyota.com/owners/resources/warranty-owners-manuals/tacoma/1998

    So. You bought a 2 yo truck with 60k on it, have driven it another 20 years / 140k, and have never had brake work done? Never changed coolant?

    If you are truly trying to 'catch up' and make this a keeper, all the rubber hoses need changing too. And the OE shocks were pretty much in your 2nd or 3rd year of ownership.

    But before you burn a hole in your wallet, has this been living in snow/salt country? If so, a full frame inspection is the first order of business. If the frame is rotted out, no sense in dropping a bunch of cash in it.

    Auto or manual? If auto, I'd suggest only a drain and fill, not a flush. Drive it 1k or so and repeat. Do this 3-4 times and you'll have mostly fresh fluid. If it's a manual you need GL4 lubricant and make sure you can remove the fill plug BEFORE you drain the fluid.


    Curiosity. Is this a 5 lug?
     

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