$5000 to Spend on Modifying My Taco: Help!

Hey everyone,

This is my first post. I hope you all are well. I am in a position to modify my Tacoma, and I have a few questions about mods and repairs because I don't really know much about working on cars. First, about my Tacoma, which I've owned since 2003 (I'm late to this party, I know):

1999 Tacoma Regular Cab, 4WD (2.7L 4 cylinder) manual
208K Miles
It might have a 1" lift from the previous owner (I can't tell) but tires are 33"/10.5/15R with stock alloy wheels
Color code: 4M4 (Sierra Beige Metallic)
Major repairs since I've owned: Overhauled front differential, new head gasket, radiator. That's pretty much it. Still runs like a champ.

I'm spending more and more time outdoors and I'd can spend a few thousand upgrading this truck. In the next few weeks I will have a SnugTop Hi-Liner shell and I'll tint my windows. I have a few other ideas, but these come with questions. I know there is a lot of experience and expertise on these boards, so any help would be much appreciated:

1. I cannot manually lock one of my front hubs. It will still move to the lock position with a screwdriver and mallet but I don't want to use that method, obviously. Tri-Flow didn't help. Any ideas?

2. I would like to get gloss black TRD Pro wheels and move up to 35" tires.
- Can a spare 35" be stowed under my truck?
- How much of a lift would I need to accommodate those tires?
- Any suggested lift system? Any suggested shocks?
- What tires would you recommend? (I do a lot of city driving but I want something capable
for off-roading and snow because I camp a lot in the summer and ski in the winter)

3. I want to upgrade my headlights. They are the original so they're oxidized but are any new ones worth it?

4. Given that I only have a 4-cylinder (and soon a camper shell), is it a bad idea to get steel bumpers, side-runners, skid plate, etc. because of the added weight? Would my little V4 be able to handle it?

5. What other mods might you recommend?

Again, thank you all for any help you can provide.

Cheers

 

Ouch 35” tires you need to regear and probbly lift it

thats a lot of weight imo if youre going for the camper build

heres mine except i have an auto

 

Welcome aboard new member
Polish the headlights. Clean and lube the hub locks. Stock Tacomas are quite capable off road and in snow.
Save the $$$$ and weight.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/1st-gen-tacomas-1995-2004.4/

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Thank you all, this is already a great help! Tacoma1997, I have so many questions!

I like this place

 

This thread will likely help you a ton... https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...led-list-of-helpful-links.95271/#post-1820599

 

Also I’d post your hub issue in a separate thread in the 1st gen section. I’m sure someone could walk you through taking it apart and rebuilding it.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome to The Forum!

 

I’d recommend rebuilding the front end. Steering rack, tie rods, LCA bushings, UCAs, LBJs, CVs, and install the ECGS bushing then spend a $1k on suspension. It’ll drive like a brand new truck.