Brand new (to me) 2002 Tacoma, also my first Toyota truck

jimmyangst · Feb 23, 2021

Greetings all!

I just made the questionable decision to buy a 2002 Tacoma, extended cab, V6 SR5 4x4 pickup. I'm in Ohio, the "Rust Belt." The previous owner bought it with a rotted frame and re-welded it. Did a pretty fair job of it based on my crawling around in the snow inspecting his work. 217k on the clock, and no maintenance history to speak of, so I'm looking forward to some serious maintenance soon: timing belt & associated giblets, plus might as well do cam & crank seals though they're not leaking right now. Also valve inspect/adjust in its near future. Timing belt/WP job looks typical, but the valve adjust appears to be a pain. Too bad you can't rent a shim kit with a hefty deposit, use what you need & send it back for a refund on the unused bits.
Anyway, about me: old, cranky, have spent my entire life tinkering with piles of rusty crap. I was 36 years old the first time I spent more than $1k on a car. I've become more refined in the rusty piles of crap I take in, and I'd been watching for a truck matching these exact specs-- 5speed manual, extracab, full size bed, V6, 4x4 & locking differential-- for a couple years. Also more concerned with a "molested" truck than a 100% stock one with "normal" problems. I would run screaming at the first sight of an airbox connected with a piece of dryer vent tubing, speaker wire w/associated electrical tape connecting aftermarket alarm systems, etc. These are the sorts of unforgivable molestations I myself have performed over the years, and I have learned from them. Do it once, do it right, and save the next guy a few hours of cursing.
I look forward to gaining some knowledge from y'all about these trucks, and apologize in advance for the torrent of simpleminded questions I'm bound to ask. I'm not the brightest penny in the fountain, but I am persistent. Some say, persistent like a fungal infection.
That's my story. If you made it this far, thanks! And you may be persistent too!

Jim B.
Grove City, OH

Black DOG Lila · Feb 23, 2021

Welcome to TacomaWorld

Fargo Taco · Feb 23, 2021

Welcome to TW, Jim!

TnShooter · Feb 23, 2021

Welcome to TW.

buckhuntin-tacoma · Feb 23, 2021

Welcome to TW!

boogie3478 · Feb 25, 2021

jimmyangst[OP] initial post: ↑

Greetings all!

I just made the questionable decision to buy a 2002 Tacoma, extended cab, V6 SR5 4x4 pickup. I'm in Ohio, the "Rust Belt." The previous owner bought it with a rotted frame and re-welded it. Did a pretty fair job of it based on my crawling around in the snow inspecting his work. 217k on the clock, and no maintenance history to speak of, so I'm looking forward to some serious maintenance soon: timing belt & associated giblets, plus might as well do cam & crank seals though they're not leaking right now. Also valve inspect/adjust in its near future. Timing belt/WP job looks typical, but the valve adjust appears to be a pain. Too bad you can't rent a shim kit with a hefty deposit, use what you need & send it back for a refund on the unused bits.
Anyway, about me: old, cranky, have spent my entire life tinkering with piles of rusty crap. I was 36 years old the first time I spent more than $1k on a car. I've become more refined in the rusty piles of crap I take in, and I'd been watching for a truck matching these exact specs-- 5speed manual, extracab, full size bed, V6, 4x4 & locking differential-- for a couple years. Also more concerned with a "molested" truck than a 100% stock one with "normal" problems. I would run screaming at the first sight of an airbox connected with a piece of dryer vent tubing, speaker wire w/associated electrical tape connecting aftermarket alarm systems, etc. These are the sorts of unforgivable molestations I myself have performed over the years, and I have learned from them. Do it once, do it right, and save the next guy a few hours of cursing.
I look forward to gaining some knowledge from y'all about these trucks, and apologize in advance for the torrent of simpleminded questions I'm bound to ask. I'm not the brightest penny in the fountain, but I am persistent. Some say, persistent like a fungal infection.
That's my story. If you made it this far, thanks! And you may be persistent too!

Jim B.
Grove City, OH
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Welcome to TW!

81shark · Feb 25, 2021

Ha. I think i like you

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Brand new (to me) 2002 Tacoma, also my first Toyota truck

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Brand new (to me) 2002 Tacoma, also my first Toyota truck

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TnShooter The TacomaWorld Stray

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