New Member, just picked up a 2009 Taco 4.0L 4x4 DCLB with 252k!

Hey TW,

I have been scouring the internet in search of any DCSB 3rd gen taco TRD Sport for ~30k or any 2nd gen taco for $12k and I ended up finding one for $10k with 252k on the clock. After a month of obsessive searching, I picked up this black one from the as-is lot of a dealership about 100 miles away. This is my new member thread, maybe it should be a project thread!

I ended up paying $7999 for it, because when I got to the lot, it wouldnt perfectly shift into gear, as if the linkage needs adjusted. In gear, it shifts perfectly fine and the engine really roars. Love the truck. Drove it home 100 miles without a single issue. Been driving it to an fro this weekend prior to taking it to my mechanic this morning for inspection!

Goal: Buy a high miles running DCSB taco with little/no issues for $12k
Start: Pay $7999 for taco
Budget Remaining: $4000

Current Issues:
Brake/ABS/Traction Control/TPMS lights on
Some Rocker Panel Rust
Strange shift lever behavior
Long brake pedal
rusty wheels

I am hoping the Brake/abs/Traction control is related to the long brake pedal. Theyre all tied to the brakes anyway, which likely need replaced and probably some sort of sensor. cost maybe around $1000.

The shift lever is probably a linkage. I told garage they could replace linkage and also flush the transmission since I am not sure if it was ever done. Expecting this to run about $600-750 for the shift linkage and the transmission flush.

Rocker Panel Rust - the carfax on the car shows the frame recall was already done. Not sure what to do about the rocker panel rust. Bodywork is $$$$$$. This is not something I anticipated, despite me noticing some light rust around the bottom of the rear doors.

Bonus! Truck has brand new Goodyear Wranglers on it in 245/75/16, and I found 4 like-new 2015 tacoma 16" alloys in the bed of the truck. Should be $75 for a mount and balance and itll def improve the look.

Would love any advice. Want to keep it for a few years as a family and camping hauler and for home improvement back and forth.

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld
Protect the frame
Replacement frames are no better than original.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome!!! Fixer upper to fix and call it your own

 

There was a way to trick the traction control / brake lights to going off. I can't recall it exactly. But it is in this forum several times somewhere. I am looking for it myself. So, if I find it I'll post it here too.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ibrate-your-vsc-computer-the-easy-way.467485/

You can try that.

 

Thanks for the ideas guys. The trick didn't work, so I took the truck to a shop that handles my buddy's 269k mile 2011 Taco.

Repair Work done:

• Passed PA Inspection/Emissions
• Replaced Shifter
• Replaced Rear U-Joint
• Replaced all 3 idler/tensioner pulleys
  
• Brake lines bled and rear drum adjusted
  
• Tires Mount and Balanced on 16" Alloy's. I had to buy 24 lug nuts, oof
• Replaced License Plate Bulb

$1555.00.

Completed "Mods" thus far

• Rented carpet shampooer and deep cleaned it ($30)
  
• OEM Tacoma Black All Weather Mats ($52)
• Rear window tint ($80) ( rest of truck was tinted)
• OEM cupholders ($17)

To Do List:

• (4) XT "4x4" Mudflaps (two of mine were broken off) $105
  
• Clear condensated driver headlight ($7)
• Joying Head Unit ($380)
• Suction out a fender dent ($7)
• Wiper Blades ($25)
• Plasti-Dip the Faded Fenders ($30)

I do not want to lift the truck. I know, its crazy, but I just don't. It's meant to be a workhorse for me, and I don't ever really offroad. Would buy a used fourwheeler for the price of a good lift kit and install and tow it with the taco, though.

 

I'm not a lift kind of guy either. It looks good, man! I like the stock ride height of our trucks.

 

Update: Needing to do two rear wheel bearings and some diff oil.

Parts for Two Rear wheel bearings + seals/bolts/backplates: $539
Labor for Two Rear Wheel bearings: $595
Diff Oil: $50

With my Joying Headunit purchase, I am creeping very close to hitting budget.

 

Nice find man!

 

Bit of an update:

• Mudflap fitment was not up to par, so I ended up not installing.
• I removed, dried overnight, cleaned, and resealed my headlight. No leaks now.
• Managed to remove a fender dent with paintless dent suction.
• Deleted the pinstripes, and waxed the truck
• New Wiper Blades. Onyx ones are working so well.
• Had frame inspected, its 100% new frame and even still has the sticker on it.
• Found out previous owner had already done the alternator, and some exhaust repairs, so that's a relief. No codes at 255k is awesome.
• Called up local place for fluid film treatment.
• Most importantly! Got a second opinion on the wheel bearings, turns out the noise was my tires (Goodyear wrangler 10 ply) and I had freaked out for no reason. Was frustrating trying to return the parts to Toyotapartsdirect, so I am sitting on alot of unreturnable of bolts and flanges.

Truck is still kicking butt, at 255,200+ it fires up every day and drives like a dream. Got 20mpg on a tank last week.

I love this truck so much my wife told me I can get a new one. So I reserved an army green 2022 TRD sport. What am I gonna do with this beast