Few questions from a new 2nd gen owner

i can push it up about 1/2 inch

 

All good points. As I mentioned, this rig is so clean I forget it’s almost 10 years old. I’m expecting too much out of stock / worn components. I’ve been keeping my eye open for 3rd Gen take offs as well as stock 2nd Gen stuff. Do wheel bearings howl or is there play if I jack up the front?

 

Jack up the front and manually check it. Mine had no play or vibes, just a low hum at highway speeds. For replacements, go with the ones sold on TW by this member:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/wheel-bearings-hubs-press-service-4x4-6-lug-2wd.537080/

 

I have a ‘14 with 157k miles and was recent chasing some or the symptoms that you described especially the shuddering. I first had the transmission serviced because it was doing it was doing it on take off and down shifts the most ( and it was past due service). Everything was fine with the trans but the shop guy diagnosed the shudder as a misfire. He was right.

Last weekend I changed the plugs,air filter and cleaned the MAF sensor. Hasn’t shuddered since. I would have sworn it was in the transmission. Might want to try this if nothing else works for you.

 

good point.

funny story, my driver side wheel bearing was shot at 45k... the passenger side has 180k on it and is still fine.

 

well, now i don't recall if it's supposed to have any play in it... i don't think it should, hopefully someone else will chime in

 

Just updating. After noticing a somewhat persistent shake even after rebalance, I went back to @Discount Tire. Their tech roadforced checked them and said they were good to go and that they took a little weight.

Not feeling too confident, I hit the road and it continued to shake at 55-60. I went back today and finally had a seasoned vet (with a 2014 Tacoma no less) take a look. He says he doesn’t always rely on the machine to zero out. He actually reads the tires as they spin. I did tires 20 years ago, so right away I understood what he meant. Sure enough, two of my month old Goodyear Ultraterrains looked like a dribbling basketball on the balancer. Basically mimicking what my box and seat were doing. He replaced them with brand new ones, and guess what? Smooth as can be. Well, as smooth as a Tacoma can be anyway.

Just to make sure, I also checked my u bolts and found them to be at 38 ft pounds. I torqued them to 75. Next up are rear shocks because they are toast.

 

$0.02 of opinion, get a set of 5100's so you can get a bit of lift on your ride