Been lurking for a while, here's my 1997 Tacoma

I've owned my truck since 2019.
Bought it at 196k miles, currently about to pass over 210k.
My Tacoma has the 2.7L, manual transmission, 4x4.

I've been lurking for a while since I've owned it, but I've recently used the forms quite a bit for some maintenance advice, so I figured I'd finally post my truck, as well as a thank you to everyone and all the great information on the forms.

A little history:
My truck lived most of its life in Tennessee, and was rust free when I found it. It now spends its life on the harsh roads of western Pennsylvania.
I bought it in 2019 for $6,300, which I consider to be a steal. It was listed on Facebook market place for less then 10 minutes when I messaged the previous owner, and he told me he already had someone coming to look at it and he was receiving a ton of messages. I got lucky enough that the original guy didn't show, and I was able to get there in 20 minutes and buy it before anyone else.

My truck has been pretty well maintained, it received a new clutch and rear main seal, both wheel bearings, and a stack of oil change paperwork.

Since I've owned it, I've replaced the the oem radiator, brakes and rotors, original LBJs, completed a full valve adjustment/valve cover gasket replacement, zeibart rust protection package, and will be tackling front shocks next.

My goal for my Tacoma is to keep it as close to its original state as possible. I enjoy the aesthetic and nostalgia of the original interior/factory head unit, as well as the factory stance.


A little about myself:
I was never a Toyota fan, I've spent most of my life between 6 different Volkswagen or Audi's and each one has been a miserable experience in one way or another. (except my 2017 GTI, which doesn't have enough miles on it yet for me to experience the forecoming misery).

Since I've picked up my truck my perspective has changed so much on toyota. My truck has been a joy to drive, a useful tool, as well as a pleasure to work on, with little to no complications. At 210k miles I would be confident enough to take my truck on any road trip.

I'm considering on going all in on the Toyota family and trading in my 17 GTI for the upcoming GR Corolla, but I at least expect to own my Tacoma for as long as I can keep it running.


I'm looking forward to meeting and talking to everyone on Tacomaworld.



TLDR: Here are some pictures of my Tacoma.

 

Welcome to TW Derek. That’s a sweet 1st Gen Tacoma, and it’ll last you a long time.

 

Welcome to TW - resist the urges! It's beautiful as it sits!
And doing what you do will make it so for a long time to come.

 

That’s a beauty, looks in great shape. Welcome to TW!

 

no urges here! the most I do is drive it to work in a little bit of snow. I don't need a lift, or fancy wheels, or anything else.

If anything, I would consider swapping an OEM e-locker, but I really don't think I'll ever NEED to.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld
Ziebart is well known to promote rust not prevent it. Use Fluid Film, Wool wax, Cozmoline or other oily types but never use rubberized hard coatings.

 

I've heard some back and forth on this topic. I had my truck undercoated in 2019 before its first PA winter. at the time there was some very minor surface rust.
I never went back for a maintenance coat, but actually had one scheduled for Monday. I do not have any parts of my frame flaking away, and so far it feels pretty solid. there are some spots like that leaf spring mounts that are starting to show some surface rust.

my question is, how effective would it be to do a wool wax treatment over the existing undercoat?

the auto detail place I take my car to does undercoating, and this is how they describe the product they used: "Our undercoating is manufactured using an intricate heating and blending process. It combines specially processed wool wax, highly refined petroleum oils, and corrosion inhibitors. As it’s applied, the lanolin-based liquid forms a unique surface that stops existing rust on contact. It penetrates immediately and creates a solid, self-healing barrier that is always active and will not chip or crack."

Would I be better off canceling my Zeibart appointment and having my detailer apply their coating over top? I will say the detailer I work with is very reputable, and way nicer to interact with than anyone i've spoken to at zeibart...

 

Talk to your detailer about treating inside of frame box sections with lanolin and top coating over ziebart annually.

 

Welcome! Nice looking truck.

 

so they actually outsource their undercoating to a Krown dealer. I ended up contacting them directly and they applied a layer of krown today. So far i'm pretty happy with the experience, we'll see how it holds up through the winter, but i plan to pick up some spray cans of Krown and hit spots between annual resprays.

 

Welcome to tw

 

Nice truck! The paint on that is prestine!

 

@dehren2010 Welcome 1st gens are classic IMO. really nice looking truck