New here and need some help!

So i bought a 2004 RWD 2.4, selling my every day driver 2019 ecoboost and looking to convert the tacoma into my daily commuter/work truck. I drive a decent amount for work, between 500-700 miles a week the truck has 190k on her but im confident i can get it where it needs to be. Ive found headers, exhaust, intake, shocks and absorbers but im having a hard time finding more. Specifically a good tuner and cant seem to find one anwhere. Any suggestions or any other mods that can help keep my truck running reliably without sacrificing perfomance?

 

Maintenance over performance. LBJ, water pump etc first

 

I didn’t think the 2.4s had much in the way of upgradeability. People mostly tinker on the 6 lug 2.7s and 3.4s

Do some wildly custom shit. We all want to see.

 

Tuning on stock ECU isn't possible as of now.

 

She's going to be in the shop for the month while im working, ive got 30 days left with my f150 before the sale is finalized. Realistically id like to get it where i want for around 3.000$-5,000$. Ive bought headers, exhaust, intake, shocks, absorbers and stage 3 front breaks that should be here this week so far. Will be doing a few things to the interior because it will basically be a mobile office for me. Also going to look into lowering it a bit, probably 2" in the front and 3" in the back. Going to keep researching to see what else i can get my hands on but its really starting to worry me that i cant find a decent tuner anywhere.

 

thats a bummer, i appreciate the knowledge

 

So far I’ve got series 40 flowmaster muffler (couldn’t find full exhaust at a half decent price) replacing whole oem exhaust just adding the series 40, injen cold air intake and a nice little double din touchscreen. Have a chance to use my buddy’s lift Monday so I’ll be replacing im assuming all the ball joints, flushing all fluids, replacing rear drum brakes and maybe adding some wheel spacers.

 

New drums in the back

 

New oem exhaust with super series 40 flow master

 

Injen cold air intake

 

Nice clean(er) engine bay

 

Factory air box is better IMO.

 

I agree, plus the extra maintenance staying ahead of keeping it clean and oiled.

 

Fun fact about the 2rz 2.4 is that it likes boost. There are some turbo kits out there that will scratch your itch for more power.

 

I’ve been looking at some bolt ons the past few days, my only worry is the reliability factor with how much I’ll be driving it

 

All ball joints replaced, new gas tank, stage 2 front brakes, rear brakes, headers, exhaust, intake and a bunch of other small things and she’s inspected and road ready!

 

Feels like a completely different truck

 

That last pic is interesting. I have a 2003 2wd MT with the 2RZ-FE and it doesn’t have a tach. I wonder if there were options or if that is aftermarket? I am guessing your trim level was higher since you seem to have bucket seats. Mine is a bench. It looks good though.

If I were you I’d check the valve clearance. It’s a really simple shim on bucket design that’s super easy to adjust but so very important to be within spec.

Even if it isn’t faster than the ford, it’ll be in the road long after that ford has been crushed and is rusting away.

Good luck.

 

Considering LS swap