Intro and slow build thread

Long time reader and owner really live the Toyota community. I bought the first Toyota in my family and not me my wife mother brother and sister in-law all have them. Toyota truly is the superior product. This is my 3rd Tacoma now. I had a 96 5speed single cab rwd 4 cylinder. 2nd truck was 2017 access cab TRD sport V6 auto lease and gave back. Couldn't see my self spending 26k for a truck I wasent perfectly happy with. Now a 2003 double cab v6 4x4 auto transmission. my dream truck minus maybe the auto transmission but lon term it is better for me. I believe it's the off road trim or what would have been that. The truck has a factory locker in it. Story time now.

I bought this truck with a blown engine and knew I would have to replace it. So I didn't even try to fix it. It has a 2 year old frame and brake lines from Toyota on the recall. That's pretty much why I bought the truck.

I put a jasper engine in it and with a 3 year 100,000 mile warranty that's way cheaper than a new truck. Jasper sends you all OEM belts seals and parts I was super impressed. Supposedly Jasper has put forged Pistons in this motor but I have no one that can confirm that. Plus I own it and I like the first gen body styles looks the best.

I have coated the whole frame, arms and supports with por15 rust prevention. I know this won't stop it from rusting inside out but I figured I could get 10-15 years out of this truck maybe more. If I can get a garage I should be able to keep it for ever or until I die which ever comes first.

All new brakes all around. I put on 5 new continental tires. As well as I painted the wheels black. New Toyota starter alternator you name it. I replaced it under the hood. With dreams of one day upgrading wheels and tires but I really love the way this thing rides and I can do 80-85mph on the highway and still drive over curbs at low speed. Taking this thing on the beach and in a blizzard have all been a breeze and the performance in a 10 year truck is amazing.

This truck was kinda a rat when I got it but I love to restore stuff. I also have a 1991 mr2 turbo that I've built over the last 10 years. It has a gen3 3sgte in it. I figured that since I'm pretty much done with that I start building this as I drive it. I think the only way to really restore something that your going to use it to daily it and fix stuff as it brakes. I've seen to many projects just die because they aren't being used.

I just ordered a snorkel and I'm looking for a bed cover. Future plans are to throw on a supercharger and drive it for 200,000 miles. I also need a plastic cover for the rear seat on the driver side . New mats and replace a mud flap that flew off somewhere between NYC Philadelphia and Maine.

 

Finally got the snorkel on. Wasent happy with drilling holes in my OEM fenders but if you want to make an omelette you got to break a couple of eggs. And overall I'm super pleased with it. It's more emergency use if I need it than anything else. Check out the pics and tell me what you think. Up next is to replace my beat up seat belts and some interior plastics.

 

Snorkel keeps the the dirty air out; useful if you live in or often off-road in areas with a lot of fine dirt that kicks up in the air easily.

 

Here are some more that didn't make it into the last post.

 

Most annoying thing ever is when people tell me I’m dumb for having a snorkel on the desert because there’s no water.

 

Only 2 reasons why I never put on a snorkel, and I wheel often in areas with tons of dirt (common here in CA) -

1. would hate to drill through my fender (you guys are brave)

2. hate all the bros that'd come up to me (a lot already do now)

 

Hahaha yeah I was crying on the inside when drilling.

Yeah you def get an undesirable crowd asking questions haha

 

First time I installed one I made sure the template was all done, marked, checked it a million times....then went in and relaxed, had some bourbon, came back outside and swiss cheesed my Cruiser fender without worry haha
Tacoma I didn't think twice.

 

Long needed update here it is. Around may thry stole my cats cut my harness and exhaust. Serendipity is what I call it. I filed an insurance claim and got brand new Toyota everything. Including exhaust muffler cats O2 sensors. My truck just keeps getting newer in my eyes. I took it on some good long drives as even at 75/80 it's smooth as can be with the Continental tires. Still kind of wish it was a speed but this is better for winter driving in the city and when I'm not in my 5speed mr2. I'm looking forward to some new projects. Next I think I'm going to respray the factory door panels and dash to bring them back to mint condition. Does anyone know a good brand of paint to use for this? Maybe there is a company that color match's Toyota colors perfectly?

 

Even with a template, I’d be shaking putting that big hole in a nice fender. Good job getting it done.

 

Can't comment on the interior but good on you for getting all new Toyota parts.

Blows my mind how many people don't have coverage (at least full) on their trucks; stupid if you ask me.

 

You'd think so, but its like ripping a band-aid off.

 

Yeah I'm actually in the process of looking for a Honda insight (the original) to make my daily and then I will be putting classic coverage or collectors on the truck

 

Bruh, I can't believe you don't have a dorkle.... com'on bruh...


Even I have one

 

A snorkel is like a shotgun in your home. You have it not to use it everyday. But when you need it you know it's there and you use it!

 

Update trucks doing awesome snorkeling when I need to and super reliable. I have developed some type of clunk or bang and have to find out if it's suspension trans or rear end. Anyway it turns out I'm happy to fix it I love this truck. Wish I could get better mpg but you can't have everything perfect

 

Update on the best truck ever made. Still going strong air conditioner blows ice cold. I have developed some banging from start to stop and I believe it's the u joints. I went under the truck and found some play. I order a complete u joints set from eBay to replace them all in one shot to hopefully not have to mess with it for another decade. The carrier bearing was replaced about a year ago. Hope this is it and not an issue with the trans.

 

I went with these SKF's from Napa....
.....they were the best I could find without going to high dollar 4x4 one....

Universal Joint (U-Joint) Toyota UJS UJ285 | Buy Online - NAPA Auto Parts (napaonline.com)

 

I look forward to hearing your updates on that Jasper engine.....

keep em coming......

 

Quick update on the jasper engine. The engine has been perfect a trip or two from NYC to York Maine non stop just perfection. Engine doesn't burn oil or skip a beat. Starts up great. A couple trips to Montauk from NYC to surf perfect as well. Just have to get on the u joints this week. If anyone has questions on thr jasper engine lmk. Was definitely a good choice for me vs going and getting a new truck. At this point it has paid for it self.