New Member - 2001 Tacoma

In 1979, my family bought a new Toyota pickup. Manual transmission and just the right size for hauling yard work stuff (including a riding mower, which we drove on and off using 2x10 lumber). Drove it for a time during college in Boston and a semester at UConn, where I recall driving through a blizzard one afternoon after the school shut down due to the weather. At the time gas prices were soaring (over $1 a gallon) so the mileage was a plus.

Now, forty-five years later, I decided I needed a truck for Home Depot runs and to move furniture. I wanted cheap, reliable transportation and a vehicle I could work on myself. Found this 2001 Tacoma with just 17,000 miles. It drives just like I remember the '79 model did. In upstate New York last weekend, they were calling for 1 to 3 inches of snow. We got 17 inches. Driving in the snow, with rear wheel drive, brought back more memories.

Have about 1000 miles on it now. Have identified four issues.

1. Battery died a few times. Would recharge, then eventually die a day or two later. New battery solved the problem. Old battery was not date stamped but it was a Toyota brand and I would not be surprised if it was the original one from the dealer.

2. Windshield washer pump makes noise, but no fluid comes out. Suspect a clog in the pump and will take it apart and look.

3. A grinding noise, which I think is from the air conditioner compressor clutch, started a few days ago. Comes and goes. The '79 truck had no AC and if this fix is expensive, I will do without it.

4. Saw the post about how easy it is for someone to steal your tailgate. Order the quick clamps from Walmart. Then I looked at the tail gate. It does not just lift off - a socket wrench is needed to remove the bolt holding the gate to the hinge. Is the "easy to steal" tailgate design a more recent (after 2001 model year) development. One of the advantages of having an older vehicle is the resale market for parts is pretty small, making theft less likely. I will install a battery kill switch as an extra layer of protection against theft, though.

This truck is an automatic, but at my age, I have less patience for shifting in stop and go traffic, so just as well.

Any comments or suggestions on the above welcome!

 

Welcome to TW!

 

I had a 2002 single cab for years. It was bullet proof. Lasted thru 2 kids and their college years. Kind of wish I had kept it. Doesn't look like you'll be needing your A/C anytime soon. Buy a rebuilt compressor and install yourself?

 

Re: comment #1 do yourself a solid favor, go to jeep cables.com order their ground cables and battery terminal ends for your 2001 tacoma.

Toyota must've hired an intern to design the battery terminals for the 1st generation as the OEM battery terminals are not much better than a green giant green bean can cut and formed into a clamp, at $26/terminal end for OEM from dealer its ridiculous.

If you run into battery problems the OEM terminal end and the short ground wire to the fender at the battery are apt to be the culprit.

 

I had a 2002 radiant red, reg cab, pre-runner with the 2.7. Auto, grey interior with bench seat, roll up windows and manual locks. It did have AC and a CD player.

It was slower than a snail, but reliable. I wish Toyota would bring back Radiant Red.

 

Welcome aboard!

 

Welcome to the TW

 

Welcome to TW.

sweet truck…old school is new school…..