Daniel's Taco

Figured I might as well put up one of these to share what I'm doing with the truck, and get advice on little things.

2004 Tacoma 4x4 5MT V6, Xtracab with the SR5 package & TRD Off-road package. So far, working my way through refreshing the fluids & getting ready to disassemble the front end for a timing belt + new AC compressor. Unsurprisingly, the 20-year-old factory shocks are blown, but they're less likely to leave me stranded than a snapped timing belt.

To-do:

• Suspension refresh - currently leaning towards a OME Nitrocharger setup for a ~2" lift.
• Timing Belt
• Front differential, M/T, transfer case gear oil.
  
• AC compressor. Really hoping it didn't blow metal shards into the system when it went. Done. Put a new reciever/drier on there while I was at it.
  
• New radio - leaning towards a Sony single-din unit to leave space for a switch panel beneath it. Might also replace a couple door speakers that sound fuzzy once I'm confident it's the speakers and I'm not just hearing things. Done.
• AC panel lights - Fan control light is out. Might as well do them all at once.
  
• Fuel filter
• Air filters - scheduled for April to sync with my daily
• Bushings - all of them.
• Valve cover gaskets
• Spare tire crossmember - Discovered it was ~25% gone when I dropped the spare to spray on a layer of Fluid Film. For now it's got a hefty coating of Fluid Film to hopefully stop it from deteriorating further.
  
• Fuel tank crossmember - Similar story. ~25-30% gone. Not an emergency, but probably wise to replace while I can still find them.

Long-term:

• Steel front bumper + winch - I really like Chassis Unlimited's options, but we'll see when it comes time for the work.
• Skid plates. The factory ones are fine for light off-roading, but long-term I'd like to take this places where a bit more protection is wise.

Other than that, my plan is to just take the truck off-road & see what annoys me about it.

 

Check one off the to-do list. New stereo is in, a nice little Sony unit. For now it's got a pocket Crutchfield included with the purchase below it, long term that's probably going to become a switch panel for lights. Went ahead and installed a PanaVise InDash mount while I was at it - since I'm not going for Android Auto, it's worth having somewhere to place my phone that's in my line of sight for directions. I should be able to mount a GPS unit to it in the future if I want, as well. In the meantime, it's a low-intrusion mount that I can easily take out if and when when the time comes without worrying about holes in difficult-to-replace trim pieces.

 

You have a great starting point here. I've been looking for something very similar for a little while for road/mountain trips and more fun than my daily driver. I think an OME setup would be perfect on your rig. Have fun with it!

 

Truck looks good. Make sure you inspect those LBJs or replace

 

They're on the list. Black bolts, at least, and listening doesn't give any warning noises. Next time the front end is in the air I'll give them the pry bar test.

 

Timing belt's done. Now to drive this thing for a week and figure out a long-term location for the microphone.

Casualties: One 1/2" to 3/8" drive adapter, defeated by the crank pulley bolt, one OEMTools spill-free funnel, and one crappy aftermarket fastener for the driver's side marker light that wasn't doing any work anyhow. Plus many swear words, and one minor heart attack when the engine started ticking and idling slow, until I realized it was the throttle body bouncing around trying to figure out where to sit at idle. I'll clean the throttle body next Saturday, see if that helps.



Also discovered a valve cover gasket leak, but shit. Truck's 20 years old. I can't be mad.

 

The mic location that has worked best for me (tried a bunch of different spots) is clipped to the headliner just atop the drivers side a-pillar.

 

That's what I'm leaning towards, just figuring out how to route the cable so it's secure & out of the way.

 

You’re on the right track. I have zip tied to wire looms/bundles behind the lower dash panel then just running up behind the a pillar trim.

Completely concealed.

 

Nice truck man! Every time I take my truck out, I find something else I can change to make it "better". Good on you for getting all the boring maintenance out of the way first

 

Shiny new AC compressor is in. Now I got to get everything else back together, and hopefully when I get this back to the shop to get charged they don't find out I fucked up the O-rings.