My Experience with a 1st gen 2.4cyl

8 months ago I bought my first Tacoma. It is a 2001 extra cab with the 2.7 4cy, 4x4, and 5spd manual. I love almost everything about it. It currently has 325,000 miles and is going strong. This post is to talk about what I've done to it, what I'm going to do to it, and things I've been struggling with.

Lets first start with the "bad". I drive about 20k miles a year and travel between Montana and Colorado for work. In the high altitudes (7,000 +) the truck is extremely low on power and I find myself going 45-50mph on lots of highways. How can I even complain, I'm driving a 24-year-old truck with more miles than most cars on the road. Honestly, my only complaint. This is what I've done to the truck. I bought the truck in AZ where I was going to school at the time. I was also working at a boat repair shop which allowed me to get it on a lift and do some major work before hitting the road. So far I have replaced and/or added

• radiator
• LBJ's
• Leafs
• Shocks (replaced with Fox 2.0 front and back)
• Bump stops
• steering rack
• water pump
• both of the front CV Axles
• wheels + tires (replaced with methods)
• .5 inch spacers
• stereo
• all speakers
• repainted the whole frame with tractor paint
• ARE topper

I have replaced almost all the parts on the list with factory Toyota parts.

Some things I have purchased but have not yet installed:

• All new engine belts
• TEQ LED projector-beam headlights
• TEQ under-hood lights
• Shifter bushing
• Purchased color-match paint to touch up some chips
• Windshield fluid nozzles that will give a more even spray

So that is where I am at on the truck currently. I've done all the work myself and have really appreciated how easy it is to work on the truck for the most part.

Things I've learned along the way:

• I've had the truck in -25 F weather and the best thing was swapping to 0W-30 for the winter
• Carry a grease gun on you and some oil rags
• swapping out the radio was the best choice I have ever made and immediately improved sound quality even with stock speakers
• get a good magnetic phone mount for directions
• stock headlights suck so I would prioritize getting new ones

Questions I have for the community:

• Although I already replaced my leafs with factory leafs, I'd like to find some that won't lift my truck anymore than an inch while giving me some more rebound for a heavier load.
• What are your recommendations of favorite light brands for spots and bars
• are there any performance mods that you have done that are worth it
• does anyone else have horrible parking brakes? I have taken mine to Toyota and they have "foxed them" but that fix only lasted a month before they started to slip again
• What modifications would make a big difference as far as driver comfort
• My wheels still rub on the fenders and frame even with the spacers. Is this a Control arm issue? My wheels have the OEM offset and are 31's
• What are the most common things to go out on a Tacoma so I can replace them

Thank you for reading all of this and I look forward to updating everyone on the truck build!

 

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