What all do I need to do to my 1st gen?

Hi everyone!

I have a 1997 taco with only 86,000 miles on it back home in Texas that I'll be shipping up to Colorado soon. It's a 5-speed manual, 4WD with the 2.7L 4cyl. It's sat exposed to the elements for about 2 years without being driven and I'm looking to bring it back to life.

I'm fairly mechanically inclined and will be doing most of the work myself, but curious to hear some thoughts on what all I should change out or inspect on the truck.

This is my list for now:

• Engine Oil
• Transmission Fluid
• Front and Rear Diff Fluid
• Transfer Case Oil
• Spark Plugs
• Timing Belt
• Coolant

Inspect and Evaluate for Replacement

• Battery
• AC Coolant Recharge
• Front and Rear Brake Pads
• U Joints
• Lower Ball Joints
• Brake Fluid
• Engine and Cabin Air Filters

 

Lower ball joints!

welcome to TW!

 

Oh yes! I was planning on that, but just left it off the list haha

Thanks for the welcome!

 

Do you know what it hasn’t driven in 2 years? Good chance something broke and they parked it rather than fixing it.

 

Nope, it ran fine and I just parked it at my parents house before moving up to Colorado and I'm just coming around to getting it up here. Should be fine mechanically, but likely some dry rot from the Texas heat.

 

Pop the brake fluid cap off and take a look see, if it is dark, flush the system and dont forget about the LSPV on the rear axle.

Coolant, easy job.

Slide under her and grab the driveshaft on either side of the carrier bearing and give her a good wiggle.

Rear shoes, more than likely not needed... Tacomas seem to have "lifetime" rear shoes.


I hope that her sitting for so long she hasnt started to rust around the upper windshield.

There is an post where some members are "testing" a brush on clearcoat for the paint.

One piece of unsolicited advice, if it isnt broke, dont fix it.

 

Great suggestions! Rust shouldn't be an issue body wise since I had the whole thing bed lined a few years back.

 

How did you like doing that? I have been thinking about doing this to my truck.

 

Don't worry about the timing belt - there ain't one. Cams are chain driven. You'll probably want to replace the 3 other belts, as well as the tensioner pulleys. Good time to replace the water pump. Take a look at your coolant and vacuum hoses as well.

Consider replacing the valve cover gasket when doing the spark plugs. The grommets and tube seals get hard, which can lead to leaks. It's an easy job, but if you don't see any obvious leaks you could put it off for a while.

 

Good to know haha I just assumed it did, but will have to take a closer look at the gasket and seals.

 

I like it! It's not for everyone, but I was running into a fair bit of pinstriping and wanted to do something I didn't have to worry about. There's no easy way to remove it so be sure it's what you want to do.

 

It will mostly be used for bringing my little boat to the dock, camping and hunting. I am still on the fence with it, but I is a pretty strong consideration.

 

Probably want to consider tires. Thats a lengthy drive if they're dry-rotten with flat spots