Greetings - My Truck

Hello:

I just recently picked up a salvage titled 2002 Tacoma PreRunner. As a whole it looks pretty good. There are a few details I need to address though. Some cosmetic, some functional, so far nothing critical.

It came with an H&L Cold Air Intake but either during whatever accident it went through or during the installation of the air intake, the windshield washer reservoir was busted. It's not critical but I sure do like having that working. It current holds and sprays fluid but it doesn't have a cap or filter. I figure it's only a matter of time before it ends up with some gunk or debris that wrecks the pump or blocks the hoses. I've tried the local junk yard but they didn't even HAVE any Tacomas.

I also noticed the weather stripping on the driver's side door is shredded a bit. Both around the outside window and on the inside door. I've tried sourcing both and can only find the inside stuff (I think). I'm not rich so being certain is really better than buying stuff I'll have to pay to return or simply live with (even if it's really cheap).

The grill seems to be from another year (someone else suggested this is the case) and the lights are clearly something else. It all looks good and to an untrained eye nobody would know the difference. It bugs me though. I've found entire kits that include the fillers, the lights, the side lights, and the grill on ebay for cheap. Is this worth it or is that a rip off? Would I be opening a can of worms? I'd also need the clips to attach it to the truck. I haven't found those yet.

I'd be keen to leave the lights and all that alone but the headlights aren't aligned right. I tried to align them and couldn't follow the book because the lights aren't identical. I couldn't find two adjustment screws and even the one (I think) I found didn't allow enough of an adjustment to really get them set right. I'm not keen to pay someone else to fix it as I don't have that kind of money.

I got the metal window hinges from the guy online. Those things are awesome (and really reasonably priced).

I had the brakes and the shocks and struts done. Getting the timing belt and the tires done as soon as I have the money. The truck only turned 100k recently. It had around 98k when I got it. I switched over to full synthetic oil when I got it.

On the interior there is a broken vent director. I'm not even sure what to call it. It buzzes and clicks sometimes and drives me nuts. In the back (xtended) some of the clips seem broken or missing on the trim panel. I'm not sure how to open it without breaking it so it's just chilling until I can figure that out and/or afford the service manuals (seems to be around 400 on ebay for the full set).

I had to replace one of the lights on the temperature console but that was easy. Not exactly cheap, those bulbs are 13 bucks each, but at least it's done.

I have a plastic liner but there aren't any rail guards and it doesn't go over the rail. I'm not sure whether I'm going to put rail guards up or not but after I get the body touched up and painted, I'm probably going with a rhino liner. Most likely over the rail. I think it's sharp and I've heard and read they're the most durable thing you can do for the bed.

I want to add a towing package too but someone suggested I also add another cooling system. I'm not sure what that would be called or even where to look. Advice is most welcome.

Eventually, if I can find them, I want to change the doors out for powered. The 2000 I had was all power and I really liked that. Currently the doors I have are manual. They work and they're fine but if I can find a decent price on a pair of powered doors I'll do that instead. Oh... that is if they can simply swap out. I'm not entirely sure either way. Some people I've talked to say the wiring should be there and it's just a bolt in kind of thing and other people have said that it isn't possible to simply switch the doors and end up with powered windows, locks, and mirrors.

Finally, the last thing I want to fix is the tail lights. There are some of those aftermarket shiny clear bubbly things on there and I prefer the stock look. I'd be willing to trade what I have for a pair of regulars but I'm not sure they're in good enough shape to inspire a trade. I'll get pictures of the truck and all the current things going on and post them.

Had a 2000 PreRunner but poop happened and I lost it. I'm just happy to have a truck again, perfect or not.

 

Oh and the other thing it needs is the clockspring fixed. It's a minor short I think because I still have a horn and the cruise control still works. I'll address this issue when I find a steering wheel teardown I'm comfortable following.

 

Welcome!
Sounds like quite the project! Good luck!

 

Thank you. I have a bit of reading to do because I'm not entirely sure which headings to put all the respective parts of the project into but I'll get there. It's not like I have a ton of cash and can do everything now anyway.

Looking forward!