1st gen, common problems?

Yea the half shafts

 

Yea the more I thought about it the easier it sounded and thanks I'll check them out

 

Actually thats what I did, but it won't prevent boot tear. It is easy though sorry I didn't mention it, however the shafts that I took out with the torn boot will be getting the slip mod.

 

it's cool I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner. Where did you get the news ones from and how have they held up so far?

 

Auto zone for maybe $70 with a liftime warranty. I've only put maybe 1500 miles on em, but so far so good.

 

Sure most of this is covered:

4cyl = crappy exhaust manifold ($180 and 4 hours and you're off again)

Dash rattle -
Squeaky clutch - ($3 replacement spring and throw away the crappy bushing)
Shaking in suspension or drivetrain
Frame rust issue on some models
Passenger seat rattles
4WD drive shifter on automatic models is in an inconvenient/uncomfortable location
Dash clock is nearly impossible to see
Fuel filter on 4cyl is in terrible location
Parking light bulbs are a pain to replace
95.5 - 98 gas fuel door locking mechanism is fairly cheesy

Most of these are nitpicky, these are solid trucks and I have owned a 97 and (currently) my 2003. I have a combined 310,000 on the two trucks with no major repairs (exhaust manifold being the biggest).

I keep up with timing belts, water pumps, etc and have never had a problem. Plus, these trucks are super easy to work on.

 

Front diff bearing failure...

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...k-found-questions-about-front-diff-now-3.html

Although the post started out regarding 2nd gen.. I have found several cases of such failure with the 1st gens, including mine..

 

198k here and no problem, no rattles, no nothing!

 

175,00 miles here, no major problems just normal wear along with normal maintance just like any other truck.

 

Nothing significant to add here....bought my truck with 83k on it, have since put 2k miles on it in three months.....

-Seatbelts piss me off (is there a fix to help them retract?)
-Dash Rattle (fixed with wooden dowel + rubber bands)
-Steering rack play (replaced steering rack bushings)
-Sttering clunk (tac welded shaft for ultimate fix)
-Engine whining (replaced A/C idler tensioner bearing)
-My parking brake doesnt work that well, even after adjustment

These are all petty flaws, truck runs like a frikin champ. Much better than my 03 Tundra TRD 4wd that had 65k when I gave it up for this Taco

 

I've had this issue for the last year or so.
Never thought to check brake fluid levels, but I hit all moving parts in ^ this pic
with a healthy dose of this:


...and after a couple of applications, problem solved.
I still have to re-apply from time to time
...and I also have to re-adjust as I've wore my parking brake out a bit over the years.


CV Boots - it seems like all 3 of my Toyota's went/have gone through CV boots regularly ('88 Reg Cab 4x4 / '90 Reg Cab 4x4 / '96 Ext Cab 4x4).
I haven't had one go lately on my 96 but I know I've replaced 'em in the past.

Dash Clock - seriously people, STFU about the dash clock already geesh!

Observe...



... but seriously, from what understand - those with newer 1st Gen Tacomas (probably 01-04)
I can see where it would be an issue if you have this steering wheel:



But as for me in my '96... I can see mine just fine

 

Oh YES, thanks for the reminder.
The seatbelt return (or lack-there-of) is probably my biggest complaint.
Any input on fixing this would be greatly appreciated.

 

Yeah dude, the 01-04 steering wheel ruins it. Maybe we should be bashing the new steering wheel design rather than the clock position?

 

I miss my 97 taco R.I.P. never had an issue with the clock. Now is my 02 holy crap I have a clock lol! As far as the cv boots I think the lift has a lil to do with it.

 

Mine has just started doing this as well. Its not as bad as you describe but I have to push it in sometimes. Thanks for the tip.

 

i can see it fine. maybe cause im taller???

 

That sounds more accurate to me

 

You must have your wheel tilted really far down or something because Im 6'2" and I can't see it at all with the way I have the wheel setup.