1st gen tacoma lifespan?

My 96 tacoma just hit 280k and is still running great, a little on the sluggish side but definitely still driveable. It recently started leaking quite a bit, looks like it is from the rear diff, so I took it in for an oil change and asked them to check on the leak. Essentially what he told me is that he wouldn't put any money into cleaning or fixing any of the leaks and just see how much longer I can drive the truck before I need to buy a new one. His reasoning was that if he went in and did any deep cleaning or any major seal repairs, then he would likely just cause more problems, whereas now its driving fine. Does that sound resonable? I would love to keep this around for as long as possible as it is a family truck, however I do currently use it as a daily driver and if trying to fix it is going to break its reliability, then I probably will just look into a new car.

 

If its just a pinion seal then whats the big deal? Believe it or not but theres alot of trucks with more miles than you still going strong.

 

Fix the leaks. It will run much longer.

 

it will outlive you

 

Definitely look in to fixing it. As for it running sluggish, how up to date on maintainence are you? Might need plugs, wires, filters, etc.

 

Where did you take it in for a oil change? Jiffy Lube or Walmart type place? Those guys are mechanically qualified as the Burger King cook.

 

A 3rd gen 4Runner with the 2.7 4 cylinder came in the shop Thursday with 420k miles on it still running strong. I think you're good to go for awhile yet! Most mileage I've ever seen on a Taco was a 2003 double cab that had 624k on it when the original owner traded it in on a new one. They last for however long you take care of it.

 

I would crawl underneath with some solvent and clean the 3rd member of the differential. Drive it for a week or so, then crawl underneath again and see where the leak comes from.

I would also find another mechanic. The one you saw sounds like either he is booked full with real money-makers or is just too lazy to help you out. IMO prolly just too lazy.

 

sounds like a cop out to me... my dcab has just under 325,000 miles on it now and still runs strong... i have had a few leaks and gaskets replaced over the years... considering how reliable it is and how PAID OFF it is, it's been well worth the maintenance investment...

 

Ive heard of 2 that reached the 1 million mark. One of them is on youtube.

 

It was a Fletcher's. Thanks for all the input, I'll take to another mechanic to take a look at it. Like I said t really isn't having any trouble at all. But the hoa doesn't appreciate the mess on the driveway

 

So mine has 322k and is still running just fine (it is the second engine but the engines that were swapped had about the same number of miles) if its a seal on the rear diff seal thats not a hard fix and gives you a reason to change the fluid inside of it.

 

Sounds like he doesn't want to do it....move on....

 

Link?

 

Couldn't find one on youtube and the other one had its own site but it was took down

But heres another one

http://toyota-talk.blogspot.ca/2012/04/how-to-be-mileage-millionaire.html?m=1

And a t100

https://duboiscountyherald.com/b/clyde-glides-into-million-mile-club

 

All highway miles, I'm not so sure it could be done on a rig that gets used in stop and go traffic every day. Highway miles are easy peasy on the engine, it barely has to work at all. If my truck ever reaches 500k, it will probably be retired and replaced with something newer. I wouldn't get rid of it, just have it as a second driver. They get to that point and you just never know what's going to happen.

 

338,000 on mine and going strong!

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/well-i-finally-hit-400-thousand.398219/

 

If mine is is 14 years old and only 54k original miles I guess you're right LOL!!