2nd gen to 3rd gen to another 2nd gen RECOMMENDATIONS PLEASE

Had a pre-gen, a 1st gen and a 2nd gen. Had 60k on my 2008 when bought the new 2016. Then sold the 2008. So now I sold my 2016 Tacoma Sport with 25k miles and am buying a 2012 Prerunner V6 AT with 143k miles. Clean truck. Runs and shifts well. Frame and body clean. So what is recommended as priority to-do's on the truck with the mileage. I assume a tranny flush and fill, radiator coolant flush and fill and probably a differential drain and fill. It seems to be well cared for. I just want to keep this thing for another 100k plus miles. I already know, from past ownership, that the 4.0 is a great engine. That is why I let go of the mis-tuned 3.5 in favor of another 4.0 truck. Is there a recommended, by experience, interval for the timing chain on these. It will be a local use truck but if I need to run 300 miles somewhere I want peace of mind. I got a good enough deal to spend some preventative maintenance money on it before the mods begin. OR should I just leave well enough alone until something comes up. I have not received the maintenance history yet but I know it is in great condition. Very glad to be back in a 2nd gen. That 3.5, even with a CAI and good Gibson exhaust, just didn't provide much power and it never gave me a 200k mile warm and fuzzy like my 2008 did. If the 2016 had a 4.0 I would have never sold it.
I would greatly appreciate any input from those with similar or higher mileage. Thank you.

 

Timing chain is lifetime, but will trigger a code if it stretches, usually p0012 cam timing. Don't fret about that.

Start with obvious stuff, like you said, fluids and spark plugs to start as far as maintenance.

Nothing beats a solid deep inspection. Stuff like axle seals catching early means not having to replace bearings.

The ball joints on these trucks are solid but need a solid check after 100k.

Springs front and rear sag pretty bad and result in crap ride. Measure and compare sides.

 

Ball joints and tie rods are no issue for me. Done many of them. It is early yet but I imagine new coils and/or Bilsteins will come soon up front for a slight lift or level. Depending on rear sag, will def install Bilsteins (love the ride of those) and I may go with new better rear springs to maintain the level. All in larger tire prep. Didn't think about axle seals. I never bought anything with this many miles but my 1st gen had 155k when I sold it and the only problem it ever had was the axle wrap. Guy I sold it to never put anything more than spark plugs in that 2.7 and he sold it with 240k miles running strong. Thanks for the code number and info. Feel like a kid at Christmas again and I am 62.

 

Thanks for the list. Most of that is already planned. Not going to use too much until I get most of that list done. Very anxious to get the maintenance records. It was used in his prior landscape business, though you wouldn't know it by looking at it, so I am hopeful he did most of this work. He was 2nd owner from 60k to 143k miles and the pictures alone showed he took great care of it. Steal of a deal because he is forced into a MINIVAN with kid #3 coming. I have been wrenching for nearly 50 years but have been spoiled for years buying new vehicles. In the current market I was stoked to find a deal from a private seller. Extremely rare in todays way overpriced market.

 

You might want to keep an eye on the secondary injection valve and pump. With that many miles it has probably been replaced already. The 2012's had issues with this. I replaced these parts in my son's 2012. Not a hard job just costly. Welcome back to 2G's. I would never trade my 2015 2G for ANY 3G.

 

I was not aware of that issue and it doesn't scare me to have to fix something on a truck that old. You remember how much parts were for that repair. Was there a TSB or a recall involved. What were the symptoms.
I knew within 3 months that I should have kept my 08 and sold the 16. And I really didn't have any major issues outside of 1st year new model issues. Loved the look, the stance, the ride, the interior and the features. It looked great but they hosed it with the detuned economy 3.5 engine and the transmission that killed any low end torque. It did get 25 mpg on road trips but most of my driving is in town where it was very lackluster to drive. My biggest fear was the frequent reports of timing cover oil leaks and an occasional report of rear main seal leaks. Those reports came in under 75k miles and non-warranty repairs were in the $thousands. What really made up my mind was the recall for frame inspection. I thought they fixed that problem in the 2nd gen and now they are repeating that problem. If they fix those things in a 4th gen I may move up. Otherwise I am now a 2nd gen lifer.

 

Yeah there is a reason Toyota Japan kept the 4.0 in the 4runner. If I am moving to a newer Toyota truck it will be a Tundra with the 5.7L

 

I just checked the vin and there is a recall on it. Quoted from the recall/campaign:
Any authorized Toyota dealer will inspect the vehicle. Based on this inspection the dealer will repair the air injection pump and install an improved filter, or replace the air injection pump with one that contains an improved filter, as needed, FREE OF CHARGE. The dealer will also replace the air switching valves in the vehicle emissions system FREE OF CHARGE.

 

That's great you have that covered if it happens. The symptom is Limp Mode. My sons truck did this just before the recall. I spent about 500 bucks on parts and fixed it myself. A year later the recall came out but I could not find my receipt. You might want to open the pump and take out the little sponge filter and replace it with a Uni-Filter. The sponge will come apart and get sucked in the valve and clog it up. I did this to my 2015 just to be safe.

 

I have seen the $13 uni filter mod. Was that filter the cause of the problem with your kids truck. I don't believe the recall has been done on this 2012 yet. Previous owner told me that, beyond maintenance parts and tires, the only actual "repair" he has made was a light bulb.

 

Well when I pulled the cover off the fan motor half the sponge was gone but also there was water and mud in there. He is young and likes to have fun so I am sure his mud riding had a lot to do with it. After I replaced the parts and added the uni filter I also bought a cover for the fan to help keep it dry. My 2015 has a cover on it so I ordered one for mine and it fit perfect on his. I don't think the 2012's had that option yet. 5 years now so far so good.

 

Will the cover fit with the external filter installed. I guess it would since the "breather" section sticks out anyway. That cover is on my salvage yard list unless I find a new one cheap online. The recall looks good since they replace the valves too. My rear wheel drive will not see mud unless some biblical thing occurs.

 

Just an update. Installed my Quikfix brand seat spacers under both front seats. Replaced dull yellowed headlight to match the other that had been replaced. Spark plugs done. Diff fluid changed. PCV changed. Brakes changed. MAF cleaned with CRC. Engine block and radiator coolant drained and filled. Replaced upper and lower radiator hoses. Drained and cleaned coolant reservoir tank. Radiator cap replaced. Serpentine changed. Throttle body CRC cleaner bought-need to get a gasket first. RWD has no zerks in driveshaft u-joints but they are tight and quiet. Still need to flush and fill power steering fluid and brake fluid. Still need to drop at dealer for full 10 qt transmission service. Very satisfied with how well it runs, shifts and drives.
Also added nerf bars, tool box, vent visors and Clazzio seat covers. Replaced all door 6x9 speakers and tweeters with Kickers. Replaced quirky hvac knobs with the lighted knurled rotary style knobs. Gutted my 3rd gen meso ultimate LED dome and fitted guts to my 2nd gen stock dome housing (after some minor solder repairs). Replaced maps with much whiter and brighter LED bulbs. Replaced rough riding AT tires on stock 16" steelies with 17" 2019 4runner SR5 wheels with Dunlop 265/70/17 street tires (also replaced spare tire with new 4runner 17" wheel and tire). Bought 2nd fob and 2 extra programmed keys. It's getting there. Had it a month and still haven't washed, compounded minor scratches out and done the ceramic wax yet due to frequent rainy weather.

 

Sounds like you should be good for another 150k

 

Even though just one, replacing the yellowing and faded headlights can make such a huge difference on the truck's appearance.

 

I had the tinted Pro headlights in my 3rd gen so the dull (more cloudy than yellow) single light on the 2nd gen really irked me.
before when purchased:

after I bought it:

Don't knock the 3rd gen plates. They were paid for until 09/2022 so kept them for now.

 

I'm in the same boat! Had a 2001, then to a 2006, then a 2018, and just recently went back to a 2008. All of them manual transmission. I feel the same as you, they screwed the pooch with the 3.5, Now back in the 4.0, I'm happy. Some people like the 3.5...I'm not one of them. As far as the frame, I don't think they've changed anything on the frame from 2005 to 2021. Other than very minor things. So the frame problem continues....fluid film it every fall!

 

I have the 2012 long bed double cab and I have really been happy with this truck. It’s only got 50,000 miles on it so far.

I had the typical problems with weak springs and that wasn’t difficult to deal with. I think these trucks suffer from unfavorable tie rod angles and mine is jacked up a couple inches over stock which makes it worse.

This is something that I will maybe correct in the future because I think the truck should be about 3 inches lower.

 

How are the speakers with the (I assume) stock head unit? Did they really make a difference?