300k on 2008 TRD 4.0 - all DIY maintenance, thanks TacomaWorld community!!

She just reached her 300k milestone on original transmission. Every maintenance item, troubleshooting question and curiosity about this magnificent truck has been answered on this forum. I suppose not many other 2008's are at this milestone yet, so I just wanted to tell y'all these trucks are more than capable while receiving reasonable abuse/use.

Got truck in 2011 with 186,000 miles (previously owned by timber buyers who drove all over everywhere arranging timber sales) Original automatic transmission, power train, suspension, and all the like. Basically, still stock, after that much driving on logging roads, forest service roads, interstates and town.

Since 2011 I've added the 114,000 miles through incredible adventures all over the country. I'm an arborist by trade and avid hunter/angler, so I have relocated a few times for outdoor access and opportunity. A good second gen tacoma with off road package, a winch and chainsaw will get you in or out of just about anywhere you'd want to drive in the lower 48, as you all already know. I've lived at 9,000 feet in the rockies up the steepest paved road in Colorado (Magnolia Road in Boulder County, those who are familiar know this area eats trucks) for years. Every weekend I'd bomb up washboards looking for trout, elk, deer, hot springs, peace and solitude. I figured if I found myself getting stuck I'd start upgrading from stock, but all I really ever needed was a winch, chainsaw, rock bar, shovel, and Jerry can to make it back.

I've only had to replace the yellow billies recently, got a lot of recall work done on frame, leaf springs, coils, etc. This forum has been absolutely incredible in helping me keep her on the road with instructions on fluid changes (they're always weird on Tacomas) and the rare repair (stuck bolts than end in hack jobs). Just replaced the fuel pump and filter and she's like a new truck all again. She's had a steady oil leak from the valve cover gasket for the last 40k, but I monitor oil levels (never more than a quarter liter seems to leave between changes) and change oil religiously ever 3,000 - Pennzoil high mileage 5w-30 has been what I always use.

I hope this helps reassure readers of this forum that they can expect their tacoma to be a tacoma and outlast all of us with a little bit of TLC.

Thanks tacomaworld, couldn't do it without you

 

Woo! Congrats.

Are you on the original timing chain and water pump?
If so do you plan on preventively changing or waiting for failure?

What transmission service have you done?

 

Nice job on keeping her alive and well!
Thanks for sharing!

 

Thanks PackCon! As far as I know, the water pump was replaced before I bought it, but not the timing chain. I told myself I'd do it before 300K, but here I am. I certainly would like to be preventative rather than reactive - it's certainly served me well in maintaining this truck so far. Would you recommend just going ahead and replacing them by the mileage/service history, or wait for noticeable signs that the time is near?

Best,
Jim

 

I've flushed and refilled tranny twice since I got her, following DIY instructions on this forum. Seriously, I'm beyond amazed at the longevity of this transmission. If and when it goes, probably when, I have a guy (don't we all) who will do the rebuild and installation for $600, he says. So in the name of science, I will determine for Tacomaworld, Toyota motors, and the all the free people of the world just how long this transmission will last. It bears to mention that a year ago I replaced the drive train/shaft, carrier bearing and U-joints due to a busted carrier bearing. That was a bang-up job there, through blood sweat and tears. You know, all the good stuff that goes into truck maintenance.

Yeah, these transmissions will go. If the timber buyers who owned the truck before me ain't lying (and why would they lie about installing a new tranny??), then she's at 300k with 2 tranny flushes since I got her at 186K.

 

I don’t recomend anything Lol.
I’m trying to figure out my game plan for my 2013.

Obviously if the water pump fails... I’d just throw a new chain in while I’m there.

I think chain replacement is recommended at 250k.

I am wondering if with newer vehicles a timing chain snap is really going to lead to as much damage as it used to. Not too many people talk about timing chain replacement.

 

Well, PackCon, I always give and take free advice for what it's worth. Half my life it seems I'm scratching my head with a buddy about how something happened and how to fix it. I wonder if there'd be a noice associated with a tired chain - I keep hearing a rattle when my truck idles in this cold damp weather. Good luck with your truck man, I hope it runs for you like mine has for me

 

Great story glad your enjoying it. I hope to have this type of longevity.

 

OP'er! CONGRATS!!!! Awesome to see another Tacoma hit this milestone.

 

Congrats!

 

Awesome!

 

Congratulations!

 

I believe a timing chain breaking would only cause damage if the engine was an interference type, the 1GRFE is not. So thats kind of a nice thing. Unless i guess the chain slapped around a ton after breaking, but the engine in theory should die basically immediately when the chain breaks and it goes out of time.

It would just have to be retimed when you put the new chain on.