Advice on popular updates for my beloved TRD 4x4?

Hello friends. I’ve decided to keep my 130K mile 2001 Tacoma TRD 4X4 SR5 V6 automatic and am looking for recommendations on updates to keep it running well in the years ahead. I take it off-road occasionally. It’s a great truck and she deserves to be cared for.



Things I have done to it:

• Paint: I learned that this truck has single-stage paint (who knew!), i.e., there is no clear coat. I had it buffed by my body shop and the truck shines like new!
• Timing belt: I changed it AND the water pump at 90K miles using OEM coolant.
• Spark plugs / filters: I change them at factory recommended intervals.
• Lubricants or fluids: I follow factory recommendations for engine, transfer case, trans and differentials. I also sucked out the power steering fluid a while back. I run Techron every 6 months. I am also about to lube the drive shaft U-joints again.
• Front struts/springs: they still seem good — no leaks or bounce, though admittedly it doesn't get as much off road use as I wish.
• Rust: I’m aware of the frame rust issues. The truck has been in the West (San Diego area) for most of its life so rust is at a minimum however I have coated the frame rails with 3M spray-on undercoating. I also replaced the original trailer hitch receiver since it was pretty rusty.
• Muffler: the original wore out three years ago so I replaced the entire system from the cat back.

Upgrades I’d like advice on:

• Trans cooler? I heard there is something to do in this area?
• Brakes? The front discs are so-so until they get warmed up. I heard somewhere that Tundra brakes can be installed? Is that worth doing?
• Android-based radio & nav? I would like to change the old radio out for something new — maybe even adding a backup camera?

Other suggestions on ideas I am unaware of would be appreciated as well. Thanks very much!

 

Nice truck and Welcome to TW

 

I'd keep it stock; beautiful rig btw.

That truck already looks better than a lot I've seen on here

 

Welcome aboard

 

It is apparently not quite as straightforward in 1st Gens and early (2005-2008) 2nd Gens as it is in newer (2009-2015) 2nd Gens, but apparently even in older vehicles you do not have to splice into the reverse light. My 2010 did not come with a backup camera (2009 was the first year for factory backup cameras in Tacomas; only SR5, TRD, etc came with it), but all 2009-newer models were prewired for it. My neighbor installed the system for me, and plugged into the reverse wire within the dash. If 1st Gens do not have this reverse wire, splicing into the reverse light might be the easiest course of action.

As for speakers and subwoofers, go for it! My only regret with my stereo system is not doing it sooner. I started out basic with a head unit and new speakers in 2013, and then I went all out with a powered sub and external amp powering the speakers. You have a double cab, so you have a lot more space to work with.

 

Welcome to Tacoma World, mang! Great looking stock truck! Enjoy using and driving it as a truck. Looks like you've given your truck good maintainence. Once you start getting into upgrades & mods, you might end up going down a money rabbit hole trying to compete in an arms race with some of the other truck owners on this forum.

Concerning your upgrades that you're considering:

Transmission cooler: Do you have an automatic transmission? Do you tow anything on a trailer like a boat/camper/ATV/other vehicles that's heavy going up or down inclines/hills/mountain roads?

Brakes: I know a few of the Tacoma owners have been successful with using Tundra disc brakes in place of the stock Tacoma disc brakes. I run my front brakes stock, but will consider the Tundra disc brakes sometime in the future since I plan on putting a hard side truck camper in the bed of my truck soon.

Android based radio/navigation/back up camera: Why not? It's nice to have music to listen to via radio/CD/MP3/streamed/watch DVDs. GPS is a must have for traveling. I'm not a fan of using my smartphone for navigation because there are some areas that are not covered by cellular signal. I currently am using a Garmin nuvi 1250 mounted to my windshield with the OEM window mount. GPS signal is clear and gets satellite signal quickly. Backup camera is nice especially if you have a shell or cargo in the truck bed where you can't look out the rear view mirrow and you're using your side mirrors. I'm still all about turning my head around and looking around me physically than relying on a backup camera.

If you get an Android based radio/GPS head unit with backup camera, the head unit will take up 2 DIN and you'll end up removing your accessory tray in the dashboard to accomodate your new head unit. I recommend the license plate frame back up camera, if you're planning on getting one.

 

Thanks for the reply Hamer95USA. My response:

1.) Trans: It's an automatic and no, I do not do much towing, especially through mountainous areas. Perhaps a trans cooler isn't needed then?

2.) Brakes: The other cars I own have very responsive brakes ('88 Porsche 911, MBZ SL55 AMG, MBZ C300) and obviously one cannot compare them to my Tacoma however I'd like something that has more initial bite than what I have now. Either I replace the rotors again with OEM (unless there is something better than OEM?) and get some softer pads. The ones I have now are great once they get hot, but that doesn't help when I need strong brake feel/modulation while cruising along at 75 MPH. The rears ... well can't do much about that I assume, i.e., from what I read, adding disc brakes on the rear upsets the balance, and from what I see so far, there is no aftermarket brake balancer for this application. Nothing wrong with drums and they don't do much anyway. Hell, the rears are original and I still have something like 55%% meat still left on the liners.

3.) Radio/Bluetooth/Android: I'm not so interested in rocking out as I am trying to find a way to speak on the phone hands free, use Google Maps and incorporate a backup camera. I'd love to find a unit that looks kinda OEM ... AND with a volume knob. Sorta like this I suppose ... maybe there is something a little better out there?

 

Tons of aftermarket options; seems the lesser expensive units use a physical volume knob whereas the higher-end models have low-profile buttons.

Due to the location of our stereo, any non-adjustable screen is going to be difficult to see unless it has a "brightness" feature to make up for the steep angle.

You could look for a unit with a tilt feature to help alleviate this issue.

I went with a Kenwood double din regardless; I love the android auto feature which allows me to use google maps as well as go through my music library that I stream.

 

Thanks for that. You bring up something I hadn't thought about ... screen visibility. Hmmm. I noticed some people have moved the HVAC knobs to below the unit, though it sounds a little iffy. I will continue to search for a useful "if I knew then, what I know now" thread on the subject.

 

Off topic completely, I have a brand new, still in the box, factory OEM chrome step bumper for 1st gen Tacomas (not cheap knock-off). Apparently they are now quite rare since the dealers are telling me and my friends that own body shops, that they are now discontinued and are asking full price. I'd post it for sale here at TacomaWorld but apparently I need to post over 50 times before I can do that. That'll take me quite a while. I'd put it on eBay but it's 50 lbs, and shipping it to timbuktu would be cost prohibitive. I have it on my local San Diego CraigsList but that's a crapshoot. It would be MUCH appreciated if you experts could point this newbie to the best of the rest for a classified site for Tacoma fans like us. : )

 

Thank the lawd you didn't get rid of that truck! She's a beat. I have a 2003 DC 4x4 TRD White Taco as well. Don't worry about screen visibility. I swapped out my stock stereo with a Pioneer Apple Carplay touchscreen (button-less) about a year and ago and it has been the best functional modification I have made to the Tacoma. The fitment was like it came directly from the factory (no surround filler plate needed). No visibility issues whatsoever. Install took me about an hour and 2 beers.You have plenty of options for a back up camera as well. I don't currently have one but I installed on on my Honda Fit. For older vehicles the license plate surround versions are extremely functional and easy to install.

I have made essentially every upgrade on your list and I can tell you it will make you fall in love with your truck all over again. I added a trans cooler for towing (small camper), bilstein 5100s, OME 881 coils, etc. Just keep that bad boy maintained (replace timing belt every 100,000, oil changes, coolant flushing) and take care of little items that pop up (I had to install a new tie rod and will need CVs replaced in the next 5,000 miles or so) and it will run forever! I just rolled over 345,000 miles this week. Enjoy!

 

adamdsgn: I appreciate the spirited response!

On the Tundra brakes: I did some YouTube searching and apparently this update reduces braking distance from moderate speeds about 25%. If so, I'm in for that, though wondering if the OEM equipment is better than the aftermarket from the likes of RockAuto, etc?

On the Pioneer Apple Carplay: pardon my ignorance, but I assume that's not gonna be compatible with my Android/Samsung phone apps? Other than that, I like the sound of this installation + backup camera.

Thanks again for the input.

 

Almost be a shame to do anything other than maintenance.

 

Yeah, I know what you mean. I've always been OCD about my cars, trucks, vans and motorcycles, but I'd think the Tundra brake upgrade -- a safety issue -- would be worthwhile and virtually unnoticeable to the casual observer. (BTW, love the Good, Bad & Ugly graphic. LOL)

 

Nice Truck I appreciate how clean your truck is

 

Thank you sir. As it was said a few posts back, I tend to take care of (restore) the little things so they don't add up to just another old truck. For instance, the wheel arch brows: they started to oxidize which drove me nuts, so I took them off and had my body shop shoot them with a satin and clear coat. What a difference a few hundred bucks makes.

 

I’d bypass the radiator with a separate trans cooler. This makes sure a radiator failure doesn’t fill your tranny with engine coolant. I’d also install a Trans-Go shift kit for firmer shifts and nice truck!

 

I saw this recently. Figure it could help with your decision.

 

Boooooooooring

 

How much for the bumper ?