Bought used Tacoma what should I do?

Bought a used Tacoma with 200k miles on it and the previous owner didn't treat it well, I've done basic stuff already (oil, oil filter, cabin filter, recharged ac, spark plugs, PS pump).

What other things should I check out? Its a 2003 Base 3.4L V6 with 4x4

Also when I go over 50mph there starts a humming/grinding noise. The truck runs fine below 50 and it'll still go past 50 just the noise gets louder.

 

Gear oil changes to front and rear differentials, Tcase and transmission.
Always remove fill plugs before draining old oil.
Use 75 w 90 synthetic or dino juice.
Replace crush washers with new ones available on Amazon in 12 pack $7.
Flush brake and clutch fluid

 

If gear oil don't make the noise go away, I’d suspect the front wheel bearings and/or u-joints/center bearing.

 

please change ur balljoints

 

oh also this thread is useless w/o pics

 

this should be somewhere at the top of your list. If you can afford it, get Toyota ball joints, don't go cheap. When was the timing belt and water pump last changed. They should be changed every 100k miles. you can purchase a complete kit on ebay from one of the TW members. I just can't remember his user name. Maybe Cabinairman, or something like that. Hows the Frame look, have you checked it out really good.

 

I'm in a similar boat, but not dealing with the thing you're dealing with. Just bought one with 245k miles nonexistent maintenance records. Mine rattles like hell at 70mph. Below that it's fine. So far just did an oil (and filter) and air filter change. Going to do the other gear fluids like the others recommend when my crush washers arrive from Amazon. Replacing old vacuum lines. Plan on doing a compression test this week to get an idea of the engine state. Gonna try doing a valve clearance check too.

Never thought about clutch fluid flush. I should probably do this to mine too. Any thing we should know before getting started? I've done a brake flush before.

 

I did. Lets just say some would have walked away but I'm stubborn and sometimes an idiot. I have a plan to fix it right with SafeTCaps. How about you OP? Whats your frame like?

 

Where was the cabin filter located?

 

1st gen Tacomas don't have cabin air filters.

 

I think that was the point of asking...

@ OP if a shop changed your cabin filter take it back to them and ask them to show you what they changed and charged you for.

 

Post recommending changing cabin air filter was deleted.https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bought-used-tacoma-what-should-i-do.767520/#post-27397182

 

Taco-user

I wasn't trying to get your thread off topic, just wasn't sure if you got some bad info about the cabin filter on the 1st gen tacomas.

I'm sure others will chime in to help sort out your humming /gringing noise.

One thing I would do is to spray the frame down with Fluid Film.

 

I'll look around for that kit. Yeah no idea when anything was replaced so it probably needs to be done. Frame is rusting anything I can do to slow it?

 

I put the wrong thing. I changed the blower fan for the AC/heat

 

I know I don't have a real truck...

But do you have any ball joint recomendations? I need to replace the upper control arms too so I want to do everything at the same time.

 

Its rusting but could be worse

 

TC Fab uca’s and oem lower ball joints, stick to online price for yota dealer. You have a 5 foot bed? Just extend it ir modify it.

 

Thanks!

I heard that some double cabs have swapped to a 6ft bed and was thinking about it. Any threads you recommend?

 

Going to echo that you need to do ball joints. Also good to rust proof it, if you live near anywhere that salts the roads. If it's an automatic, not a bad time to swap the radiator with a Denso one (to avoid strawberry milkshake).