Help me drive my 97 forever!

This week I almost pulled the trigger on 2003 Doublecab 4wd. It was an absolutely mint truck...except there was just a little too much rust for me to justify replacing my paid for 97 extra cab 4wd that has no rust and then bringing it from Georgia up to New York.

So I have decided I am done looking to upgrade and would rather drive my 97 until it can't go any longer. I haven't really ever done anything other than replace tires, and oil changes, and brakes.

I am looking for input to help me do some service (or get it done) in the near future to help this truck go as long as possible.

Truck specs:
-1997 4WD extra cab 2.7L automatic transmission
-Bought in 2007 from its only previous owner with 70K miles.
-168K miles.
-Conventional Oil/filter changed every 3K since I have owned the vehicle.
-New brakes earlier this year
-New tires (Cooper AT3s) earlier this year
-Exhaust Manifold fiasco: original cracked sometime between 2014-2015. Had it replaced with an OEM manifold at a mechanic's shop. They didn't tighten the exhaust downtube to the manifold well and about six months later it cracked again. Girlfriends dad put a new manifold on it, from rock auto, in April 2016 as a surprise for me while I was visiting my parents and he was bored. Six months later and I believe the manifold has cracked again. I want to put a header on it and be done with it. I'm thinking http://store.torfab.com/product-p/hdrkthtshld.htm.
-The engine runs strong, but its pretty dirty looking.


I live in central New York now and will probably stay in the Northeast. I would love to get another 5 years out of this truck.

So what should I do over the next year?

 

Maintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance! Regular maintenance, and the rest is gravy.

 

Any specific maintenance at 168K miles? Or maintenance that people have found to be a good for the longevity of their truck that isn't specifically laid out in the regular service manual?

 

new spark plugs
trans fluid

keep up with oil changes and tires and brakes. fix something if it brakes. I have the double cab, same motor as you, and about 194k miles. Doesn't burn a single drop of oil. Runs at 80mph all day long. I am hoping to keep it going to 300k.

I have seen them go up to 547k miles (with my own eyes), original everything, before it needed a big ticket item.

 

Transmission fluid changed? Coolant flushed and refilled? Don't know if it's specifically laid out for 170K, but wondering if those have ever been done...

 

I honestly don't think either of those have ever been done. I think they would both be beneficial. What about differentials and repacking the manual hubs?

I'm basically going to make a big list of the maintenance that needs to be done and as soon as the snow melts get to it!

 

My theory is that doing more then you need to is better then not doing enough! But, there are more 1st gen owners here that would know the specifics better then I would...

 

Have you coated your frame to prevent rust? Seems like something anyone living in the Salt Belt should do

 

I need to do that if we get a warm spell. I'm thinking just to use the cans of Fluid Film and coat everything under the truck. Otherwise I'll just wash it weekly. Probably should try to do both.

 

this is the first thing i would do. i did my new frame with Fluid Film and will continue doing it every year.

 

So I'm going to follow BBYE V8's excellent write up https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/application-of-fluid-film.229505/ before the end of the year.

Anyone have experience with torfab? I know I have to fix the exhaust leak. Looking at this kit: http://store.torfab.com/product-p/hdrkthtshld.htm

Then a full tuneup (plugs/wire/air filter radiator flush and transmission service).

 

next time i buy fluid film it will be in the gallon cans. i coated my frame heavily compared to what some on here do. i also purchased the little nozzle that goes on the spray can so i can coat the inside of the frame.

 

Maybe I'll consider getting a fluid film kit (like $90).

Also I'm thinking of just getting a 01 manifold as it seems they fit but are more like a header. Not looking for performance, just no leaks.

 

Add new battery to the list of services done this year...damn those single digit mornings!

 

My battery is 4 years old
No issues.

Should I buy a new battery and change it or just kinda see how long this hangs on?

 

I knew mine was kinda old but I have spent the past three winters in Vermont working at a ski resort so it always handled those temps.I also cannot for the life of me remember when I replaced it (so it could be well over four years old and probably is).

Yesterday it took a minute to start and this morning it had to get a jump. I was just kind of playing with fire seeing if it was just these cold temps, but then it wouldn't start when I was leaving work so I said that's it and went and got a red top Optima. Starts right up now.

So to answer your question: if your battery is showing no signs of being old then you might not need to do anything. You can always get it tested.

I started this thread to get some ideas on different things that I could do to keep my truck running for as long as possible. Back when I was 18 I got a 85 solid axle and built it up. Got that out of my system and would now like to just keep my 97 running as well as possible for as long as possible in order to postpone getting a new truck and having payments. I think I have always taken the reliability of Toyota trucks for granted and haven't really given thought to more than brakes/oil change/tires for the past ten years. Now that I'm older I am starting to notice a shake here or noise there and what to take better care of my truck. Any advice is appreciated!

My dad really thought that thing was awesome!

 

Yes!! Get the updated manifold/mini header... the cast ones will break everytime! Thats why they eventually went to that tube design.

 

Ordered the kit from Torfab last night!

 

Change the differential fluids, plugs and wires, coolant, air filter. Clean the MAF. Also make sure your tires are inflated properly.

 

Yeah I'll do all of that, I've done it before and it's so simple on the 2.7L. What about auto transmission fluid and throttle body? I've read about the throttle body, is it easy to tackle, and what about transmission? Never messed with that before.