How did you guys learn how to work on a Tacoma?

I think this community is awesome, and wanted to know how you guys started workin on Tacoma’s and getting into workin on cars/trucks? I would love to be able do the work you guys do someday! But I wanted to hear yalls stories!

 

Just start working on it. Nothing to it. Watch videos online and ask questions here.

 

Owned shit boxes for years and was poor. Fix it or walk.

 

i am too cheap to pay someone to turn nuts and bolts. it's usually just nuts and bolts.........watch videos, ask questions, and be safe !

 

It's a Toyota. You don't work on it.

 

Look for a Mod day in your area.
TW community is awesome

 

A wasted youth spent jumping junk yard fences to take cars apart at night while making friends with vicious guard Dogs.
Sik balls Chopper
"Stand by Me"

 

DIY or pay someone or do without.

 

You just build on it and watch videos. Start with oil changes, spark plugs, belts and mods later youll be into into shocks, driveline and water pumps.

Its kinda fun and builds your confidence, but takes time and learning. But definitely saves big $$.

 

That’s what I’m talkin about

 

techinfo.toyota.com subscription basically tells you every last thing you can do to any toyota, correctly


correct tools, sequence, diags.

 

You just dive right in; start with smaller jobs that won't leave your vehicle disabled if you screw up. Over time, your confidence will build and after enough wrenching, you'll find easier and smarter ways to fix and/or replace stuff.

 

Take your tools to a pic n pull if you want free experience without consequences. Builds confidence.

 

I took an autoshop class in highschool, but that was long before my 2004 even existed. In fact, that was before the Tacoma even came out (94/95).

Although most of what we did was adjust valves on domestic pushrod V8's, it gave be a pretty good basic knowledge for auto repair.

Start with changing your own oil and other basic maintenance. Look up the recommended maintenance intervals for your truck, and start there. Work your way through all that until you're caught up.

Get a decent set of tools to work with (box wrenches and socket sets, etc). No need to get the fancy expensive stuff if you can't afford it. Just head to harbor freight, their stuff isn't THAT bad, lol. People like to crap on Craftsman stuff nowadays, but it's still pretty decent stuff. Husky (from Home depot) is good too. No need to spend $50 on a single ratchet.

You'll need a hydraulic floor jack and some jack stands, too. Get the 12 ton ones from harbor freight (they're taller and better suited to a 4x4).

Guaranteed someone has posted a video or 12 of what you're planning to do, so watch those for sure. Don't watch just one, sometimes you do get a guy that does some pretty shady stuff that may not even work or be safe.

Always always always properly support the truck on jack stands. Use those tall 12 ton stands and support the frame. NEVER rely on just the hydraulic jack. Once you have it supported, give the truck a shake. I'd rather it fall now, than when I'm under it!!

If there's something you think is over your head, still watch those videos and learn what you can. When you take it to a mechanic, chat them up about it, and ask questions, ask them to show you the parts they replaced, etc... That does 2 things, 1) you'll learn from it and better prepare you for next time, 2) they mechanic is less likely to try and take advantage of you if you are asking intelligent questions.

In the end, don't be afraid to get in there and get dirty. It's not rocket science.

 

best movie!

 

Also set the parking brake and chock the wheels to keep things from shifting unexpectedly

 

Yes, that too. I had already written a manifesto, so I was trying (mostly failing) to keep it short.

 

and if you have to turn the wheels for whatever reason while the truck is lifted, make sure the jack stand isn't in the way of the wheel when it moves. Nearly learned a hard lesson that way once

 

I don’t any more, use to be able to work on the older ones, 60’s , 70’s ect. To complicated any more. I just stick with the simple things, lawn mower, boat motor ect.

 

Just sent it really just like legos, goes together the same way it comes apart. Its cheaper to work on it at home than to have a shop do work and im broke so