Just bought a 2004 tacoma prerunner

i just bought a 2004 tacoma and I'm really liking it so far. The truck has 180,xxx miles on it and I'm just curious what things I may need to know about these trucks, what oil and filters are you guys using. I had a fullsize truck prior to this and the tacoma seems to ride a little ruff but I'm thinking it may need some new shocks so opinions on those as well as well as other things I may need to do to the truck.

Thanks in advance.

 

check your leafs, they go flat and need replacing (it should have a slight up turn in front and a noticeable up turn on the rear end) so that's pretty common issue if it feel like its riding hard over bumps and if the front feels bouncy or you sense strange road vibrations in it then replace the struts and springs as a complete unit. and naturally check your ball joints and front end parts.

tranny would need a flush and replace with Valvoline max life full synthetic (if auto) and use the same in power steering, engine I use mobile one 5/30 full synthetic, if the brake fluid is dark or amber looking then its a good idea to flush the whole system with new fluid, and finally replace rear end fluid.

I was shocked when I bought mine but the leafs were completely flat and it rode hard as shit, now its smooth as glass with the new leafs, I bought these and love them: http://www.generalspringkc.com/product_p/90-237hd.htm they add an extra 400 lbs payload so if you ever do want to haul anything it can handle it. the stoick springs can only handle like 100-150 lbs before bottoming out and that's about it which might be why its so common that they go flat