Just bought a 99 Pre-runner

First post
found this one at a dealer in ga
my first personal tacoma but i'm fairly used to driving them as I drive a 2004 V6 Pre-runner for work (currently sitting at a cool 368k)
really loved it so picked up an I4 for myself
about to hit 86k miles
this was definitely an old man's truck
from what I can tell this truck is entirely original aside from an aftermarket key fob and early 2000s spaceship-lookin pioneer head unit + some aftermarket door speakers
the I4 with the 4 spd auto are a killer combo for getting around the city. slow but somehow just as fun as the v6
has one of the smoothest autos i've ever used and is very happy to cruise at any speed
i'm driving around like


been obsessively learning everything i can about this thing and loving this forum.
Anything I should know about my truck?
would love to talk about my truck
thanks

 

Wow she's clean! Very nice, I love the color.

 

Congrats on a great find! Where in GA did you find it? I'm in Gainesville.

 

Wow, there have been a few guys lately that are buying and selling classic 1st gens that are original and in great shape. You are in that club! Welcome.

 

Nice find, I would take some time and check the frame and underside for any rust.

Next I would recommend treating the frame to fix or prevent any rust.

Welcome to TW, Peter in SA

 

Hi neighbor
she was in duluth

 

POR 15 treatment is high on my list. Unless theres some other product out there you'd recommend?
had her on the lift last week and we couldnt find a spot of rust on the thing
she's lived quite a cozy life it seems

 

Good find and buy!

 

Welcome to TW. Nice truck

 

Some other things to check and maintain.

Check and read the sticky post on the 1st Gen buyers guide and the maintenance schedule. Ball joints should be inspected and replaced with OEM (When or if they fail at speed it can be catastrophic).

There is a safety recall on the spar tire carrier (safety recalls never expier). The spare carrier can rust out and send ur spare off at speed. I would replace all fluids, including the coolant. Over heating these truck often causes head/valve issues and can be very costly.

Recommend using OEM parts.

Read all you can from this site, there are some great expert members here that know far more than I ever will.

Peter

 

Skip the Por-15 -- that product is a paint and unless your frame is clean enough to eat off of with no dirt, grime, or surface rust, Por15 will just flake off. I used it and it was delaminating in sheets and holding moisture against the frame. I spent a day scraping all that crap off. Use Waxoyl or Fluid film -- they are a soft coating, not crusty and brittle like por15. I use waxoyl on my vehicles in the northeast. It's a great product. Do the inside of frame rails too.

really nice Jade green -- enjoy it.

 

I assume a dealer would be best suited to inspecting the ball joints?

 

Probably better to seek out a reputable independent shop or really any other mechanic. If you take it to a dealer, they are likely to try and upsell you on many other things in addition to telling you the ball joints need replaced at an inflated cost, regardless of if they need it or not.

 

This ^^^

 

www.monstaliner.com is a good way to DIY the bed liner when you ditch that drop in unit.

Great looking truck.

 

hadn't thought of soft coating, will give it a try. thankfully ga weather is pretty easy on cars and trucks.

 

any reason to prefer rollable vs sprayable bedliner?

 

great truck, nice color

 

If you have the tools and skills you can spray monstliner.

Rolling just works easier for many DIY folks.

The product is better than most DIY stuff, and less expensive than things like LineX