Just picked up this '04 for $5k 120kmiles and she needs some tlc

I just got this to be my little hauler for work, owner got old and stopped taking care of it for the past 8yrs or so and its got some issues. The biggest being the fuel tank is swiss cheese. Surprisingly it had the frame replaced and is in pristine condition.

I'll be going through my upgrade and repair journer on here, (help is appreciated, im not a mechanic). Any suggestions are more than welcome, i know this truck can shine if cared for properly

 

update, i was quoted $3k for a fuel tank repair from firestone. That doesn't sound right??!!

 

Sounds high when you can google it and get a tank online for about $200. I reckon it's wise to do the pump while you're at it.

 

Find the parts at q junk yard. The tank and pump shouldn't be very hard to pull. Bring the parts to a small independent shop and see what they say.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

From what i can tell it doesnt look like the worst job, itll just be a solid day i reckon. The problem i think is going to be able to find all the parts, id need the tank, straps, pump, gaskets. And it doesnt look like they are sold as kits or assemblies anywhere, id love to be able to find one at a yard but it looks like slim pickins.

 

Is yours a 2.4L? Rock Auto has fuel tanks for $250. Didn’t look up the other stuff. I traded a ‘04 XtraCab 2WD 2.4L w/65k miles to get my ‘20. Except for the paint it was perfect inside and out. I should have kept it and figured out a way to get my ‘20 without trading it.

 

Remove the bed or pull the bed bolts and slide he bed over a bit, it makes replacing a fuel tank child's play compared to sweating, cussing and digging crap out of your eyes doing it from underneath the truck.

 

Ok I have seen people recommending that, and it looks like it makes a world of difference. Id also just want to for inspection reasons, how hard is pulling the bed off though?

 

Pulling the bed is easy if the bed bolts unscrew.

 

If you can't do it yourself, source everything and then take it to a local mechanic and you'll get it done for much cheaper. You found a gem of a Tacoma and I've love something like this.

Judging by the beautiful interior and exterior, it's well kept and will last you. Spend the $ now and do all the maintenance needed and it will last you for years to come.

Find yourself in the 1st Gen Thread as well as those guys will guide you properly.

 

With good care it will last longer than a 2024 Tacoma.

 

I covet your bench seat. : )

 

You got a unicorn.

 

I do know i got lucky with the OEM replaced frame. I haven't been able to get too deep in the inspections yet but fingers crossed nothing crazy is hiding from me. Looking at new tacomas these past few years tbh makes me hate toyota......

 

One thing that im already so happy about is how this truck takes me back to being a teenager with my dad. Crank windows, bench seats, everything's made out of steel and smells like wd40/old plastic.

 

Welcome rock that 1st gen restore in stages and eventually you'll get it right