Longevity Tips

Let's just say that my goal is that whenever I decide to upgrade or sell my Tacoma, I want all my original parts to be in perfect shape. Anyone have any tips?

• Cloth Seats
• Steering wheel
• Dash
• Exterior plastic fender flares, front and rear bumper pieces (Will 303 work?)

Also, I live in the south and it is very humid. I try to keep it in my small garage as much as possible, but 70% of the time its outside when not in use. Any tips on how to keep undercarriage parts or frame from rusting?

 

Seats - covers
Steering Wheel - Clean hands
Dash - wipe down with a damp micro fiber
Plastics - I have found that a regular use of Back to Black works the best in the long run
Undercarriage - I have found that flat black Rustoleum works very well.

 

1. Seats: Use seat covers for best results as they'd protect from stains and wear. Personally, I hate seat covers. So I'm just careful and hope for the best in terms of stains. No kids helps with that, lol. And not being an idiot like trying to eat a burrito while driving. Also, be very careful how you enter/exit the vehicle. The lower seat fabric wears surprisingly fast from your butt sliding over it as you get in/out of the truck.
2. Steering Wheel: Ceramic window tint on windshield and front windows. Keep the wheel clean and use a good interior cleaner like NextZett that handles oils and build up from your skin. Lastly, teach yourself to lightly grab the wheel. There are too many people who have a death grip on their steering wheel or even pick at it or rub it while driving. Having a light touch will prevent wear.
3. Dash: Ceramic window tint on the winshield. Keep it clean and don't put things on it unless they're soft. Don't let your passenger put their feet up on your dash. Don't stick ANYTHING to it. Not a dash mat, not a cell phone holder...etc. I've seen numerous vehicles with permanent damage to the dash due to various adhesives.
4. Exterior trim: Keep it clean and regularly treat it with something that will protect from UV (there are tons of products out there so use what you can afford and what gives you good results). If you can keep the truck out of the sun when it's parked that will help massively.

I started using car covers on all of our cars. I know it can add to scratches in the paint but I think I'd rather have light scratches that can be buffed out than UV damage which is not repairable.

 

If your really wanting to keep it pristine. remove the front and rear seats, and have them steam cleaned. Then add

Seats - covers front and rear if it's a DC.

while you have them out, you could also steam clean your carpet, and treat it with scotch guard. Good Floor mats to protect your carpet. This might offend some, but don't smoke inside your truck. Wash and wax on a regular basis, don't be me, I didn't take care of my paint like I should because of physical limitations. I just hand washed it today with meguiars gold wash, and man did it make a difference.