Massive maintenance plans. I am looking for some advice.

I own a 2015 Tacoma and am looking into doing a good bit of maintenance/future proofing.
4.0 liter v6 with the 5 speed automatic transmission.

As far as knowledge goes I'm a 2nd year Heavy equipment technician working on heavy on and off-road trucks and trailers.

I do not know much about my truck since I got it in 2017 with 37000 Km's on it old man driven close to new condition. I've done most of the oil changes. Had the transmission "serviced" at 100000 Km's. The Toyota dealer I bought it from flushed it and replaced the fluid and filter.
The truck has seen work Hauling but not towing. Has some dents and scratches. Generally gets used as a Truck and a Daily. Currently for the first 2.5 months of this year has seen lots of highway driving. Truck is currently on good rubber with 190k Km's.

I have plans to do a lot of work to it this summer due to new job and more pay. I want to prolong the life of my tuck and work to prevent any freak roadside breakdowns.
*with my knowledge of heavy duty this is my list...no automotive knowledge here lmao.

1. All 4 wheel bearings *I should be competent here
2. New rear shocks possibly fronts *I should be competent here
3. Check all steering linkages for play. Refurbish where possible and replace parts were needed and put everything at its correct torque. looking for some on info on steering if possible.
4. As many suspension bushings as possible *I should be competent here.
5. Thorough frame inspection *I should be competent here
6. Going to add some led back up lights on a 3 way switch so its either. Lights on in reverse, lights off completely or lights always on. *need some info here if and body has a diagrams of the reverse circuit and reverse lights circuit
7. T case, diff oils front and back and transmission oil are going to get tested so I can understand what I'm working with as far as big replacements go. Going to replace the fluid as well.
8. Probably going to get the timing chain done at a local shop. Looking for a way to test if that needs done.
9. All the Brakes are getting done. New rotors, pads, drums and shoes as well as drum cylinders. Check for leaks replace lines with braided steel possibly. I've got this crazy ideahttps://www.zrtube.com/shop/instrumentation-tube-1 to use stainless steel tubing to run to the flexible lines but that's for another date farther in the future $$$. *im competent here as well as far as the brakes go
10. Coolant pump *I should be competent here
11. Coolant flush and pressure test *looking for some info on this
12. New thermostat *I should be competent here
13. Alternator and battery. I would like to do a second battery setup as well *looking for some info on this
14. Home made head ache rack with a winch on it for hunting and work purposes *I should be competent here
15. Fuel pump , fuel filterers se if and injectors need done. Need some info on how to test that.
16. Spark plugs. *I should be competent here
17. A/C system service done by the same local shop.

If any body has advice I'm all ears.

 

You must like spending money. My 2007 is at 240,000 miles, almost 400,000 Km. It still has the factory transmission fluid, coolant, hoses, rotors, drums and most other parts.

I did have to replace the alternator at 170,000 miles. I've changed the plugs and serpentine belt twice, at 100K and 200K. Shocks/struts at 125,000. Transfer case and diff fluid replaced at 160,000. Other than changing oil every 10,000 miles, buying 2 batteries, and a few sets of tires and brake pads I just drive it. I've had to replace headlight bulbs a couple of times, but none of the other bulbs have worn out yet.

After nearly 16 years of hard use, it does have some minor dings, scratches, and peeling paint and the seats and carpet show 16 years of use, but it still runs like new, and I'd drive it cross county tomorrow.

I think it is a good idea to INSPECT all of those items. I do so often. And I suppose some guys like to customize their trucks with items they think will "improve" them. But the guys who leave them as close to stock as possible are always the ones who get the most miles/years out of them.

 

I'm assuming your in Canada. Welcome to TW

I wouldn't do #1, #8, #9, #10, #12, #13, #15, or #17 unless there was a reason to do so. As an example, if you rear bearings don't need replacing, don't replace them. 190k kms is early for rear bearings. Mine is at close to 250k kms with original bearings in the rear. Same goes for water pump, fuel pump, rear brake cylinders, etc...

I don't see it on your list, but annually rust proofing will make a huge difference to the longevity of your truck.

Edit: #8 is a massive job I don't see that needing to be done if the truck as been taken care of and at your kms. Here is the routine maintenance schedule you should be following... https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-gen-diy-maintenance-quick-reference-guide.438945/

 

#16.5. Buy new aftermarket ignition coils like these or something similarJust do it

 

#2 (front shocks) can quickly turn into “front shocks and lower control arms” if the cam bolts have frozen into the sleeve that goes through the bushing. It happened to me, and it’s quite common especially if the vehicle has been in areas with road salt. The typical solution is a Sawzall with a Diablo blade or three to cut the bolt between the arm and mount.

#10 (water pump) if you’re into something else that exposes it already, go for it, otherwise I’d wait. From a couple of years of almost daily reading on the forums, very few (if any) posters have come in to describe a catastrophic pump failure. So long as it starts off as a slow leak, it won’t leave your stranded.

#13 (alt and battery) very reasonable IMO. The battery if it’s over two years old, any less and just run it, but as I had my alt on my ‘11 freeze up in the driveway without any warning, seems like reasonable PM to me. Had been out in Death Valley a few weeks before, would have been up sh*t creek if it had frozen up there.

#15 (fuel pump) plenty of these show up on the forums, it has me thinking that I may pull the bed some summer day (with a little help from my friends) so I can finish up some minor rust remediation and I will go ahead and put in a URD pump at that time. But not before.

You’ve got a likely loooong-lived truck there. Enjoy!

 

Nothing wrong with preventive maintenance. That why you have a manual with recommendations on mileage intervals.

 

#6:

I would skip mounting your own lights for reverse (which in my opinion almost always look goofy) and skip messing with wiring when there's this option out there.

https://www.diodedynamics.com/hitchmount-led-pod-reverse-kit.html

Literally takes 2 minutes to install and the upgraded version doubles as a running light and 4th brake light (with optional safety flash when you first step on the brake).

 

Regardless of how your inspection of the frame goes, plan on spraying it sooner than later. Most everything else can be replaced, but a crap frame will send your baby to the salvage yard.
I wouldn't worry about the timing chain if you've kept up on your oil changes and it's running fine.

 

thanks for the detailed response. Good to know this kind of stuff. Will be modifying my plans to a more manageable amount.
Any idea where id find info on the wheel bearing end play spec so I can check with a dial indicator? I'd assume its just 1-5 thousandths.

 

thanks for the detailed response

 

I haven't seen the specs for the rear wheel bearings and acceptable play. I think you could just listen to them and you'll hear them when they need replacing. I know this isn't a very technical approach, but the bearings aren't going to fail suddenly. When my front bearings went I heard them first and then confirmed the bearings were the issue by just grabbing the wheel (while off the ground) and feeling the play.

If you focus on the preventive maintenance list I posted link to above and stick with annual rust proofing (I use Krown) you'll be in great shape. This forum and its members are extremely helpful if you run into any issues.

 

Okay thanks. That's how I check hubs on trucks too so ill know what sound/feel I'm looking for then.

 

From the link (I checked, in case I wanted one for my 2005) :

 

Same here. 2007 but only 115k miles. So far replaced spark plugs 2 times, about to do it again soon, still original serpentine belt (new one is in garage so will be replaced soon also), 3rd battery, second set of the tires, replaced brake pads one time so far, one headlight bulb went out recently so replaced both, drained and refiled trans fluid once, I did rear differential oil once, not sure why, I was ordering some oil from Amsoil so got some discount if I spend few extra bucks, and just ordered that and then did it.
Never touched coolant or brake fluid, doing engine oil and filter every 5k miles and air filters every second year.
Still running on original suspension.