2002 Tacoma DBL Cab, 4WD with over 300k miles

So here is the latest.

BF Goodrich TKO2 285/75/16
Fox 2.0 coil over
Fox 2.0rear shocks with rock guard.
Add a leaf spring to level
Re geared differentials with Yukon 4.88
Nitro 8.4 pinion spacer
lowered the front differential 1"
1.25" wheel spacers all around
A little trimming of the plastic in the front and hammered the pinch welds for clearance. Sprayed undercoating where ever the metal had been exposed.

In addition to the standard 4wd I added:
ARB air lockers front and rear
ARB standard air compressor with port and hose to reinflate tires.

I can use the rear locker alone, the stock 4wd system alone, combine the stock system and the rear locker.
The stock 4wd system must be engaged in order to use the front ARB locker.

TG rock sliders welded on

The sliders and air lockers were installed by Eric at Yotamasters in Corona, CA. I highly recommend him. Great Guy

Re build rack and pinion.
ICON upper control arm w/ ball joint

Other stuff:
Relocate rear diff breather
Optima Yellow Top D35( I added contact points for the auxiliary items, dense rubber on top of the batter bracket to help with vibration)
High lift jack
Rotopax fuel and water cans
21.5" Trailmaster LED light bar.
K&N cold air intake

The truck has a little over 300k. I have a bit more
The trans was rebuilt at 250k. Never go to Jiffy Lube for trans service. It turns out that they replace fluid but not the filter.

I use synthetic oil and change at 5k. Religiously.
Aside from routine maintenance like including timing belt, water pump, plugs, wires, valve cover gaskets etc.
Ive replace little things like the exterior door handles, window trim, headlights. Recently replaced the radiator and the driver power window motor.

I'm thinking of adding a supercharger and checked the compression to see if there was enough life left in the motor.
Normal Compression is 174psi. Minimum is 145psi.
The truck tested as follows:
Cylinder
1 170psi
2 165
3 166
4 165
5 165
6 170
Not bad for being 16 years old and having over 300k. There is still some life left.
I'll attempt to send a few picks

 

KN Cold air intake

 

ARB standard compressor with hose port.

 

Front and rear diff switches located by aux power ports. Compressor switch located left of steering wheel next to the dash light dimmer.

 

Sorry for the pics. I'm at a loss why they are so bib. All these pics are supposed to be thumbnail size.

 

Sweeeeeet! That’s good compression for all those miles! Get it to 500k!

 

I read a thread here and follow their directions. The new location of the rear diff breather is behind the fuel filler door.

 

The original location of the front diff and transfer case breathers are located on the firewall

 

Fox 2.0 Rear shock with the rock guard. Strongly recommend the guard to keep sand from ruining the seal.
Also shown are the Fox 2.0 Coil over and the Icon upper arm.

 

Welded on TG rock slider

 

Nice! Truck looks great! Hoping to get that many miles out mine

 

The Rotopax fuel and water cans. The Rotopax mounting bracket is installed on a 2x12 that fits into the bed liner.
On the backside of the 2x12 the high lift jack is mounted with a bolt, washer and wingnut.
Between the high lift jack and the cans I've never had the 2x12 move. Very secure. Its worked out better than expected.
Still leaves space for cargo.

 

The aux battery wires were installed into the contact boxes to clean things up. The dense rubber under the battery holder bracket keeps things snug but allows for a little vibration so the case doesn't break. The battery is also sitting on a plastic spacer that elevates the batter and also provides a little shock relief. There are some very cool battery retention systems that are on the market but none that I've found specifically for the '02 Tacoma. I'm thinking of relocating some stuff to make one of these systems fit but will give it some thought before I jump in. The fact is I'm not racing off road. Well sometimes 60 mph on the washboard road. But not racing Baja. More expedition stuff. And the Optima has held up really well.

 

I have had the BF Goodrich on every truck Ive owned. in the last 30 years. First on an '87 4wd Ford Ranger, Dodge 1500 4wd and now this Toyota. The only thing new is going to the KO2 for thicker sidewalls. Ive always been happy with these tires. the mileage I've received has always been good. Even on the heavier Dodge. They perform on the road really well. Ive never been stuck. And the road noise is low.
I also added a Trailmaster light bar for giggles. It was on sale. The location its in isn't bad but I'm hoping to put a Frontline Rack on the cab and shell. If I can pull that one off, they are pretty pricey but a great system, I'll add a light bar to the front of the rack to gain elevation and spread.
I might be moving all the switched around. I'm installing a CB and will need the space.

 

This truck is probably one of the best purchases I've made. Its kind of like a leatherman tool. Jack of all trades but master of none.
I'm still looking at the Magnuson supercharger with the 7th injector kit. Need to save my nickels.
I haven't relocated the trans breather. The Trans shop said I really shouldn't have an issue as it sits on the very top of the trans. I'm also not going to submarine it so I'm not planning on a snorkel.
I did take off the front transport tie down and had it enlarged to accommodate a shackle. I also added a trailer hitch for towing but also have a shackle to use there too.
I'm open to feedback and suggestions if there is a cool, functional mod to the truck.

 

Thanks. I've tried to keep up on the little things as well as regular maintenance so it doesn't look like a 300k junkyard dog.

 

East county resident?

 

East Ventura County.
One last thing. I thought the Dodge was going to be my forever truck. I ordered it with 5 spreed stick and loved driving it. But was constantly breaking down. And I couldn't go dearly as many places as the Tacoma because of the size. I am also looking at an Rpod Trailer to tow behind the Tacoma to go camping. This has become a never ending project. Kinda like my Harley. These things are never finished.

 

Very nice truck! It's nice to know you take such good care of it!