MY 2005 Toyota Tacoma Off Road Project

Hello everyone...

Just wanted to introduce my truck. This is a truck that I have known about for a couple years now.
It is a black 2005 Tacoma Off Road double cab with a standard bed, and it has about 188k on the odometer, I think.
The previous owner put a hole through the block, and it has been sitting ever since.

Just got the go ahead and next week, I get to move it to my house and start removing the engine.
The original plan is to find a running 4.0 from a locally wrecked Tacoma, and just make it my daily driver.

I have an older truck already, so it doesnt need to be done tomorrow.
If I had more funds, I'd consider a swap route, but for now... The 4.0 is the plan.
Here are a few pictures of the truck, it isnt in perfect shape, but still has plenty of potential

 

Nice ride. When you get the replacement engine. Let us know what the cost of the motor was please

 

Thanks

Yeah, that is the part that I fear. I see prices all over the map, depending on condition, and completion.
The good thing is that I have time. The rear struts are getting to the end of their life, I assume same with the fronts.
The frame has a little bit of rust, and at some point will need to be addressed.

I have already started working in the engine bay, and getting myself familiar with this layout.
Toyota isnt really something I have done before, but it has been pretty straightforward so far.

Look at the filter date. Lol

 

Welcome to the forum, and nice Tacoma!
Keep us posted on how the Project goes

7/7/18 Wow!!! It has been sitting for awhile.

 

While you have the motor out considered @Bonzen 's motor mounts and possibly gusseting/reinforcing around the frame side of the motor mounts, 05/06 are know to have issues with them cracking on the frame around there and mounts and reinforcement helps a lot.

Also consider coil bucket gussets or a double sheer upper control arm gusset kit if you plan to off-road.

Best time to do those is when the motor is out already and you have clearance, also flip the passenger side steering rack bolt upsides down as it can't be removed without engine removal and the general fix is to cut the head off and replace that bolt upside down (nut on top of the rack) you can save yours while you have the motor gone.


Beyond that avoid 05-06 and early 07 motors as they have known head gasket and cooling issues, and anything 2011-2015 will have the secondary injection equipment and you'll need to swap the exhaust.

Be aware there are two different 1GR motors, the VVT-i 1GR of the Tacoma and early 4runners/FJ cruisers and the Dual VVT-i motors of later FJ's and 4Runners.

A Dual VVT-i motor WILL NOT WORK you need single VVT-i motor so if you can get a motor from a Tacoma to be sure.

You may have to change the harnesses and such out if your donor motor is a different year.

 

Okay... Small update.

So, I finally got the Tacoma to my house. I have super low trees, and a big flatbed wouldnt have fit in my driveway.
This truck is a definite candidate for a frame swap in the future. The body looks great, the transmission and axle setups look fairly clean, the driveshafts and brakes look shitty.
It isnt something that I am going to do now, but I will get some pictures of the frame rust later on.

For now, I am going to focus on making it a running truck.
I may do the suspension while I have the engine out, plus at least clean and coat the engine bay.
Motor mounts look fairly clean, but I could always consider them.
Thanks for the tip about the passenger side steering rack bolt. That is something that I will do.
Gonna replace the radiator, since the engine went. I will clean out all the hoses, and anything used from the old engine.

I will try to get a 05-08 engine, if possible. But, as said before, patience is the name of my game.
It would be nice to find a truck, wrecked and paid out by the insurance company.
Wiring isnt the worst to me, but I'd prefer not to build an entire custom loom, for what should be a direct engine replacement.

Lastly, if I plan to seriously off road, aside from truck/car camping, replacing the frame will be at the top of my list.
Much appreciated everyone for the tips. I have a feeling that this wont be my last Toyota.

Anyway, starter is diconnected, a/c compressor is ready to relax in the engine bay, same with power steering pump.
Exhausts still need to be disconnected, plus some wiring, but it is getting there.

 

You need to address the big things first. If the frame is rusted and needs to be replaced, that should be the first priority. You will likely have more rust related issues as well.
A used 07-08 engine would be a good choice if you can find a good one.
I used to rebuild "barn find" classic vehicles and there is a surprise with every bolt. Don't wake up one morning with a 2005 Tacoma that cost you $25K, $1K at a time. Got rust, get torches.

 

I have a similar project. There’s a hole in the side of my block too.

A junkyard engine runs $3k-$4500. Or you can buy a brand new short block from Toyota for $3100 and have your heads redone for $500.

 

I appreciate the stress about the frame. I am addressing the rust, just patiently. I sorta have a plan, but it has to take time to go through proper channels.
So, I will just move to other areas while I think about things.

It would be preferable to find a running engine, but we will see how time plays with that.
Of course, I am keeping my costs low. But, hearing a running engine would be dynamite.
As much as I enjoy disassembling engines, I dont. Lol.

Hopefully the engine will come out next week. Then, I can consider a new suspension set up to replace the rusty set up. Maybe just a recent 3rd gen take off. We will see.

 

You can also find used Tacoma/FJ engines on ebay shipped.