New Guy Looking for Help and Tips please.

Hey, first off my name is Chris. I have owned a second gen double cab tacoma for a while. But I recently bought a first gen 1998 long travel tacoma.

Please be serious in this thread, and no trashing it. I just would like to learn more and be able to take better care of my truck.

I'm mainly looking for some tips on maintaining it and how often I should be doing maintenance on it(along with what I should be doing to keep it in check and in best running condition, and if you are going to say something along the lines of "keep this oiled" or "replace this every month" or stuff like that then what oils do you recommend and what parts should I replace....basically I'm trying to say please be specific as what to do. That would be awesome)

I'm also looking for tips on what you guys think I should upgrade on it or add to it(could be anything, as far as better brakes, adding bike mounts, LED bar, engine upgrades, audio, decals, tires, anything)

I would just like to make sure I do everything I can to keep the truck running good and so that it doesn't start falling apart on me, because i know offroading does take its toll on trucks.

Some specs:
3.4L v6 rear wheel drive.
Fully caged, has a Total Chaos long travel kit with 8" stroke 2.5" sway-a-way coil overs eibach springs and fox bumpstops. Rear is total chaos hangers 12" shackles, deaver f67 springs, 18" triple bypass shocks.
30 gallon fuel safe. And all terrains in the front with mud terrains in the back.
Also has cold air intake and a throttle body spacer.

Also if there is anyone down in southern Cali that would like to show/teach someone a few things whether its about truck mechanics and vehicle upkeep, or tips on offroading and would maybe want a few other guys to offroad with them. Let me know. I would always love to learn more, and more people to offroad with is always great.

Thanks, hope to hear some good stuff from you guys.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/long-travel-suspension/109317-long-travel-bs-thread.html

 

I am fairly new to TacomaWorld also and the best advice I was given was to use the search feature in the top blue line to research what other builds had been made, recorded and reviewed. There are really sharp trucks for every purpose on this forum and your greatest challenge is to find others with similar interests and experience.

The next best advice was to read posts that cover a lot of abbreviations that are used on this site. So search abbreviations and learn the language and find the things that interest you.

Again welcome
Dixon

 

Hi Chris & welcome to TW, I'm in Socal (Lakeside to be more accurate) Dont know where you are but if your close to San Diego we have a great group of guys with a wealth of knowledge & almost always ready & able to help with advice/installs/tips/etc:...

I noticed you are mentioning the "Don't flame me for asking." issue, have you had a bad experience on other sites ? ( Please don't mention them by name, we dont , but we know already) Usually the only time you'll get flamed here is by asking the obvious or the ridicules... Check the LT thread here most the guys are knowledgeable & will help you out, theres a couple premadonnas but still much more adult & friendlier than most sites

 

Welcome.

Biggest tip is read go to the build section and looks to see what stuff you'd maybe like. That'll give you an idea on lift ideas or any other suspension setups as well as other stuff.