New member with a 1998 Tacoma TRD

Hi! I'm new to the forum, and new to toyotas, although I've been admiring them from afar since Back to the Future came out. I just picked this truck up 2 days ago, it's a 1998 Tacoma extended cab TRD, 3.4 with a 5 speed with 160k.



It's a little rough around the edges, clearly it's been used as it should be, but I'm hoping to clean it up a little and start taking it on new adventures. In the meantime, I've started trying to familiarize myself with practical realities of owning and maintaining a 1st gen tacoma. Next week I'll give it a 30k service, just so I have a good baseline to start with.



I do have a question about the SR5 desgination: My tailgate says SR5, and it's my understanding that meant it was an upgraded trim level. But was it a consistent trim level? I ask because, while I have power windows and doorlocks (kind of..), the mirrors are manual, there's no clock, and I don't think there's ABS.



And all threads are useless without pics so here are mine..

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome to TW!

 

The SR5 used to mean something before the Tacoma. In yours (like mine), its the base model with no significant features. You do have the TRD model, so there should be an electric locking differential (e-locker) on your rear axle, and a button on your dash to control it. If you don't have one, get an owners manual that will tell you how it is used.

 

Ok that makes sense. It seemed like an odd set of options for a higher spec'ed truck. But as a base with options I can see the logic. Yep, e-locker is there and working. I suppose I should google this, but did the TRD have a lift from the factory? I want to replace/upgrade the suspension (ome kit probably) but don't really want it lifted any further.

 

Your truck has TRD springs and shocks that are unique, but not that great. Most guys replace them.

No need for google, just start browsing this site. Suspension is the most talked about modification.
Start here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-thread-compiled-list-of-helpful-links.95271/

 

Welcome to the forum

 

Good looking truck. This forum is a great resource.
Now, about that bumper...

 

Oh god. So ugly. I really want a nice low profile plate bumper but my money is probably spent on other things first. I'm tempted to try and make one but that's a lot of work.

 

I think the brackets may be bent out of shape. Replace those and at least it would look more presentable.

I have a set you can have if you are local to me (Nor Cal)

 

Yeah the brackets are totally bent. I am in NorCal. Santa Rosa to be exact. If you have a set of brackets I'd really appreciate them! It does make the truck look a lot worse than it needs to.

 

Send me a private message (now called 'Start a conversation' ?) .
The next time you pass thru here (on the way to South Tahoe maybe ?)
we'll meet up and you can have them.

 

Four months in and I'm having a blast. I took the truck on a little road trip to Southern California, Death Valley, and up the eastern Sierra. Since then I've sold my hard top shell, bought a soft topper, installed bilsteins and Deaver springs in the rear, replaced the rear bumper with a new stock one I got off Craigslist and installed a vhf radio. Here's how it sits at the moment, pics of my road trip to come.