New Tacoma, how to prepare it for the long haul

Hey all,

Just got me a new ACLB TRD Sport the other day as a work vehicle. Was hoping to get some input on what to do to this truck to keep her tip top over the next couple hundred thousand miles. So far I've heard the following:

• Clear bra the headlights and fogs to prevent hazing
• Clear bra the front end to prevent rock chips
• Undercoat the undercarriage to precent rust and reduce road noise

Any more input would be greatly appreciated! Would like to take advantage of doing these things now while shes still minty fresh.

 

I think undercoating is better than nothing, but many on here would disagree because when you get a perforation in it, it starts rusting out and you can't even see it to take action and get it repaired.

Fluid film treatments each fall are better than undercoating. I've heard some on here say the different ff undercoater shops are very hit and miss, I wouldn't know because there aren't any in my area. I got a 1 gal kit w/ spray gun for $130 or so and put it on myself in 1 evening, wasn't too bad and I can rest easy knowing that my frame isn't going to disintegrate under me this time.

I also got some Weathertech Digital Fit floormats and Wet Okole seat covers. The seat covers are nice and I really like them but they're probably not a "must-have". I'd say the Weathertechs are though; I get in and out in the snow enough that it would overflow my all-weather mats in my old pickup and spill saltwater all over the carpet.

Beyond that, I'm setting aside a weekend every spring and every fall to do thorough cleaning and preventative maintenance. Oil changes, fluid checks, undercarriage rinse w/ power washer (springtime only, no soap) and add another coat of fluid film (fall only). At some point I'm going to get my door panels off and coat down in there, as well as inside the rocker panels but that should only be needed once every several years.

Some other people have been finding their automatic transmission fluid was a bit low from the factory, in some cases enough to cause a transmission failure well after the warranty has expired. I'm going to check mine as soon as it warms up a bit more.

There's an auto detailing thread around here somewhere, I'd check that out too for info on keeping the paint and interior in brand-new condition. If you stay on top of that and get a color matched paint touch-up kit (primer, paint, + clear coat) you won't need the hood / light cover stuff.

All of this stuff seems like a huge PITA (and it is at first) but the initial treatment and getting all your tools and stuff in order is really the worst of it. Once you have your system down I bet it's not that bad. My last truck fell apart beneath me at "only" 240,000 miles and I know it could have kept going a lot longer than that if I'd known how to take proper care of it.

 

Lots of good stuff here,
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...-tips-make-your-new-2nd-gen-last-forever.html

 

Some good info here gunna look into that long thread above

 

#1 in my opinion above all others = change the oil on regular intervals (5000 miles) with quality oil & filter.