New to Tacoma preventative maintenance.

Im new here at TW. This is my 2nd Tacoma but first 4x4. I know that I have a good frame. That's about all I know for certain. I am really interested in learning how to care for this truck as I want to keep is around as long as possible. What are a few things I can look into and research? What things are known to go bad on these trucks? Any help on places to start is greatly appreciated.

The truck is currently sitting at 130,000 miles. As far as I know nothing has been done to the truck other than regular oil changes etc.

 

A good start would be checking the air filter, changing spark plugs, and replacing the drive line fluids (front diff, rear diff, t-case and tranny). All fairly simple and cheap items that give a good baseline for maintenance.
Also maybe look into changing out you're Anti-feeeze, it can be tested easily and quickly before you do it though.

Enjoy the truck and welcome!

 

What are you referring to when you say test the anti freeze?



This is after about 5k miles on new coolant. Any ideas what's going on?

 

Just to add on, I would clean the mass air flow sensor and clean the throttle body as well.

Welcome to the forum!

 

I would do another coolant flush and be sure to use Toyota red coolant. Looks like there may have been some leftover green coolant.

 

Fluids (like everyone else said), front end components (ball joints and tie rods), if it feels squishy or bouncy maybe new shocks/struts. Not sure if you have the same tranny as I do, but the shifter bushings may be a good thing to do preventatively, rack and pinion bushings.

 

This post has served me well:

http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/tacoma_4runner_30k/maintenancep5.html

When I purchased my Tacoma I did the majority of the items that were listed (or at least checked them). Its also a great way to begin the learn about your ride.

 

Does a 97 use red coolant? I thought not...

 

I thought it did and then like 03-04 uses pink?

 

Toyota long life- red. Toyota super long life - pink

 

Correction: 04 Uses Pink, the rest use red.

Source-ish: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/antifreeze-coolant-red-pink-green.243410/

 

2004 was when Toyota changed over to super long life - pink any thing before should be long life - red

 

Yeah certain places says it used the Asian red and other places say it takes the green. Not really sure what to think.
Sad part is the picture I posted has green coolant so I am assuming I am getting rust from either the block or the radiator.

 

These trucks are easy. Replace fluids. Replace lower ball joints every 100k. Replace tie rods and timing belt/water pump every 100-150k. While having the TB/WP replaced, replace the coolant. Spark plug wires can go 150k. Plugs can go 50-100k. I would swap PCV and PCV grommet every 150k. grease the driveshaft every 5-10k miles. And obviously replace the oil (5-10k miles depending on what oil you use). Brakes replace as needed once down to the squeal tab. The drums and shoes can damn near go the life of the truck. Power steering ATF every 100k. Brake and clutch fluid every 100k or 2-3 years. Diffs and tranny every 50-100k miles depending on use and oil type.

 

I am a little worried about the coolant situation. Is the radiator able to rust? or only the block?

 

The 3.4 is an aluminum block right? No rust

 

Not sure. I have a 2.7L. I am not sure what can rust inside of the coolant track. Either something is rusting or gaskets are dissolving I suppose. The coolant turned from fresh green to dirty brownish within a 4 to 5 thousand miles.

 

Worth a read...

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116/rusty-coolant-coolant-faq-192781/

 

Brilliant. Thank a whole heap.

 

How do you completely drain the 2.7L cooling system? I seem to always have roughly a gallon in there after draining from the pet cock on the radiator. Running distilled water through my system a few times to try to flush everything before adding the Toyota Red coolant.