New to tacoma world (and I have an issue)

Hello World!!

First I'd like to congratulate myself on picking up my first Tacoma. I have now joined the ranks of you lucky SOB's. Not my first Toyota, she was an 81 Hilux in high school that died honorably while its inept owner attempted to maneuver down a steep rutted and washed out grade. It rolled over a few times and came to a stop, wheels up like a dying bug. Motor never quit, with 328000 on the clock until I finally came to my senses and turned the key one last time. So here I am.... Fast forward a few years and I believe I lucked out when my neighbor who was so pissed off at the local dealership when they offered him a measly $1500 for his beloved Tacoma that he figured he could do better that afternoon. He did, much to the delight of both of us. So I am the proud owner of a 1996 4wd Tacoma Xtra Cab. Its got the 2.7L with 150000 miles, a broken drivers side leaf spring, an exhaust leak somewhere up by the manifold, CEL for catalytic exhaust below threshold limit and for misfire on cylinder one. I believe those are all related as compression tests good and tuneup was just completed as my neighbor was trying to trade it in. Body is great with minor scratches and some rust pitting on chrome bumpers. Frame is PERFECT! with only some minor surface rust just starting to show its cancerous face. (Amazing for a NE truck) So the purpose behind this lengthy intro is to try to get some voice of reason!! Am i having a soon to be midlife crisis just trying to regain lost youth and I should do as my wife says and drive that ratty sounding thing to the junkyard? Or am I on the right path with this one and I have a legitimate fixerup with some potential?

BY the way this will not be a DD but I have to keep it MA road legal. It will see mostly trail use and as a dirtbike hauler on the weekends. It will have a reasonable lift seeing as how the suspension is shot on all for corners. If im gonna replace it, i may as well lift it. Any suggestions and once again HI!!

 

Welcome from Southern Cal. If this is the worst of your midlife crisis, then you're doing ok. I can relate-I bought a 1st gen new back in '87, and regret selling it. I now have a 2nd gen 4wd, and find myself explaining to my wife why my truck is always so muddy I say buy the truck, it sounds like a good project.

 

Also, consider posting in the "New Members" section

 

Sorry, I thought I did.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome! Where in the Northeast are you?
Check out http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-builds/63917-black-beater.html

 

Welcome Mike! Howdy from NJ

 

Welcome,from Syracuse NY,go for it you only live once man.

 

Welcome to TW. Sounds like you have a lot of work to do so keep us up to date.

 

Epic first post!!

Welcome.

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome from Ohio...

 

Great intro, and WELCOME! Get the truck and mod the hell out of it! You have every resource you need here on TW to do anything you ever wanted to your Taco, so take advantage.

 

Welcome to TW from Reno, NV good luck with the build keep us posted.

 

The Communist State of Massuchusetts. HAha J/k not trying to get political.... but sooo many rules..... I am in the AF, just came from Florida, very relaxed when it comes to vehicle modifications and offroading in general. It took me six months to find a decent place to take my kid on his dirtbike. I digress, I'll post a pic of the truck very soon as this build wont take long to get started. (whenever UPS can start running me parts. Thanks for the warm welcome, I'm off to another section to start picking some brains...swooooshhh