oil leak

I own a stock 03 double-cab Tacoma, and just hit 100k original miles on it. I've been saving and was going to do whole new suspension and wheel upgrade (shocks, coils, leaf springs, lower ball joints, lower and upper control arms) in January. I took the truck to the dealership for an oil change for the first time, I usually do simple maintenance like that myself, but had a feeling something with the head gasket was off, so I figured it wouldn't hurt. The dealership found oil leaking from both sides of the head gasket and fluid leaking from power steering rack. I wasn't expecting this. I plan on taking it to a mechanic I know to see what he thinks/ how much he'd quote me for repairs, but now I'm in the dilemma, do I spend the money to fix the head gasket and power steering rack, and eventually new suspension/wheels, or sell the truck plus the money saved get a newer 4runner?

I wouldn't be opposed to selling it (okay maybe slightly opposed) because I'd be able to get a newer 4runner, that'd be more offroad capable since I do lots of camping. The thing is this Tacoma has been my dream car since I can remember, but I also understand its a 20+ year old truck, and idk if I can justify spending lots of money on it when I know I'll have to spend more fixing other stuff in future.

 

Are you sure they said oil was leaking from the head gasket? It seems far more likely that oil is leaking from your valve cover gaskets, which is not a huge deal if left untreated and pretty easy to DIY. As for your steering rack, I'd recommend replacing that as part of your planned overhaul (but it could also probably be left alone as long as you're good about topping up the fluid.)

 

They said it was "leaking from both side cylinder head gasket." Thats good to hear, I'll include that in the list of parts to be replaced, thank you!

 

100% it is the valve cover gasket. The dealership is trying to make a ton of money off of you. Did you expect something different from a dealership?

 

I mean not really, but they were making it sound like if I kept driving around I'd blow my headgaskets so I hit the panic button. Thank you!

 

You didn’t get bent over and that’s good. You’ve got this. Good luck!

 

When you say " a newer 4runner" unless you mean new then you can expect there to be some maintenance bills sooner or later with it also.

I could be wrong but I don't think a headgasket would be leaking down both sides and it hasn't "blown" yet.

Has it been down on power? Water level? Oil level?

So much of this yo can do yourself.
I just saved some coin by oing my own ball joints and wheel bearings. I love my money to much..
Goodluck

 

Please edit the tittle. That’s reserved for people stranded n shit.