Road trip coming, what should I include in my tune up?

Just got my first tacoma 4x4, 2004 Tacoma TRD V6 5spd with 175,000 miles. It runs great in every way but I am hearing a rapid clicking sound once i get above 2500 rpm. Not sure what this is or if its a problem but with a 2000 mile road trip coming up next month it seems like a good idea to do a full tune up on just to make sure everything is in good shape. Here is whats on my list,

Oil, transmission, differential fluid change. Previous owner says all fluids were in good shape but I would like to switch to synthetic. What are you all using for synthetics in each of these places?
Fuel filter
spark plugs
plug wires?
What else would you take care of?

The timing belt was swapped at 98,000 miles, am I good waiting till 200k to change it again? I am not super good with a wrench but I think I can handle this stuff, Anything else I should be aware of once I get started?

Eric

 

Also, what are you all using for cup holders? My truck has NONE!

 

This guy makes custom cupholders for 1st gens to solve this problem. https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/pts/5861223234.html

 

I'd hunt down that click...it would suck to have a 2000 mile road trip turn into a 150 mile trip that ends at a service station. could be nothing, but sounds like you have some adventuring to do. better safe than sorry.

dont worry about the timing belt at this time, it should be fine if replaced with good quality parts the first time around.

may want to take a look at your air filter, that's probably due, and your engine will thank you. you could always look at running sea-foam through the oil and in the gas tank before you go...but sometimes it's better to not mess with things until you get back. doing too much right before a long trip can be asking for trouble too.

other than that, check the basics. look for any big leaks or wet spots in the engine compartment. grease your drivetrain. if you think you need it, before the trip is a great time to get an alignment and have the wheels balanced. 2000 miles is a lot to do with stuff out of whack.

even if you don't do most/any of this, you'll still probably make it back in once piece. but you'll have a happy truck if you take care of it.

where are you going?

 

Examine your air filter, replace if necessary.
Clean your MAF
Clean your throttle body

 

Check the coolant and replace it if you are unsure. Aisin 50-50 pre-mixed will do the trick. While you're at it, also check the radiator hoses and the three drive belts.

I assume you are traveling on interstates, so brakes should not be a problem.

At interstate speeds your engine will run at about 2800 to 2900 rpm. I would find out what the clicking noise is.

If you are getting around 18 mpg then I wouldn't bother with the spark plugs, or their wiring, unless I had other symptoms. Do those next spring or summer.

If I did not have any coolant leaks at the center front of the engine then I wouldn't muck around with the water pump and the timing belt until after the trip.

 

Id do accessory drive belts and the tensioner bearing. Most of the road trip mechanical failures ive encountered have been broken belts not spark plugs and oil.

 

Headed to Bishop CA for christmas climbing! Good info so far, After driving over two mountain passes we got 20mpg so I think will leave the spark plugs for now and look into the belts and cleaning MAF and throttle body. Regarding to clicking...

The sound is pretty faint and my best guess is that its connected to noisy valves. I think this because today I was driving on a flat highways at 60mph with the cruise on, I came to a small gentle hill and the truck accelerated to keep speed. The noise went from barely being able to hear to a little more audible, not much but enough to notice. How would you all do about this? How would you check to see if its something else? Im not super knowledgeable and not sure if this is over my head, should I take it to a mechanic to get an opinion?

 

You are about due for the timing belt and water pump, but inspecting the belts may lead you to conclude you can go a bit longer.

 

if you're not super handy (yet), you may want to take it in to get it diagnosed. sometimes it's a simple fix that you can tackle on your own, sometimes you'll want to have them take care of it. They're easy trucks to work on, but with a deadline looming and not much to go off of...a mechanic is probably your best bet.

being a shade tree mechanic is great, but if you're new to it and you have an issue you're unsure of, you can spend lots of time, and lots of dollars replacing things that weren't actually the culprit because something on a forum kinda-sorta sounded like it was the same thing.

 

On the drive home today heres what i noticed about "the click"
it does not happen while its cold
is most noticeable between 2400-3000, after that it may be drowned out by the engine
it gets louder as the revs go up but continue to click at the same frequency. It starts fast and stays fast.
When accelerating it sounds like it goes away for a second but comes back as soon as you maintain speed
Its almost impossible to hear if your not inside the cab
And I cannot notice it affecting driving conditions at all, my mpg is good, idles well, runs great while cold

Thanks for any help

 

To find a noise in the engine compartment. Buy a mechanics stethoscope. Or rest a long screwdriver handle on your ear as you stick the blade end on the valve cover/suspect area. Caution of moving parts.

 

I want that, but wow that is pricey. If I could get his file, I could likely print it out for free at work... it looks pretty big though and not sure if the ones here are at that level-- good looking piece, but wow... no way at that price...