Sons new to him 1st Gen

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

First I want to thank everyone for the information on the threads. I just confimed my account today but I’ve been on for the past year looking at what to do next.

Here where I am: Bought my son a 2004 single cab with a 2.7 almost a year ago with 190,000 miles for $1,500. Couldn’t pass on the deal even with the high miles... It was a fleet vehicle and a little rough on the inside. We bought a seat cover, steering wheel cover and pressure washed the carpet when we got it and the headlights were replaced. Since then it’s been a weekend truck and a good vehicle to teach him to drive.

He turns 16 in January and I had to address the worn tires and if I’m doing that put on a lift. This picture was the inspiration off TW thread, very nice!

This is what we are starting with.



I bought used set of tires off a Rubicon LT255/75r17 for $200 I found on Craigslist. 2 have 50% tread the other 2 are closer to 80%. I bought the lift off eBay, looked like a good deal, from what I read AAL could make the truck ride rough so I went with the blocks. I was between the QuickLift Rancho or the Bilstein. From everything I’ve read and seen on TW went with the Bilstein. The lift kit I got doesn’t come with new coils like the QuickLift, with 190k on the truck should I replace them? I’m waiting on lift should be here Dec 4th. I’ll update when we installed.




I have an issue with the driver door hitting at the bottom when closing. Looks like over time the door cracked around the bottom hinge and the middle slider cracked also. Has anyone tackled this before? I think I can get it welded back in place? When you pick up on the door this crack gets bigger. Maybe find another door at a scrap yard? Any ideas would be great.

 

Welcome to the forum Todd and son.
Nice first rig for the boy.
Have fun with the modding.
Happy Thanksgiving

 

Welcome to TW!
Gobble Gobble

 

Welcome to Tacoma world.
I'm running the same set it very nice.

 

Welcome to TW.

The door I’d say if you can weld it do it. Then put it back one and see if all lined up. If not just get another used door.

 

Welcome! Great deal on that 1st gen and congrats.

 

Welcome. Your son will enjoy that truck. I agree with above, try to weld it first. If it doesn't work out, should be able to find a door relatively easy.
Good luck and again welcome.

 

Welcome! That is a sweet first truck!

 

Update:
Did the lift and tires last weekend. I think it turned out great! The best part my son and I spent some good time work on truck together.

The rear blocks and shocks were easy enough other than the ubolts were rusted on tight, great time to have the 15 yr old handy.

The front was a all day task. My advice is go to AutoZone and rent the spring compressor. Trying to use the weight of the truck to compress the coils is a waste of time and it didn’t work safely. We still had to remove the four bolts holding the lower control arm to get extra room for the two inch lift but it didn’t take long. I’m sure if we did it again it would take half the time. The first front wheel we had the stud strip in the hub and we had to drill the lug out, what a pain!

 

Awesome truck. Lucky kid.

Go go rent/buy the right tool for the job is advice I still remind myself with any project. Save $30 bucks and spend 6 extra hours....

 

Awesome!

I bet your son will appreciate the truck and the time you spend working on it with him for the rest of his life

 

Truck is looking good. A $20 would of saved me 5 hours and still had to by the tool.

 

Are these old wheels and tires worth anything? Want them out of the garage.

 

They're probably worth a hundred bucks or so on craigslist to someone in a pinch who needs tires to get through the winter

 

Thanks for all the replies. You’re right Wulf, that’s what it’s all about!

 

I put mine on curb alert gone in a day.

 

You are understating that deal my friend. You freaking stole that truck.

This was my 1200$ truck

97 single cab
Beat up paint/body
Halfway torn apart engine
Completely torn apart interior
252k on the clock
Mismatched wheels
Bald mismatched tires
Smashed bumper front and rear
No radio, completely shot suspension, etc, etc.

And I would happily buy that one again, congrats on your find.

 

Welcome to Tacoma World! Were you get the the most expensive free membership you will ever have!!
Nice looking truck!
Were are you located? If you fill in the locatiion info in your member profile it will help members in your area assist you with part locating and group meet ups.