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Upgrading from a 2nd Gen, Threading the 3rd Gen Needle

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Jameson36, Jan 6, 2025.

  1. Jan 6, 2025 at 6:16 AM
    #1
    Jameson36

    Jameson36 [OP] Member

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    no mods
    Looking for some advice...

    I currently have a 2005 4x4 TRD Sport double cab with 220k miles. The truck needs a laundry list of repairs. Quoted around $13k to have a shop do all of it. I could shave that down by doing some of it myself but I dont have the time nor the experience to do all of it. No matter how I slice it, I'm likely looking at, at least, $7k in repairs.

    Looking at a 2021 TRD Off-road with 30k miles but trying to thread the needle of enhanced features but not being beholden to subscriptions, all functions being run through an MMI and losing the ability to do some of the work on my own in the driveway.
     
  2. Jan 6, 2025 at 6:47 AM
    #2
    545

    545 Well-Known Member

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    Unless it’s in pieces on the side of the road, I highly doubt it needs 7k or 13k in repairs

    post here what you think it needs and let’s get a real number, and start there
     
    eurowner, SGJarrod and DavesTaco68 like this.
  3. Jan 6, 2025 at 7:33 AM
    #3
    eurowner

    eurowner Duke Sky

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    The Syncro Ranch, Salida ColoRADo
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    Bilstein 8112+650lb coils, 8100+Deaver Stage II leaf pack, SPC UCA, DuroBumps, Mobtown 0* sliders W/fill plates, Mobtown Recovery Bar, Radium PVC & CCV Dual Oil Separator Catch Can System, Snugtop Hiliner Sport, ATH bed Stiffeners (cuz bottle openers!) + front corner tie down, Badger plates for Firestone airbag + Relentless U-bolt flip + Daystar cradles, TRD Pro shift knob, TRD Exhaust, HPS Silicone intake tube, Green Filter, TRD Intake Air Accelerator, 265-70-17 Toyo Open Country ATIII on TRD 17" Rockwarrior Cold Forged wheels, TRD alloy front skid, RCI Aluminum transmission & transfer case skids. Much Meso awesomeness, FreshMexicanTaco TacoGarage Camera Controller + DDM, 67 Designs cradles, Banks Pedal Monster + iDash gauge, WarFab Sheridan hitch skid, Ricochet LCA aluminum skids, Rago lower rear shock guards, FN Koning Countersteer 16" spare, OEM T4R 90105-14104 coilover lower mounting eye bolts
    Well, that could have been realistic if no preventative maintenance had been done during that mileage.

    I have done all my maintenance and upgrades on my 2017 in my garage, except for alignments and tire mount/dismount/balancing.
    Don't worry about the "subscriptions" since the truck lives on without them.
    Depending on how you drive your 4.0, you may not like how the 3.5 builds its hp and torque at higher rpms. Do not low rpm lug this 3.5 as it is designed and loves to rev.
     
  4. Jan 6, 2025 at 9:37 AM
    #4
    Jameson36

    Jameson36 [OP] Member

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    2005 TRD Tacoma
    no mods
    Im looking at the following:

    I do realize some of these are very simple and inexpensive ie the cabin air filter for example but its the totality of the time and cost into a truck w close to 250k miles. It also feels like all of this happened at once... I take the truck for regular service and it feels like a year or two ago it just started $500-ering me to death.

    Exhaust manifolds - drivers side is leaking, figured I'd do both.
    UCAs - both sides
    LCAs - both sides
    inner/outer tie rods - both sides
    Service rear differential
    Head light lens came apart inside housing
    Various dash lights out
    Cabin air filter
    Transmission pan leaking - 2 different shops for a total of 3 tries have attempted to fix the leak
    Transfer case leaking
    Power steering pump leaking - figure replace pressure hose and pump
    new tires
    Tow hitch is rusted out, needs to be replaced - truck had the frame replaced as part of the recall but they didnt do the tow hitch
    new pads and rotors
    valve cover is leaking
    drive belt tensioner and idler pullys need replaced
    carrier bearing is bad but was told my drive shaft is bent so figured id upgrade to a one-piece
     
  5. Jan 6, 2025 at 9:42 AM
    #5
    3JOH22A

    3JOH22A トヨタ純正男娼

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    ^That's probably a timing cover oil leak and not a power steering pump leak. You may still be losing power steering fluid through the rack seals, so add $2-3k to the repair estimate...

    Being a '05 I'm surprised you don't have a blown head gasket or collapsed engine mounts.

    What 3rd gen features are you concerned about? The app-based stuff like remote unlock and remote start by phone?
     
  6. Jan 6, 2025 at 9:59 AM
    #6
    Jameson36

    Jameson36 [OP] Member

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    The idea of apps, software, MMIs, etc running our vehicles is a turn-off for me. Maybe there's no way around it but I'd like to minimize how much those things are a part of my vehicle.
     
  7. Jan 6, 2025 at 10:02 AM
    #7
    3JOH22A

    3JOH22A トヨタ純正男娼

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    ^You can simply elect not to use the Toyota phone app and app-controlled functions, and then the truck will have the same functionality as 2016-2019 models.
     
    musicisevil and BillF1564 like this.
  8. Jan 6, 2025 at 10:21 AM
    #8
    t0p_d0g

    t0p_d0g 私はタコマが大好きです

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    IMO buy another truck.
     
    BillF1564 likes this.
  9. Jan 6, 2025 at 11:06 AM
    #9
    Jameson36

    Jameson36 [OP] Member

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    Yeah man... Thats the direction Im headed I think.
     
    musicisevil likes this.

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