First Time Poster Long Time Reader Looking To Improve His Truck

Alright, this is going to be a really long post but I will break it down into sections. First I'll tell my story. I am a 20-year-old college student who drives a 1997 Toyota Tacoma EXTRA CAB DLX 2.4L M/T 2WD. I haven't really done any modifications to the truck but it is my daily driver and I want it to be like "new". I know that it's a vehicle and they all eventually wear out but I legitimately love this truck too much and want it to outlast me. I go to Clemson University and was born and raised in SC. I have been driving this truck since before the day I got my permit. I learned to stick in this truck (though I got most of my beginner practice on the road in a nice honda accord with a manual; it's my mom's). I get my love of Toyota trucks from my dad who got this truck after he, my brother, and I all got in a wreck in his bench seat single cab 96 that was his first vehicle purchase. This truck has been in my life for almost all of it. I have been daily driving it since I was 15 1/2 when I got my conditional permanent just to drive early. I drove this through high school and lots of other memories. That being said I have also gone through some wreaks with it. The First one was when I(14 at the time) was a dumb-ass kid who didn't know any better who let my friend at the time drive it through our yard and he hit a tree. The second accident was a genuine accident where it was raining and I couldn't stop in time so I rear-ended someone going 15-20. The last wreck that it was in when a guy chose to jaywalk at 10 at night on a dark part of the road and I didn't see him till it was too late. the guy honesty really should have crossed at the crosswalk that was just up the street and was lit up. The salt in the wound though is that this accident happened a week after I got it back from the second one . Also, I want to apologize for the long story, I kinda just relived all the good and bad memories I have had with this truck, and I'm honestly about to cry out of happiness and sadness.

- relevant info to the situation but kinda part of the story -

Okay, but Since the third accident, I have gotten it fixed and stayed out of accidents for, knock on wood, 2.5 years but every so often something goes bad so I have to get it fixed fast. I recently had a ball joint go out and finally said screw it and got tools and have been working on any issues that have come up. The problem with this is that while I love this truck so so much I need it to be almost 100% reliable because I do 50 - 100 miles a day depending on what I'm doing and if I have to work. My parents, brother, girlfriend, and my friends all have said that I should just get a new car but honestly, the only other thing I would want to drive beside another/new Toyota (I honestly would rather fix up the truck than drive another "classic Toyota") is a motorcycle, but my gf says no, so I have thought long really hard about it and I would rather just put money into this truck instead of getting a payment or a lease that I could afford. I have done a really good walkover of the truck and I'm going to break down everything I need advice on.

I going to put the categories like this: issues that need fixing then their subsections then Things to make the truck better and its subsections. Alright now to the whole reason behind this post.

Issues that need fixing
1. The shocks are being weird lately and one of the special washers broke so i replaced the special washers with two regular ones on both sides and now the driver side is bending the pin for the castle nut on the lower ball joint. originally i had the pin bent around the castle nut


2. Every time it rains it always smells musty and the drivers side carpet always gets wet i know its not a leak from the roof. I think it might just be my weather stripping its old and had to be reinstalled after a full paint job (we just decided to do it after the second accident) but the water always just seems to appear

3. My check engine light turns on sporadically because I'm pretty sure my emissions port is clogged because the code it troughs is that it's running lean because of emission. What do i need to unclog it? Also, I rented a vacuum pump and test my erg valve works but should i replace it anyways?

4. The shifter is really hard to shift into first and there is honestly lots of play witch makes me believe it's the busing in the shifter. Where/should i get some?

5. Every since the 3rd wreak my headlight cant get it up It always sits pointed more at the road closer the truck. Is this a problem with the headlight(it was bought used) or is it my truck? Also im looking to get a new set of headlights and I wanted some suggestions for where to buy or if i should buy a different type of headlight like led or even a projector headlight. In the photos im showing how i can push in the headlight but it falls out after a while.


6. The truck is older than me and i think that the gas pump has never been changed (which it wouldn't need to be) but I do notice that the truck accelerates better if it has a full tank. also i haven't changed the fuel filter ever but my dad did when he got it in like 2009-2010

7. My ac is out and has been for a year. I have just delt with it since it was the end of summer and winter was coming up but know its summer again and I would like to fix it. When it went out something seized and the belt melted off. I know that it doesn't work but i dont know why. also do i need to do a full revamp to it? my dad says that its on the r22 coolent system and idk how true that is and if it is true should i just update the system?

Possible upgrades/making things run better

1. seatbelts dont retract as they should
2. where to get a replacement cupholder for the dash, knobs for the ac, and the cover plate for the ac(some of the tabs are broken)

3. where to get tailgate laches one side works weird so i have to hold the handle when i close it
4. Grounding problem my truck doesn't want to start if this little wire is disconnected or broken (which happened)
5. Replacement liner, spay liner or high impact mat for the bed?
6. Would i need a new ignition switch or no?
7. Lock for the gas door i dont feel like getting a replacement for 100 at the dealer
8. my loops on my truck look hella rusted should i get new ones


9. my emergency brake doesn't work unless i completely pull it out should i replace the cable?
10. I want everything to run just right and i was thinking of replacing the throttle cable should i?
10.1 engine mounts just to make sure everything is running smoth
10.2 What is make from rubber that i could replace so that everything runs right
10.3 where the frame bots to the body the rubber is hella craked should i replace?


Cosmetic fixes
1. my ash try keeps slowly sliding out as i drive
2. I really hate the interior light what can i do
3. Good ways to get scrates out of plastic
4. oem tachometer dash?
5. how to get my tail pipe clean looks hella brown/muddy
6. chrome cleaner suggestions?
7.winsheld sprayers are loose
8. replament windshield wipers one of mine are missing the covers and they are browning/fading
9. How can i get my engine bay clean and keep it clean so the engine looks good
10. should i paint some of the engine parts?

alright i think that everthing

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld
Long read, now I forgot many questions.
Paint the hooks. It takes an I impact driver to loosen the screws.
Water leak?
TW search is your friend.
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Shifter bushing is ~$10 at the dealer.

 

Parking brake adjuster is on driver side frame, can't miss it. Snug it up until you get 12 clicks.
Check the bellcranks for proper working order.

 

1. Seatbelts not retracting is common. Wash with warm soapy water and stiff bristle scrub brush. Keep pulled out until dry.
2. Replacement cupholder for the dash - used only - try www.car-part.com
4. Yeah, that's a very important ground wire. Replace it and clean the black negative terminal wire at the battery. It is crushed very flat and may not make good contact with the clamp.
Windshield sprayers are loose. Get some Honda (76810-TK8-A01) nozzles from Amazon. They are adjustable up/down and have a nice fan spray pattern.
9. Emergency brake not working probably means your rear drum brakes need adjusting or ar worn down. They are easy to adjust with a cheap tool from any auto parts store.
10. Throttle cable - no need to replace unless it is damaged.
10.1 Have someone sit in the truck, foot on brake, and shift from Park to Reverse. Watch the engine to see if there is excessive movement/rotation of the engine. Some movement is normal. Try and watch the mounts and see if it is just minor flexing, or is the rubber is deteriorated.
10.2 Vacuum lines are made form rubber and tend to get brittle and crack. There are silicone replacement kits many 1st gen Taco owners have installed..
https://www.siliconeintakes.com/silicone-boost_vacuum-hose/?osCsid=8f9372cba100ead419063752bf7a5146

 

Go to marlin crawler for the shifter bushing. It is much better and will hold up longer over time

 

Some suggestions I have for a few of the problems,

4. I second the suggestion of the Marlin Crawler shifter bushing. Once you replace the bushing and the little cup at the end of the lever there should be far, far less play. It being hard to shift might have to do with your trans fluid age. My '99 is has gotten a bit hard to shift recently and I'm planning on doing a trans and diff drain and fill soon becuase I haven't changed those fluids in WAY over the suggested 30k service limit (completely my fault). New fluid will hopefully help it shift a bit smoother.

5. I replaced both of my headlight assemblys last year and they have held up amazing. I got the assemblys from rockauto.com and besides being a bit snug of a fit (truck has a custom grill that is probably a little different dimensions than the OEM). Replacing them is extremely easy. From what I remember you have to take the marker light out and the little trim peice under the headlight off to get the mounting hardware. Clear lenses and new bulbs make a WORLD of difference.

6. If you have the 2.4 litre engine the fuel filter is tucked in the intake manifold and is kinda a PITA to replace but it might be worth it to consider replacing it. I haven't replaced mine yet becuase of time and money restraints but am considering it for the near future. You could try to run a fuel system cleaner through your system. I've used lucas, marvel mystery oil, amsoil and seafoam. I've had good experience with them all, lucas is pretty readily available, you can also get amsoil delivered to your door. It might help running something through and seeing if it helps. I would also suggest checking intake air filter, cleaning your MAF sensor and throttle body. Those might help with throttle response and will help your truck breath a bit easier.

LKQ or some other places might be the best idea for dashboard levers and knobs and such

You "might" be able to remove your ash tray and check the slide mechanism to see if there is any way to adjust it so it won't slide around while driving. Or again, LKQ.

For the tailgate, try to grease the lock mechanism st the mechanism end. Or if you can remove the trim panel and try to grease the components that way.

Other than all of those I would say me sure you stay up on your maintenance. Oil and filter, belts, plugs and wires and keep an eye on vacuum lines becuase they can crack and cause really annoying problems.

I'll re read your post a bit later and see if I can come up eoth any more suggestions or help.
Glad to hear you enjoy the truck and want to keep it running strong.

My '99 has 337k + miles on it and always tell people that I'm happy with my truck and I always love not having a car payment. The best kind of vehicle is one that runs, and that is payed off.

Be safe and take care!