Long Beach Mechanics familiar with older Tacomas

Hi everyone. I recently purchased an '04 Tacoma with ~210k miles on it and would like to have someone more knowledgeable than myself take a look and see what needs to be done to make sure this truck is running long into the future. I have more details, pics and a list of stuff I'm planning in this thread:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/my-new-04-tacoma-what-should-i-do-first.727086/#post-25906777

Anyone have thoughts on whether I should take it to a Long Beach Toyota dealership or if there is a trusted mechanic close by? Looks like the service has been done at a Toyota dealer in West Covina but that's a ways away. I want a deep check of everything as service records basically end around 2015 / 115,000 miles and there could be some things that desperately need replacing - especially lower ball joints. I'm paranoid of driving it until its all checked out as I hear this pretty much totals the car if a ball joint goes even at low speed and at high speed you're risking life and limb. Other stuff I would like checked would be all fluids, hoses, suspension, valve clearance check/adjustment, leaky seal in steering rack, general engine health.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations!

 

Are you against driving to Garden Grove? Been taking my truck and wife's car and mother's car to Vinam Auto Repair in Garden Grove. Tho (the owner) has been doing right by me for years Very reasonable labor rates and hes former Toyo/Lexus tech. Shop is small but he knows what hes doing. Shop is also messy and cars everywhere so you need to understand what you are getting into. But, he's awesome and works is solid. Is also ok with you getting your parts elsewhere and he will do labor, or he can get them for you too. Tell him Paul with the white tacoma sent you.

Vinam Auto Repair
7562 Park Ave
Garden Grove, CA 92841
(714) 855-5870
His name is Tho

 

Yeah it doesn't have to be IN Long Beach, thanks for the recommendation. Garden Grove is about a 25 minute drive for me, which is ok but definitely close to the limit. There are probably places in Long Beach that would take longer to get to. I'm close to downtown by Alamitos Beach. Really don't want to risk any significant amount of driving until she's thoroughly inspected.

 

If it was me, I would trust my taco to @Superdave1.0
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/superdaves-lift-installs-mechanic-service.682299/