New to me 2002 Tacoma - What to do?

Found a nice condition 2002 Tacoma v6, TRD, 5 speed. 120,000 miles. Motor seems strong.
Looking for your expert opinions on what to do to make it reliable for another 100K+ miles.

- Replace belts?
- Replace timing belt (anything else while in there)?
- Water pump? Others?
- Plugs? Coils? Others?

What about replacing the stereo with something that has blutooth for phone? And nav?

I'd really like to find some new wheels and tires. I do want to hit some trails.
Not looking to put a monster lift on it, but the rear springs seem weak and saggy. Spring replacement? AAL? Recommendations to get a little (1"-2" or so) lift in the rear? What about the front?
Tire size and wheels that you like? Not looking to spend $1500. Was looking at some refurbished 4 runner wheels - aluminum? "6 lug holes and a bolt pattern of 139.7mm. The offset of these rims is 15mm" Would those work? I kind of also like the classis American Racing AR62 Outlaw 2 look.

I have been searching in the forum and finding various thoughts. Throwing this out there for current ideas. Thanks so much for your help!

 

You're most likely going to have to replace a lot of suspension parts, even at only 120k, age weathers bushings. Lower ball joints are a must if they haven't been replaced (every 100k) and timing belt if you have the 3.4

 

Hard to say what to do with no background information. Do you have any of the previous maintenance records? Knowing what has already been done can save you quite a bit of time and money.

What would you like the truck to do? Meaning is this a daily driver or project truck? How often and how hard will you wheel it? What type of trails do you plan on going to? Do you plan on doing "truck stuff" with it like hauling, work, or towing? Knowing what the end goal is can really help narrow done what is actually important and what is extraneous.

 

Beautiful truck and it looks like you’ve got a great start to a custom build to suit your needs. I agree that you should plan some suspension upgrades and also replace the ball joints with OEM if they have not been done. Do not cheap out on ball joints.

Is it a 4 x 4?

Preserving and maintaining the frame is the number one priority in my books. Hopefully this truck is not seeing any or much salt. I would recommend under coating the whole vehicle with a creeping light oil preservative such as fluid film or Krown.

 

That's a great find. 120K miles isn't much for something that old. I sometimes wish I had a 1st gen. I love their small, stocky build.

I test drove one back in December and found that the engine mounts were bad. I'd check those for cracks.

 

Thanks guys.
I intend to hit trails...but light stuff. Not rock crawling or mudding through 2' of thick stuff. Some slow trails...gravel with some bumps...some slippery sections but not major mud bogs or such. Not needing to articulate like crazy.
No towing. I have a 6.7 superduty for my towing needs.
It will be used to commute 50 miles per day - 55mph. Likely 200+ miles per week.
I do have 4WD and the locker. Those all work.
Was told transmission and differential oils were changed.
I don't have past records. Will dive into the suspension side of things...and brakes and such.
I do intend to work on preserving the frame. It's a newer frame and in great shape. Want to keep it that way. Thinking of pulling the bed....using rust converter on anything I find...and hitting with epoxy paint and then fluid film. I've used FF for years with good luck.

Thanks for the ideas.

 

I bought my 04 new, that currently has 144k. Since buying a new truck this year, the 04 is being updated for more off-road toyability.

 

Any recommendations on ignition coils to purchase? I see quite a price range....

 

Based off this, I wouldn't really recommend anything too crazy in terms of off roading upgrades. The stock truck is quite capable of everything you just described. Perhaps a good set of all terrains you you'd be all set.

Everything might need a refresh in terms of bushings, shocks, and springs. Bilstein 5100 is a decent and cost effective shock upgrade/replacement. You could level out the front while you're at it with some adjustable struts. I wouldn't go any higher than an 1" in the front if you want to stay relatively problem free and can still get a good alignment on stock UCA's. If you're still running the original OEM leafs, it's safe to assume they are sagging a bit. An AAL or new springs could be a good upgrade. I don;t have much experience with stock height leaf spring upgrades, so I got no recommendation there.

Maintenance, assuming this hasn't been done:

• Timing Belt assuming its the original. While doing that job, you can easily replace the water pump, camshaft and crankshaft seals, radiator hoses.
• Frame Corrosion treatment and prevention.
• Coolant Flush
• Driveline lubrication
• Brake Fluid Flush

 

Myself I start at the ground and work up on every new to me vehicle .

Brakes Suspension Steering Drive train Fluid change.

There are always areas of maintenance skipped.

 

Thanks! I am making notes of your recommendations and agree.

 

The truck is in front of You any major problems should be dealt with first

 

Right. So, I have my list in priority order.
My A/C isn't working and air bag lamp is flashing.
I have leaky valve covers. Going to hit those first.
Timing belt and such will be 2nd and so on.

 

Thanks. I'll look at the Bilsteins.
I am interested in replacing the rear springs and doing add a leaf to gain more capacity / 1" of lift.

Anyone have recommendations on springs and shocks?
Front - new springs/adjustable and shocks?
Rear - springs and AAL and shocks?

 

definitely ball joints.

 

Change diff fluid in axle. Sometimes gunk and water can get in there from river crossings while on trails

 

Yes....What oil is recommended?

 

anyone have thoughts on some good floor mats??

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/1st-gen-diy-and-how-to-thread-compiled-list-of-helpful-links.95271/

This link will really help you out and answer many of your questions as you do your research!

 

I can’t remember the exact gear oil weight but you can look it up in your manual. Many guys like the brand Redline for the quality, others like Severe Gear by AMS Oil for its package convenience (makes it really easy to squeeze in the hole). I’ve even heard the cheap Supertech stuff from Walmart is comparable in quality. Just make sure you can loosen the full hole before taking off the drain hole... a smart guy once told me.