Old truck road trip nerves

Hey TW,

I'm going to be taking a road trip to the PNW to meet my girlfriend's family (about 2,500 miles round trip, 98% highway) and wanted to throw a question out to the Taco braintrust here: what sort of pre-trip maintenance do y'all do to get your high milage first gens feeling solid before hitting the highway? I just got back from a few days bouncing around 4WD roads in the Eastern Sierra and figure I rattled a few things loose. Planning to spend a weekend under the hood to make sure I've got my ducks in a row, so any suggestions for stuff to look out for would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Your daughter's boyfriend with the old Tacoma

 

As someone who has been assaulted by their gf’s dad, bring a calm cool collected sense of respect and don’t make any sudden moves.

In all seriousness, how long have you owned the truck and what do you know about previous maintenance? The only person who knows best is you.

The only killers of the truck from your 4wd extravaganza would be lower ball joints, cv axle failure, or something unpredictable like overheating/trashed bushings/steering rack IMO. Anything else and the truck would speak to you. Edit: including these FYI.

As far as preventative maintenance, I recommended all fluids get inspected or changed, all bushings inspected for wear, valve cover gaskets inspected, and most importantly check the play in the lower ball joints. From the sounds of things, you only sound nervous due to the mileage, not your truck. Without more details, our tribal knowledge is vague and presumptuous at best. Good luck!

 

Lower ball joints

 

Run a can of BG 44k, change plugs, air filter, pcv, oil + filter, check and change if need brake and ps fluid, check lower ball joints and CVs, check battery health, check spare tire, check wipers, check brake pads, and have a good time. If you have time sound deadening the doors and back wall will make the trip so much more enjoyable

 

Pretty much what @mateo_roberto said. I'd add checking drive shaft u joints, center bearing. Add grease.

Edit: and what @rogerman said

 

Thank you all for the advice. Looks like I've got my weekend planned.

@mateo_roberto I've had the truck for the last 200k (it's at 310k now), so record of all the maintenance work is stuffed in my glove box. Off the top of my head, there hasn't been much: I had the timing belt done at 150k, which makes me think I'm overdue, might try to figure out how to get that one done on my own this time. Also had an engine coil burn out around 250k. I replaced center support bearing on drive shaft, radiator, rotors, calipers, brakes, and alternator all between 240 - 280k, clutch and flywheel about a year ago, battery 3 months ago, and oil always on schedule. All components in front suspension system are still original, so based on yours and the other comments, I better take a hard look at those ball joints. Although the truck does get taken offroad a few times a year, it's been done it within reason. It's definitely not a trophy truck and don't drive it like one.

As another reply mentioned, there's really no reason for me to doubt the truck other than the amount of miles on it and the distance between me and my destination. Apart from a few minor failures over the last year or two (alternator, engine coils) I have no real reason to suspect there are any issues. Just rather be cautious than cocky.

 

If you do nothing else ditch those original lbjs and swap in a set of new OEM ones. It's not a hard job.

 

This. Also when swapping in the new OEM LBJs, be sure to replace the bolts as well. Order them when you order the LBJs.

As for the timing belt, you ARE overdue... - every 90k bud. I would do that ASAP. Last thing you want is to have that thing fail or the water pump fail while out on the road in the middle of your trip.

@turbodb has some of the best write-ups... take a look.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...d-and-adventures.484602/page-52#post-18073413. In his post, he links to his site with all of the info there as well (https://adventuretaco.com/step-by-s...r-3-4l-v6-5vzfe-also-4runner-tundra-and-t100/)

Also take a look at Timmy's vid(s):

Be sure to read his: **PLEASE READ. IMPORTANT INFORMATION** in his video description.

https://youtu.be/vHC46ypHxWc

https://youtu.be/mErd7xoBS9I


Between Dan's write up and Tim's vids, you'll know if you want to tackle this yourself.


Good luck on the meet!

 

LBJ, I just replaced mine with Genuine toyota parts, and so glad I did. I can't believe the difference it made in how the truck drives and rides. Have you ever replaced the fan bearing, another item that can cause serious damage if it seizes up.

 

trophy truck ... don't sell your truck short! unless they are a dime a dozen where you are at then i can possibly see it
no mention of valve cover gaskets needing done yet? that is one thing i had to do this year that was unexpected maintenance
so you've had stock oem front suspension for major miles with minimal offroading, those are some hi-quality parts!

 

Like others said, replace the lower ball joints and timing belt. These are overdue and can cause serious failures (potentially catastrophic) if you don't deal with them now.
If you do the timing belt, you might as well do the water pump and coolant at the same time.

Since your truck is almost 20 years old, be prepared to deal with vacuum leaks and other seals since the rubber components are starting to break down (maybe they already have). I have replaced almost all of the rubber pieces that I can on my 99 because of this.

 

I would rent a car

 

does the replacement of aged rubber pieces vary by region?

 

Send it. hasn't broke down yet I doubt it will. If it inspects out to be well then just change the oil and go.

 

I'm not sure, but at 175k miles and 18 years old, most of the hoses, bushings, seals on my truck started to crack. If I attempted to remove any vacuum line at that point it would crack even worse and cause a leak.
Engine and transmission mount started to crack at this time as well. It's just something I noticed and I can only attribute it to age.

 

maybe TX heat has a small factor?

 

Just moved to TX from PA, was in FL before that.

I'm sure the heat plays a part, but your under hood heat will most likely be the same if you are driving. I would say a larger temperature swing from a cold climate to operating temp would be worse.

 

thanks, i shall need to thoroughly inspect mine again, started swapping vac hoses with some silicone type hoses but did not complete full swap yet
we get the best of all 4 seasons in the mid west
hot to cold extremes with lots of buggy humidity

 

Only if the girlfriends dad owns a 3rd gen

 

Look at the mileage your truck currently has, then compare that to the factory recommended service schedule. Do those things.

If this is a new truck to you, assume none of it has been done unless the PO gave you detailed service records.

I honestly wouldn't do ANY major work to a truck in the days leading up to a trip like that. If it's working now, it'll probably be working in another 3000 miles. These motors don't explode if you're 1000 miles behind on your maintenance.

Do your inspections and look for things like loose ball joints or oil leaks, but don't tear into it for "regular" maintenance stuff the weekend before you leave. That's like a guarantee shit will hit the fan and you'll strip a bolt, pinch a seal, etc... For god's sake don't do your timing belt right before you leave either.

If you're really worried about how your GF's dad will react to a broken down vehicle, I can guarantee he'll have his own incidents of a broken down car that left him stranded somewhere. The main thing is to be prepared for the unknown, have AAA, etc...


But what is your big fear about meeting her dad "on a flatbed" ??? Unless it becomes clear that you've never changed the oil, any "car guy" dad will understand breakdowns, and as long as you aren't the type of kid who describes car parts as "that clicky spinny thing", you'll be fine in his eye. Or at least *should* be...

In the end, you're dating her, not her dad. Hopefully he raised her to be a big girl and make her own decisions, and he doesn't feel the need to keep protectng her from guys whose cars break down occasionally. I'm raising my daughter to be a big girl, and will be able to make her own decisions (she's only 8, lol) without me constantingly intervening to "protect" her. I care what makes HER happy, not what makes ME happy.