Performing PPI 2004 Toyota Tacoma 4WD

[Bob Kontak]

Any odd ball areas I need to sniff out. 150k miles. Lift kit. 4WD. Auto.

Doing internet reading now for problem areas.

[Jrboulder]

Engine sludge and frame rust.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Jrboulder

Engine sludge and frame rust.

Thank you. NE Ohio.

It will be on my lift.

This whole engine sludge thing is a PITA. You need to check oil pressure to get a happy feeling. All works if someone put 20W-50 in a 5W-20 crankcase. Just saying.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Great trucks, extremely spendy for being so old but I can see why, the 01 to 04 are perfect as a small truck. I just bought a 2001 for my dentist. 5-speed, 4x4, Xtracab.

V6 or I4?

First thing to check is if the frame has been replaced. Almost all of them have.

E-brake's rust and seize up. At 150K, check all the standard things like ball joints and tie rod ends and brakes, they will be at the end of their second life. The truck I bought had good rod ends but both boots split, had to put new ones in.

My dentist wanted a manual but in doing research, the autos can have shifting problems at higher miles.

What I found amazing was the number of 200K and 300K mile trucks that looked nice in the pics, seemed to be well maintained and were being sold for north of $5K.

That says a lot about these trucks.

[LakeCleElum]

If owner hasn't shifted into 4WD very often, lever can be very tough to operate.....Rust as mentioned.

I looked at one a few years ago and thought with the added weight of 4WD, the auto is very sluggish, even with the 3.4 V6......I passed on this one and bought an '04 Mazda 4WD....It had a lot more pep with a 4.0 and 5 speed.......

Toyota's bring crazy money around here.....Last year, my friend got $15 K trade-in from a Ford dealer for a 2005 Tacoma, 5 speed with only 60K miles......

[pete3799]

Frame rust.
Check the frame at the top rear shock mounts. That's the first place where mine let go. Stick a piece of wire (with a 90* bend on the end) up through some of the bottom drain holes in the box section of frame. I you start pulling out big flakes of rust.....run.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Great trucks, extremely spendy for being so old but I can see why, the 01 to 04 are perfect as a small truck. I just bought a 2001 for my dentist. 5-speed, 4x4, Xtracab.

V6 or I4?

First thing to check is if the frame has been replaced. Almost all of them have.

E-brake's rust and seize up. At 150K, check all the standard things like ball joints and tie rod ends and brakes, they will be at the end of their second life. The truck I bought had good rod ends but both boots split, had to put new ones in.

My dentist wanted a manual but in doing research, the autos can have shifting problems at higher miles.

What I found amazing was the number of 200K and 300K mile trucks that looked nice in the pics, seemed to be well maintained and were being sold for north of $5K.

That says a lot about these trucks.

V6.

Spot on. This truck is to be sold for $6,200. Most vehicles in this age range are way south of $4k. Basic Camry, mid $2,000's. Right? Bought an 04 MB ML350 for $1,500 two years ago for my daughter. One brake line and two rear rotors later, not skipping a beat save $70 on sale Mobile One oil changes.

All I can do is drive it to see if shifting problems exist. Normal wear items s/b obvious.

Peeps seem to like them.

This be the car. Hell, I can post pics in the morning too at time of review. The power of the internet! Stay tuned.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by pete3799

Frame rust.
Check the frame at the top rear shock mounts. That's the first place where mine let go. Stick a piece of wire (with a 90* bend on the end) up through some of the bottom drain holes in the box section of frame. I you start pulling out big flakes of rust.....run.

Thank you.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

V6.

Spot on. This truck is to be sold for $6,200. Most vehicles in this age range are way south of $4k. Basic Camry, mid $2,000's. Right? Bought an 04 MB ML350 for $1,500 two years ago for my daughter. One brake line and two rear rotors later, not skipping a beat save $70 on sale Mobile One oil changes.

All I can do is drive it to see if shifting problems exist. Normal wear items s/b obvious.

Peeps seem to like them.

This be the car. Hell, I can post pics in the morning too at time of review. The power of the internet! Stay tuned.

Looks like a beauty Bob! I hope it works out to be a great truck. For $6200, seems like a bargain. I only looked at manuals but around here, over the course of 6 weeks looking for the right truck, all 5 that found sold the day they were listed on CL. The one I got was $7K but most others were $8-$9K. All well under 150K miles (the one I got has 112K). The manual 4x4 Xtracabs seem to in very high demand.

Good luck, looking forward to some pics.

[Oracle]

I actually don't recommend a Taco early 2000's. I had a 4 door 4x4 and although the engine was strong at 190k+ miles the overall value wasn't there..

Brakes are just plain undersized (aka bad, rotors warp easily), gas mileage is below average, suspension is too soft (for a truck) so very limited payload and very limited towing capacity, and when towing there is just not enough power..

In my opinion that truck is full of compromises..


I love the style, and materials but as a truck you're better off buying something like F150, Silverado 1500, etc.

Watch out: There are tons of anecdotal information from the Taco's forums on how people pull 7000+lbs uphill, and "barely notice" and ***** like that.. Those Tacos are like Jeeps, people just pour money in them..

[wdfifteen]

Rust, rust, rust. Tacos and Tundras of that era are notorious for under body rust. Look at suspension and steering components as well as the frame. I had the steering rack, anti roll bar links, brackets for cat sensor wires, as well as the frame rust out from under my 2003 Tundra.

[syncroid]

I have owned mine since new. Just about to turn 160,000 miles. I love this truck!

Down falls:

***Front brakes too small. I replaced with Tundra calipers and bigger rotors. (LCE)
***Headlight lenses are junk. Replaced with Spyder Lighting units. (CARID)
***Steering column rattle. I have not addressed this yet. Need to spot weld the collapsible hex shaft on the steering column.

Other then the above items, I have zero complaints. Congrats on your purchase.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Rust, rust, rust. Tacos and Tundras of that era are notorious for under body rust.

Lost yesterday to physical symptoms similar to what is experienced the day after you eat Buffalo nuclear wings. TMI even with that sentence.

I'll post after I look it over. Thanks for the input.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

First thing to check is if the frame has been replaced. Almost all of them have.

BINGO!!!

First is a general pic of underside rust. Ohio "normal".



Frame pics:





I have run into forum posts that the member writes something like "The Toyota mechanics are replacing frames on 00 - 04 Tacomas this week" Wow.

No way this frame is original. Thank you for the input. Edit: just confirmed with owner.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Looks good. A really nice aftermarket bumper is $180, comes with plastic step plate.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I am surprised about the brake comments. I knew Tundras were afflicted and put 2004+ brakes into it for a world of difference. The three Tacomas I drove from 01-04, including the one I bought, had excellent braking. I have to imagine all three were upgraded at some point because braking was a high point for all three.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

The three Tacomas I drove from 01-04, including the one I bought, had excellent braking. I have to imagine all three were upgraded at some point because braking was a high point for all three.

Have not tried brakes on road yet. Calipers look robust in size but need to vet. Cool info on the upgrade option. Don't have to do that now if they work.

Also need to check the other recommendations. Like the 4wd engagement lever and e-brakes. Also potential engine sludge.

With respect to hauling big, not gonna happen. She (customer) wants the look.

Rich just brought his 01 Tundra over. I am now Mr Encyclopedia. Hey Rich. You know you need that 04 brake upgrade. I do? Hell yes, you do. Well, I got one caliper sticking, let's do it.

Tundra on lift, Taco in background. Rain.