Help for any 04 Tacoma info

[EricBirk]

Hey guys,

I might be getting my hands on a 2004 Taco TRD in a few here and am looking into what the best route to mod it would be.
The truck would be used as a daily driver, but see a decent amount of trail running in the summer time.

Any ideas on suspension mods, bumpers, skids anything?

Like I said its up in the air right now, but with a little push it just might end up in my driveway :victory:

[Cackalak Han]

I'd just get a set of 32" AT tires and have at it for the first summer. It will give you an idea of what to do next.

I've only got 32's and sliders on mine and it's met my needs thus far for what I do. This year, I'm looking for a slight lift and maybe a front bumper.

[jnelson4x4taco]

Good advice Cackalak Han.

I would say the same, no reason to spend a whole bunch of money on stuff that you may not need for your type of wheeling/camping.

[6string]

I'd just get a set of 32" AT tires and have at it for the first summer. It will give you an idea of what to do next.

Ditto. Best advice around.

Have fun, and post pics of your travels!

[EricBirk]

Thanks guys, great advice!

Well hopefully I can make a deal with them on the truck.
http://www.autotrader.ca/result/detailinfo.aspx?ID=3638512&srcid=AVS9530415&source=12&pgno=1&srt=10&CompanyID=&r=edmontonalberta&action=emailfriendused

I dont know if that link will work for you guys or not, but thats the truck.
I currently have a 2005 Nissan Frontier, but just absolutely love that generation of Tacoma's. The reliability, size, look, they are great.
They are pretty rare around here and I am hoping that we can get a trade setup because I wont have time to sell my truck and snag that one before it sells I dont think.

Being used with approx 138,000km on it, anything I should be worried about? or specifically look into?

[EricBirk]

I guess I am kinda stuck at a crossroads with this.

I really like my truck but dont like the lack of aftermarket support, and the issues that they "can" develop.
I like that it is a bit larger inside, with the 2 rear halfdoors, I like the 6speed and the power, and especially the Utilitrack bed tiedown system.

I have always had a sweet spot for the smaller Taco's due to the reliability, aftermarket support, the looks.

I think alot of it is mental as there is just sooo many Taco's that you know they are great trucks, and that they will never let you down. I have heard of a few issues with the Frontiers that really have me bothered. Issues that the Toy's just dont have...

I dont know... bah I wish I could have both hahaha
its a toughy

[Martinjmpr]

I'd just get a set of 32" AT tires and have at it for the first summer. It will give you an idea of what to do next.

I concur. I had a 2004 Taco and the only mods I made were those that helped me with camping: Camper shell, a sleeping platform, a truck tent. I was also running 32" tires although mine were fairly skinny, 235/85/16 Yokohama Geolander AT-Ss. Didn't need any armor, although sliders would have given me some peace of mind in a few places. I was able to get onto trails that were about as rugged as I felt comfortable doing, so I didn't feel the need for suspension mods, etc. About the only thing I would have wished for was a locker (mine was an SR5 with open diffs) but if you're getting a TRD it should have the e-locker.

[TangoBlue]

Recommend that sliders be your first mod - they are cheap insurance against costly rocker damage. A Tacoma "out-of-the-box" 4WD is pretty capable for most off-road conditions. Step up to some 32's or 265's which require no trimming or mods on stock wheels and then grow into your new addiction, er, I mean hobby. Ask me how I know...

[austintaco]

You can also source used equipment if you wait around and do some searching. For cheaper mods that have worked out for me:
tundra coils and shocks: about 2.75 inches of lift cost $200 on Yotatech
front ARB from TTORA $275
Campershell lined with carpet and a bedrug $275 Ebay
Limited 4runner wheels: $150 on CL
New 255/85/16 tires on ebay $425 to my door.

These are just some of the deals I have found while searching, and they have all worked out nicely. With the amount of Tacomas on the road, there are lots of used parts to be had, and thanks to the frame rust buy backs and cash for clunkers, there are lots of parts at the yards or being sold by resellers.

[EricBirk]

Recommend that sliders be your first mod - they are cheap insurance against costly rocker damage. A Tacoma "out-of-the-box" 4WD is pretty capable for most off-road conditions. Step up to some 32's or 265's which require no trimming or mods on stock wheels and then grow into your new addiction, er, I mean hobby. Ask me how I know...

hahaha yeah tell me about it, I cant wait haha

[EricBirk]

You can also source used equipment if you wait around and do some searching. For cheaper mods that have worked out for me:
tundra coils and shocks: about 2.75 inches of lift cost $200 on Yotatech
front ARB from TTORA $275
Campershell lined with carpet and a bedrug $275 Ebay
Limited 4runner wheels: $150 on CL
New 255/85/16 tires on ebay $425 to my door.

These are just some of the deals I have found while searching, and they have all worked out nicely. With the amount of Tacomas on the road, there are lots of used parts to be had, and thanks to the frame rust buy backs and cash for clunkers, there are lots of parts at the yards or being sold by resellers.

wow thats some smoking deals for sure!!!

I heard a bit about this frame damage but dont know alot about it. What years are affected?

[EricBirk]

How are the auto tranny's on these?
I found a nice one about 3hrs away with low km's, but its an auto...
I have been a stick guy forever, and dont know if I could do the automatic or not.

[Cackalak Han]

95.5 - 04 are affected. 95.5-00 will be bought back if there is severe frame rust and 01-04 will have the frames replaced. All have a 15 yr extended warranty.

My auto has given me zero problems. I also have only had manual until I got my old 4Runner. Now I prefer autos in trucks/suv's.

[EricBirk]

95.5 - 04 are affected. 95.5-00 will be bought back if there is severe frame rust and 01-04 will have the frames replaced. All have a 15 yr extended warranty.

My auto has given me zero problems. I also have only had manual until I got my old 4Runner. Now I prefer autos in trucks/suv's.

Why do you prefer them now?

I always found them to be too sluggish, and not as much "fun" to drive. Definately easier in the bush as it is less to focus on, and since I will be learning the slow/technical stuff I wont burn a clutch out...

[Cackalak Han]

For me, it doesn't really matter if it feels "too sluggish". It's a 5,000lb vehicle. My past sports cars and motorcycles, yes, it mattered. But it's not like I'm looking for the thrill of driving excitment from a truck. Even with a stick, I never felt any more excited to drive a truck than with an auto. Actually, sometimes it was more of a hassle, as after a long day of biking, hiking, skiing, etc., I just wanted to sit back and relax. Also makes eating a lot less of a chore with an auto.

One thing I do like about manuals is the ease of transmission fluid changes. But I'm willing to give that up for the convenience.

[EricBirk]

I will definately have to take an auto for a drive before I decide, but am definately considering it.

[EricBirk]

agavelvr, how many km are on yours?

[EricBirk]

75K miles / 121K kilometers :sombrero: Was a great find!

Suspension is still decent, but I suspect the previous owner didn't tax the truck much in that regard.

I just missed out on an 03 with 91k km on it :mad:, sold pretty fast...

These buggers are tough to find in decent shape, kinda why I wanna get one now before I will never find one...
I pretty much need it to be at a dealer unfortunately, or sell my truck before and get one before it goes away...

[TangoBlue]

I don't regret having an AT even with my GVW and 3RZ (2.7), especially now that I regeared. Like CH said when it mattered to have an MT then it was a big deal, but if it's a heavy offroad vehicle, slow is where it shines and you don't need to "row" your way through obstacles with an MT. Having an AT gives you the advantage to finesse your way over challenging terrain and concentrate using 2-footed brake and gas modulation

[EricBirk]

I don't regret having an AT even with my GVW and 3RZ (2.7), especially now that I regeared. Like CH said when it mattered to have an MT then it was a big deal, but if it's a heavy offroad vehicle, slow is where it shines and you don't need to "row" your way through obstacles with an MT. Having an AT gives you the advantage to finesse your way over challenging terrain and concentrate using 2-footed brake and gas modulation

I totally agree with this statement, and that is the one reason I would like a AT, well that and driving downtown...
I do alot of shuttling mountain bikes and people up the mountains in the summer time, and am worried that the AT will not have the engine braking that the MT does.
Has anyone seen that as an issue?

[Martinjmpr]

I totally agree with this statement, and that is the one reason I would like a AT, well that and driving downtown...
I do alot of shuttling mountain bikes and people up the mountains in the summer time, and am worried that the AT will not have the engine braking that the MT does.
Has anyone seen that as an issue?

Not in my experience. In fact, I went down one of the steepest, scariest declines in Colorado, Red Cone Peak, in an AT equipped vehicle and I was fine.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z256/ZappBranigan/Red%20Cone%208-9-08/2008_0809_124021AA.jpg

This isn't me, I came down the hill about 5 minutes before this guy, but it shows you how steep the trail is. There is also a 1500' drop off on either side. Incidentally, this Scout has an AT as well.

I think engine braking is one of those "nice to have" features but as long as you are aware of your vehicle's abilities and limitations, it's not neccessary. After all, this isn't the old days of drum brakes when you really needed to use your engine braking to get down a steep slope. Most vehicles have either 2 or 4 disc brakes that aren't nearly as prone to fading or overheating, at least not if they are used with a little common sense.

[EricBirk]

Thats a pretty good looking hill!!

For steep steep stuff I am not a fan of using the brakes, not for the brakes themselves but for the control. Its fine if the hill is only 100m or so long but sometimes the "roads" we take up and down are 20-40 minutes one way. You can cook a set of brakes in one weekend, sometimes one day, no problem. AND fade has been a problem for some trucks in the past. The only real way for me to sort this is to take an auto for a test drive and find a good sized hill in the city here and see what it does I guess.