Help set up my '96 Tacoma jungle truck

[Hucklington]

Hi folks, I'm new to the forum. I just bought a 1996 Tacoma 4x4, 3.4l v6, 5 speed with 121,000 miles...and I mean its so new I don't even know what some of the switches are for yet! Its been in Jacksonville Florida its whole life, so no rust at all, but the paint on the hood, roof, and top of the camper top are about baked off. First thoughts... should I strip her down and paint her, for about the same cost as I bought her for, or is there a quicker and dirtier fix for the sun bleached areas. The back has obviously been used for camping, but is pretty simple right now. Thoughts? (I hope my photos attach)

Huck

 

[tanglefoot]

Congrats on the truck! That's my favorite looking front end (recessed headlights and trapezoidal grill) and it's great that it has the manual-locking front hubs.

You might see what a good buffing does on the hood and cab. If you can remove the loose clearcoat and clean it enough, you may be able to apply a little more clear coat over it or just leave it with a coat of wax and see how that looks.

There are millions of things to do with a truck, but if it were mine, I'd remove the grille guard, bug deflector and vent shades and trade out the wheels for some original ones, preferably steel. If the nerf bars get in the way, I'd remove those too. Make sure the timing belt is current--it should be replaced about every 90k. Also have a good look at the front lower ball joints and maybe replace them.

That high-top shell is just begging for a sleeping platform in the back!

Enjoy the truck!