Saying Hello and some questions

[marathonracer]

Hello all-
I've been a long time lurker on the board and have asked a question or two but figured it was time to maybe introduce myself.

Started wheeling in college with a 4 banger TJ that made the natural progression of BFG AT, MT, then full out TSL swampers. After breaking a bunch of stuff and learning even more I eventually put the wheeling aside except when chasing wild Salvelinus fontinalis in places other fishermen just didn't go. After a few years of driving a soft top TJ with swampers... it was time for a change. I bought an extended cab 03 Tacoma TRD threw some 265/75 BFG ATs and a canoe rack on it and was a happy man. This truck eventually evolved to have some 33's and KM2's and a bunch of other stuff that made it a little tank. My soon to be wife and our black lab camped and fished all over; Toyota put a new frame under her, we scratched the paint all to crap going down roads we shouldn't have in search of untouched beaver flowages and life was good!

Fast forward to this spring... a 7 month pregnant wife and I are headed out to enjoy a day in the woods and we start talking about our new little one and how life is going to change. Then we realize 2 adults plus dog and baby... no more room in our extended cab Tacoma. We thought about another Tacoma but DC but we use the bed too much... We decided to put the issue on the back burner-or so we thought when we got home from the trip and saw the puddle under the rear diff. It had rusted through in a few places. Some JB weld would fix it for the time being. Joking with my wife I said I would trade my tacoma for a 1st gen tundra DC without hesitation... and she said yes! the only stipulation no more 33's.

We now are the proud owners of a silver 06 DC TRD and could not be happier. Of course with the young family the mods will be slow and functional but of course the crap p-rated tires had to go and 265/75/16 BFG ATs had to get the nod. Thanks to many on this forum that have made my Toyota ownership so easy.

My question is on the timing belt change. The truck has 70K on it currently when should I be thinking about the change?
Any thoughts on improving the front recovery point? Aside from a front hitch?
Living in the rust belt what can I do to make sure this truck lasts for years?

Thanks

 

[Wainiha]

90,000 is timing belt I think. I went til 120,000 and had a small water pump leak. This was a 2000 3.4L Tacoma.

 

[robert]

Your truck has a timing chain, not a belt. If your vehicle is equipped with a timing chain rather than a timing belt, there is no prescribed replacement interval.
http://www.toyota.com/support/#!/app/home
See also: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/19496-timing-belt-timing-chain-all-toyotas-toyota-com.html

There are a couple of improved recovery points available. Here's one of them: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacoma-marketplace/240901-fs-recovery-shackle-replacement-off-road-tow-hook.html Be very careful removing the factory tow hook bolts; even after soaking, both of mine snapped when I went to take them off. Given your location, I'd probably spray them down with some PB Blaster and let it sit overnight before trying to remove them.

These Tacomas are having frame rust issues also; not as bad as the previous gen but enough that some folks in teh rust belt have had to have their frames replaced. There are several threads about it on TacomaWorld and TTORA. The recommendation is to coat your frame as best you can and keep an eye on it.

Speaking of additions, I'd also recommend one of these; it really does help viability: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/210670-review-immryo-rear-view-mirror-lift-bracket.html

 

[Wainiha]

Chain on the 4.0 V6s? Didn't know that.

 

[marshal]

do some 285's. they're not 33's

 

[marathonracer]

I knew someone would come up with a xxx is not a 33! She meant just no more gas sucking tires.... she may forget this... highly doubt it, but maybe. Re-reading my post I see your confusion Robert its a 06 Tundra DC we went with so it has a 4.7 V8 with a timing belt. When you talk about coat your frame are you talking about what ever product Toyota is spraying them with or another kind of undercoating. There I a frame inspection recall for all 1st gen tundras now according to tundra solutions. I was going to have Toyota spray their goop then hit it with fluid film every spring and fall.

 

[robert]

Yep, I completely missed the Tundra part and thought you were getting an '06 DC Tacoma. Sorry, I'm no help on Tundras. I've never lived where they salt the roads so I'd use whatever undercoating product other people in your area use and recommend.

 

[Applejack]

Timing belt should be done in the 90-100k range just to be safe. however I have a friend with a Sequoia with a 4.7 and he has successfully gone over 17x,xxx miles without changing the timing belt or water pump. But I wouldn't recommend pushing your luck as he does.

 

[marathonracer]

No problem Robert! I like that tow hook shackle idea... wonder if it would fit. I'll have to look more thanks

 

[Arktikos]

LOL. A V-8 is OK, but no more gas sucking tires. Better keep it filled up, so she doesn't have to.

 

[pugslyyy]

Hello all-
I've been a long time lurker on the board and have asked a question or two but figured it was time to maybe introduce myself.
Thanks

So where does the marathonracer name come from? I run a few marathons a year myself.

 

[marathonracer]

Exactly that! my other hobby is trying to run 26.2 as fast as possible. I only run two a year one in the spring and one in the fall. This winter the training here has been brutal because of the cold and ice (more so than usual here in Maine). With work and a new little girl I train mostly after 8 at night.

 

[MtnClimber]

Howdy from anothah Mainah! Don't wait on the timing belt R&R! Get the Aisin kit from RockAuto (belt, waterpump, both pulleys, hyd. tensioner, gaskets, etc.) Also get a new thermo stat.
You could swap out your drivers side vehicle tie-down w/a 10K hook. Bolt holes line right up, but go to your local hardware store and get the correct length bolts.
Here's mine on my 01 DC Taco:
Before:


After:

 

[marathonracer]

Thanks! That's what I was thinking about. Your frame looks amazing... how the heck did you keep it like that? I'm thinking it was a frame replacement...

 

[pugslyyy]

Exactly that! my other hobby is trying to run 26.2 as fast as possible. I only run two a year one in the spring and one in the fall. This winter the training here has been brutal because of the cold and ice (more so than usual here in Maine). With work and a new little girl I train mostly after 8 at night.

Well let me know if you ever come down to NC to do a race. This year I'll most probably run Columbia, Tobacco Road, RnR Raleigh, Chicago, OBX.