97' Toyota T100 4x4

[JWP58]

So I picked up a 97 T100 on Monday, its got 179k (3.4L w/ auto). It had some body damage up front. The new front bumper is already in the mail and I'm not going to worry about the fenders, as cosmetics don't worry too much on such an old pickup. I am however trying to make this thing as reliable as possible.

So far I've changed the oil, transfer case/both diff fluids, air filter, fuel filter, and up next (tomorrow) is plugs and wires. This weekend I plan to do a drain/refill/filter change on the auto trans. The timing belt and water pump were replaced at 100k so before Nov. I'll be replacing both again.

Should I go ahead and replace the O2 sensors? Or just leave them be until I get a code? The exhaust is the one thing on the truck that is rusted to hell, so it will be eventually replaced.

Any spare parts you would carry if you were me?

 

[ONE LOVE]

I don't know about which spare parts to carry, I just rely on the emblem on my grill to pull me through! Did you order a different front bumper, or stock?

 

[JWP58]

Just a stock front bumper. I'd love to have an ARB, but since they don't make'em......I have wondered if a LC arb would fit.

Also my oil pressure gauge doesn't work. Anyone have this problem? Is it just the sending unit that probably needs to be replaced?

 

[SC T100]

Just a stock front bumper. I'd love to have an ARB, but since they don't make'em......I have wondered if a LC arb would fit.

ERG80 mounted an ARB to his T100. But he apparantly had to do major surgery (cut it up quite a bit) to make it work. You might ask him a few questions. Also, I have heard good things about the Gibson cat-back exhaust for the T100. You might want to consider it as an option. Oh, and as I recommend to all T100 4x4 owners...throw on some IFS Aisin locking hubs. Simple bolt-on, and reduces wear and tear on the front driveline.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Oh, and as I recommend to all T100 4x4 owners...throw on some IFS Aisin locking hubs. Simple bolt-on, and reduces wear and tear on the front driveline.

T100's don't have the vacuum operated ADD? Interesting...

 

[JWP58]

Even if they have the ADD, which I believe they do, manual hubs will decrease wear on the CV's and shafts because they wont be engaged all the time like with the regular hub.

And yes, I'll be contacting Wabfab soon for a refurbished set of Aisins.

 

[SC T100]

T100's don't have the vacuum operated ADD? Interesting...

They do. Locked hubs esentially return the system to "stock." Open hubs prevents the front CVs and diff gears from turning, decreasing wear and tear, and prolonging CV boot life.

Even if they have the ADD, which I believe they do, manual hubs will decrease wear on the CV's and shafts because they wont be engaged all the time like with the regular hub.

And yes, I'll be contacting Wabfab soon for a refurbished set of Aisins.

Bingo. And if you want to refurb them yourself, I have a spare (dirty, used, but operational) set on my bench. They have the raised dial like the SFA trucks, but I pulled them off an IFS truck. PM me if you're interested. But I gotta tell you, those WabFab units are beautiful.

 

[JWP58]

Has anyone experiences long cranking/hard starting with the 3.4L? I never had the issue with my 01' but this T100 will turn over 5-10 times before starting. I'm hoping the new plugs and wires plus a throttle body cleaning will cure this.

 

[JWP58]

Got a surprise today, and not a good one!!!

So I go to change my plugs and wires and everything goes smoothly except for one small problem.....that I believe is going to lead to a big problem. When I pulled the coil pack off of the number 3 cylinder I smelled a strong odor of burnt oil. I could see on the actual boot itself what appeared to be burnt oil. Then when I pulled the plug I noticed the diameter of the plug was larger than the others. The NGK plug I tried to replace it with was too small. ******????? I assume someone along the line stripped the plug threads and rethreaded it. It is the correct Denso K16TR11 plug for the engine, but it appears to have some sort of adaptor on it. Can anyone shed some light on this???? Is the plug just trash or do I probably have a burnt valve/cylinder issue???? I looked down in to the cylinder and the top of the piston was black, I assume that is NOT GOOD???

This is a bummer since I need the bad boy up and running by September for elk season, and then in Oct the miles are really going to ramp up with bird season opening........If I didn't have bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all.

 

[JWP58]

After some insight on another forum it looks like someone used a "helicoil" after they stripped the plug threads. Now how in the hell do I put a new plug in? Can I reuse the helicoil thing on the old plug?

It seems this cheap pickup got a little more pricey...

 

[JWP58]

Soaked the problem plug in some penetrating oil and the helicoil thing came right off. Put it on the new plug and I'm ready to roll. Front bumper is set to arrive today. I may post up some pics of the beast after the face lift.

As of now, I'm sticking with "Whitey" for this year's hunting season. Should have some pretty epic expeditions in it throughout the west (WY, ID, NV, UT). October is when I really intend to hit it hard and should start racking up the miles.

 

[SC T100]

As I was reading I was thinking "helicoil," and then i saw that you confirmed it. Glad to hear you're up and running again.

 

[JWP58]

As I was reading I was thinking "helicoil," and then i saw that you confirmed it. Glad to hear you're up and running again.

Yep, for a second I thought I made a $3200 mistake. But as of now she's running fine. With the new bumper on she looks better. New shocks, turn signal, and trans drain/fill are coming. Then a couple of extra driving lights (it gets real dark in the middle of nowhere Wyoming) and I think it will be ready...