Tacoma ultimate reliability?

[SEREvince]

I've got about 30 days left until the the Taco takes a long boat ride to Europe for the next three years. I've been working towards ensuring a trouble free time, but of course would love to hear your inputs and suggestions!

What prep would you do to take a vehicle touring through Europe over the next 2-3 years? I am mailny focused on reliability. Off road jaunts will most likely be few and far between. Although I will be on the look out to make them happen when possible

The vehicle is a 01 Taco dcab with about 70k on it. It's had all of the factory recalls accomplished. As well as..

Amsoil oil/filter
Amsoil tranny flush and fill
f/r brakes
K&N reusable filter
I have f/r 4.56 thirds that are getting ARBs tommorow and filled with Amsoil Severe Gear Oil
Same as above for the Tcase
Amsoil synthetic grease on all drive line zerks
I've decided to go with a single Optima Yellow top for a battery

I still need to do..
coolant flush
A/C flush/recharge
Timing belt/water pump (can you say OUCH!)
Topper?

I am bringing all the suggested spares from your Taco spares thread as well as 2 CVs (which I can't believe weren't on your list!) half the spares will most like stay at the Villa (sounds better than house eh..) while touring.

Gratuitous pics.. Fains Ford at Telico this past weekend

 

[asteffes]

Flush completely the brake fluid throughout the brake system with a quality DOT-4 grade fluid. Valvoline's synthetic fluid is fine. Do *not* use Motul, which attracts and holds moisture, requiring more frequent flushing. If your truck sees a lot of water during your trip you'll need to flush it at least once a year thereafter.

Definitely bring:

Brake fluid, and tools and containers to do a flush of the system.
One set of spark plugs and tools to replace them.
Spare bulbs for all lights.
Spare fuses for everything.

 

[The Swiss]

Flush completely the brake fluid throughout the brake system with a quality DOT-4 grade fluid. Valvoline's synthetic fluid is fine. Do *not* use Motul, which attracts and holds moisture, requiring more frequent flushing. If your truck sees a lot of water during your trip you'll need to flush it at least once a year thereafter.

Definitely bring:

Brake fluid, and tools and containers to do a flush of the system.
One set of spark plugs and tools to replace them.
Spare bulbs for all lights.
Spare fuses for everything.

Well, I disagree with asteffes (for a change ) on what to take. With some exceptions of some Ex-East-Block countries like Rumania, Bulgaria etc, Europe is very civilized and you can get everything over there plentyfull. The European version of the Tacoma is the HiLux with mostly identical parts. The key word here is mostly. Try to find out what is different on the HiLux and then take parts specific to that.

Things that come to my mind:
Light bulbs for the headlights, rest is the same.
Maybe belts.

That's about it that comes to my mind.

A good buddy of mine works at the largest Toyota dealership in Switzerland. PM or e-mail me if you would like me to hook you up with him. (He drove with a Land Cruiser half around the world, therefore understands the traveller's needs!)

You might want to check locally with equivalent clubs like the AAA (ADAC in Germany, TCS and ACS in Switzerland, depending on where you plan on mainly staying, they all offere European wide programs) regarding road assistance coverage.

But I really think with all you have done and what you are planning on doing, you should be fine.

 

[asteffes]

I figured that he probably already has a set of spark plugs, bulbs and fuses laying around the garage, ready to go with him. Certainly he can get parts overseas but I figure may as well bring what you have than deal with a shopping trip once over there. Works either way, though.

 

[SEREvince]

I already carry assorted fuzes and spare bulbs

I can not imagine needing all six plugs as spares? Bad fuel maybe? Even then some cleaner and a brush and I should be good to go.

As for the brake fluid, how is water entering the system? I thought a brake flush was needed due to thermal breakdown of the fluids? I am pretty much a newb on brakes beyond changing pads and shoes.

Good point on the Hilux. I have driven several although I don't believe any of the ones I drove had a 5UZFE. I am curious if this engine is even offered over there. Worth checking into!

I might take you up on the Swiss connection! I'm hoping to find a used Prado as a DD/GG.

Thanks!

BTW as I typed this earlier I thought of a couple more things!

I just put on a set of Bosch Premium wiper blades about 10 min ago. 18 inches on both sides, factory is 17. 18 clears everything great and you could actually go 19 on the drivers side. (not my idea, but a good one).

I am thinking of adding Euro style side markers. Just to be nice to the other drivers next to me in the round-a-bouts Although I think my sliders may do double duty there. I don't think I'll ever for the life of me figure out why the inside lane has the right of way?

 

[Nullifier]

Timing belt and water pump at 70K! That's a little early in my opinion. If they are legitimetly bad do them obviously but if not then I wouldn't worry about it.

I would suggest doing all your belt and hoses, u joints if they havent; been done yet, brake inspection, all filters including fuel, optima is a good choice, wheel bearings and axle seals. Inspec condition off all boots, all rubber bushings. Change all fluids including axles, transfercase, tranny, engine, coolant, brake and grease all fitings. I would also pull radiator for flushing and inspection. You might consider replacing with a new one since your is several years old.

As far as parts I wouldn't worry to much about it since availability of parts on Toys are good world wide. I would take xtra belt and hoses, u joints, filters, some extra hoses for stuff like fuel etc in case emergency repair comes up. I do not think you need to carry 2 c.v.'s. if you are not going to do alot of wheeling and you do not have a front locker. You can always pick one up over there or get one shipped. A few spark plugs but that's about it. HAve fun on your trip.

Oh one last one. You might consider pulling your starter and putting on new contacts. Since we know it is usually an issue around 120k or so for most rigs. This for me would be a must do.

 

[asteffes]

I already carry assorted fuzes and spare bulbs

I can not imagine needing all six plugs as spares? Bad fuel maybe? Even then some cleaner and a brush and I should be good to go.

You may need to simply replace them as a maintenance item after a couple years. Also, if you somehow ingest water they may be damaged. They're small and light, so I would just take a complete set.

As for the brake fluid, how is water entering the system? I thought a brake flush was needed due to thermal breakdown of the fluids? I am pretty much a newb on brakes beyond changing pads and shoes.

Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the atmosphere, usually through the reservoir cap. Moisture reduces the boiling point of the fluid and can cause damage to brake system components. If you're getting dirty and/or wet it should be replaced more frequently than in a street-driven car.

Good point on the Hilux. I have driven several although I don't believe any of the ones I drove had a 5UZFE. I am curious if this engine is even offered over there. Worth checking into!

I would be careful about depending on parts availability overseas for a US-spec truck. Subtle changes can make parts entirely unusable to you. The spares we're talking about carrying aren't a big deal to take with you. besides, how are you going to go get parts if you're broken down in the middle of nowhere?

I might take you up on the Swiss connection! I'm hoping to find a used Prado as a DD/GG.

Thanks!

BTW as I typed this earlier I thought of a couple more things!

I just put on a set of Bosch Premium wiper blades about 10 min ago. 18 inches on both sides, factory is 17. 18 clears everything great and you could actually go 19 on the drivers side. (not my idea, but a good one).

I am thinking of adding Euro style side markers. Just to be nice to the other drivers next to me in the round-a-bouts Although I think my sliders may do double duty there. I don't think I'll ever for the life of me figure out why the inside lane has the right of way?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Rack and pinion? A weak link in a lifted (and heavily wheeled Tacoma). They can start to develop leaks and play at 100k, and usually are well worth replacing shortly therafter. My Tacoma has been heavily wheeled (3000+ miles in the past year alone), usually heavily loaded and driven fast

Things I have replaced in the last couple years...

Front output seal on T-case, started to develop a leak, easy fix.
Carrier bearing, typical wear item
Rack & Pinion, had massive play by the time I replaced it.
Water pump & timing belt, routine.
Belts, hoses, fluids, etc.

 

[The Swiss]

I figured that he probably already has a set of spark plugs, bulbs and fuses laying around the garage, ready to go with him. Certainly he can get parts overseas but I figure may as well bring what you have than deal with a shopping trip once over there. Works either way, though.

Did not think of it this way, you've got a point. I'm just used that many Americans have some - let's say - misconceptions about Europe.

 

[SEREvince]

Rack and pinion? A weak link in a lifted (and heavily wheeled Tacoma). They can start to develop leaks and play at 100k, and usually are well worth replacing shortly therafter. My Tacoma has been heavily wheeled (3000+ miles in the past year alone), usually heavily loaded and driven fast

I hear you on the steering, I was thing of doing the poly bushing set as a preventitive step.

Have you ever heard of a failure, most of the time I think you have plenty of warning before they go.

Just debating carrying another rack, as it goes I could most likely have one shipped before it cuases any problems.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I hear you on the steering, I was thing of doing the poly bushing set as a preventitive step.

Have you ever heard of a failure, most of the time I think you have plenty of warning before they go.

Just debating carrying another rack, as it goes I could most likely have one shipped before it cuases any problems.

Quite honestly I have never heard or seen of one failing (short of an accident, but thats to be expected). Usually they will develop play, but they tend to go quick once they get play in them. Seemed mine went of the deep end.

I agree that you could get one in time to fix it. As far as the bushings... Unless you like to work on your truck, you are 3/4 of the way (labor wise) to having the entire rack swapped when you do the bushings, it requires removal of all 4 mounting bolts, and at least one tie rod end. Take off the other TRE, the input flange and the two lines, and your done with a new one. Plus I wouldn't want to install the poly bushings (and get the rubber ones out) on the truck... its much easier to do off the rig.

That being said... the bushings are going to slowly deteriorate, no fail suddenly... If they arn't giving you troubles now, swap in the poly ones when you do a new rack. Just my 2 cents

 

[Freezer]

Get part number list of the parts you think might possibly fail during the stay in Europe.

If you'll have to order any of the parts from a Toyota dealership in Europe, it will be much easier just to say the number of the part you need instead of trying to find an exploded parts diagram for US model truck and hunt down the part numbers.

 

[60seriesguy]

I have some experience with this (non-US Land Cruiser), and my advice is to get yourself the the microfiche for your truck or at the very least a parts book, and establish a good relationship with a parts manager at a US Toyota dealer. The problem is that Toyota is notoriously rigid when it comes to sourcing parts for vehicles not intended for the local market, and the Tacoma is a NA-only vehicle. Even if you have the parts number, you'll encounter a lot of vacuous looks and the usual "that's not a valid part #". Sometimes it's best to call the US, order and have it FEDEX'd, trust me on this.

 

[SEREvince]

establish a good relationship with a parts manager at a US Toyota dealer.

"Valkerie" on TTORA!

I do not think you need to carry 2 c.v.'s. if you are not going to do alot of wheeling and you do not have a front locker. You can always pick one up over there or get one shipped.

Locked front and rear ala ARB With ADD you are SOL if you break a CV, so carrying one is cheap insurance. Plus who wants to deal with a torn boot when you swap the whole thing and be rolling in 30 mins.

 

[shawkins]

"Valkerie" on TTORA!



Locked front and rear ala ARB With ADD you are SOL if you break a CV, so carrying one is cheap insurance. Plus who wants to deal with a torn boot when you swap the whole thing and be rolling in 30 mins.

Speaking of CV boots, ORS (OffRoad Solutions) has heavy duty CV boots that are made for more angle. That could be a good upgrade.

They are found on this page under "axle accessories": http://www.offroadsolutions.com/products/tacomas_drivetrain.htm

It says they come in red now, not black. ******? Who makes red CV boots? LOL