What Spares Do You Carry For a Second Gen Tacoma

[mkitchen]

I have a 06 Tacoma and as of yet, I am not carrying anything as far as spare parts. In my older vehicle, I have quite a few spare parts that I tend to carry but over the years, I have learned what tends to break. With the Tacoma, I have been wheeling in it for five years and (knock on wood) have not had a problem with it yet. So it is difficult to know what parts to carry. I don't want to carry an entire parts department in the back of my truck but what are the essentials that should be carried.

I do carry tools, air compressor, patch kit, spare and extensive recovery gear as well as food and water but what have others found that breaks on these Tacos? The fact that I have not had problems certainly say something about these vehicles but since I do quite a bit of my trips (multi day) without any other vehicles, it would be good to be ready for the occaisional breakdown.

So let's hear your wisdom.
Thanks
Mikey

 

[Silverback07]

I've broken a CV axle on the trail in my 2nd gen so I would recommend a spare. Snapped it clean in half at the hub side, luckily nothing was sticking out to flop around while driving. You can get an aftermarket unit for under $75 with a lifetime warranty from your local auto parts store. Even though I now have RCV Ultimate Yota axles I still carry a spare... just in case.

 

[Ed Bravo]

Spares

Serpentine belt.




Are right & left CV axles interchangeable?

Ed

 

[Silverback07]

Are right & left CV axles interchangeable?

Ed

yes

 

[fifthcircle]

I've broken a CV axle on the trail in my 2nd gen so I would recommend a spare. Snapped it clean in half at the hub side, luckily nothing was sticking out to flop around while driving. You can get an aftermarket unit for under $75 with a lifetime warranty from your local auto parts store. Even though I now have RCV Ultimate Yota axles I still carry a spare... just in case.

How much lift are you running, and what size tires? Locked in the front?

Just wondering, since I am heading to Moab in 1.5wks, and have had really good luck so far as well.....and don't carry a spare CV.

 

[Dave Bennett]

How much lift are you running, and what size tires? Locked in the front?

Just wondering, since I am heading to Moab in 1.5wks, and have had really good luck so far as well.....and don't carry a spare CV.

Good question. Also, what gears?

 

[Ed Bravo]

Question for SilverBack O7

What were the circumstances for the break?

In 4WD? Locked? Impact caused failure?


It may help in determining why the part failed, and thus the need for a spare.

Ed

 

[oxi]

For now I have a sert belt, upper and lower radiator hoses, plenty of fluids (power steering, coolant, gear oil, oil and oil filter, air filter and hydraulic fluid), spare tire...

Future plans:

A replacement for every fuse, upper and lower ball joints, cv axles, rear complete driveshaft, front drive shaft, another spare tire, spare lug nuts, spare hardware for shocks, etc...

A spare radiator would be sweet on those long trips...

 

[sasaholic]

For now I have a sert belt, upper and lower radiator hoses, plenty of fluids (power steering, coolant, gear oil, oil and oil filter, air filter and hydraulic fluid), spare tire...

Future plans:

A replacement for every fuse, upper and lower ball joints, cv axles, rear complete driveshaft, front drive shaft, another spare tire, spare lug nuts, spare hardware for shocks, etc...

A spare radiator would be sweet on those long trips...

a spare front driveline is just unwanted weight to carrt around all the time. if you have skids which you should the shaft will never get hit and its not like is really a breakable item.

 

[oxi]

a spare front driveline is just unwanted weight to carrt around all the time. if you have skids which you should the shaft will never get hit and its not like is really a breakable item.

Everything breaks...

My Tacoma was part of that recall on the front u-joints on the front shaft last year and the stealership said it was ok. I checked it out myself and seems to be fine, you never know if something so small may come up to haunt you someday...

 

[sasaholic]

Everything breaks...

My Tacoma was part of that recall on the front u-joints on the front shaft last year and the stealership said it was ok. I checked it out myself and seems to be fine, you never know if something so small may come up to haunt you someday...

so carry spare u joints. ive never seen anyone break a front driveshaft on a an ifs truck

 

[mkitchen]

Fluids are a good idea

That is something that I carried in the older truck and should be carrying them now. What about heater hoses? Upper and lower hoses are a good idea too. I used to carry a thermostat for the Ford as well, has anyone ever had problems that way with the Tacomas? Also, I have carried u joints for all three shafts(dating myself there) is something like that needed? I don't really want to carry a drive shaft or half shafts if I can get away from it.

Is there a better quality shaft that can be put in and if a fellow is only running 265/75 R16's with a 3" lift is one really needed? Just some thoughts.
Mikey

 

[Silverback07]

How much lift are you running, and what size tires? Locked in the front?

Just wondering, since I am heading to Moab in 1.5wks, and have had really good luck so far as well.....and don't carry a spare CV.

Good question. Also, what gears?

What were the circumstances for the break?

In 4WD? Locked? Impact caused failure?


It may help in determining why the part failed, and thus the need for a spare.

Ed

At the time it broke I had full OME setup, so about 2.75" of lift running 285 KM2's. Not locked at the time, but I did have 4.56's installed. Since then I've swapped over to Fox remote resi CO's along with an ARB locker up front and a set of RCV Ultimate Yota axles. Hopefully no more breakage.

Circumstances were something like this.. I was following a tight creek bed that had several rock ledges, this creek bed is normally dry but it had rained so there was several spots of deep mud. It wasn't too difficult and I kept tire speed down to maintain control. However, there was one ledge where the tires started spinning faster than I would have liked so I let off the throttle in hopes of picking a new line. But as soon as I let off it grabbed and SNAP!

As for the need for a spare, I'm not the only one I know of who has broken a CV on the trail. Granted mine was a little more catastrophic than most. But they do fail and performing a trail swap is fairly easy. Just be sure to have the proper tools and some diff fluid.

 

[oxi]

so carry spare u joints. ive never seen anyone break a front driveshaft on a an ifs truck

It will be faster to just replace the whole unit in the field or side road and then fix the u-joints later to make that the spare if that was the case.

Everything can break! I ran my 86 Toyota pickup in 7 desert races and you would not believe the things that can fail and the carnage I saw from other trucks.

 

[Gerdo]

I would definitely carry a spare CV axle also the tools and know how to change it. I have seen so many CVs pop, none of mine, that I would never wheel without a spare. Also ONLY buy a Toyota OE or rebuild. You can buy a rebuilt unit at axle/driveline shops. Most, if not all, parts store axles are made from cheap steel and are poorly heat treated. I have seen the shafts break off inside the front diff. Not fun to get out. Been there, done that!