Good morning Scotty,
Over the past few weeks, I have been scouting out an auto auction for a good deal and yesterday, I acted on it. I found a 1997 Toyota Tacoma, automatic, 6 cylinder, 4X4, with the extra cab, on a slight lift with about 153,000 miles on it. NO RUST UNDERNEATH! To be honest, I felt like a fool for an hour or so because I neglected to remember when I bid on the truck, the title was not clean due to front end damage that has since been repaired. I do not plan on mudding it and driving too much off road with the truck, and would like to use it for work and commuting. With the new battery and full tank of gas, I am in close to $4,200. I knew it ran and drove, but yesterday I drove it home (25 miles) with nothing but the airbag and seatbelt lights on (despite being belted in). The transmission shifted smooth at highway and stop and go speeds, and I was gentle with accelerating. I have not yet tested out the 4x4 option yet as I do not know how to safely engage it yet.
I am curious what fluids I should change besides the automatic transmission and engine oil. I know its a hell of a time to be doing a post purchase inspection. I also found that the timing belt was replaced at about 116,000 miles. What sort of maintenance should I be doing to the differential and transfer case? How would gauge if your power steering or coolant would need changing?
Thanks a ton!
You need a factory service manual. You need to get those lights out to register the car in most states.
You will have to replace the seat-belt re-tractor and the deployed airbag that's triggering the lights. Then you have to reset the module associated with those items. In my car it's called the Supplemental Restraint System Control Module (SRSCM). There are after market companies that you can send them to be reset. You can get parts from junkyards on the cheap or buy from a dealer. Bear in mind you not supposed to replace these components with used parts. Be very care full handing airbags. Disconnect the battery while working on them.
The owners manual should detail what fluids need to be changed.
