FAQ 2nd gen Tacoma FAQ

[FerrisBueller]

The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for the 2nd generation Tacoma tech section continues to be a work in progress. The goal is to have links in the below to other threads and tech articles. By having these linked, instead of pasting the text, the threads will remain live. The live threads can continue to be updated and/or modified for things such as part numbers, adding on additional insight or after a period of time, some follow up information.

These FAQs have been put together by FORUM members. They have put extensive time and research into them. So when you find yourself using them, it would not be a bad thing to send off a thank you.

Again, these will continue to be updated and we will continue to add new ones as we move forward. If you have an idea for a new faq, or would like to take ownership of pulling one together, then don't be shy about it, you'll be helping everyone

Acronyms and Definitions- Wondering what those Acronyms mean, look here. PM a mod if you see one missing.

General - General information about this build generation

Modifications - Need to start modifying your rig? Look here for what other forum members have done. A good place to start is also the Members Build Threads

Repairs /Maintenance - If you need to perform maintenance to keep your rig running in top shape or find solutions to common repairs, look here


(Main content of this post shamelessly copied and adapted from the 200-series forum, thanks for the great FAQ example @Romer)

 

[FerrisBueller]

Acronyms and Definitions for FAQ​

Common Forum Lingo:​

AFAIK - As far as I know
BTW - By the way
FWIW - For What it's worth
FYI - For your information
IIRC- If I recall correctly
IMHO - In my humble opinion
IMO - In my opinion
LMAO - Laughing my @$$ off
LOL - Laugh out loud
OTOH - On the other hand
ROTFLOL - Rolling on the floor laughing out loud
ROTFLMAO - Rolling on the floor laughing my ass off
RTFM - Read the F-ing Manual
RTH- Real Time Help
YMMV - Your methods/mileage may vary

Technical Acronyms:​

ABS - Acronym for Anti-lock Braking System. This system uses a computer to control your brakes on your car by applying and releasing your brakes quickly to prevent skidding or sliding from occurring.

A/C - Air conditioning

AC - Alternating current

AC - Access cab

ACLB - Access cab, long bed

ALT - Alternator: power generator for automobiles

ARB - Australian 4x4 accessories manufacturer

AT - Automatic Transmission

AT - (tires) All Terrain

ATF - Automatic Transmission fluid

BIRF - Birfield: Found in the front axles of our rigs; they are constant velocity joints that transmit power through variable angles, at constant velocities.

BMC - Body mount chop, sometimes required for additional clearance when installing oversized tires.

CEL - check engine light, sometimes refers to code that caused light that can be read by a code reader

CDL Switch - Center Differential Lock Switch- Switch installed to allow the Center Differential to be locked when the transfer case is in High. The actual Center Differential Lock is in the Transfer Case.



Reference on operation of Center Differential. Diffs and Difflocks for Dummies (George Couyant from www.lcool.org) - Can Purchase CDL from Cdan (Totota) or Slee offroad[/I]

CMC - Cab mount chop (see also BMC), sometimes required for additional clearance when installing oversized tires.

DC - Direct current

DC - Double cab

DCLB - Double cab, long bed

DCSB - Double cab, short bed

DS - Driver's side

DS - Drive Shaft=shafts that carry power and torque from the engine/tranny/xfer case to the axles.

DC DS - Double Cardan Drive Shaft=a pair of joints in a drive shaft that allows the tube to move in various directions and angularities.

Diffs - Differentials: found in the front and rear axles that consists of gears that transmit equal power and torque even if they rotate at different speeds.

ECT - Electronically Controlled Transmission - allows the engine to rev to a higher rpm before shifting to the next gear. Basically changes the shift points for the transmission. (Best for towing or heavier loads)

EGR - Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve

EWD or WD - Electrical Wiring Diagram, (part of FSM set)

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

FHH - Firewall Heater Hose

FSM - Factory Service Manual. The "bible" as published by the manufacturer. Used to guide in repairs

HG - Head Gasket

IAC = Idle Air Control solenoid

JDM- Japan Domestic Market- Refers to items particular to vehicles manufactured and sold in the Japanese market.

LB - Long bed

LB/FT - pound feet of torque

LB/IN - pound inches of torque

LHD (Left-Hand Drive): steering wheel on the left side, driving on the right side of the road

LSPV - Load Sensing Proportioning Valve

MAF - Mass air flow sensor

MIL - Malfunction Indicator Light (same as a CEL)

M&S - (tires) Mud and Snow

MT - Manual Transmission

MT - (tires) Mud Terrain

NA - Naturally Aspirated - An engine that is not turbocharged nor supercharged

OBDII - On Board Diagnostics Port available on ALL cars sold in the US 199 and later. Allows a common intercface tool to be connected to read and reset engine fault codes (CEL). Many Autpart stores will read your code for free vs. paying the dealer.

OEM - Original Equipment Manufacturer. (Toyota in this case)

OME - Old Man Emu. An Australian four wheel drive specialty manufacturer that makes all kinds of cool stuff that causes us to empty our billfolds.

OR - Off-Road (e.g., Tacoma TRD trim level)

PCV Valve - The Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve is an emissions control device that routes unburned crankcase blowby gases back into the intake manifold where they can be reburned.

PI - Propane Injection - Propane is injected into the intake as a diesel catalyst for a more complete burn and additional power

PM - preventive mantenance

PM - private message

PO - Previous owner

POS - Piece of S#1T

PS - Passenger side

PSI - Pounds per square inch - A measure,emt of pressure.

RHD (Right-Hand Drive): steering wheel on the right side, driving on the left side of the road.

RPM - Rotations Per Minute

SB - Short bed

SC or S/C - Supercharger/Supercharged

SC - Single cab

SCLB - Single cab, long bed

SSM - Special Service Materials

SST - Special Service Tools

SOA - Spring over axle. Stock configuration for 2nd gen Tacoma.

SUA - Spring under axle (vs. SOA previously mentioned).

TB - Throttle Body: controls air flow into engine system in response to gas pedal depression.

TC or T/C - Turbocharger/Turbocharged

TPS - Throttle Position Sensor, may also be the "kick down" cable

TRD - Toyota Racing Development (vehicle trim level)

USDS- US driver's side or the left-hand side of the vehicle.

USPS - US passenger side or the right-hand side of the vehicle.

VSV - Vacuum Switching Valve. An electrically controlled valve that diverts vacuum according to the position of the switch.

xfer - Transfer case: sits behind transmission, has front and rear drive shafts coming out of it, and distributes power from the transmission to the front and rear differentials/axles.

 

[FerrisBueller]

General items for the 2nd gen Tacoma​

General Information:​

• Link to Toyota Service Information site - Factory service information
• Web archive of Factory Service Manual (FSM)
• Toyota Owners Group - Toyota Site you plug in the VIN as the owner and it provides all the Toyota maintained service records. Great tool when evaluating vehicles for purchase. Also allows you the ability to update your service here. Also down load owners manuals here after selecting year
• Basics on differentials
  
  
  
  
  
• Why should I get Sliders? - If you plan on wheeling, Sliders are great protection
  A picture says a 1000 words, or several thousand dollars of body damage:

 

[FerrisBueller]

Modifications​

Many of these are also discussed as part of members Build Threads

Front bumpers​

Rear bumpers​

Rock sliders​

Note: make sure the sliders you are ordering will fit your cab / bed configuration (DCSB, DCLB, ACLB, SCLB). Usually, DCSB and ACLB use the same sliders as each other.

Skid plates​

Rims / Wheels​

• firestopper's body mount chop (BMC)

Tires​

Generally accepted maximum no-rub tire size for stock rig:

16" rims:

• 235/85R16
• 265/75R16

17" rims (e.g., SEMA from 4Runner):

• 235/80R17
• 265/70R17

Lifts / Suspension​

• Warning about some rear spring brands having destructive interference with the spring shackle:
  • Some brands of rear leaf springs have a 2nd or 3rd leaf that are too long and therefore extend into the shackle that the spring bolts to (the metal piece the swivels between the springs' rearmost eyelets and the frame). This is a problem because the leafs naturally shift left and right from each other as the suspension articulates, and so these leafs that extend too far into the shackle end up repeatedly hitting and gouging out chunks from the side of the shackle. Avoid this shackle damage by ensuring the aftermarket rear springs you're purchasing do not have a 2nd leaf that extends into the shackle.
• FerrisBueller's spring clamps to reduce axle wrap for soft / old springs (temporary fix)
  • Axle wrap is unique to leaf-sprung vehicles. It occurs when the torque from driving the rear wheels has a reactive force on the axle housing, causing it to attempt to spin in the opposite direction as the axle. The leaf springs have a difficult time stopping this angular rotation on the axle housing, resulting in the leaf springs fanning apart on the leading arms of the leafs, which essentially shortens the driveshaft. When the leafs quickly flex back to their original shape, it quickly extends the driveshaft back to its normal length. The combination of the leafs and driveshaft quickly compressing and extending creates a jarring, clunking sensation (usually this occurs when shifting). Axle wrap might be further worsened by a spring-over-axle (SOA) spring configuration, which is what the 2nd gen Tacoma uses.

 

[FerrisBueller]

Repairs /Maintenance​

FSM​

Web archive of 2005+ Tacoma factory service manual. It's all PDF, but split up by repair item. So it's a bit inconvenient since you cannot download the whole thing all at once. You have to browse the the list to find the manual section you're looking for, then download that single PDF.

Interior​

Exterior​

Headlight Restoration​

• Subrina's headlight restoration