T100 - 28 years and radiator started leaking

[rscoleman]

Noticed back on Tuesday that I had fluid under my truck that was not morning dew. First time in 28 years I have ever seen any fluid under my truck other than water from AC. Thought maybe the oil pan or power steering or steering rack but turned out to be coolant. Looks like the plastic to aluminum connection at top finally let loose. I had just recently got it back from trouble shooting for 3rd time emission check engine light issues. I am going to fix it I need to last me 2 more years then I figure I will get me a new 6 speed manual Tacoma. That will make my T100 30 years old.

 

[dbleon]

New … not as good.

 

[HankyPanky]

Noticed back on Tuesday that I had fluid under my truck that was not morning dew. First time in 28 years I have ever seen any fluid under my truck other than water from AC. Thought maybe the oil pan or power steering or steering rack but turned out to be coolant. Looks like the plastic to aluminum connection at top finally let loose. I had just recently got it back from trouble shooting for 3rd time emission check engine light issues. I am going to fix it I need to last me 2 more years then I figure I will get me a new 6 speed manual Tacoma. That will make my T100 30 years old.

You could get yours recored. Or a new radiator altogether. I have a 95 and it has a new radiator. It works fine, but the 3rz needs a head gasket if not to be machined. Also, the ecu or spark ignitor is going out. Honestly, finding out that toyota parts are wildly expensive if I want name brand. The Distributor is $705 for a Toyota or $200+ for a chinese one. The Spark Ignitor is $300 for name brand, the chinese one didn't work when I tried it. I have tried a couple and they make a crazy highpitched scream and overheat without starting the engine. The old one works... for now. This thing is just too expensive for what it is and I have devoted my energy towards a tdi swap at this point. It would be cheaper than bringing the 3rz up to snuff. 30 year old electronics are suffering insulation break down which is normal but the T100 does not have the aftermarket support it deserves!

 

[rscoleman]

Radiator fixed, most recent issue was wipers stopped working. The button on end for water been broke for years. You can't get parts any more. After quite a bit of research I was able to use parts from another model and mount the parts to my case. So got that back to working. Only issue is the clock spring got screwed up and now my cruise control does not work. At this point it almost always something. I just love it bought it new in 1997 and just can't make my self part with it. However I promised wife 2 more years and I get new truck. Mine will be 30 years old. I sell it to someone that wants something to play with.

 

[HankyPanky]

Radiator fixed, most recent issue was wipers stopped working. The button on end for water been broke for years. You can't get parts any more. After quite a bit of research I was able to use parts from another model and mount the parts to my case. So got that back to working. Only issue is the clock spring got screwed up and now my cruise control does not work. At this point it almost always something. I just love it bought it new in 1997 and just can't make my self part with it. However I promised wife 2 more years and I get new truck. Mine will be 30 years old. I sell it to someone that wants something to play with.

Well please keep me in mind. Mine was given to me by my buddies mom. She's 82 no but I helped her clean and sell the property after her son died. So it's also sentimental and I guess i'll just keep plugging away at it forever. Doing a tdi swap to get rid of the 3rz. I'm so tired of it's little quirks and no parts availability!

 

[rscoleman]

Going to pull the clock spring after watching a bunch of youtube video's. I will attempt to repair mine, most likely the ribbon cable has pulled out on one or the other end and I will need to solder it back. I really hate it when things don't work like they should.

When I am ready to sell it 2027 for sure or sooner I will post on here and few other forums before listing in more normal places.

 

[rscoleman]

Clock spring replaced and cruise and horn working again. I did not connect the airbag not sure I trust a 28 year old air bag. New problem is front diff is leaking I hope it is drain screw and not something else. The fun of 28 year old truck. I have P0441 code, I have replaced everything related to emissions so not sure were to go from here on this one. Happily as truck is over 25 years old I don't have state inspections any more. I fix the diff leak first then come back to the code.