I'm looking for someone with experience to help me learn more about my truck and help me do some repairs that are outside of my current comfort level. I have a 2000 5spd 4x4 3.4L Tacoma with a growing list of things that I need to work on. This truck is my only vehicle so while I'm willing to try all kinds of things, I need to have it put back together by the end of the day so I can drive to work. Here's a short list of things I'd like to work on.

Heater isn't hot. Pretty warm eventually, but no longer hot. I think flushing it might work, or maybe one of the cables is out of tension, but it's too cold for me to tear apart my dash.

My Catalytic converter is going. Help cutting and welding a replacement on.

My Clutch is slipping. I know I am smart enough to replace it, but never having done anything like this, I don't want to try on my DD.

My parking break is hard to set and when released, the light stays on in the cab unless I hold the handle against the dash.

I need an alignment, but I'll probably just pony up the dough at a tire place for this one.

I think it's about time to adjust the valves but I wouldn't even know where to start except with my wallet at the dealership.

I took all kinds of wood shop classes in high school. Now I'm wishing I had taken more auto repair so I had some experience. Anyone willing to lend some hands on instruction please send me a line.

nermal

 

Hey, I'm in Madison. The list of items you listed is a bit beyond my skill, but I'm always willing to lend a hand to work on a vehicle.

A couple of items:

You shouldn't need to adjust the valves. But if you do, it's really a job for the pros. The valves use shims and I don't know what sorts of special tools. If this was an old school eccentric tappet design I could help. But I'm curious as to why you think you need your valves adjusted. It's a rare need.

I don't have welding skills, so for me, I'd focus on replacing the whole thing at the nut and bolt level. Replacing the O2 sensors should be doable.

The parking brake question is another item I'd feel comfortable helping with. An adjustement at the rear wheels might do it, but we should figure out why all the tension isn't being released. Can you tell if your brakes are dragging?

I'm more than happy to help with a clutch job. I've taken transmissions off and on before (not on a Toyota), but I really don't know spit about dealing with the clutch part. Can I learn on your truck? ;-)

Anyway, keep in touch. Let me know if you need a hand or want to drink a beer and break a vehicle.

MadCityRich
'02 4Runner Ltd.