New 97 ext cab 4wd v6 TRD upgraded owner

[Cobb]

Pls excuse the questions and any ignorance. I bought this truck used a few days ago with 44 thousand miles on it after it sat for 6 years. Seems from the local dealer it just had the hoses, timming belt and super charger replaced for faulty bearings before it was parked when the pervious owner died.

I changed the engine oil and filter, replaced battery and looked everything over. It started right up and drove it off. Only down side was the fact the drivers side window was stuck down and it was kept outside with a garbage bag over the window.

The truck is loaded with trd logos, japanise characters, recaro power seats, a big front bumper and piaa lights. No hitch, but it seems lifted.

It checked out at the dealer and they replaced the window regulator and power motor. The ride is a bit rough at highway speeds as the tires have flat spots from sitting, but its slowly getting better.

Anyway, as a new truck owner, I have lots of questions.

1, do I need to use premium fuel if I take it easy as it has a vacuum meter in the cab?

2, when fuel prices go up assuming I do need premium fuel, can I use the addatives instead?

3, as a daily driver, do I need the super charger, can I turn it off or unplug something?

4, how do you get the spare tire down as it seems stuck?

5, what lug wrench and jack did it have? It has upgraded wheels and uses a funny splined socket adapter.

6, any off road, 4wd courses near Richmond, va?

7, the parking brake does not seat fully and causes the brake light to come on, any help?

8, Whats the fuel economy ratings for a truck like this with headers, muffler, super charger, v6, lifted, big tires? I have traveled 126 miles on quarter a tank.

9, Whats a good engine oil weight? The previous owner used mobile 1 synth 20w50.

10, was an alarm an option or rke?

Thanks

[EnolaGaia]

Yes - you need to use premium fuel with the TRD supercharger on the 5VZ V6.

Does your supercharger have any fuel modifications / add-ons at all? This will have a lot to do with how you tweak and use the supercharger.

If you want to disable the supercharger, the best thing to do is simply remove it and all associated equipment. If I'm not mistaken it's possible to remove the pulley (and thus disengage the S/C) in a pinch to 'limp' the truck home, but it's not recommended you do this for daily driving. Your fuel management will be screwed up, and it'd probably run like crap.

Are you sure the parking brake isn't fully disengaging? The brake warning light will also come on if the brake fluid level is even a little bit low.

There's no way to estimate projected mpg without more details - particularly on the S/C and any fuel mods.

I'd recommend going to 5W/30 or 10W/30 oil. 20/50 won't hurt anything, but it's probably heavier than you really need. Factory recommendation for the full temperature range is 5W/30.

There was no factory option for an alarm in that model year. There was an available dealer-installed accessory alarm.

You'll need to figure out what brand / style lug nuts the prior owner used to figure out what tool is required to remove them. Some aftermarket lugs use proprietary shapes.

If (a) the late / previous owner was active online and (b) you can find out what forum(s) and username(s) he used, rummaging around in old forum threads might be the best way to find out what he did with the supercharger installation (what additional stuff he added, etc.....).

Hope this helps ...

[The Phoenix]

Originally Posted by EnolaGaia

Are you sure the parking brake isn't fully disengaging? The brake warning light will also come on if the brake fluid level is even a little bit low.

As he said, he's lifted which might cause the cable to need a bit more slack than it currently has and it's binding up.

[Cobb]

Thanks, he was a lurker, never posted online.

He was a trd nut and about every part has that logo on it including the oil filler cap and wheels.

Here is a photo of the truck



I am 6 ft 2 and its just the right height to swing my but over and sit in it, I do not have to step up or down. It sits level and seems to have adjustible coil overs on the front and found the wrench inside the cab.

The parking brake if I push it down, the light goes off, however when I do not touch it it turns back on. After driving and bouncing around a little as it seems to be a rough ride the light will go back off.

I never drove a super or turbo charged car before. Seems it will boost before up shifting as i am easy on the gas, yet at times instead of upshifting it just starts to whine and the needle moves to the boost position. Is this normal? I have tried both power and regular settings, seems it boosts less in power, but still does so.

Just traveled 220 miles and filled up, 13 gallons. Not the fuel economy I expected for mostly highway driving at 60mph. It just seems to feel a bit unsteady and have no idea who in the right mind would try hitting 100 with it as the dash indicates.

I just got to be careful as if I give it too much gas at a stand still it will just sit there and squeal tires, if I let it idle and slowly easy into the gas it will go instead.

THanks for any other advice. So far no problems and after 800 bucks the toy dealer gave it a clean bill of health.

Here is the stock bumper if anyone is looking for one for sale

[Ney]

Cobb,

Here's a link to online/PDF versions of the Factory Repair Manuals. Yours is in here, and may provide answers to these and future questions.
Toyota Tacoma/ 4Runner/ Tundra/ FJ Cruiser Factory Service Manual Page

If you're looking for hard copies, go to the following Toyota site for pricing.
Toyota Parts and Service

While forums such as these are often times valuable sources of info, nothing can replace the factory manual.