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Old 05-25-2014, 06:17 PM   #1 (permalink)
mikeyjd
Master EcoModder
 
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 838

Matchbox - '93 Ford Festiva L
Team Ford
Last 3: 70.16 mpg (US)

Salamander - '99 Chrysler Concorde LXI
Team Dodge
90 day: 30.3 mpg (US)

Urquhart - '97 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 V6 3.4L DLX
Pickups
90 day: 25.81 mpg (US)

Smudge - '98 Toyota Tacoma
90 day: 40.65 mpg (US)

Calebro - '15 Renault Trafic 1.25 dci
90 day: 39.39 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,380
Thanked 209 Times in 155 Posts
97 4x4 3.4L Extra Cab Tacoma Project

Goals: 32+mpg (100% over epa) year round average. Maintain towing/hauling capability.

History:

1st owner had it and put 117,000 miles on it before it through a rod after he overheated it. It sat in his garage from 2002-2011, when he sold it to the 2nd owner, who happened to be a Toyota dealership mechanic. He purchased the truck and immediately had the frame inspected to see if he could get in on the 1st gen frame rot recall. The inspection came back as a really great solid frame so he decided to put a rebuilt engine in it. He also did the timing kit with a water pump, along with a new starter and alternator and a new suspension system. He also redid the rustproofing. He had paid $6,000 for it and put another $2,500 into it doing most of the work himself. He drove it for 18,000 miles mostly from Florida to Michigan and back on road trips before selling it to a friend of his for $7,000, when he bought a new one. His friend already had a Ranger when he had bought the Tacoma off him and decided he preferred the ranger because of gas mileage. So he list's the Tacoma for $5,000... after only a year and putting like 3,000 miles on the thing. I offered him $4,000 as a hopeless lowball offer and he came back at $4,200 and I came to pick it up the next day Needless to say I feel that given the current state of the truck and all the work that was done it's probably worth almost double what I paid for it. I love it so far, and feel very blessed to be owning such a quality piece of equipment. :cheers:

Current Mods:


- UltraGauge
- 55PSI Tires
- Front Grill Block
- Removed Wipers (have them in the cab for rain)
- Folded Side Mirrors
- Flush Fiberglass Cap
- Synthetic Motor Oil (0w30 Mobile1 High Mileage)
- Differential Fluid: Amsoil Severe Gear Synthetic Extreme Pressure Gear Lube 75W-90
- Removed Spare Tire (70lbs)
- Full Coroplast Under Panels
- Radiator Clutch Fan Delete
- Side Skirts
- Rear Wheel Skirts

Planned Mods:

- Smooth Wheel Covers
- Kill Switch
- Synthetic Differential and Transmission Fluid
- 2000 W circulating heater
- Tranny, Differential heaters
- Led Lights
- Alternator Switch
- Electric Radiator Fan





Basline Tank:

2014-03-05
272.8 mi
13.653 gal (US)
19.98 mpg (US)
11.77 L/100 km


Last edited by mikeyjd; 06-22-2014 at 06:34 PM..
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