Panterahead's daily driver revamp on a -budget project.

Hey guys I'm pretty new here I'll give my proper introduction to me and my truck in the wrong place sorry.
I've been doing a lot of research. Had a lot of helpful information come my way from https://www.tundras.com/threads/200...hing-else-seeking-opinions-commentary.156425/ Thanks to all you guys that bombarded my noggin. I learned a lot about the front suspension and how difficult it is to navigate Toyotas part system for a 2004 Toyota Dual Cab 4x4.
I have had this truck for about 10 years or so I'd have to dig deep to find the date. I haven't always been very kind to her on the maintenance front. Not because I don't have the tools or Knowledge to figure it out. Just have a kid that eats up all my time and money spent with Travel softball and wrestling. Hopefully my sacrifices help her out in the end. She is 17 now so who knows? She is definitely making better decisions than I was at that age I think at least. Even she drives a newer car than me.

Anyway In the past I learned not to mess with aftermarket stuff on this truck " for the most part" from doing the water pump and timing belt a few years back. after doing the bracket 3 times. Because I bought the adv auto Fan bracket aka false water pump. It broke again after about a month the first time then about 6 months later again under warranty. I bought the oem brand the third time and didn't worry about the warranty. Knock on wood still going strong a couple years later.
The worst part of that was figuring out the problem and that its called a false water pump not a fan bracket or housing. Not to mention the 6 hour haul back the first time it happened on a work trip. Actually every time it happened I was on the road for work. Hence the new policy I don't drive it on company time for work trips.
I could drive it to Florida tonight and back tomorrow on my own time and still be ok.

I really didn't plan on still having this truck at this point in life but life happens and here we are. Blows my mind that this truck still books around 7k or above depending on mileage I'm right at 210k I am a fan still but its hard to get the proper parts and she needs some front suspension work severely. For fucks sake its hard to buy a inside door handle for this truck.
I will try to keep this updated as I go and take pictures and screen shots of what I order. Some of it will not be the recommended oem parts... on me. I should have most the tools I need at home like a shop press and about any hand tool you can think of.

 

Good on ya, post some pics

 

Good on ya. Throw up some pics, we like pics!

That’s not uncommon. My truck is a 2000 and I have 1 kid in a 2017 and another in a 2006. I’d take my truck over anything new these days. It’s like that Dierks Bentley song, “I hold on”.

 

I will try to upload pics of my endeavor if serra toyota would ever send my parts still on hold been nearly a week since the last time I asked. they said everything had shipped to them and should only be a day or 2. Asked again tonight what the hold up is.
I got upper and lower ball joints, lower ball joint bolts, and tie rod ends, and lower strut mount bolts and nuts from them hopefully on the way soon.
I did order some aftermarket bearings and hubs Durago from RA. Don't shoot me I know order oem for that stuff I was going to do that but the serra toyota wanted 500 with out the hubs and I could get it from awawaa? and it was closer to the 300 I spent but was a month shipping.
So that's where I'm at on those. I may regret it but bank is slim and so is time. Went with the same raybestos brake kit I installed from RA 3 years ago even though I don't think they are any part of the issues. Haven't checked pads but both rotors are still smooth no grinding. I'm this far into it gonna swap them out again.

 

@The Black Mamba Ya the kids car might be newer than my truck but I only gave 500 for it unheard of in todays market even last year when I bought it. It drove home like riding on an unbalanced washing machine because all the engine and transmission mounts were trash because of a separated bearing in a cv joint at the trans side. weirdest thing I think I ever seen on a cv joint still cant wrap my head around it. Boots looked excellent no rips or tears. But one bearing inside one of the pockets was popped out of the pocket. I have never seen that happen. Changed all the mounts and brakes and a bunch of other dumb stuff due to the cv joint being that way. Knock on my wood head its still going.

Its not the vehicle that scares me to work on though that would be the old lady's 2018 Highlander. Because not only do you need a special specific oil filter wrench you have to tear apart the filter and rebuild it with a paper filter. I really feel that we went backwards on that deal as there are plenty of normal oil filters that are rated for 10 k plus. Not to mention the retarded sensors for cruise control and all that.

Ill gladly take my old truck over either because She may be Buschie about some parts Shes mine free and clear and loves me long time.