My 18 year old Tacoma Clocks 200,000 Miles
Three summers ago, I first saw her parked alongside Route 140 in Finksburg Maryland. In all her stock beauty, she was a blank canvas just waiting for my brush. We’ve shared a number of life altering times together over the last three years. We traveled across the country from coast to coast. She helped me move three times. She was even there for a few dates I dare not talk about here. As I am a little delinquent in reporting a monumental day of hers’, let me take some time and give her the praise she deserves. Of course I’m talking about my 1995 Toyota Tacoma and the 200,000 miles achieved back in May.
In all her glory she celebrates 200,000 miles
Toyota Tacoma reaches 200,000 Miles
It was just a normal spring turkey hunt in Western Maryland. One where I did not kill a turkey, but spent quality time reading in camp, hiking the mountains, catching trout, and exploring the muddy, rocky trails of Garrett County MD. The odometer in the dash told the story. In just a few miles short of reaching home, the 18 year old truck was about to clock 200,000 miles. 43,000 of which I have had the pleasure of driving and I’m pretty sure they’ve been the hardest miles for the ole girl.
So what does it take to reach such a pinnacle achievement in automotive prowess? As far as I can tell, with a Toyota, pretty much change the oil, replace the timing belt and water pump every 100,000 and drive on. Over simplified I know, but in reality my 1995 Toyota Tacoma has been a pleasure to own and drive the past three years. And if possible, I plan to keep on going for another 200,000 miles.
Since I’ve owned the truck, I have preformed some maintenance and part replacements. When I first drove her home three years ago, I replaced all the belts, hoses, fluids, and spark plugs and wires. Since returning from Alaska last summer, I had to replace the front brake calipers that I had installed a few months before the trip. I was a little disappointed in the replacement brake calipers; then I realized I had driven the truck 10,000 miles from one end of the country and back, on dry dusty roads in North Dakota, muddy trails in Canada, snow drifts in Alaska and over the Rockies twice with the truck overloaded with gear. I guess I can excuse the calipers for wearing out seemingly early.
Just recently, I have had a very embarrassing battle with several power steering pumps, which I will not go into detail here for fear of total self depredation. Let’s just say I have replaced the power steering pump on the truck since I have owned it and leave it at that. Thanks.
Oh and there was the brake master cylinder I had to replace. That again was my fault. The power steering pump had a slow leak. While talking to a girl friend and trying to impress her with my mechanical abilities, I poured power steering stop leak into my brake master cylinder. Boy was she cute. Not long after, the thick goo killed the seals in the master cylinder and the brake pedal dropped to the floor.
Days after the truck turned 200,000 miles, I took it into for service. Ed at Ed’s Auto works in Westminster, MD replaced the timing belt and water pump. He also repaired a few of my “repairs”.
I guess you could say she has made it 200,000 miles in spite of my mud filled adventures and auto repair skills. Yep, even at her age and miles, she is as peppy as ever. I would not hesitate to leave tomorrow for another trek out to the west coast. You know I have never been to California… jus’ maybe….
