Weak link: Rear upper shock mounts
Models affected: All pickups and 4Runners
What happens: Similar to the front, the upper rear shock mounts are located on the Toyota frame and do not offer enough room to run extended-length shocks necessary for gobs of wheel travel.
Sturdy fix: Off Road Solutions offers a tubular shock mount that welds in between the framerails and provides increased frame rigidity and allows for 12-inch-travel shocks. The shocks are angled towards each other in order to allow for the longest length possible and still fit under the bed.
Contact: Off Road Solutions
Weak link: Blower resistor
Models affected: '79-'95 pickups and 4Runners
What happens: One of the benefits of driving a Toyota pickup is the enclosed cab. Having the A/C on in the summer or running the heater on a snow run will make you the envy of your Jeep friends. Sometimes though, the fan stops working on all but the highest speeds
Sturdy fix: This happens when the resistor that provides resistance to the blower motor burns out. The fix is easy and cheap, but the resistor can be hard to locate. It can be found beneath and behind the glovebox on Toyota pickups and 4Runners.
Contact: Your local Toyota dealer
Weak link: Transfer case output shaft
Models affected: All pickups and 4Runners equipped with the 20R, 22R, or 22RE engine
What happens: The stock output shaft in the Toyota geardriven transfer case has a machined depression behind the teeth near the center of the shaft. This depression can become a point of failure when the drivetrain is bound up, particularly after other components in the driveline have been upgraded.
Sturdy fix: All-Pro's heavy-duty output shaft removes the groove next to the dog clutch that is prone to failure, and replaces the 30-spline clutch hub with a stronger 31-spline unit. The result is a shaft that is 0.215-inch larger than the shaft it replaces. The shaft and clutch hub are made from high-quality 8620 gear steel.
Contact: All-Pro Off Road
Weak link: Rear tire rub
Models affected: '79-'85 pickups and 4Runners
What happens: When long-travel suspensions with gobs of travel are added to the rear of solid-axle Toyota pickups, the tires can rub on the frame and limit articulation.
Sturdy fix: Retrofit the rear axle out of an '86-or-newer Toyota. These axles utilize the same 8-inch third member, but are 3 inches wider. Additionally, the later-model rear axles have larger drum brakes for improved stopping power.
Contact: Your local wrecking yard
Weak link: Transfer-case crossmember
Models affected: All pickups and 4Runners
What happens: The stock transfer-case crossmember is a stamped-steel piece that is flimsy and hangs down excessively below the frame. This stock crossmember also provides no protection for expensive dual transfer-case systems.
Sturdy fix: BudBuilt manufactures a replacement crossmember and skidplate that bolts in place of the factory piece. The BudBuilt unit provides an additional 2 inches of ground clearance and is constructed of 3/8-inch laser-cut, hot-rolled, pickled, and oiled steel.
Contact: BudBuilt
Weak link: Axle drain plug
Models affected: All pickups and 4Runners
What happens: Unlike Dana axles, Toyota axles use a removable third member, much like a Ford 9-inch. The Toyota axles have a hex-shaped drain plug on the bottom to facilitate easy fluid changes. In fact, it is so easy, the plug often loosens up and removes itself on the trail.
Sturdy fix: To combat this, the hex-head plug can be replaced with a low-profile countersunk Allen-head plug (Toyota PN 90341-18021). The Allen-head plug is less susceptible to damage on the trail and easier to tighten if it should come loose.
Contact: Your local Toyota dealer