Toyota pickups are some of the most reliable vehicles on and off the road. Their reliability means owners can simply replace parts rather than trading their vehicles in when something goes wrong. If you love your Toyota pickup, high-quality restoration parts can help your vehicle keep moving.
How To Choose Toyota Pickup Restoration Parts: What You Need To Know
It’s important to think carefully about the parts you need to replace, your reasons for restoring the pickup, and the results you want before laying your credit card down. Learning more about your part options can help you make the right choices for your restoration.
OEM Parts vs Aftermarket Parts
There are two categories of Toyota restoration parts: original equipment manufacturer and aftermarket parts. Toyota or its partners make OEM parts to fit your pickup perfectly. Aftermarket parts are made by third parties for several vehicles, so they may not be such a perfect match. However, aftermarket parts are often cheaper. Aftermarket parts can also be more accessible, especially if you have an older Toyota pickup made before the 1990s. Both OEM and aftermarket parts face inspection and regulation, so you should feel confident with either part type.
Important Considerations for Your Restoration
Think carefully about what you want to do with the pickup after restoring it. If you’re restoring to sell, you don’t want to spend too much money on the parts as they’ll eat into your profit margin. It’s a good idea to list all the parts you need and set a budget for them to stay on track with your spending.
If you’re keeping the pickup, you can afford to splurge a little more. If you plan on driving your restored pickup regularly, you may invest in more expensive parts that may last longer than the parts you’d put in a pickup for weekend leisure drives. If you have an older pickup you may also want to add some modern touches to enhance the driving experience.
Where to Source Parts
You can find restoration parts for Toyota pickups at a variety of places. You may need to use several places to source all the parts you need, depending on how old and rare your pickup is. Online shopping is easy because you can find all the parts you need without leaving your home. You can find Toyota pickup parts at regular online retailers like Amazon, online marketplaces, and specialist Toyota restoration websites.
If your pickup is a fairly recent model, your local Toyota dealership may help you source restoration parts. Salvage yards can also be gold mines for restorers.
What To Look For in Toyota Restoration Parts
Look for restoration parts listed to suit your Toyota pickup model. When purchasing second-hand, ensure they’re in good condition and free of rust and damage.
Restoration parts made from high-quality materials will last longer. For example, mild steel is easy to weld and affordable, but it’s prone to rust. If you plan on keeping your restored pickup for many years, you may prefer stainless steel or aluminum options.
Best Toyota Pickup Restoration Part #1: Dorman 524-020 Front Passenger Side Lower Suspension Control Arm
- Compatible with 1995-2004 Toyota Tacomas
- Precision-engineered to match original Toyota components
- Rigorously tested for safety and longevity
This is a core part of your truck’s suspension system that helps you steer and guides the truck’s wheels up and down on the road’s surface for a smoother ride. It measures 18.71 x 5.31 x 15.16 inches and weighs 15.6 pounds. It’s sold ready to paint if required.
Best Toyota Pickup Restoration Part #2: MCK Ignition Coil Pack
- Compatible with the 3.4 liter V-6 in:
- 1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner
- 1995-1998 Toyota T100
- 1995-2004 Toyota Tacoma
- 2000-2003 Toyota Tundra
- Made of high-grade materials to resist heat damage and corrosion
- Simple to install at home
These ignition coils can help you drive safer and reduce various vehicle problems including engine jitters and misfires, reduced fuel economy, and reduced driving power. Sold as a pack of three, these coils measure 7.95 x 4.96 x 3.78 inches and weigh 2.2 pounds.
Best Toyota Pickup Restoration Part #3: Dorman 955-216 Driver Side Manual Door Mirror
- Compatible with 1984-1986 Toyota 4Runner
- Reverse engineered from high-quality materials to look and fit exactly like the original
- Easy installation at home as manual folding mirrors have no electrical connectors
This folding door mirror is a high-quality replacement for an original mirror that’s become scratched or rusty over time. It comes complete and ready to assemble at home, with mirror glass, housing, and bracket. It measures 10.68 x 6.38 x 4.38 inches and weighs 10.4 ounces.
Our Methodology
We looked for high-quality Toyota pickup restoration parts from leading brands made with superior materials that are designed to last. We also considered the comments and ratings of Amazon customers who shared their experiences with these parts.
Toyota Pickup Restoration Parts FAQs
Should you use OEM Toyota parts?
The decision about whether to use OEM Toyota parts or aftermarket parts is a personal one. Toyota backs its OEM parts and makes them fit specific Toyota models so you can feel confident about your choice. However, aftermarket parts are subject to strict regulation. The affordability of aftermarket parts is also a consideration for many consumers.
How do you know if your parts are OEM?
Examining the package is one of the easiest ways to determine whether you have OEM parts or counterfeits. OEM parts have packaging with high-quality printing, words spelled correctly, and clear standard Toyota logos. There are also differences between most OEM and aftermarket products when you compare them side-by-side. Counterfeiters tend to focus on duplicating parts that are commonly replaced, including oil filters, spark plugs, and brake pads.
Will using aftermarket parts decrease your Toyota pickup’s value?
Many people choose OEM parts because they want to retain their Toyota pickup’s value. However, it makes little difference to your pickup’s value whether you choose OEM or aftermarket parts. If you’re restoring to sell, you may prefer choosing aftermarket parts to maximize your profits.
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