Getting fed up

The shoes are slightly dragging so I'm good there. Waiting until the weekend to do the driver's side. The complete brake job consisted of new rotors, pads, and shoes. Everything was fine until maybe a month ago. All remnants of the bolt are out of the drum.

 

Well the truck was never taken off road. It was driven on road pretty much all its life. And I understand what to look for, I just wasn't present when the truck was bought. I was on my Senior Trip in Florida and the truck was bought by my parents as a graduation gift. They brought a mechanic to look at it and apparently he turned out to be a complete ass just so he would get money from us in the long run. He knew what was wrong with the truck, he just didn't say anything. PO changed oil every 7k miles, tires are dry rotted from the truck sitting, have no clue if the timing belt, water pump, thermostat, etc. has ever been replaced, nor do I know if the trans fluid was ever changed, and the truck hesitated to get going when I first got it. I'm trying to get through this and have a truck I can keep for a long time. Just gotta take my time.

 

I believe you're talking about something else. I was talking about the brake lights that light up when you press on the brakes.

 

I don't have a low fluid light

 

Hey Brandon, you got the right attitude in fixing your truck and going slow and easy . Money matters big time,I know. I'm self-employed carpenter with little work these days. Thst relates to little money!!

 

Just some thoughts. These are all pricey yet better than stock, and do it yourself for the most part.

Tires
https://www.treadwright.com/individual-product/169/GUARD%20DOG-265-70R16.00-D

Leaf Springs
Front and Rear shocks

 

I was in a similar boat as you. I pretty much had no job. I would do some work for this guy my cousin introduced me to a while back but that money would just go so quickly because at the time my truck just drank gas. I'm going to save $50 from each paycheck (I get paid weekly) and put that in a savings account so I can start to get some stuff for my truck. Any other money will be used for gas, food, and every now and then going out with friends etc. But yea, slow and steady wins the race lol

 

Bilsteins, Wheelers 5 leaf, and OME springs here. Gets the job done with room to spare. I have a constant 250-350 lbs in the back,,then when I stack more in it droops a bit as expected, but it still handles well.

You need a 8 ply tire Brandon? Will be a definite harder ride after your suspension upgrades. It will soften and settle a bit with mileage,,but it will be brisk until then. They will eat more fuel being heavier than say a 6 ply. Sharper treaded edges tend to eat more fuel due to rolling resistance. Right now you are pumping paychecks into the tank. Weigh your options carefully.

Fix the immediate,,but dream on the rest for now.

That being posted,,Here is a awesome roadside or garage kit. Been rocking the 148 piece fold out that I got a couple years ago. Made in Taiwan with original Crecent quality.
http://www.sears.com/crescent-170-p...1x000001&kpid=00927006000&kispla=00927006000P

 

Idk what an 8 ply tire is lol. I'm just looking for tires the same size that I currently have.

 

You can still get 8 ply tires in your size. They are made with more layers. Sidewalls are stronger and tires won't get bubbles. Basically a much tougher tire. They won't generally wear down as fast also. With your lifestyle and hauling it is great advice.

 

Usually a big letter next to your tire size on the sidewall. A letter D would be a 8 ply,,or 8 layers of construction belting. Thicker, tougher tire. Your link above shows a 8 ply or D ply rating. Next letter up,,add 2 more layers of belting and $$$. It's double edged tho',,more belting, heavier tire to get rolling. The payoff is longer life if careful, more hauling capacity, better rock or flat rejection. If you think you will be hauling a 1/3 unit+ of plywood around all the time, bump up that ply rating to a E. If not,,then all you need is a C if available.

I run a C,,which is a 6 ply tire. Never needed any more and have loaded it up to top heavy to many times to count.

 

If he loads like in his pic would be my only reason for 8 ply also. Had on old cj 5 with 8 ply goodrich(I think) and hated ride. Off road was good. Kind of feel like 8 ply tires are more suitable on heavy trucks. You are right about mpg also mod.

 

I don't usually have loads like in my picture lol. That's probably the most I'd have in the bed. Anything over that, I'd find a trailer and tow it. So I don't think the 8 ply will be necessary.

 

On a tacoma, especially a first gen, I don't think personally it's worth anything more then a C load rated tire. They're not rated to haul that much weight. I run C load tires

 

Good call Brandon.

 

^^^^,,what he said.

Going down the road overloaded to the spring bumpstops is not a good way to impress the local law enforcement either. If they yank you to the side of the road,,they will check the load ratings on the sidewall and overall tire health depending on there experience.

State patrol has told me personally they like to see a trailer sharing that gross weight, versus the vehicle doing it all. So good call on the trailer. Always load or as close as you can to toung/bumper level on the truck,,to the same on the trailer. Equal and even,,as much as possible. You might have to shuffle stuff back and fourth over the axle centers,,to get it positioned right.

 

I actually broke leaf on drivers side hauling with load on tailgate! Springs were 3 yrs. old! Lucky for me they were under warranty and I didn't confess. They replaced both sides and I went to spring shop and had extra leaf added to each. That was in 1999. Also screws up the top of truck cab even when careful.lol