What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

Fenders were removed because I am in the process of repainting them black. Nothing special. Just spray paint. Does it matter what fenders clips I get? Red or blue?

 

Both. There are 4 red and 2 blue per fender.

 

It doesn't really matter, I think I got all blue last time.

 

Sooooo.....

 

The kits I bought from Toyota have 6 clips per kit, 4 red and 2 blue. These are for a 2002, your '04 could be different.

 

Maybe. I thought I counted 7 clips in the front. I'm not too sure but I'll double check in the morning. I'm not planning on buying directly from toyota. $1.55 each clip is a lot. I'd spend like 40 or 50 dollars on clips. I think I might get them off eBay or Amazon but I need to know if I can get away with only getting one color of clip

 

Also, on my driver's side rear fender flare, the black strip that goes around the flare came off. And doesn't want to stick. What can I use to make it stick?

 

that is a sweet welder from everything i have read. i think even i could weld with it and i don't even know how. MIG is almost like decorating a cake

 

From your picture, I see 7 in the back and 6 in the front. I'm working off a faded memory here, I bought the clips 2 years ago and for sure I bought 24 clips at $1.76 per clip. Maybe it's really 26? You got me looking, and I found the invoice... Part #

$8 90904-67037 XQSM 26 PCS Fender Flare Retainer Clips Compatible with Toyota Tacoma 2001-2004 Fender Flare Retainer Clip Replace 90904-67036 90904-67037

90904-67037 Qty.18, # 9094-67036 Qty 8. Total of 26 @ $1.76 = $45.76. Hope this helps.

 

Yea I did my research and everything seemed to point at the new millermatic 211. Its got quick connect 110/220 plugs (which is convenient) and was redesigned so its much smaller. Only 38 lbs. It should hold up perfect for everything I plan to do with the truck and more. Going with a 140 welder is just being cheap unless you only do really light stuff. This lead me to look into the next size up (180/190's). I almost pulled the trigger on the Hobart handler 190 but once I read all the good about the 211, I decided it was definitely worth the extra dollars. Also the Hobart was only 220v. Im actually probably getting this 211 for the same price as the Hobart after the rebate.

 

The first time I took them off I replaced the clips with all the same color, the second I just reused all the broken ones. The only difference from what I remember was the side of the clip that mounts to the fender, one was larger but the smaller one fits in all the holes.

 

Thank you sir

 

armor.

 

been reading a lot about removing sway bar

 

Best color, we win the color award.

 

Are you on stock suspension or do you have aftermarket?

 

This morning I went to put the ball joints on the spindle. My book says the torque is 105. I did reuse the old bolts. This is what happened.



What do you guys torque you lower ball joint bolts to?

 

soon enough she will be aftermarket

 

59 according to this.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...st-gen-edition.138573/page-4293#post-11028756

 

I'd wait until you have aftermarket suspension, just to be safe.

From my point of view the stock suspension is exceptionally soft without the sway bar. Whereas most aftermarket coils that provide lift will be stiffer allowing less body roll without the sway bar than stock while also gaining better suspension travel numbers up front











In other news, just finished installing the new drive shaft. Feels so much smoother when accelerating from a complete stop (no axle wrap feeling). And also just feels more solid overall.

Old drive shaft had carrier bearing that was shot, 2 u-joints full of rust, a sheared zerk fitting, and a few dents haha