Millenium Falcon Taco Build

Coolant Flush Complete on Tacoma. 4Runner up next.

Both vehicles have been drained and then filled with water.
Then run some more in order for the thermostat to open and circulate and then allowed to cool.
Repeat the process twice.
Next, drain and fill with Toyota Long Life Antifreeze. This stuff is concentrated and needs to be mixed. For my application the bottle suggests a 50/50 ratio. This mix is done in a pail and then added to the vehicle.
I was originally provided with Toyota Super Long Life Antifreeze from the Toyota Dealership.
Apparently this is incorrect for 2003 and older Toyota's.
Just a heads up.
The concentrated stuff is what I needed and it is Red.
The other stuff looks red but is actually pink or something.

 

Got the exhaust finished up this evening.

 

Was adjusting the E-Brake this morning and realized that the return spring for the bell crank on the drivers side is stretched and does not return the bell crank where is should when the e-brake is disengaged. I order one for each side from Toyota, should be here Friday.

 

I got the majority of the re-arranging done at the shop. Here are some pics. I'm sure it looks like I shoved everything into one big pile, but it's honestly way more organized.
I added three rows of shelving and I tossed a few things.
It's not complete but I'm happy with where it's going.

 

Looks like you're getting ready for a winter project.

 

No, the space where the bed is does not belong to me, it is temporarily borrowed. I'm preparing to give the space back.
The rest of the unused space is just for working in. I relocated the two bikes I have stored in the shop to the rear in order to make the front more usable.

 

When I originally picked up my Tacoma the ignition key cylinder was very hit and miss as to wether it would accept the key or not.
I picked up a new ignition key cylinder from fleabay and replaced the defective one. Then they key cylinders in the door also started acting up, so I replaced them with a new set also from fleabay.
My parts truck had a matching oem set of key cylnders for the ignition and doors.
I got my friend from Toyota to order me three oem toyota keys, two with the plastic and one metal valet key. I gave him the VIN from my parts truck and he's going to cut them accordingly.
I'm in the process of switching all the key cylinders over.
It is a small thing but I really appreciate only needing one key for the Tacoma, I also appreciate having a factory key.

 

Since the majority of the work that needs to happen in the rear end has been completed I have installed the refurbished spare tire stabilizers.

I made up a simple bracket to relocate where the LSBV arm mounts. I'm just putting the final coat of paint on it now.

 

Out of curiosity I just took a couple of measurments and calculated the rake on the truck with the new rear suspension.
It's 3 1/4" without the bed. Oh boys.

 

that frame is in fantastic shape for where you're located

 

That will settle a bit as you drive it. Mine settled about 3/4".

 

Ok. I forgot about that aspect.
That should help a bit.

 

It's true. It is only a few years old. I'm trying to keep it looking good for as long as possible.
This will be the second time I've cleaned up some surface rust on the rear end of the frame.

 

I would put it together and drive it and see. When I put my lift in I was initially unhappy with the amount of rake I had. (I bought the 880 springs thinking they were going to give me a lot more lift than they did. I knew nothing.) But it kind of grew on me. Just walk around a parking lot and look some time. Most trucks on the road actually have quite a bit of rake right off the showroom floor. A level truck is kinda rare, and usually something the owner engineers on his own. And what really cinched it was going on TW and reading about guys with big lifts tearing up CV boots every other day. I have three kids, I don't need to make more work for myself, thanks.

Or, as I said before, if it does bug you, you can take it all apart and pull a leaf out. Not sure on the specifics of that, but there are plenty of threads on here about it.

 

Thank you for your experience.
I agree with you on all counts. I did find it unusual that my tacoma seemed ti have no rake originally.
Personally I like a truck with some rake.

 

WOW. Just read through everything. What a transformation you've given your truck! Subscribed for more!

 

Thanks Jay!
More to come

 

Just kidding, for sale. lulz

 

I've been periodically checking in on your thread for months, now. Glad to see things coming together for you. Way to stick with it.
I see you using your sandblaster a bunch. In retrospect, I would have used the heck out of that thing too for the last several months on my own project, had I gotten one. Definitely a worthwhile purchase.
Keep up the good work and the updates!

 

Thanks FWAdam
I have gotten loads of use out of that thing. I am about to start media blasting the body panels that have rust on them and am eager to see how well the small portable blaster I had purchased works.