Official Tennessee Thread

The bottom leaf is there to mainly to keep you from breaking the springs while flexing under maximum load. Removing it will reduce your maxload capacity a little bit.

 

Got it. I don't have a tent, rack or any consistent load in the rear for now so that's all very helpful... thank you!

 

Quick question; The Dealer in Somerset, Ky. that is going to do my rear spring recall says I heed front brakes. The pads are at 3MM which I know is a bit thin in the skin. They also recommend resurfacing the rotors as opposed to replacing them, since they still are O.K. They are quoting me $125 for just the pads and labor, $225 for pads and resurface the rotors, and $335 for pads and new rotors if needed. Good, bad, or what? Also, they are suggesting a transmission flush and refill, new thermostat, and coolant flush and fill. Anyone else ever replace a thermostat that seems to be working just fine as a regular maintenance item?

 

Sounds like they're trying to get overlydue compensation for there troubles...

 

Well, I do know she needs brakes, as I do feel the pulsation in the steering wheel that I know is a slightly out of true rotor, and I don't know how old the pads are, since I have had the truck for over 2 years, and haven't put pads on it in the 30,000 miles that I've driven her. I was just wondering about the transmission flush and fill, and the coolant. it's fine, no issues, so I'm wondering if it would be overkill to have this done...

 

I did a coolant flush/ waterpump/fan clutch/ thermostat at ~200k miles. The fan clutch was needed but the thermostat and everything else was just preventative while I was in there

 

Come to think of it...the dealer in Knoxville had the water pump off to replace the oil seals under warranty, so the coolant CAN'T be that old...less then 2 years...I'll look at it. if it's still relatively clean, I will have them do brakes, but that's all. Also, I'll run the VIN through Toyota's maintenance website, and see what shows up...

 

I'm sure the brakes pads are due for replacement and if your feeling the pulsing in the brakes the rotors should be resurfaced. But depending on how mechanically inclined you are, brakes could be done yourself for a lot less than the dealer is quoting you. The rest of the list sounds like typical dealer money grab. Get an antifreeze tester from the parts store, if the fluid looks good and tests to the appropriate temperature level for freezing in your area. I wouldn't mess with it.

 

@Skrain how many miles are on the truck?

 

144K

 

@Skrain i would just order new rotors and pads and put them on yourself. The rotors are warped. They could probably be turned, but there is a good chance that they might take too much material off which will put them down around the minimum thickness spec, depending on how worn they are. But it is doable.

 

I purchased mine from Toytec. Can't say enough good things about their customer service.

 

I agree. Back in the summer I replaced my pads and rotors as well. It is a super simple job. I ordered mine from Amazon and spent about two beers on myself during the install period. Saved a ton of money.

 

Anyone ever used the "Extreme Truck and Tow" pads and rotors from Auto Anything?

 

This is what I used:

$212 Power Stop Brake Kit For 2007-2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2005-2022 Toyota Tacoma 6 Lug, 2003-2009 4Runner 12.56" Rotors - Front Carbon-Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads & Drilled Slotted Rotors Replacement, K137

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005FKS28C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

O.K. The ones I was looking at are the same brand, maybe a bit more heavy duty...I'm a bit of a mechanical klutz, but I have a gearhead friend who helped me put on the new front hubs a while back, so he should be able to do brakes with no problem as well.

 

It was the first time I had ever changed my own brakes. It was much easier than I expected. Afterwards I was wondering why I had ever paid for this service. Never again...

 

Cool! And, since everything has been apart less then 2 years ago, when we did the new wheel bearing sets from bamatoy, hopefully all the bolts won't he as stuck as they were then!

 

Finally got around to buying new shoes. Haven't had an opportunity to get them off road, but thus far, I am really happy with them.

Cooper STT Pro 255/75R17


Planning to do some sort of off road adventuring next week. If anyone is interested hit me up.

Hopefully I'll have better photos then too.

Next upgrade will be sliders. If anyone is interested in the current tube steps, they can have them really cheap--like free.

 

Good point. I had to use a cheater bar to break my caliper bolts loose.