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

That's a good looking truck

 

Thanks buddy

 

Yeah it's been on my list for quite sometime , but I couldn't pass them up for $100 . They are soooo comfortable . They mold to your body .

 

Yea, I just made little tabs that come off the radiator support.

 

This week the 02 finally got it's long awaited raptor liner, new plugs and wires, fresh front and rear differential fluid, upper and lower ball joints, new toyota coolant, timing belt and water pump, and a new lower radiator hose.
Everything but the radiator hose and the raptor was OEM. FINALLY all of the maintenance items are done (for now) so I can start saving for some new shoes and a small lift.

 

TW. Looks like I'm moving from Dallas to Colorado, truck will get back on dirt soon. Keep those pics posted so I have motivation.

 

Not sure what you mean by machined out? Hopefully this is oem and in decent shape.

 

Today, after work, I moved the shackle pivot closer to the magic number on my 96 LT 4x4. It has f55 pack with 3 leafs out to soften it up. Just bed cage and 2 spares. It basically worked out that if I just put a new tube in front of the existing tube for shackle pivots, that the new centerline would be in the magic spot.

So I cut some metal, ground off the paint and welded the new mounts on. Nothing crazy, just some Mig welds. I greased and re-assembled it. Rear now sits lower than before and feels softer on the street, havnt been to dirt yet. Probably throw a few leafs back in or go to f67 pack for ride height. I'll play with the shocks after that.

Couple pics. Table with goodies and the preped frame area for new mount. No finished pic.

 

Well I'm glad I made that change, it's a much nicer ride now. A little too low in rear tho, very raked. You wouldn't think moving the pivot a little would make a noticeable difference. Rear was harsh, beat your lower back to death. Now it's much better, I can go fast enough now the front needs work, ha!

 

I hear you Blackdawg.

use PM

 

I second this. I think that is why most other forums suck.

 

Burn

 

Replaced both valve cover gaskets. Ran it a while, then found more oil dripping onto the manifold. Took off the passenger side again, and found a hair-line crack by the last bolt hole. Bought a new valve cover gasket and everything is slick now!

I have one pic(not the best, but you can see where the oil was coming from)

 

Suggestion......(and lesson learned)

When you get a new/used vehicle just change all the fluids first thing.

For fuck sakes! Again P.O. told me all fluids were maintained through the dealer. Pretty sure this is absolutely everything to go through now. Oh wait. I better do power steering. Think that's all I have left. Flushing coolant system today and found this. Doing a thorough flush too. 3 flushes plus using a super flush. Surprised it wasn't overheating. Sucks because I run coolant through my turbo too to help cool it. Might just be 194k mile antifreeze.......

 

That's the nastiest coolant I've seen. I'm glad you found it before it damaged the pump or stopped up the fins.

 

My brother just drained his coolant too, looked very similar and smelled real funky, had to be 10+ year old coolant in there

 

Hahah, OMG man right.

Did you see the fuel filter I pulled?

LofL

 

Got my upstream O2 sensor today, came in real quick. Gonna be installing later when exhaust cools off. Quick random question though, does anyone know why power steering fluid tends to kinda build up around the outside of the PS cap? Happens on my brothers truck too and I have no clue why.

 

@j0shu4
We got a used vehicle in July. First things done right away: oil, transmission fluid, timing belt, water pump, new coolant, and new belts. The PO had just put on new tires, so that didn't have to be done. Coming up soon will be new plugs and wires. The car is solid and drives well.

Even though the PO was a super nice guy, I didn't want to take chances on what he said was done and wasn't done. It's better to just do it so that I know that it's done and for peace of mind.