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

Just tell them to give you the coolant in a jug instead of pouring it in the truck

 

Why not use the red from Toyota, diluted with distilled water, designed for the truck?

 

I could do that... never asked the to do a flush and then fill with water. Would sure make draining the system easier.

 

The Toyota antifreeze is good stuff. But it's not commonly available (like at lonely gas stations in the middle of nowhere) It doesn't mix well (at all) with other antifreezes. Also, it looks an aweful lot like Dexcool to some knucklehead at a quick lube joint.

Toyota antifreeze has a long lifespan (and that's great) but it doesn't offer any benefits in protection from heat or freeze over what the yellow (stocked everywhere) antifreeze does. Toyota stuff just last longer.

 

OH okay.

 

Agreed. I can't get rid of the Toyota long life AF fast enough.

As for flushing the rad. I just install a new rad. Screw radiator flushes.

A new rad is almost the same price as paying a shop to do a radiator flush.

It's a lot quicker just changing the rad.

 

It pays to be a mechanic...

 

I totally see what you're saying about a new radiator vs a flush. Especially seeing as the radiator will already be out of the truck to replace the water pump etc... and I have already thought about that.

BUT

Changing the radiator doesn't flush the shit out of everywhere else. I have 260,000 miles on my truck. I have seen what an unholy nightmare it is to replace the heater core in a Tacoma... I want to flush whatever shit is in the system I can right now.

 

Ok.

The rad is the biggest blockage prone part, as I'm sure you are aware.

Not to mention the dreaded "pink milkshake" issue that could occur.

If you are a manual transmission, disregard.

 

Definately aware the radiator is the leading candidate for blockage. And radiator is definately on my list of things that I think should be looked at.

It's a 3.4L Auto and I am aware of the pink milkshake.

What I would really like to find is a heavy duty, and/or aluminum radiator but they are suprisingly hard to find for the truck. I can find them for older Trucks, Hilux, some of the FJs... hell, I even found one for a stinking Corolla. But I can't find one for an 01-04 3.4L auto taco.

 

What makes them so bright? The bulbs? “40 watt”?

 

I have the 3.4L with a manual (R150F) and I'm going to replace the rad. And with new rads it's wise to flush those out with distilled water and vinegar mix. A little trick I learned from watercooling my computer. I know I'm a nerd

Also Monte I think my rig will rival yours in the light department. When it's all done I'll be running...... 16 different lights not including the headlights.

 

Lm

Lmao I refuse to have my truck look like that just look at those tires but seriously no that's to many light bars I'm having 6 light bars 2 facing forward 2 for the sides (one left and one right) then 2 facing the rear. Rest are 4" pods. I don't want my truck to flip from a ditch or some random smartcar

 

Optics mainly.

That's a lot haha most I ever had was 16. Not counting the bed lights or head lights.

Don't think I'll go that route again soon. Have other ideas.

 

Lmao yea, my bed lights will be dual purpose. Light up the sides so I can see out and I can flip them around and light up inside the bed.

 

Oh the hell with it lol let's bump it up to 22. add 4 more of the 7" bars I'm using for the bed and add some 6" pods on top of the bed rack facing forward. Just cause the 40" light bar the 20" light bar and the 6 4" light pods and finally my headlights wasn't enough. Lol my truck is going to be brighter than a Nascar track.

 

Are you guys talking about the lights I see listed in the 'Products Discussed' section ? 40W 5" Led work light from eBay?

 

Yes sir

 

So the 2.0s come with 650. I should step up to a 700?