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

If it was legal to take after impact I woulda

 

It's not? Thought you just had to call DOW

 

Not here

 

Kicking the anthill tonight.

Changed out the ball joints and coil over assemblies on the Wife's '98...and I DID NOT use Toyota parts.

I figured she drives the thing <500 miles a year, I can risk it. Don't hate on me.

 

After comparing to the new ones from the dealership, I'm thinking no. The new ones are much more finely made with more pronounced machined mating surfaces and a more domed back to the ball socket. Plus, the old one has a pin in the side that the new ones don't. To me, the cross section of the old broken one shows an internal metallurgical defect. What I'm deciding is that if I'm going to keep running this truck the way that trip went, lower ball joints are going to be an OEM 10yr/50,000 mile preventive maintenance item or sooner if play develops. There can be metal fatigue that you can't see. This isn't a daily driver so it will be a long time before these new joints see 50K. I'll be almost 70 by then so let's hope I'm still out there breaking parts. And remembering this post.

To anyone reading this, breaking a LBJ is a catastrophic event. My spindle got busted at the top (those are semi scarce used, spendy new), the CV pulled out, my fender is dented, the door wouldn't open, and my brand new slider got bent. Plus, our trip was cut short. At that, we were lucky that no one got hurt or even killed. These are a weak point in our IFS. CHECK YOURS! If they've got a lot of hard miles, especially if of uncertain pedigree, give serious thought to changing them out even if they "look" OK. It's not that expensive or hard. Stepping off soap box now.

 

We all gotta find the boundaries somehow, personally I just make clicking noises with a normal ratchet instead of busting out the torque wrench

 

No hate here. Sounds like you're making rational decisions and acting on them.

 

Bent the slider!? Damn!

 

Like posted else ware, they are a weak link when aggressive driving off road.

They are more prone to failure from lack of maintenance. I like to believe anyone habituating this thread is aware that they need checked and replaced periodically.

In addition, if one is serious about off roading, they will most likely have an additional vehicle that is not a Tacoma. The Tacoma is a wonderful compromise for daily driving and MILD off roading. Its not the best, but somewhat good vehicle for aggressive off roading.

 

I think most of it is good stuff but one thread with links to a few others on related topics wouldn't be a bad way to reduce the # of stickies. And the fire extinguisher thread definitely doesn't need to be a sticky.

 

I think this thread has a mix of “knows everything about a first gen” to “changed oil for the first time yesterday.”

Threads are everywhere about LBJ but I’ve yet to see an all-encompassing thread about them...which is surprising since everyone warns of untimely death 4 feet from your AM/FM dial.

Surprised we don’t have a LBJ bible as one of the 27 stickies...that sticky would need to stay.

 

Someone should write one... anyone?

 

I nominate @turbodb. He is an excellent wordsmith. @Blackdawg for photos, talented photographer and should have a few real-world photos. Quite a few others can chime in and get a credit in the LBJ Bible. Stories, pictures, scenarios.

Buying new truck? Check ———
Going off-road for the first time? Check———
Made it back without breaking anything? Check———-
Use your truck like this? Check—— or this? Use this interval——
Link to best OEM vs aftermarket——
When is aftermarket okay?—-
Instructions for changing——-
Warning signs off and on road for LBJ failure——

Would be nice to have a central resource.

 

Then again I am about six beers in so maybe I shouldn’t be volunteering people for such big projects...

 

Nuts tacked in. I think the spindle and or misalignments would have to bend to allow the bolt to bend. Regardless it’s just metal so you can cut it and re-weld it anyway.

 

@turbodb
You heard the mob Dan!

 

I have broken two upper rings from crawling. I want to say it’s just bad luck but I wheel pretty hard trails with mid-travel, dual cases and f/r lockers so I’m convinced it’s the true weak point of our IFS. only ever busted one cv but ripped two spindle loops open.

 

He did give about the best answer I’ve ever seen to the often posed question of “what size tire can I fit on my Tacoma with (x) amount of lift.”

 

My favorite answer to that was always to stop asking the wrong question.