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

It’s actually a fantastic radiator, wish it was 20” tall like stock and not 18”, I think that’s why at idle
in hot hot days it creeps up a little. Make sure you get a different radiator cap, the Champion one is crap

 

will do thanks

 

I'm running at the same temp as you. I have the radiator sitting up in the closet until I build the engine cage. I'm going to build the front of the cage to hold it. that's why I haveen't installed it yet.

 

Aaaahhhhh it's 206* and it 69* outside right now. Panic lol

 

Got the pizza cutters mounted today! Only pic I have was one I took waiting for it to get aligned, damn Tucson potholes...

So far no rub at full lock in either direction under normal driving conditions. Very low hum at speed but hey it’s a m/t, nothing like my worn down ATP’s. So far I couldn’t be happier

Edit: noticed a small amount of rubbing on my uca at full lock. Nothing really that bad, I figure with some new UCA’s I can remedy that. Worst case scenario I’ll just throw on some 1/4” spacers or something

 

Alright I gotta get some things done to my truck and I'm at a point where Im moving to a small apartment and I don't have the time or place to work on my truck myself very much anymore. So I got a couple of quotes from mechanics today.

Does $350 for valve cover gaskets seem fair? That's labor and OEM Toyota parts.

Also quoted me $750 for both lower ball joints. Labor, OEM parts, and alignment are all included in that price. Seems a little high to me, but I figured you guys would know more.

 

Haha, valve covers are ok, no deal, but LOWER ball joints take 30 minutes aside, so 750 is crazy

 

Ball joints you can definetly do yourself, i did them in about an hour with new outer tie rods. Was like $280 for all oem parts from camelback

 

No. The 350 price for valve covers is ok. As to the LBJ. The OEM parts alone cost me $500CAD. So a little less for you. I would figure about 600USD. Not 750. Butni don't know your pricing below the border. We figure a shop rate of 90/hr. LBJs should be about 1hr per side. Maybe less.

OEM LBJs aren't that cheap though...but ya it's a bit steep.

 

Yup took me an hour to do both side too maybe a bit more,
Ball joints were around 125-150 for OEM for the set.

 

Thanks for the input guys! I agree, I think the price they quoted me for lower ball joints is definitely high. I think I might buy the lowers on Camelback and do them myself and have the shop do the valve cover gaskets. Just out of curiosity, what would be a fair price for a shop to do the LBJs, including parts and labor?

 

OEM parts included, I would say maybe $250-$400. With a lift you can do them pretty damn fast/easy. If they’re charging you more than two hours of labor they are just dicking you around, provided they are not siezed or anything.

 

Sounds about right. I paid 280 or 300

 

Looks good, now you just need to get some SCS wheels with better back spacing.

 

Roadtripped around NY & Vermont the past 2 weeks. Bought the Firestone lifetime alignment package and had it aligned after a 200 mile RT to Toronto. Overall the Taco ran very well, pushed it hard on the Thruway from Syracuse to (Buffalo) in the 90mph range birddogging with some upstate NY rednecks with the AC on & motorcycle in the bed. I rode left-lane drivers a Taco’s length behind, the good ‘ole boys were running a hood’s length. We made good time! 1500-2000 miles total I think.

Here’s some picts. And b4 anyone comments, yes I have a limp aftermarket antenna!

 

Looks fun, get some blue pill for that antenna bud lol

 

There’s a recall on LBJ - I think I posted it above somewhere. Going to the Toyota dealership today to see if I can get them for free b4 I change out all the front end bushings.

 

I think I'm giving up on adding turn signals to the bumper for now and just doing the corner light mod for now at least. I can't find any lights I like that would work well. Probably get to that next week if I'm feeling it.

 

Another one? Where did you get yours? I know @mechanicjon had issues with his, and another member had new ones fail from Camelback. I also have new ones from Camelback.