New to me 2005 TRD Off Road Access Cab

Are you doing an AAL?

 

Yeah the Headstrong 3 leaf AAL should be here tomorrow. Probably won't be able to tear into it until Sunday or Monday.
Luckily I have another car to run for parts/tools

 

Good luck!!! Shouldn’t be too terrible.

 

Thanks man!

Oh, I also noticed today that one of my tie rod boots is torn.. So there's that.. On first impression it looks like that is a PITA to change cause of the whole taking the tie rod apart to get the boot on part.. Might as well get that done before I get my alignment.

 

Like torn on your steering rack? Or on the outer tie rod?

 

Just ran out and checked.. Didn't realize the other end of that boot was connected to the rack..





Ouch....

 

I’m sure there are replacement boots out there! Just gotta do a little digging.

• Separate outer tie rod from spindle
• Undo clamps on torn boot
• Replace with new one
• Reconnect outer tie rod to spindle.

 

Check this out! Raksock!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrtQwjjLQFA

I bet a gallon sized zip lock would work with some fresh mobil 1

 

Just arrived!

 

Before I watched the video I thought you’d be replacing the boot with a baggie! Haha

 

Installed my Headstrong AAL tonight. Everything went smoothly with the exception of a few rusted nuts/bolts. Both of the upper shock mounts were permanently joined in rusted matrimony.. Eventually just grabbed and broke off the shock and the remaining top part just popped right off on the drivers side. Was pleasantly surprised. Tried for the other side and not so lucky. The collar below the frame mount was also corroded to the shaft so I’m going to have to cut with a hack saw tomorrow. Need it also to cut the new longer leaf pins.




Will have to get creative extracting this broken bolt..

 

Rust is the absolute worst, and you get plenty of it up there!

 

If I was working on this truck outside of the Rust Belt I would’ve been done in time to watch the Celtics game! Still fun to wrench either way though

 

Ok, time to update from last month. Here’s how I made out with the rear. I got my hack saw and finished clamping everything down.



Ended up taking my vibrating multi tool to what was left of the upper shock.

All back together:



As for my broken bolt, I just drilled a hole into what was left and through bolted it. Problem solved.

Really please with how it came out!


Before:

After:

 

Fixed my torn steering rack boot and the grease trick did not work.



I ended up just counting the turns on the tie rod end and it worked out fine. Brought it in to get it aligned and had a shop install the ECGS bushing. I did have some decent vibration at around 25-30mph after lift and that seemed to fix it.

 

Fresh after Rust Check application. Sprayed underneath and all inside bed panels/cab access holes/under hood etc. I highly recommend to anyone in Southern Maine (Westbrook location) or up in Bangor. $180 for a Tacoma.




I need some new tires!

 

Heck yeah you do! Meaty tires really change the look.

 

Not to mention they aren’t too good in the snow. Coming soon(ish)! Drone gonna be in this months budget.

 

Added one of those Bluetooth adapters to the CD changer port in the back of the stock head unit. Works great!

 

I like your truck. I recently bought almost the same truck just with an auto trans. I've doing some similar work to it as well. You have some cool ideas in here for me to bookmark.