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

Put some rubber under the springs on my ashtray cause I’m tired of it sliding out on its own when going to check deer cameras.

 

Replaced the rear axle seals on my 3rd gen 4Runner (a couple weeks ago) and 1st gen Taco (a couple days ago). Required a few special tools, and of course the requisite parts, but was a reasonably straight forward job (full story).

Wrote up the list of tools needed, all the parts (with numbers) and a detailed step-by-step guide in a printable format here:

Step-by-Step Replacing Rear Axle Seal & Bearing w/ABS (1st gen Tacoma or 3rd gen 4Runner)​

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Plastic dipped plus new lights!!

 

Yesterday I installed a hidden kill switch in my 1st gen Tacoma to prevent theft (Oakland, CA). Would love to tell you more about it, but that would defeat the purpose now wouldn't it? lol. Also installed LED backup lights since I have a camper shell with tinted windows.

Today I'm installing a new grill/surround (black), corner lights (black), and a new rear bumper (black) to replace all of the factory chrome stuff. Trail Gear low profile front bumper is at the powder coater, should be done this weekend.

 

You can tell me, I'm across the country from you. I won't tell anybody.

I know you want to tell somebody, you wouldn't have brought it up if you didn't.

 

Haha hmm, well I went ahead and cut one of the crucial wires and spliced in a heavy duty toggle switch with well-hidden wires. Then I hid that heavy duty toggle switch in the deepest darkest depths of my Tacoma. In one position the truck won't start, but in the OTHER position the truck WILL start. This combined with my steering wheel club device should render the vehicle difficult to steal, I reckon.

I have had several friends get their trucks stolen in the past year. Some of them multiple times (same truck). Oakland/SF is no place to park your truck overnight. Don't leave anything inside it, and pray for your spare wheel (if it's not locked up). You'll be lucky if you come away with only your window smashed. Not exaggerating.

 

A good repo guy will have an angle grinder handy.

 

I don't even think they'd fuck with getting inside the car, they have those wheel dolleys that jack up a wheel from their side without the car having to move

 

I got a question, Im looking at replacing my stock double din head unit with a single din one. Does any brand work with our toyotas (as in the holes match up) or do i have to get a specific one for Japanese vehicles? Im looking at this one from Alpine.

$130 Alpine UTE-73BT Mech-Less Digital Media Receiver with Bluetooth® Wireless Technology

https://www.amazon.com/Alpine-UTE-7...pine+mechless&qid=1568050137&s=gateway&sr=8-5

 

They're standardized. Youll want to get a kit for your truck for a mounting adapter (mine came with a scosche) and a wiring adapter. The wiring adapter will have plugs that plug directly into the truck, and then the stereo will come with its own pigtail. Wire the two together (by soldering preferably) and it'll plug right in without having to cut up the factory wiring

 

Thanks, I already bought an adapter from Amazon, It was like 7 bucks. I mostly wanted to do this upgrade so i can have more room for switches under the stereo.

 

i'm also looking to go from double to single. @yodataco

is it really as simple getting a new single deck with a mount and harness to match and connecting to the previous wiring that was ran to the speakers from the previous double?

 

For the rubber bushings that are in the rear, one of mine had disintegrated. So I kept the two washer like parts that wrapped the original bushing then wound a tight wrap of F4 silicone tape to make a silicone bushing. Its still working. I'll snap a pic tonight.

 

Yep. Basically the adapter kit comes with a large plastic piece that holds your stereo in place while also filling out the entire double DIN hole/area. Usually you come away with an extra little storage space.

 

im looking to utilize the space below the single din. ill have to look for a mount that warrants the most space. that s the reason for the down size. free up some space below the stereo.

 

this is exactly what i'm looking to do. single din on top with a kenwood below.
how do you like the fitment?

 

I need to tear back into mine and see if I can get it installed. I bought a cheapo single din and a CB. Nothing on the radio lined up with the brackets and I finally got ticked and put my stock one back in.

 

Thats what im about to find out. I havent bought the stereo yet. so basically i need a kit to hold the stereo, correct?

I wanted to downsize to use the space below for the Paranoid fab switch plate.