Joining the Imperials Build Thread

I'm not super concerned, and I usually trade trucks regularly and don't deal with issues that come with age. Sounds like yours is the same as mine, and it always does start and run strong.

Thanks for chiming in!

 

Popping plugs out takes no time whatsoever, and replacing them is incredibly easy. Just use some compressed air to blow out the plug tubes PRIOR to removing them. A vacuum cleaner used to in tandem to help remove debris can't hurt, either.

 

Any time, man. Love seeing other 1st gens finding good homes.

 

Did a couple things today, first was to replace a missing trim piece, and a miscolored trim peace. Both were same piece, just different sizes!

before:

After:


Obviously easy, but just another piece of the puzzle to get this puppy clean as f*** and OEM as I can...besides stereo and suspension down the road.
$9.50 or something for both, I think I got a slight discount. Part number was slightly different than what showed up online and what my local guy wrote down. But it was right piece, anyways, posting photo.

 

Now for the FUN one. To me, this truck might be a 2003, but I'm trying to get that feel from maybe a few years earlier... It needs a western looking blanket in the back right? But I was like, lets go full out here and do the whole inside with saddle blankets! So I got these covers. They are like $350 front and back combined, not as nice as clazzio or W.O. buttt I love the look and the fit is pretty good. Little extra padding, but they aren't waterproof or anything. I just wanted to make sure my seats lasted longer and I wanted some spice in there. Now that they are back in the truck I will have to pull and adjust a little to get everything straight/lined up with the pattern, but pretty close as is. Also, take them out of the truck before you install seat covers, makes it so easy.

 

Finally did the rear doors and finished what I am going to be doing for sound deadening. Part of me wants to do the roof...but it ain't happening. At least not for a long time.

Anyways, I pulled the doors and Toyota was nice enough to already have it all done for me!!



So I got going, with the outer skins

Then the inner guys, to seal it up.


Then stick on the foam


and TAH-DAH as they say

 

Inspiring. Been thinking about doing this job for years, but may reserve it for the eventual Tundra purchase.

 

Thanks!!

It's one of the first things I like to do to any car we get these days, it just makes them so much more enjoyable. Feels tighter, is quieter and the sound is much better usually.

If you are getting rid of your truck soon though I wouldn't do it. It takes a fair amount of time, and a few hundred in supplies. But I would do it on the next one for sure!!

 

Hell yeah I dig those seat covers! Especially with the color of your tacoma

 

Nice work on the sound deadening. Likely the only way to make it worthwhile would be as you did with layer of MLV as well. I bet it's definitely a noticeable difference you're doing good stuff with your tacoma

 

I almost went with a light brown color seat cover in that style, the wife stopped me and I think she made a good choice on the green!

Thanks! Yeah I have some MLV I was thinking of putting on the floor, but wasn't sure if I could get everything back in place, I think I could have. For the doors, I've done it in the past but I hate using velcro with it, and then worrying it will fall down etc...

I think this made a big enough improvement where I can be happy. The roof could maybe use some, but I am not in ANY rush to do that, I know that I will have to buy some new trim pieces I'm sure to break and not interested in that right now. Either way, big improvement on the sound and feel of the truck and 100% worth it IMO.

Will have a break for a few weeks on mods here I think, then I gotta figure out if I want to do my suspension/wheels/tires or the cheaper.. bedliner/window tint/ avs rain guards.

Basically that will depend on how long our business is forced to be closed,and how much we get back for taxes

 

Woke up this morning and felt like browsing the facebook marketplace. Guy 15 minutes from me had these for $180. Hubcaps are included just off in picture, OEM taco steelies off an 01 extended cab. Wheels are 265/75/16. So, I degreased them, wire-brushed most the rust I could find on them and then washed them again.

Going to refinish them and do two things:
1) See if I can put on 265/75's without rubbing just for shits
2) These tires are not in super great shape, one is a little choppy he said but no vibes. They will be coming off soon one way or another, most likely to get some snow tires wrapped on them cheap this summer, then be stored until winter.

While I have them on the truck, I think I will take the ones on there now and remove the old wheel, really do a good job getting them prepped, and then repaint those as well. If they come out good enough, I might not buy new wheels when I upgrade tires and things.

I thought $180 for it was a decent price. Maybe could have gotten it down some, but for 4 OEM wheels in pretty good shape, I went for it.

 

You can def fit 265/75s I just put 275/70s on mine today and they fit easily so I think any 265 on stock wheels will definitely fit

 

Good to know, I've read hours of stuff on here and other places and still can't seem to get straight answers on certain things. I'll probably get these on next week after every dries and cures a little.

 

It's mainly the offset that can mess you up on tire fitment but as long as the wheels have stock back spacing you will be good to go no worries.

 

Those wheels look like they're in excellent condition. You got a really good deal especially with the Center caps. I have the same set that I run in the winter. I only have three centre caps because that's all I got when I bought the truck almost 10 years ago.

 

Here is my choices of wheels when I decide buy wheels for my xtracab

 

Whoa there. Nobody said anything about my little monster going away. Long range goal: toss the keys to my son when he's of age. Only got 15 years to go...

 

Oooooo those wheels on the bottom there sure are purdy. What are the specs and what vehicles did they come on originally, do you know off hand?

 

They are 18inch 4runner limited