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

Did mine today. A must for almost a 20 year truck. Im a fan

Going to work on sprucing up the badging next. Heat gun and string/ect best for removal?

 

New tails in

 

insane bro, I can only image what the topside looks like.

 

same here.

 

about to tackle my LBJ replacement, read plenty of threads and got the part numbers for them. I thought i read something that people should just replace the tie rods as one of those "do it while you're doing this" can anyone confirm this? just wanna buy everything at once and ship it all at once.

 

I do my outer tie rods since you have to pop em to change the lbj, not much more work to remove them.

Inners would be up to you since the “while I’m in there” can quickly snowball after that (lca bushings, cams, steering rack bushings, etc)

If you do outer tie rods, make sure you count the threads showing and mark it so you can get your alignment close. I marked mine but was still off a bunch since they were so worn out and poorly aligned to begin with. You’ll definitely want to get an alignment after you change them

 

I wanted to wear my old ones out a little more, but snow is predicted for tonight, so...

 

do you have the part number for the outer tie rod? since this is my first maintenance thing i've done on a rig before im sure those 2 will keep me busy enough and don't want to bite off more than i can chew

 

RH

$67 45046-39295 Toyota Tie Rod End - 45046-39295

45046-39295
LH 45047-39175

Always ordered these for my 03 prerunner and 02 4wd. Check toyotapartsdeal.com and plug in your VIN to verify.

 

Partsouq.com is also a good website to verify parts with using your VIN

 

2nd this. I've used it for both the Taco and the 4Runner. Even better than using the official toyota parts site.

 

There's so much talk about part numbers for the lower ball joints that it made my head spin trying to look it up on TW, went onto partsouq.com and plugged in my vin and it brings up the parts diagrams for your specific vehicle and you know exactly which part numbers to order

 

That's exceptional. What's the secret for the window trim?

 

thanks for that, i just wanted to cross-reference what i was getting on toyotapartsdeal.com to someone or somewhere else just to be sure

edit: do i need to order cotter pins and castle nuts and bolts or will those come with it?

 

If I remember right, my outer tie rods came with new cotter pins and castle nuts (OEM parts). Someone else may have to confirm

 

Thanks man, I'm really happy how it turned out. I ordered the Toyota trim parts I quoted in my original post. There's a Youtube video that come's up when you type 2002 tacoma window trim, just followed the video. Super easy, just may need a pair of pliers to pull out your original trim and make sure the clips line up. If you worry about esthetics this is worth the $

 

You may have posted pics that I missed, but before you go replace the OTREs, I'd probably make sure they need replacement. I've replaced my LBJs 3 times now and never had to replace the OTREs... May depend on where the truck lived most of it's life - mine has always been on the west coast.

Anyway, I'd say that if you don't feel any play in the joint, and steering is still good, then save yourself the ~$120 on OTREs and just do the LBJs. Actually, it'll be more than that - because if you replace the OTREs, you need an alignment as well - so another $70-200, unless you've already got a lifetime deal somewhere. Or, unless you're doing more than LBJs and need an alignment anyway...

 

The tie rods I referenced do, ordered them 2 weeks ago

 

i was thinking about that too. i need new UCA soon anyways, so i might just hold onto OTRE and do them both right before i get an alignment. i wouldnt say my steering is bad, but i do have to work it a little to stay straight on the freeway, which could also be another issue, but for now im gonna see if all of this will help.

rad this will be an exciting project.

 

@turbodb brings up a good point too, it’s easy to get carried away thinking you need to change stuff cause you’re in there or you see other people do it.

I’m not trying to discourage you from doing it though, you know best what you need/want to change, just food for thought. Plus, these easier jobs help build your confidence working on your stuff, it definitely did for me. Ultimately it’s your truck at the end of the day so, as long as you’re stoked that’s all that counts

If you haven’t checked out @Timmah! vids on youtube I would do so. He has a tie rod and lbj one, really awesome videos start to finish