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

make two...

 

Transfer case plugs came out much easier than the diffs.

 

Let’s see how this goes haha

 

This is what the end of my front diff drain plug looked like. Kinda gelatinous. The fluid was a little dark, more so than the transfer case. Reason for concern or normal?

 

As long as all the fluid wasnt that consistency lol. The magnetic end of the plug attracts all the little tiny shavings so I'd say it looks fine especially if it's been awhile since the last change. So long as there isn't any big chunks of metal in the fluid.

Mine gets some of that on it too, not nearly as much but I usually do my diffs every 20k-ish

 

^^^ What he said

 

Yes.

 

Speaking of front diffs, @Uphillshunter I just ordered a manual (Non ADD) extension tube (Jackshaft?) and new internal "axle extension?". I am gonna be swapping over from the ADD tube the diff came with. I remember you did this during your conversion and was just seeking any advice before digging in? It seems really simple but I've never done one before. Parts won't be here till next week so gonna start the research in earnest this weekend.

 

It was actually really simple. If you didn't order bolts with the tube, you'll need new bolts. 2 of the bolts are a different length on the ADD tube compared to the manual tube. They are also those stupid reverse torx bit looking bolts. I bought some grade 8 hex bolts with the correct length and thread pitch and got rid of the other bolts.

Here's where I talk about it in my swap thread.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...shift-kit-and-b-s.562405/page-2#post-18938411

You also have to pull the intermediate shaft out of the diff. Manual tube replaces it. That's the most pain in the ass part. You've got to pry it out with a couple small pry bars and sometimes it's a bitch to get it to pop out.

Other than that. Make sure you use gasket maker that specifically made for gear oil, and if you don't already know... you put the gasket maker on, let it get a dry film over it... put the other part on the gasket maker (dont torque it yet) let it dry for a couple hours... THEN torque it to spec.

Lots of people just slap on the gasket maker, the part, and the immediately torque... that's how you get leaks, cause it smashes all the wet gasket maker out when you tightened it. You know when people do that when you take it apart and there's a bunch of spots that look like there was no RTV... because it got smashed out when they tightened it.

 

@osterhagen




This is the intermediate shaft I'm talking about. You'll see it when you take the tube off.... pic is from this write up on eliminating the ADD
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-deleting-add-system.427258/

 

Awesome man, thanks a million. I will read up on both of those and get the other bolts. Great advice on the waiting to torque until it sets a bit. I could have easily messed that up. Lucky I will be doing it outside the vehicle also which I think is ideal.

 

100% best way to do it when possible.

 

Well... no more FJ steel spare. Finally decided to get a 5th (matching) wheel. I think it's the only thing that's clean on my truck.

 

Had to cut grass, but I got both side pieces cutout for my rear frame repair. I had a 2' x 8' plate 6mm thick. That's a little over twice the thickness of the original frame. Should outlast the rest of the truck.

60 amp PrimeWeld plasma cutter. About 1.5 hours to cut and bevel edges for welding. Already had the cardboard template made. They still need some glamour work, but they are roughed in.

I need to trim out around the front bed mounts. The two sides need varying amounts of top and bottom rail repairs. I am going to get some 3mm stuff for those plates, and add some gussets in the spring mount areas.

Both rear bed mounts were beyond repair, as was the LH upper shock mount (ordered). Probably use some oil well casing pipe I have, and washers to recreate those bed mounts.

 

Got your work cut out for you (literally). Looks awesome man. Welding is one thing I’d love to learn

 

Yeah, this truck is one of those that had too good of a motor and drive train to think about parting out (4x4,<160,000 miles), but the frame was pretty sad. Here in the Midwest, those are hard to come by, so I am rehabbing it. I already completed a lot of body work too.

Likely, it's going to be a truck for my nephew, so I am trying to stay low investment, since it will be his first vehicle... meaning wrecked in less than 6 months!

 

He’s need a Tacoma pro to teach him lol.
Truck will be solid for sure. I’ve been looking for a Tacoma project out here but the only people selling them want more then they know they’re worth so..... just gonna wait. I’m not sure about rust trucks here. The Tacoma’s I’ve seen locally haven’t had any issues. I live in central ga about 1.5 hours from ATL. No beach and no snow usually.

 

I feel like it's more of a toss up if it seals or not. When I've used gasket maker, I'm usually too impatient to let it set up for the required time.
So far I've had no leaks after putting stuff back together while it's still wet (~<15min before re-assembly at best)

Maybe I'm just lucky, but I wouldn't say that you're guaranteed to have leaks if you don't wait the specified amount of time.
I won't disagree that it's probably better to follow the instructions though

 

Didn't say it's 100% guarantee it'll leak... said that's how they happen. And it is probably the most consistent reason for them.

 

At first I thought that was a spark plug!
I almost lost my mind!