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

Yeah I don't dislike it or anything. Well except for the LCA bushings, cause that's a real bitch by yourself, due to their shape.

I have no regrets about swapping just to be clear. That was the plan from day one, just lamenting about the costs cause I am cheap lol.

Once I am done and have my double cab, 5-speed with full manual drive train... it will all be worth it (well except the factory e-locker)

Honestly just sitting in my truck currently looking at this makes it all worth while:


Instead of this:

Though I am gonna miss those cup holders greatly!

 

A friend came over and helped me make my first attempt at fixing up the paint oxidization on the hood and the roof. Polished it with a moderate cutting pad, and finished it off with a...well, "finishing pad." Outcome is not "like new" (how could I expect it to be?). But what a difference! I think I bought some time before taking it to a paint shop.

Also, this Imperial Jade color is really growing on me. Never hated it, but I thought I'd make the move over to white if I had to get it painted. But I'm really liking the outdoors look of the Jade. Think I'll keep it.

 

No embarrassing horn noises, and a power steering cooler.

Also, my front bumper is pretty messed up. I think it has bumped many things.

 

Much of it is not, but there are some spots (especially on the roof) that definitely go all the way through the clear coat. I'm brand new to anything paint, so I appreciate the suggestion. I'll give the clay barring a try. My friend who's a little more experience on it says we went pretty deep on the clear coat, and he wasn't sure we should go any more.

 

Nice! looking good with what ya got going on. I’m considering one but there’s not a lot of options out there. An earlier 70s 80s model might be hot.

 

Yep, here is a screenshot of my bill of lading for exactly that: (R150F for 5VZFE)


So 243lbs minus the weight of a crappy wood pallet

 

Yeah no problem

You asking for a friend?

I hope I haven't been a bad influence on you

 

It's doable solo if you have a way to hold it, but even then it really helps to have a second set of

 

In case anyone comes through later and is curious:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EudO0sMtFuQ

 

Swapped over to the custom “Toyota” grille. Replaced the billet grille, plus she got a bath with wax

 

Finally installed the J59s. Looks absolutely ridiculous. I put as much weight in the back and torqued them down. Hopefully they’ll settle somewhat quickly.




Honestly had me laughing out loud looking at it.

 

Here’s how mine looked after installation of the J59’s. So I threw a few huge concrete blocks in the back because it’s had been a few months and no settling. I’m going to force it to settle. Lol! I still need to grab a pic of it with the blocks in the back.

 

I went around and re-torqued all my suspension parts just to make sure. I have some serious creekage going on but I think that's just first-gen probs.

 

Okay guys, next project I need some help with. Looking to convert me turn signals up to the corner lights, and put fog light in the bumper. Has anyone done this conversion before that could help?

 

I’ve been looking for this same info. They’ll look sick.

 

Did you lift your front end? I kept mine stock. I did some measurements prior to install and I was sitting at roughly 37” from ground to apex of the fender flare. I threw every heavy thing I could find laying around, including shingles and the old springs, and have it sitting around 37 15/16”-38”.

 

J59s are supposed to give you 1.5” of lift. A lot of times leaf spring give you more than advertised with an empty bed.

stock is already 1.5” higher in the rear. At best you’ll be sitting 3” higher in th rear. What were you looking for?

 

Yeah my front end is lifted. Although I didn’t measure the rear prior to install. It’s now sitting at 24.5” from center of hub to bottom of the fender and with the blocks in the back it’s sitting between 23 3/4 - 24”
I put these suckers in the bed

 

I’m really hoping mine are quiet. I’ve heard the stories of people’s squeaking for years...

 

I haven’t had any noise at all. I added OME stock height greasable shackles.