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

@Seagull233 , looks nice, what color is that. I might have to do this as an option one day when my paint is all faded out. how many gallons did you use grey and black.

 

I used the 8 bottle kit. Each bottle winds up being about 32 oz. of material to spray, after adding color and optionally a bit of reducer. The reducer gives a smoother finish. That is just the exterior. I did not do inside the bed.

 

I’d probably start with Mouser or Waytek Wire. Not sure if they’ll have the correct connectors, but they have a lot of oem and aftermarket upfitter stuff. Waytek is a more user friendly site, but most everything has a minimum order quantity. They typically send you a catalog on their first order. The mouser site is difficult to use, but typically doesn’t have a minimum order quantity. This means that it’s typically more expensive to order from per piece, but you don’t have to order 50 of them. I usually use my Waytek catalog to look up the manufacturer part number and type that number into the mouser site.

 

@Seagull233 , one more question. did you remove the bed and spray the back of the cab and the front of the bed, just curious.

 

Day 5 of my power steering line replacement. I got the old steering rack bushings burned out, installed the new ones, put the new outer tie rods on, and got the rack reinstalled. I've still got the rubber hose to reconnect, but I'm getting close. I want to thank everybody who recommended the poly bushings. I told the dealership to replace the steering rack bushings when I got the frame replaced, but apparently they only replaced the big bushing, not the other two with the metal sleeves.

 

You’ll love the results. I couldn’t believe how tight my steering was after installing the poly’s

 

Aren't tie rod ends fun, I had to use a pipe wrench since I couldn't fit 2 wrenches on the flats. when I did the passenger side my neighbor should up with a adjustable wrench that would fit. so glad I go that job done with new lower ball joints.

 

I thought my steering was super tight after the frame swap. Between the new bushings and tie rods I'm interested to see how much of a difference I will notice.

 

That is the Lunar Mist, the standard color for so many Tacomas, but when you put it in the Raptor, it loses the reflective qualities, and to me it almost looks like gray primer. Other colors would probably look much better. I just didn't want to paint jambs, under hood, engine bay, etc. I used the 8 bottle kit. Each bottle winds up being about 32 oz. of material to spray, after adding color and optionally a bit of reducer. The reducer gives a smoother finish. That is just the exterior. I did not do inside the bed. I might have been able to use a couple more bottles, just to get it more even. I painted it by fits and starts. First was the topper. Then the bed and hood. Next the body, and lastly, the two fenders which arrived late. HIGHLY recommend purchasing the professional gun, not the one that comes with the kit. I only used one bottle of black for the fender flares and running boards. I have another bottle to do the bumpers once I have dressed up my booger welds.

 

I spent $100 in tools to install $80 worth of parts.

 

It looks awesome! I can’t wait to do mine in the next year or so. I’ll be interested to see how you like it within the next year.

 

But now you have them! For the next time you need them....

 

Although I had the bed off (it was a replacement), I didn't bother to paint either of those. The paint was good on both. I just masked off a line below the window (below the level of the bed).

 

So far so good. I was pleased with how well it washed up. I had a ton of greasy finger prints on a lot of the panels, and those came right off. Time will tell!!!

 

Replaced my radio head unit that crapped the bed.

Used a hot water extractor to clean my seats and carpet. Super satisfying to see the grime come out of them.

Began removing EGR valve and tube to clean and replace gaskets, in order to hopefully eliminate P0401 code that keeps coming back.

 

That looks really good, I've never been a fan of bedliner but I think I might try it. I have a rocker panel spray gun I heard works good for diy bed liner. Do you have any sources for how oem colors look tinted? I might do my half doors with that tinted green.

 

The TRD coil springs are 'progressive'. Are the top two coils of your originals touching each other?

If you decide to replace them, I would use the non-TRD coils.

 

4runner coils are a good swap. They are linear. I still can't believe how nice my moms taco rides with the 4runner coils and 5100s all around. Its pretty smooth.

 

@Digiratus
The TRD coil springs are 'progressive'. Are the top two coils of your originals touching each other?

If you decide to replace them, I would use the non-TRD coils.

I know from reading that coil springs like the moogs are linear, TRD as you stated are Progressive. No, my top two coils aren't touching. If I wanted to replace my springs with Linear springs what would you suggest I purchase. Can I just use the Non TRD Toyota springs, and how would they effect my ride.

 

@Blackdawg , you wouldn't by chance know what year 4 runner springs I would need do you. I would assume the same year model as my truck, say 2000-2004. let me know, thanks