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

So fun little project today. I’ve never been a fan of the deck plate mod. Given it opens up the box to engine heat. But I’ve been contemplating a way to make “stealth ram air” for the truck. I finished a “rough draft” so to speak today. Cost maybe $10. Though completely reversible, it is capable of being blocked off to go back to stock. Originally intended to glass in an opening to the grill cutout, which may still happen, but I think I like this better. Planning on incorporating a pvc ball valve to easily close off for heavy rain. But honestly not too worried about moisture. Planning on going to a water/meth system in the fall anyway. After test driving if I like this I’ll paint it black and add a mesh screen over the opening. If it leans the truck out no big deal. Like I said, lots of things I have planned for the SC this fall.
Edit: pic painted.

 

kind of cool.


Not much different than what the stock air box already does, I guess maybe you'll get a little air pushed in but can't imagine it's a lot.

 

Even if it doesn’t do anything but a little, fine with me. Hell, it could do nothing, for $10 not much of a loss.

 

Wondered why my locker wasn't working...found out why my locker wasn't working.




Don't have a good post-op photo but suffice to say I cleaned it up, used some expensive Toyota body grease on it, and now it's working great again!

Also greased drive line and other components, and changed the oil in the diffs, transmission and t-case. I didn't think the oil in the trans was that old (changed by PO some time ago) but wow the truck shifts so much more nicely now.

Timing belt is on the menu for next weekend.

 

I'm afraid to look at mine, but I should.

 

More maintenance items to finish before wheeling this weekend.
-Replaced this no name center bearing a shop put on a year ago. Bearing is actually in good shape but the rubber is crazy soft and the D.S. had noticeable vibes
-New rear drum brakes going in now.
-If theres still some light I need to add a leaf into the expos. They are sagging under camp load weight with the RTT.

 

I guess I should thank Fox Shocks shit quality control for giving me a reason to buy a new tool.

 

What happened??

 

One of the shocks had no Nitrogen = loose Schrader valve AND a slightly loose resi hose.

 

hmm, shame to see reputable companies have issues with their products. i was planning on going with Fox when i eventually do a LT setup or go to a higher quality coilover setup... perhaps i should give ADS another look.

 

I was going to go ADS... like a dumb ass, I allowed myself to be talked in to Fox.

Fox are good shocks, after you deal with their bullshit and work through their lack of quality control bugs out.

If/when I eventually go LT it will be ADS.

If you do go Fox... don't go direct. Go through AccuTune... that adds a layer of quality control and they will tune your shocks specifically to the specs of your truck.

 

yeah, i was planning on going ADS initially but it doesnt have the sexy nameplate/sticker value that Fox does. i didn't think about quality control though. this is far in the future of course, i'm still pretty happy with my OMEs, figure that i'll wait with what i've got for a while and then perhaps get new shocks/springs when i break the 200k mark. i'm only at 162k atm so i've got a couple of years to deliberate.

 

on another note, does anyone in the first gen community have experience with Katzkin? i've been itching to do something else to the interior and the idea of saddle brown leather seats is pretty enticing. i've got a friend who got his subaru recovered with their product and it looked nice, but he's only put about 1500 miles on it since and i'm wondering about the long term durability of it. i know that @TashcomerTexas redid his interior, but anyone else?

 

I'm pleased with my flares that I lined. Hope they hold up well.

 

Lazy mans transmission fill method. Gravity is friend.

 

Thanks bud. Hope yours does as well. I almost used Raptor myself .

 

The previous owner neglected the old brake cylinder so not only was it leaking but it was rusted to the backing plate. Rather than fight with it I just replaced the entire axle shaft!

 

It's not pretty, but I have more bumpstop now.

 

2 year old Orielys battery took a shit last night.
Soooooo....
This happened. I little preventive care for some bare metal from acid. Prepped and painted with SEMS paint. AGM X2 battery from Batteries Plus. 60 month free replacement. Pricey $300 but the average life span of the X2 battery is 8 years.


Project for tomorrow was delivered today. Put the Ron Davis rad on hold. 12-16 week wait. So going to try the Koyorad with N cool flow.

 

I love that battery! Have had mine for 3 years now with now signs of slowing down. Curious to see how that radiator does. I’ve been considering it heavily for when I do my timing belt/cooling system overhaul this winter.