What Have You Done To Your 2nd Gen Tacoma Today?

Huh. I'm curious why they have that law.

 

I added a rock light in the glovebox with an NC switch. Been meaning to do this forever. Light output is overkill but I love it, lol. Whatever bean counter at Toyota decided that their $40k truck didn’t deserve a light in the glovebox is an idiot.

 

Definitely looks like a worthwhile mod, I plan on doing it myself soon

 

Center counsel is next, just need to figure out which light to use.

 

I believe it has to do with a pointy fixed object in a collision. Since a proper recovery point won’t budge or deflect, it could do more damage when hitting someone else.

 

Installed new Energy Suspension body mount bushings and radiator mounts this weekend. Also replaced all related fasteners (the long bolts, flange bolts, and lock nuts). The whole job was pretty straight forward, although it was a little weird watching the cab move upwards while the rest of the truck stayed in place.

My truck only has about 65k on the odometer, so the stock bushings weren't destroyed, but they were definitely showing some wear. It was a good time to replace them.

Per Energy Suspension recommendation, I used no grease for any of the bushings. Torqued all the main mount bolts/nuts to 34 ft-lb per spec, and the flange bolts to "feels good enough" spec. Loctite 271 on all.

Most of the fasteners had very little wear or corrosion. The rear cab mount bolts and the radiator mount bolts had some rust, but the flange bolts, all the nuts, and the front cab mount bolts looked practically new. That being said, it's always been a California vehicle, so it hasn't seen much rain/snow/salt.

On to the pictures...

Some of the stock body mount bushings:


Radiator bushings:


Energy Suspension body mount bushing vs. stock


Energy Suspension body mount bushings and new fasteners:



Don't have any "installed" pictures, but there's not much to see. Just imagine these sitting between the cab and the frame.


Also replaced a bunch of the cooling system on my 98 Audi A4, but that is much less fun/exciting.

 

Yea I don't know anything about the SOS bumper mounting. I think the ARB recovery point is specific to the ARB bumper because it's not engineered to be pulled on in a recovery situation like snap pulling. But winching is ok up to 9000lbs. if I remember correctly.

 

Added more stuff to my to-do list so I'm not lost/overwhelmed with what mods/repairs I need to do.
I'm assigning each one a priority to help out.

 

i got to have my power steering rack replaced at the dealership after i found out my small power steering fluid leak wasn't so small anymore.

 

I would suggest you purchase the OEM part and have a trusted mechanic do the install. Could save some cash. Just my ¢2.

 

Dropped the billies to zero and put on some 884s. I have a set of the new ome upper control arms to put on next weekend as well!

 

Just to confirm, the radiator mount bolt needs to be torqued to 34ftlb?

 

Can you share those links? Thinking of doing this.

 

Elvis trail box canyon. Finally got to fully droop out my shock relocation. Stoked

 

Which Bilstein Shock did you go with in the rear? I have the BAMF relocation kit but not installed yet and I am looking into shocks.

 

14” short body 7100’s. They will require a different upper mount bushing spacer than the typical King smoothie setup but these budget 7100’s ride really great. I got the pair for about $350 only

 

14's wow....what relocation kit do you have? What was the big difference between the short body and the other option?

 

It’s the BAMF kit, and these are about the only 14’s you can run reasonably because they’re “short body” 14’s meaning overall same can size as 12’s but with longer shaft and a little less fluid inside to allow longer extension. These seemed like a great budget option and after working out a couple of kinks they def are.

 

I didn't find a torque specification for the radiator mount bolts/nuts. That being said, they are the same material, size, and thread pitch as the rear cab mount bolts, and serve a similar function, so I feel confident that 34 ft-lb is acceptable (if not the actual spec).

 

What bushing mount did you go with? And where did you get them for $350? That's a good price on them!