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

I need to replace a broken passenger side door handle. So from my brief research it seems that, once again, Toyota makes the superior part. Anyone have any experience running a good aftermarket door handle for awhile? I think Im gonna try a cheap one first and just grease the shit out of it. I dont understand how even a simple plastic part cant be properly manufactured by a third party.

 

I've had good luck with cheapo's. ymmv though. I got these and haven't had any issues with them since install. Did the passenger in 2017 and driver side in 2019.

$15 Multiple Manufacturers OE Replacement Toyota Tacoma Front Driver Side Door Handle Outer (Partslink Number TO1310117)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004GDNM20/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

$16 Multiple Manufacturers OE Replacement Toyota Tacoma Front Passenger Side Door Handle Outer (Partslink Number TO1311117)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004GEHR5C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

A few years ago when mine broke I shelled out the bucks for an OEM replacement and it only lasted six months. The latch (the part that actually holds the door shut) gets gummed up over the years and it takes more effort to open. This puts more stress on the handle, especially when it's cold outside. If you clean and lube that latch real good, your new handle will last, even if it’s a cheap one. If you don’t, your new handle probably won’t last, even if it’s OEM. After replacing the handle several times in quick succession I took the latch out and gave it a thorough cleaning. It wasn't really that hard to get out, and was filthy. You just have to disconnect the bottom of the window track on that side to give you room, and it will come out. I had tried just lubing it in the past, but that didn't make much difference. Now I can open my door with my little finger, and my cheap, eight dollar Amazon door handle is holding up just fine.

Or you could get the metal one when it comes back in stock.

$33 Exterior Front Driver Door Handle Replacement, Upgraded Metal - Compatible with 1995-2004 Toyota Tacoma - Textured Black - OEM 69220-35020, 79344, 91319, TO1310117

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YQBM1Y4

 

Thanks guys, just ordered a cheap handle and gonna see how it goes. That metal handle is awesome lol

 

I need to do this on my truck.
But on a good note, I did do an oil change, oil filter, air filter, spark plugs, five tire rotation and front skid plate install on my Forester, does that count?

 

Why do I do a 5 tire rotation? or why the pattern?

 

This is the one I use. I got it from @drr

As long as the rotation pattern is the same each time, it probably doesn't matter which pattern is used. I do like the one from Dan because it allows me to jack up the whole rear axle one time to do both sides.

Why not?

 

Yea it was just one of the patterns I saw for a 4wd vehicle online. And what @Digiratus said. As long as it's the same everytime you do it.

 

Right or wrong, but I rotate like this.

 

Do you guys have directional tires? I have directional Falken AT3W and I'd have to get the tires removed from the rim and flipped in order to make any of these patterns work. Curious how others approach it...

 

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That's why

 

replaced my OEM tie down with https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/trd-aluminum-battery-hold-downs.494345/
(added some padding under it)

 

Mine aswell because steers wear faster

 

Added a decal that I though was pretty cool. +1 on the coolness scale and +3 HP.


Enjoy your weekends!

 

Question about Ubolts.

About 1.5months ago I installed brand new OME Dakars with brand new U bolts. During the time the D43XL AAL was out of stock so I just went with the pack alone. Today I bought a pair of the OME AALs. Can I just add them on reusing the ubolts or do I have to get nee ubolts again?

 

I have always understood that the process of torquing the u-bolts to spec deforms (stretches) the threads. And that makes them one-time use items.

If it was me, I would use new ones.

 

Get new ones. I've refused them before temporarily but only for a short while (got the wrong sized ones for my custom pack once and reused my old OME ones). Eventually got the right ones and swapped them out

 

You'll be fine to use them again.

 

Okay. Guess I’ll order new Ubolts. Maybe I’ll just do a whole ubolt flip and relocate the lower shock mount to the axles.