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

I don't dislike it but I know how you feel about the OEM.

I do really like this grille though.
https://builtnko.com/collections/1s...d-style-grille-for-tacoma-1997-1998-1999-2000

 

Personally I’m not a fan of the inset style mesh grilles. The grillcraft I have is my favorite of all the options.

 

Like @Squeaky Penguin said, give a closer look at where the bed actually mounts.

 

Raptor Lights are for Raptors. Even then I still think their dumb.

The thing with the OEM 01-04 grill is that its the only Taco grill across all generations that has the vertical ribs which mimick the early 80's Toyota trucks. For that reason I think its cool as hell so I vote OEM.

 

In preparation of removal of the 3" Spacer Lift, to the soon install of the OME Suspension Lift Kit, I sprayed all the nuts and bolt with Kroil.
I also dropped the (never used) factory spare. I plan to relocate the Falken matching spare to a mount in the bed.
Oh, I also removed the Sway Bar.

 

I would have left it stock.

 

Sell me the Toyota emblem on the stock grill

 

Looks dope. Another benefit to the bare mesh is that you can run behind-the-grill lights if you're into that.

 

I have the same one, it's a nice clean looking grill

 

Got my new ScanGauge 2 plugged in. Still need to program and mount it, but....

 

Idle air control valve

 

I'm so shiny!

 

From a few weekends ago. Got some new tail lights (reverse lights have been finicky since I replaced the clutch, gotta look into it more), finally got blinkers back for the longest time. Come to find out (after I drilled holes) they sent me 01-04 corner lights so until these break oh well. Also added bed stiffeners, had to do some finagling due to not fitting with the new tail lights so be ware of that

 

Which taillights are those? Want to upgrade my '96 ones

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1995-2000-Replacement-Black-LED-Bar-Tail-Light-Set-for-Toyota-Tacoma-Bulb-Socket/274495354288?fits=Year%3A2000%7CModel%3ATacoma%7CSubmodel%3ASR5%7CEngine+-+Liter_Display%3A3.4L%7CMake%3AToyota%7CTrim%3ASR5+Extended+Cab+Pickup+2-Door%7CEngine%3A3.4L+3378CC+V6+GAS+DOHC+Naturally+Aspirated

This is the link for 95-00 just incase an 01-04 wants these.

 

Cool thanks. These are sweet

 

Truck turns 22 at around noon today. (eastern time)

Annual fun fact.
Truck has never been disconnected from 12v power.

 

After swapping out rear shocks, leafs, ubolts, and greaseable shackles, what’s the procedure for torquing what when? My current plan is below:

Upper/lower shock bolts - torque in air
Rear shackles/front eye - hand tight in air, grease them, drop truck, torque with truck weight
U bolts - torque in air

I know I’m getting in my head on this more than I should, but would appreciate some advice.

 

UPDATE:

After putting everything back together and driving it for a couple days, 100 miles or so, It sits like this...


As you can see it has settled a good bit in that amount of time.
Unfortunately the Left side sits about an inch higher than the right and I’m not sure why...

285-75-16’s If anyone was wondering.



The Right (lower) side is right where I want it to be. JUST the right height!
Now if I can figure out how to get the left side down I’ll be a happy camper.

I torqued my bolts to spec today because it was suggested on another thread that I tighten the leaf and shackle bolts to about half torque, then drive for a while before torquing them completely so They can settle.

What can I do to level the Right and left side of the truck???