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

super_white · May 23, 2021

Yesterday I topped off my washer fluid and noticed a big wet spot (no dripping, just wet) on top/side of the valve cover. 2.7L
It doesn't look like the valve cover gasket itself but something on top of the valve cover like a hose or grommet.

I'll have a closer look today. I'll also need to buy a small step stool. After the lift it has been hard to reach anything at the rear of the engine bay.

Key-Rei · May 23, 2021

TOYTONKA said: ↑

Installed another little toy to distract me while driving.

Click to expand...

How stable is that? Is it oil filled? Wondering if it can be read accurately while going down the road or if it just vibrates around becoming unreadable.

super_white · May 23, 2021

4x4cajun said: ↑

You could go with this...

Click to expand...

I wonder what Andrew St. Pierre White would say about the TPMS.
His review on the ARB one is good (the review is good, not the product).

TOYTONKA · May 23, 2021

Key-Rei said: ↑

How stable is that? Is it oil filled? Wondering if it can be read accurately while going down the road or if it just vibrates around becoming unreadable.
Click to expand...

Its filled with fluid of some kind. Seems pretty stable. Have not gone off road with it yet.

Key-Rei · May 23, 2021

HAVOC said: ↑

Yesterday I topped off my washer fluid and noticed a big wet spot (no dripping, just wet) on top/side of the valve cover. 2.7L
It doesn't look like the valve cover gasket itself but something on top of the valve cover like a hose or grommet.

I'll have a closer look today. I'll also need to buy a small step stool. After the lift it has been hard to reach anything at the rear of the engine bay.
Click to expand...

On of the reasons I chose the front porch bumper over any other.

geekhouse23 · May 23, 2021

Yesterday:

Alignment right now

FreshPots · May 23, 2021

AugustaTaco said: ↑

I had that pop, fixed it by loosening the u bolts while the truck was on the ground. Hopped up and down in the bed then torqued for spec
Click to expand...

Excellent. I'll do that this morning!

srspicer · May 23, 2021

geekhouse23 said: ↑

Yesterday:

Alignment right now
Click to expand...

Don't tell me what to do!!

Key-Rei · May 23, 2021

geekhouse23 said: ↑

Yesterday:

Alignment right now
Click to expand...

YAAAS !

FreshPots · May 23, 2021

crashngiggles said: ↑

This is exactly what I want to do with my heavy dakars. Please let me know how I goes.
Click to expand...

Worked amazingly! I feel like it's quieter than it was stock! The creaking and groaning was driving me nuts. No matter how much I'd lube em up there would still be a little noise. And after offroading or going through mud or puddles? 10X worse!

smoothwhitetaco · May 23, 2021

I installed the matching white bumpershellz from ecoological to finish out my chrome delete

fasteddieyj · May 23, 2021

Driverside hub/bearing assembly replaced. Only took about an hour. Ordered a second one, figuring that if ones toasted the other probably isn't far behind. Will try to get to that next weekend. Cut up my traction board mounts to install them on the bed rack. Not sure if it's permanent or not, but It'll work for now.

ardrummer292 · May 23, 2021

I now fully understand why most people don’t mess with the small switches under the head unit. Gaining access to them is really not a fun process.

I did accomplish what I set out to do, although it took a solid 4 hours. I moved my USB and aux-in one slot over, ran some paracord through the wire route I’ll use for my next 2 small switches, and relocated my AC power outlet switch using a 3rd gen switch and wiring harness conversion.

Thanks to @caribe makaira for the electrical specs… and of course, @EatSleepTacos for emotional support.

I’m gonna have a beer, then I’ll do a writeup for anyone who’s interested.

*Edited to add*

Writeup:

ardrummer292 said: ↑

I performed a peculiar mod today: replacing the stock AC power outlet switch with the 3rd gen equivalent.

I did this to add a little logic to how my switches are organized. Call it OCD, efficiency of movement, or whatever you like; it makes sense to me.

The tall switches located to the left of the steering wheel are easy to see and easy to access; as such, it makes sense to set controls for functions that may be needed on the fly in this location. The switches located under the center console are not as easy to operate; accessories that are not needed on the move can be located here, in a less convenient location.

I consulted with TW's resident OEM wiring guru, @caribe makaira, to determine the feasibility of this mod. Once we figured out that it was both possible and low-risk, we assembled a shopping list:

OEM 3rd gen AC power outlet switch, P/N 84480-04040
OEM 3rd gen switch connector, P/N 90980-12558
Male 090/2.3II terminals, qty 5: https://www.hi-1000ec.com/product/1369
Pre-wired female 0.64III terminals, qty 5: https://www.hi-1000ec.com/product-list?keyword=12870&Submit=Search
20 AWG 5 conductor wire, 4 ft required:

$13 20 Gauge 2 Conductor Tinned Copper Electrical Wire Stranded PVC Audio Power Cable Speaker Wire (Red & Black) 20AWG-2C-25FT

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089SGQ559/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_EH2PZAG7Q6J3V0S7KX81?_encoding=UTF8
Mating pair of OEM connectors compatible with 090/2.3II terminals: I went with OEM P/Ns 90980-10996 (female) and 90980-11101 (male) since they were the only ones I could find in stock, but there are plenty of options available

The idea behind this mod is very simple. Create a wiring harness extension from the stock AC power outlet switch connector:

... to the 3rd gen's switch:

... in a resilient and easily-reversed manner. I made a sketch to ensure that I was accurately tracking terminal positions and wire colors:

This helped me understand how the finished product would come together.

On one end of the wiring harness, I soldered on the pre-wired 0.64III female terminals used for the 3rd gen switch connector:

On the other end, I crimped on 090/2.3II male terminals. From there, all I had to do was install the new connectors, following my sketch to ensure the terminals were in the correct positions:

The modifications to the existing vehicle wiring are fairly straightforward. I checked the connector wiring scheme to ensure that it lined up with the factory wiring diagram:

Once that was confirmed, I removed the white terminal retaining clip and used a small screwdriver to push the terminals out of the connector:

The only remaining steps were to insert the terminals into the new connector:

... and perform a preliminary function test, which yielded no surprises. The transplant was successful, but not yet complete.

I have never removed the lower trim piece that houses the small switches in question. What an absolute pain in the ass it was. I had to pull:

Lower driver's side trim, including all prerequisites (door sill, kick panel, foot rest, coin holder)
Glove box
Shifter panel and knob
Center console storage
Center console side trim
Climate control panel
Head unit (with the 2TPAM, making things much more difficult)
Head unit surround trim and 4WD selector, including loosening the gauge cluster trim

Once all that was removed, I could finally undo the two 10mm bolts holding the trim piece in question. I disconnected the 12V power outlets and took the whole piece to the back of my truck for a closer look:

Oh great, these switch slots are keyed. "Keyed," meaning they will only fit the one switch they are designed to use from the factory. Spoiler alert: 2nd gen Tacomas were not designed to accommodate 3rd gen switches.

Problem solved with a round file. Note that I opted to move my USB/aux-in one slot to the right, which is why I had to "re-key" that area as well.

A horrifying realization crept up on me. I would have to do this whole disassembly process again in the near future in order to install and wire my air compressor and cargo light switches. I decided I would try to minimize any re-work by running 550 cord through the wiring route and terminating it in the corresponding switch blank:

I'm hoping I can tape the connectors for the new switches to the 550 cord and pull it through. Will it work? I have no idea. It's worth a try, though.

At this point, all that remained was reassembly. I'll spare everyone the details, since the language involved made this a decidedly non-PG13 evolution. After 4 hours of ass-pain, I managed to get everything back together correctly and working.
Click to expand...

FreshPots · May 23, 2021

AugustaTaco said: ↑

I had that pop, fixed it by loosening the u bolts while the truck was on the ground. Hopped up and down in the bed then torqued for spec
Click to expand...

That seems to have done it! Thanks for the tip! Quick 5 min fix! Thanks!

Eaux8Taceaux · May 23, 2021

Installed a ProClip phone mount. I like it.

shaun08taco · May 23, 2021

Took my taco up to the Sierras this past weekend for an off road trip with the boys. Here is the video of our first day up there for anyone who is interested.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJLb_Bhwp2A

Crgrey42 · May 23, 2021

FreshPots said: ↑

Update: As quiet as stock! Blissful silence! I have a strange pop when the rear goes over bumps but its not loud. Will torque everything down again after a bit of driving. It may be my massive spare hitting something. Springs themselves are silent.

My last ditch attempt at getting rid of the Dakar HD leaf spring squeak from hell. Pulled em out and installed liners with a lip from SpeedWay motors. Waiting for assistance to throw them back on. If this doesn't work I'm getting something else. Truck sounds like an old man with bad knee's no matter how much I lube em up.

Will post update after test
Click to expand...

Have a part number or link? Thanks!

Brian422 · May 23, 2021

Installed the marlin crawler gussets. PITA if you are on the ground welding. But non the less finished. Also mounted up the Vulcan quick draw.

Key-Rei · May 23, 2021

Brian422 said: ↑

Installed the marlin crawler gussets. PITA if you are on the ground welding. But non the less finished. Also mounted up the Vulcan quick draw.

Click to expand...

So like... What do you do with the hole puncher when you're not in your truck?

bagleboy · May 23, 2021

After 6 years the snugtop rear hatch gasket had pulled free on both top corners getting crap packed into the carpet liner there as they leaked so finally got around to carefully excising the gasket away from the shell from the bottom up and cleaning/regluing it. There were also separate flaps at each lower corner which the tailgate slips under that disintegrated so I fabricated new ones from left over inner tube. This has been on my to do list for quite some time.

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