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

Ah shit I've got the zj ones mb for the ignorance. They are 15x7s. I will keep that in mind tho, thank you!!

 

Just finalized this-

 

Hmmm, tough to put my finger on what the exact issue of the loudness on the highway but it might be in this area (pointed in red):

 

Not 100% sure from the pictures. But, it looks like they fucked your bearings. The inner part of the bearing (where the hub slides through) is two pieces. If they press the hub through the bearing without supporting the inner part, the hub will push the inner part out like that. That white grease that's visible is the grease that is inside the "sealed" bearing. If you can see that (in this context) the bearing is no longer any good.

Also, the end of the hub should not be flush with the outer surface of the bearing. You should be able to put the spacer in there and it still be lower than the end of the hub. The ABS tone ring would also go in there (if equipped).

That "Service Adviser" and the "Tech" should both, really find a different job. The "Service Adviser" should have been able to look up the part number for the bearing and realize the part number cross references for all 6 lug Tacoma. (PreRunner, ADD, as well as Manual Hub)(It's also the same for 3rd Gen 4 Runner and, I believe, 1st Gen Tundra). The tech should have known you can't press a hub through a split bearing. (The inner part of the bearing is "split" in 2 pieces) without supporting the bearing.



If you're on a time crunch, I'd call this "bad news" but it isn't arson. I'd go back and tell those dip shits to replace the bearings they destroyed and look up the process on YouTube if they aren't properly qualified to do a relatively simple routine maintenance item.

 

Thanks. That’s good information. I was going to call a different dealer, but instead I emailed the service director from the dealer that did this and asked him how he plans to correct it.

 

Did you use grey or black? Pics of the finished product please

 

I ordered over the phone so I'm not sure on the part number but I'll post it in here when it arrives.

 

well, it's 14 pieces (some of that is hardware and machined spacers) and even before steel prices spiked, I wasn't anywhere close to $10 per kit (even though I have to make 100 at a time to control costs). It's not the 80's, you know.

that said, a lot of folk think laser cut & bent steel ought to be cheaper than it is - plus, I expect something for my design time & cash outlay (and IP, and business costs, and I cover shipping, etc.) - so it is what it is.

I guess it really boils down to what you think your time is worth - since I've taken care of everything other than the actual welding & painting. No offense intended to guys who roll their own.

 

I was patiently waiting for someone else to comment and confirm what I saw.
Yeah, you shouldn't see the inside of the sealed bearing when freshly pressed in and assume it's seated properly.

That's tech manual 095 - remedial bearing install on 1st gen Tacoma/3rd gen 4rnr.
Probably better they messed up the bearing than bend the spindle(s)

 

Seat surgery; swapped seat bottoms between driver and passenger, hopefully to get a few more miles while I try to figure out what seats to go with long(er) term.

 

I'll pipe up here (big surprise)

Your stuff is 100% legit and I see absolutely nothing wrong with your prices. (coming from a repeat buyer). If people think it cost 10 bucks to produce the same product. I suggest they stop complaining and produce that product for 10 bucks... it's really just that simple.

 

Yea its weird, people complain about the price, the product gets canceled, people complain about no one making products for their trucks any more.

 

I thought you ordered some fancy seats a bit ago?

 

I dont think a lot of people, in general not pointing fingers at anyone here, realize the cost to actually produce a product

 

Agree with all of this. When you understand the costs of running a business (i.e. overhead, materials, general and administrative costs, etc...) you'd be hard pressed to look at his prices and say they're not fair. Software, machines, consumables, storage space... even if it is just a closet and not a massive warehouse... all factor into the price. There is a COST that every business has to eat, and a PRICE the customers have to pay. If people are saying it's only worth $10, they likely don't understand business structure or fully realize the behind the scenes effort of the innovation.

 

well, you guys are making me feel a lot better about holding my pre-pandemic prices - it's starting to pinch a bit, to be honest (- especially on bumpers).

bad business decision, I know, but I think all this supply shortage and material costs spike pain is temporary, so I'm riding it out in terms of retail pricing. (assuming I'm right about the market correcting in the next few months)

I'm fortunate, though, that my supplier had a healthy inventory going into 2020 - that was significant in terms of delivery times and continuing product development. Super-lucky, there.

 

Also... I think people forget the value of other people's time. I don't think anyone in here gets up in the morning and goes to work expecting to NOT get paid to do their job.

@eimkeith spends time away from other things... whether that be hanging out with friends, or family, or doing something else, like a different full time job where he gets paid... to design and manufacture this shit. The going rate for the type of work that goes in to doing his products is WELL ABOVE minimum wage. To say any of his products is only valued at 10 dollars is really an insult.

 

Got wheels back from powder coat and mounted. Did some paint correction. Have a few spots left to polish. Next is pin stripe and blackout the emblems. And then rhino liner on fender flares and the tool box.

 

Exactly. I don't wake up for a job for less than $40 an hour. You have to know your value and not settle for anything less.

 

fantastic job on the paint correction! that looks amazing!