I just have to say it… 3rd Gens suck to work on.

Damn. That looks about the size of a lawn tractor starter too.

On the positive it looks like it stays clean and dry.

 

Happy Friday, and Merry Christmas!



Fuck me though. These whiny-ass wrenching threads are worse than the bitchy-ass stealership threads. Shadetrees / DIY-ers need to grow a pair or lop them off. Fuuuuuck . . .

 

I've found most members on here with a little research can do the same things to their trucks as even a seasoned mechanic (sans an engine or trans rebuild)

 

Don’t you know this is Tacomaworld, a place where the tacoma can do no wrong? This place’s love for the truck os like a mother who blames the teacher for their kid’s shitty behavior.

Even changing the spark plugs on this truck looks like a bitch of a job.

At least the suspension is easy to work on yourself

 

Holy shit, an extension AND a u-joint?

 

All 3 of the autos you mention offer inline engines and could be from the 1990s.. of course they'd be easier to work on.

 

My 4.7 v8 tundra was the same, but in the nearly 20 years and 300k miles the starter never gave me a problem.

 

I do something similar as I have the OEM pro skid plate. I found a hollow metal tube (about a foot long) that perfectly holds that plastic filter housing drain gizmo that comes with the replacement filter kit. I place the plastic gizmo in the metal tube then press the whole assembly up into the filter housing spring loaded drain while pointing the bottom end of the metal tube into my catch pan. No mess at all using this method to drain the filter housing.

 

I think it's time you tell us more. Please, lay down on the couch and tell us how your day went.

or :

 

my e46 pretty much spoiled me for working on other cars. it was only when the rear subframe started looking like it was going to need attention (after 16 winters in the NE) that i got scared.

 

Just get yourself an 89 Honda Civic hatchback.

 

Exactly. With YT and Dr Google, it is all accessible.

Still though. Whining about buying a special tool? I don't think I ever owned a vehicle that didn't require a tool purchase.

The plugs are easy. The left side takes a bit of effort, but you need nothing more than long extensions. All the coil packs can be slipped out with intake in place.

 

look at the other vehicles he mentioned. i think it's safe to say that he isn't whining about merely having to purchase a proprietary tool. he's whining about having to do so for what should be THE easiest and most common of jobs. and on a japanese vehicle, no less. i mean, no one would be surprised if we were talking about a Peugeot, right? but seriously, what is the purpose of the design of the filter cap on the Tacoma? to prevent the casual or opportunistic thief from passing by and taking it on a whim?

 

Hmm let's see:

07+ Chrysler Sebring 2.7 v6 where you HAVE to remove the intake just to get to get to plugs in the other bank. Battery lives in the driver side wheel well so you HAVE to remove the wheel to swap that out. Oh and not to mention its like playing a game of operation in the process.

05 Jeep Liberty spin on filter is in such a location that it drenches suspension components below it in oil. Not to mention all the modern Fords where drain plug is right above a crossmember so similar things happen when that hits and splatters everywhere.

So yeah, the relatively easy access to all the common things one needs to touch on the 3rd gen is a total let down.

 

You're implying that it ever actually stops...

 

Welcome to modern vehicles it only gets worse. By the way a paint can top works well for the filter drain.

 

I have had to buy a filter cap tool for just about every vehicle that I owned. Including a double purchase for ones that didn't work well. Our one other cartridge car had a special cap with no helpful flutes like the Taco has. Was never a problem other than having to reverse direction to free it.

Note that the Taco cartridge tool fits either all or almost all other Toyota cartridges. There is noting preventing anyone from doing the work when the instructions are printed on the box the filter comes in and the torque spec is printed on the cartridge.

So, yeah. I'm still call thing this BS.

BTDT on our 1996 Stratus. Those fucking plugs were only getting changed just once. Not to mention the EGR tube screws used non-machine threads (think wood screw) to attach to the intake. What a nightmare that was.

 

I've found that most of the people who complain about doing basic work on their cars or trucks have never owned or wrenched on a motorcycle; cartridge filters have been around on most Japanese and European MC's for a very long time, along with screen filters which have to be cleaned. One of my bikes (KTM 990 Adventure) has two screen filters and a (gasp!) Cartridge filter which need attention or replacing every oil change.

As far as making a mess when doing an oil change on my Taco, I also don't mess with the drain tube, just un-screw it part way, let it drain, then remove it like a canister filter. Quick, simple, done.

I will concede that the 2nd Gen Taco's with the 4.0 with a canister oil filter on the top of the engine does look like it would be easier to service, however you still have to slide-under the truck to drain the oil so you're still going to get your Skinny Jeans dirty