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

I picked up a rear axle yesterday out of an '04 Tacoma. I'm disappointed at the level of rust it has, especially for what I paid. But after searching for a few weeks, I don't really see any other options short of driving out west again.

I've already run into a problem regarding the parking brake. The salvage yard cut the cable and sleeve running to the truck and the parking brake setup on the truck now is mounted in differently and it doesn't appear that I can simply attach the cable from the truck to the axle.

Guess I need to buy an entire new parking brake assembly.

 

I’m up here in Edmonton, and in -30 Celsius it doesn’t seem too stiff ever. Nothing that I actually can remember noticing. Luckily for me next week will be around -40. I’ll try to make a mental note and see then haha.

 

Thanks. In the past It was not as noticeable. Might have some contamination in the fluid. It looks like Amsoil ATF claims to preform better in cold weather. I might try switching to that.

 

please keep us updated. I think I'm about to start refurbishing one

 

Went full grandpa and picked up a camper shell. It should keep the pup drier and warmer on snow runs

 

Did a DIY bed liner today. It's all in the prep work. Getting ready to do the 2nd coat in an hour

 

Why not? You are the OG.

 

Looks awesome! What brand did you use?

 

Projects are coming together slowly but surely.

Primer



Paint




Can I just say how much I love painting during the winter?

My wife just loves the smell of fresh spray paint, leaking in to the house from the garage... it's awesome.

 

Took a 6 hour drive



This was just a pit stop along the way to let the dogs roam free.

 

my house is the same way, it sucks. Not nearly enough ventilation for projects.
I switched to the rustoleum pro spray paint last time around so at least it dries quicker and the fumes seem to trail off quicker

 

I have a manual , but I wish I had gone with 4.56. But 4.88 is pretty awesome offroad. On the highway they sucks balls.

As far as using e lockers. If I think I'm going to possibly need to be locked I do so before I hit the obstacles so that everything has a chance to engage . Being locked FR really helps to maintain forward movement so I'm not having to rock the truck.
My experience with the Harrop is that it locks up pretty fast.
Had a arb in my jeep never had any issues with it. But I did kill a lunch box locker.

 

I just used herculiner. I sanded the bed, perimeter, resanded and then rolled. Now only time will tell how it lasts

 

So I’m about to make the journey from San Diego to Sacramento today. Just drove maybe a mile to the gas station to fill up and check tire pressure.
FR: 33psi
FL: 38psi
RR: 33psi
RL: 18psi
What do you guys like to set yours at for long distance traveling? 285/70/17

 

Last night I removed the bumper, and cut into my front frame to get out the 2 stripped weld nuts on the underside bumper attachment point… scary shit lol. Cut off those 2, welded in 2 new. And then tested my weld abilities and reinstalled the bumper..

This was all my fault to begin with, I was in a hurry and I should have taken the die grinder to these 2 holes before putting on the All Pro bumper… live and learn. Literally. I should note. I’ve never welded before.. I started by spending an hour and half my tank just practising keeping a good bead.

 

I'm looking into swapping 5th gear for a taller ratio on both of my manual trucks. Even on my all stock single sx cab highway isn't that fun. 2750 to do 70mph isn't great. Compared to 2100iah in my auto truck

There is a gear that's been done I just have swapped it but it should add about 20% so should bring it down about 300-400ishrpm I think.

 

Time says it doesn’t last very long. Unless they changed something. I did my tool box lid with it and it was faded blotchy gray within a year.

 

Just did 1592mi. Tire pressures set the same as always. I wouldn't think to alter your tire pressure differently in the case of a long distance drive, Ideally, even wear across the tire is best.

 

Would just do a quick chalk and go. Nice contact patch as those freeway miles tick by.
Safe travels, Merry Christmas.

 

With 4.10s and 33s, I was running right around 22-2300 at 70. With 4.56s I'm sitting right about where you are. I hadn't thought about swapping 5th, would be nice to drop it down a bit, keep us updated.