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

I like your previous advice when this came up before -

 

It seems like a few times a year we see somebody mistake the inch pounds for foot pounds and break their valve covers. I don't think I've ever met a mechanic or even a hobbyist that torques their valve covers like people on this forum do, it's not a head gasket and it's sealed with a rubber seal so if it leaks you just tighten it a little bit more there's nothing to lose here. So I've always just done them by hand with a tool that doesn't have a ton of leverage, which is how I was first taught working with old Chevys.

 

When I finally get around to doing them, going to ignore the spec and use the nut driver/hand tight approach. Good advice.

 

^ That ^

As well as the fact that such a precise measurement as 53 inch pounds. I'd bet the majority of inch pound torque wrenches aren't even that accurate. The difference between 53 or 54 or 60 inch pounds is so close, I'd bet there's enough variance in what you actually get out of an inch pound torque wrench, you could be closer to spec by feel.

That's just my 2 cents. I'd bet money my Harbor Freight inch pound torque wrench varies by 5 inch pounds or more from one bolt to the next.

 

I trust you. I tend to crutch pretty heavily on torque specs since I am new to automotive work. I sheared off this bolt a few months ago then broke the reverse bit off inside the bolt and told myself never again. Still need to rescue this bolt one day.

 

I’m an idiot.. didn’t bother checking what motor he’s talking about. Yes that’s for 5vz. As for the 4banger idk. Sorry lol

but I would imagine it could be the same for both?

 

Good to know, I am reassembling Monday. This is where tightening with that 1/4" ratchet comes in handy.

Psht I specifically got the fancy ICON one for this very job so it better be accurate.

 

I don't have the fancy ICON one.

 

Hidden winch Mount and winch installed.

 

One more because why not.

 

Hit up the yard today for some misc parts mainly a valve cover. No Tacoma's but there is a 2000 4Runner with a 2.7. Popped the valve cover off and seriously considered taking the entire engine it looked so clean. Popped the exhaust cam off it looked brand new still... maybe I'll go back tomorrow and at least take the cams

Plan on cleaning up the valve cover and getting it powder coated maroon or silver.

 

Didn't do any real heavy work on the truck today.

But I did accomplish mounting the lighted whip.

 

First ride for the new pup in the old truck. She won't fit in it much longer...

 

Soon all of your dogs will be bigger than you again

 

Very soon. Questioning if the van is going to be big enough.... Loo

I won't go too far off topic but did get annoyed at the vet (hence the car ride) when they tried lecturing us about "big dogs" as if we don't know.

Regardless, uhhhh I didn't do anything to my Tacoma because it just works, as used and abused as it is, it just works. No work needed.

 

While installing new Bilstein 5100 rear shocks yesterday I noticed that my driveshaft carrier bearing bushing was completely shot. So today I replaced it with a new

$57 Dorman 934-401 Drive Shaft Center Support Bearing Compatible with Select Toyota Models

Dorman 934-401. I have no idea how long it was like this, and I didn't even know what it was called until yesterday. This explains why I would sometimes hear a clunking noise when shifting into and out of reverse. I was able to find info about it in the FSM pdfs and Haynes manual as well as many YouTube tutorials on replacing it. This video was the most useful: https://youtu.be/Ghyoacp7E1E

 

Agreed. They try to lecture us all the time too. Bernese that's 135lbs and a Newfoundland that's 150lbs. We have pet insurance and they always lecture us on what to do, what not to do. We have over $50k in vet bills between the two over the last 5 years, with only $5k out of pocket. Speaking of first gens, 250+lbs of dog don't fit. Time for something bigger...

 

How was it?

 

i thought you sold it?

 

Bro what insurance