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

Completed the, now, annual ritual of replacing the damn door handles.

 

Double whammy today.

Hood won't close. Tried to fix it. Think I broke it more or it was already that way.
PO removed the center support so the core was super flimsy. Not quite sure what I'm going to do.
Might have to hit a yard on Monday and find a spare center but ill likely have to weld that nut back on.


2nd whammy
Batter decided it didn't like it's home.
Entire tray is separated at the wheel well. I welded it together once before but I'm a total novice so my awesomely nooob welds didn't hold.
Rivnut has also almos entirely cracked free.




What have yall done in this situation? Seems like welding it back on again is just going to be another bandaid fix.

 

That mechanism in the center I had to replace on my 5 lug that grabs the hood and locks it. I used a dorman one and it needs some reassuring to lock, point being i should have went oem

 

Good to know. Not sure if you can tell but the nut holing it on the driver's side was sheared off

 

I just started having the hood issue on mine smh

 

Busted out the turbo kit to take some measurements. Gonna yank the engine tomorrow after work and get to installing.

 

Looks good. What kit is this?

 

Fix it! Before you wind up in my shoes.
I'm about to use a zip tie to keep the hood down.
Looking at the aerocatch kits now. Not much more than a new latch which may or may not fix my issue. Core support is super flexible since the center bar is missing.

 

Can you not source a new latch and center support? Seems like an easy bolt up fix. And for the battery try issue, if it were my id probably cut that whole corner out and weld in new material

 

Better yet get the battery out from under the hood all they do is rest on the fenders which are supported by the core support mostly which are the weakest body mount locations.

 

Started spending a bit more time out in the garage instead of sleeping.. the 4 week old doesn’t care to sleep during the night yet, I need something to occupy my mind a bit.. 6 outlet auxbeam being installed, and changing out my ditch lights for some rigid backlit ones. The Amazon specials lasted 1 year lol.

 

Agreed, but Where to?
I've got a water tank in the bed and not keen on it being by water.

Temp fix for the tray. 3/16 stainless rivets and some stainless scrap plate. Did another up by the fuse box. Holds solid for now it seems.

I can, and plan on looking in the yards tomorrow morning. But they generally gouge you. We will see. If I can find both for under the cost of some flush mount latches then cool.
I still need to weld that nut back onto the sheet metal that got sheered off. Not super confident in doing that though.

 

i did this lasts week for the first time, not super fun but very functional ha

 

Swapped out my old CVT tent for a new generic hardshell tent.

 

Get metal ones

 

Before n after paint prep.

 

hot damn! How you clean it?
I would just clear coat that!

 

That’s a tempting idea.. I’ve been planning on using VHT black wrinkle paint.
Some left over engine degreaser, simple green, wire brush, scotch brite pads, and rinsing/soaking throughout with hot water. Whenever I do get around to painting I’ll take some isopropyl to it just before.

 

Rad. The usual suspects.
I've still got to tear down and clean my old 5vz. Can't wait to see how they turn out regardless of what you do with em.