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

I had 9 years on my original KO's, and figured they were getting too old for me to feel safe riding on.
So fresh new KO2's as of yesterday, and I went white letters out this time!

 

used the 98 for hauling shit today. father was also hauling shit.. so another group photo but with 4 this time! (i aint doing much right now to the first gens.. i have to get the 2nd gen done now)

 

Get better shocks and it's less of an issue. Plus the benefits are worth it when hitting bumps.

 

Not mine, but getting into it helping a buddy with a frame swap.

We’re probably 24hrs in, both of us with a couple 6 hr days average. Gotta disconnect the fuel lines from under the cab and a bit more wiring then the cab can come off.

Figure the rest will go smooth once the cab is removed- drop the fuel tank, pull the suspension, engine/trans/case, put it all back together.

 

would you like the frame swap instructions? i have them handy

 

I generally don't run my tires longer than 7 years max. You were definitely due a new set.

 

My experience without the front sway bar was with brand new Bilsteins and it was scary.

I can't imagine what it would be like with old worn and inexpensive shocks.

Mike

 

Added a sheet of aluminum to make the tailgate smooth now. The lumpy one didn't feel the best on the knees, and it was sometimes difficult to situate things on because they would be uneven.

 

Cleaned out the AC.

 

I also rewired my battery terminals. I had some clicking when trying to start when cold. After it warmed up it started fine. Cleaned battery connection at starter and redid my battery terminal connections. I changed both terminals to marine style. Now I just need to fix the rest of the rat nest of aftermarket wiring.

Starts like a champ now.

 

Saw some drips, found the transmission filler tube assembly is broken where it joins together…

 

Didn’t want to install flush mounted countersunk head fasteners? Or are this on order? whatever you put on there can sit even- like you wanted since the heads do not sit up past the surface

 

What battery are you guys running? My yellow top (6-7 years old) is really starting to struggle and not wanting to get stranded when camping this season, I'm looking to replace it

 

I threw a 24f duralast platinum agm from Vatozone in like 6 months back and so far it's been great. Don't have a ton of draw on it, just light bar, dust light, and ditch lights. I got it mainly since the AZ heat is hard on batteries and I get tons of corrosion on traditional lead acid batteries. So far it's been fantastic.

 

I was today years old when I heard the term Vatozone for the first time, and I love it

 

I'm running WalMart EverStart Max 24F in the Taco and the 3rd Gen 4Runner. 750CCA, 3 year replacement at any WalMart. Works well for me in the Wisconsin winter temps.

Mike

 

Yeah Ill likely order these next. I just used the screws that came with it to get it back on, but the counter sunk ones will be next.

 

Did you have that made or can you buy them ready to go?

 

I made it out of aluminum from a shop. Conveniently it measures 12" x 48" so that might be something easily available to get from a local metal shop (*its not a strange dimension like 13 x 51), then you just have to match up the screw holes from the other panel that was removed.

 

Been on the list since I installed my camper electrical, so finally came up with a solution to be able to switch between vehicle inverter and shore power to feed into the AC adapter for charging my solar power station.

I am using a 3-position (1-off-2) rotary switch to select which power source to use. Now instead of unplugging and plugging in the AC adapter (kind of a pain), I can just plug the shore power cord in and flip the switch.





Should make swapping power sources so much nicer now.