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

Updated my Grill. (Custom - POR-15 paint left over, cut my own grill, “TACOMA” tailgate letters from a 3rd generation

BEFORE


AFTER

 

Put some AVS in channel visors on the truck. Have had these on pretty much all my vehicles except the ones that only offered the exterior stick on visors.
Will report back if there’s any issues but I don’t foresee any.

 

Neck is already sore, but the most difficult welds on the cage are done!

 

Mine are still going strong 4 years later

 

Bled the brakes on my own for the first time the other day. Shit looked like simple green.

 

I put the same ones on my truck a little while ago and I like them. They look sweet and actually work for driving in the rain with the windows cracked. Only downside I noticed is they make it a little harder to clean your windows and the bottom edge is kinda sharp and will cut your hand when using glass cleaner and a rag. Solution: roll window down some to clean the top and then roll it back up to do the rest

 

I've been meaning to sand that edge smooth, it's made me bleed at least once

 

good tip. Yeah I had to cut the ones for my runner so at least these were a perfect fit. And pretty flush.

 

Installed ADDCO #656 rear sway bar which is listed as the proper kit for the 1995 Tacoma.

https://www.jegs.com/i/ADDCO/020/656/10002/-1

Some modification was required for the install. The load proportioning valve on the driver side was in the way of using the supplied U-Bolt to attach the bushing bracket to the frame.

Creative thinking and a magnet allowed a bolt to be placed through a rear hole in the surrounding structure to allow the bolt to come out a perfectly positioned hole already existing in the frame, whereupon a washer and lock washer and nut were used to secure the rearmost side of the bushing bracket.

After drilling an appropriate sized hole, the forward side of the driver side bushing bracket was easily secured with supplied bolt, washer and unlock nut.

I find the bar ends are angled out pretty close to my 255/70R16 tires. ADDCO could have bent them in just a little more. My plan is on another session heat up the bar at the bends and bend the ends in just a wee bit more for added safety margin.

Also installed a new rear SS flexible brake line and bled the rear brakes using MOTUL DOT 5.1 brake fluid as was used for the front Tundra brake upgrade bleed session.

Update 12/30/2023: I resolved the tight clearance to the tire sidewalls with 1" wheel spacers all around. A $75 solution that did not require the R&R of the bar and shipping back to ADDZCO for a re-bend.

Mike

 

Changed the Front diff, transfer case, and transmission fluid (

$28 75w-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75w-90). Interesting to find that the transmission and transfer case drain plug didnt have magnets, only the front diff and rear diff did.

Was missing some of the washers and the auto parts store didn't have proper size for the drain plug gasket so I got these nylon ones that were a little too big, and they kind of deformed when torquing the bolt, hopefully it doesn't cause any issues (last two pics)

 

OME 880 coils are stock. I have them on my single cab and it's stock height.

 

Well, didn’t really do anything to the Tacos as far as wrenching goes but I did make it to run doubles at a local auto cross event with my brother and his Taco. Such a beautiful day, especially being able to pause the event and appreciate the eclipse. Nothing like 2 bros and their Tacos enjoying a righteous day together. Life’s too short not to soak up the good times.

 

Nice job!
But unfortunately the plastic is not going to last much longer.

https://amzn.to/3rSwraI

Here's a link to a replacement bottle. I think you can get the same bottle from 1aauto for a bit cheaper.

 

I modified a harbor freight special truck bed dump mat to fit my truck and hauled like 12-14 loads of dirt. Worked actually really nice. I was surprised. 35 bucks well spent.

 

Does anyone happen to know if the Axle side U joint is shared between the single piece and two piece driveshafts? Mines got a bit of play and I am not quite sure how interchangeable that joint is.

 

LBJs finally did their thing lol

 

Nice. That looks like how mine went. Full fuckin send.

 

How does that contraption work?

 

I’m pissed I wasn’t even doing anything cool when they went. I was just driving to school and they clocked out when I was slowing down for a stop sign. Fortunately they didn’t go when I was going any faster but I’d like a cool story to go with it at least lmao.

 

Basically just a nylon weave mat that wraps around a 1.125'' tube. Some plastic clamps hold it to the tail gate and strap around it. Pull the mat to lay in the bed. Pile your material on it. Then use a long handle to crank the tube to wrap the mat back onto the tube which pulls your material out like a conveyor belt. Works actually really good. I had to cut 12'' out of the mat to get it to fit in between the wheel wells. Helps I have the plastic liner still so makes it easier to slide along I think. But did the trick and didn't fall apart with all that work. Im going to get some gravel next for where my cistern is so it won't be a muddy slog this winter.

Weirdly all of mine except 1 were at slow speeds. And the one that wasn't was not a fun ride, do not recommend.

So I'd count that as lucky.