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

Did you level out the truck compared to the rake you had before with the Alcan's?

 

Yep. Maybe slightly too level, but we'll see here in a couple weeks after a trip. And OMG, the ride.

 

Afternoon y’all, hope the day has been smooth so far. I finally found a day off and decided to put some time into the taco. A simple exterior cosmetic refresh but one I’ve had on my list for quite some time now. Lucked out on the weather down here in south Texas. One day down the rd I’ll be getting the entire truck painted but until then, just sealing up the faded and exposed areas has helped the look of this project tremendously in my opinion. Good ole plastic dip for the rear window and trim area. Not bad for an hr or so worth of work. Beautiful day so took her out in a cruise.

 

That looks so much better, sometimes those little projects make a big difference. Truck looks fantastic, that's one application of white-letter tires I actually think looks good
One of these weekends soon I want to do the washer nozzle upgrade on my 99 and replace the worn door checks. And I really want to get my generic dynamat installed, that'll be a project for a long weekend.

 

Major thanks! I was hoping to find time today to knock it out, thankful I did. The work weeks have been flying by, hard to find time to mellow out and wrench on the taco some times. Next is installing some new drilled and slotted rotors. I’ve got white walls on my older school Buick which inspired me to do some tire stickers on the taco. Really like the contrast with the wheel and tire combo.

 

The initial repair quote was under $2k (though for some reason I don't think it included repairing the hood), so my truck won't be getting totaled!!! I'm so happy that I won't have to deal with all that nonsense.

I'm thinking about spending extra money to have the entire truck repainted while it's in the shop. Who here as gotten their truck repainted and what's a ballpark estimate?

 

Glad everyone's ok.

Pictures?

Deer hit recently was quoted over $3,000 in repairs but instead was able to pull bumper and pound out dent, reposition fender and realign hood reveal, replace headlight and side marker for under $100.

You might have some bent bumper mounts that need replaced along with the bumper and grille. A black (primed for paint) or chrome bumper, valance, and trim panels if needed can be about $150, depending on style. There are some reputable vendors (like carparts.com) that sell on ebay and their web site where you can also find the bumper, grille, fender, lights, etc. Note shipping fees. Also, note there are other bumper parts you may need including additional brackets, etc. depending....

 

Had my exhaust guy replace the downstream cat. The old one had no insides. The upstream one had no insides either, but I’m not replacing that one.

 

Do you have a link for these?

 

Got a big rain storm last night, and I couldn't resist. Just gives me an excuse to wash her! LOL

 

Great pictures but can't quite tell...can the paint just be buffed (either with a power buffer or a little elbow grease) on the grille apron and front of the hood. And can the bolts that mount the bumper just be loosened at the mounts on the frame so it can be pulled back into position?

If the mounts are bent, might be able to replace them pretty cheaply, or install washers as shims to rotate it forward and down a little ... should the mounting bolts be long enough.

And might be able to pound out the dent in the bumper by removing it and using the end of a deadblow hammer or top of a rubber mallet to tap it out by striking with a hammer. Takes finesse (gentleman in this video used a stick then realized might have better used the end of a rubber mallet). (Here's how paintless dent removal works with pulling instead of pushing).

Alternatively the body shop might R&R the bumper face bar and repaint but likely use much of the other parts. That's an option too but removing the dent without breaking the paint might be very possible.

 

Here ya go!

$22 Front Door Check Right Passenger Side for Toyota Tacoma New

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TVG12VP?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

Shit’ll buff out lol. As long at the frames not bent or the core support and fender aprons aren’t bent it’s pretty much bolt of stuff. New grill, driver side bumper filler, bumper/brackets, lower cowl, a little tweaking, all good. The truck being black helps if you needed some paint work, just have the shoot the bumper filler, grill and bumper and probably close enough

 

Last week I installed some new door gaskets, old ones were getting a little worn in a few spots. Figured the OE ones will be discontinued at some point.

2024 marks 10 years of me owning the truck, and yesterday I rolled over 180k. The truck has been very reliable the past 2 years, haven't had to do anything but oil changes. I've been clearing a spot on my land for a barn the past 6 months. Have chopped down over 20 trees and cleared a ton of brush. I've had the truck in low range more than past 6 months than the previous 9 years combined. It has performed so well.

Truck is due for a timing belt job and needs a new clutch, but once those are knocked out I'm hoping to get at least another 10 years!

 

I run an EverStart Max 24F in my 1st Gen Tacoma and 3rd Gen 4Runner. They have worked well for me and given me great service. Any issues and I can find a WalMart anywhere in the country to back the warranty.

Mike

 

You don't want to push that much grease in there. It essentially creates a hydraulic ram that is trying to push you rear axle and transmission apart. Pop off the zerk and let it purge itself out.

Not sure on a 5vz but it's possible on a 3rz where the top of the timing cover is.

 

Off the bat it looks like oil gunk, but my oil level is fine. I took another look at it and it definitely looks wet around the thermostat housing, and my coolant resivor is a little low. So this leads me to think that that’s the issue and not oil at all. What I’m puzzled with is that I thought that I would see that kind of red crusty stuff that you typically see when coolant leaks. But I’m not. I’m using zerex Asian red. kinda sucks cus I reallyyy don’t feel like doing that job again.

 

This job was pleasantly simple to do. Just took my time and went slow. Fresh set of Denso injectors from Motorwest and some OEM gaskets.

 

I did that same job in my apartment parking lot. X2 for MotorWest.