Austin Area TW Chapter (all gens welcome, even T4Rs; heck, just make it a Toyota and we're good)

Today is yesterday's tomorrow

 

That’s tomorrow’s problem

 

Drop some photos once they are installed! Dont let the procrastinator win this time.

 

well until then free beer on everyday not ending in "Y"

 

Hey everyone, got a new phone and have finally finished merging everything from 4 devices into this one. Is this group still alive, does anyone still meet up? Looking forward to doing something again after 4 years away.

 

First Sunday of the Month, Pistons at the Park in Pflugerville

 

Hey, just a heads up for anyone using Toyota - Cedar Park for tire rotations. Their process, as per the Service Director, is to use torque sticks to tighten the lug nuts. Not torque sticks, followed by an actual torque wrench, but just torque sticks. Hit the Google, if you want to see why this might be a bad idea for vehicle owners.

In late May, in prep for a trip to Minnesota, I had TCP rotate my tires, while I was in for an oil change. My choices were:

1. Have Discount Tire do the rotation. - Free
   
2. Do it myself. - Free
   
3. Have TCP do it, while the Tundy was getting the oil changed. - $30.95

Discount Tires ruined two SETS of rims when I bought tires there, so while free, I don't trust them. I could do it myself in the driveway, but my time is money, and it's hot AF. So I went the TCP route.

All seemed well, until I started the trip back home, over 1200 miles later. I was getting off I-90 in my hometown of Austin, MN, to deliver some Electric Jellyfish to a buddy, when I heard a clunk from the driver's front wheel. I was able to get to a shop just up the road, who determined that the WHEEL WAS LOOSE! They torqued it, we checked the other three, which were fine, and I was on my way. When I got back home, I met with the TCP Service Director, and long story short, he provided a video that showed the tech using a torque stick to tighten the lug nuts, with no further use of an actual torque wrench. The SD stated that this was how the tech was trained, I replied that if I ever use TCP for tire rotations again, (not likely), I will insist on proof that they actually torque the lug nuts to spec, (100 ft/lbs), with a torque wrench, not torque stick.

Generally, I'm satisfied with TCP, but this is a huge safety issue, IMO, so just giving y'all a heads up.

 

Jeff -- Thanks for the Heads up. The best thing about rock sliders is that I can jack up one side of the truck, pop off tires, and rotate (front <> rear).

I'm probably one of the few who uses a torque wrench for oil changes. Needless to say, I always tighten the lug nuts to about 60 ft pounds and then use the torque wrench to feel the turn to torque.

I spent 35,500 on the OEM tires and got my money's worth out of them. I still went with the same size, but Wildpeak AT4 at a Discount.

Old:



New:

 

Get 'er done before you have a crushed rocker panel.

Caliraised Rock Slider has kept my body looking good. Ya, lots of pin stripping. It's a handy little step, too! After all, if an old guy with Parkinson's can install them solo in a day, what's holding you back? TIP Electric Impact Gun and Saftey Wire (wrap around the bolt thread, feed wire through the frame, to pull the bolt into position). I used a long 2x6 board on my floor jack to lift the slider into position, but it is best with two people to install.

 

I use a floor jack on the front and jack stands on the rear, and get all four wheels off the ground. I do that mainly to freak out the Tesla owners in the neighborhood, who think I'm nuts anyway.

I went with Yokohamas to replace the originals, and that is when the issue with Discount Tires ruining my rims started. This is the third set of rims, and they paid 4WP to mount the tires, after I told the DT manager that I didn't want his monkeys touching them. He agreed.

 

Hey does anyone run a crossbed tool box on their 3rd gen? I have been looking for a small box to carry some emergency equipment that has been occupying my back seat, but so far the options are small in between wheel wells, or too wide to fit in between bed rails. I know there has to be something out there without me dragging the brake out and making a custom one. Any ideas or suggestions are golden. Looking to stay with matte black but a rattle can will fix it if not black.

 

I used a laser guided missile box for the longest time until I got a decked storage.

 

Next Pistons at the park will be Sunday September 1st, 2024 @ 800am. Come and check out all the bad ass rides, talk to like minded Toyota/Lexus enthusiasts, and get your ride tuned to perform its best. After the show, a group of us go get some breakfast at the local taco joint. See y’all there.

 

Does anyone have a recommendation on sourcing a used 1GR-FE engine around here? I've been watching car-part and lkq and while I may go that route, I'm curious if anyone on here has had a good experience finding an engine? Now that it's finally back in Austin I'm going to crack into it over the next 2 weeks.

The truck had been in Crested Butte since last October but I just got it back to Austin -- and about to dig into the engine. Details of the overheating and leak down tests are in the thread - long story short is that it overheated, coolant flows straight through and out the exhaust, and it won't come close to starting.-- https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/overheated-05-failed-leak-down-next-steps.835623/ -- one too many drives up and over Monarch Pass.

Thanks!

 

Got mine from Harold’s Auto Parts in Briggs.

 

I've been trying to catch up with you for a while, but one thing or another, as they say. I expect to be there on the 1st.

 

I saw Hilux on Route 79 in Round Rock yesterday. From the pictures it was an 8th Gen. Silver Gray. I couldn't make out where the license plate was from other than it's not Texas. I *thought* it said Guantanimo Bay, but none of the pictures of those plates matched what I saw. From the back the tail lights looked sort of like a 2nd Gen Tacoma.

I wasn't able to catch up with it to see if I could ask the driver a question or two.

 

There is a grey/silver 4 door one in Round Rock that has Monterrey Mexico plates I have seen several times. That could be the one you saw as well.