Low hanging fruit for 1st gen mods?

Nice, parts and labor. Should be a stickie thread???

 

Speaking of projectors, does anyone make any that don't look hyper-modern? I'm trying to keep a more early 2000's look as much as practical, and a lot look like they're styled after much more modern vehicles. I imagine I'm not the only one. (Yes, I know about the Ultimate Headlight Mod - I've got a lot of good experience with xenon HIDs on my Mazda, and if I need more light than that, it's brights time. If I need more light than that, I better be off-road, and I can use rock lamps/ditch lights/light bar, depending on what's on the truck by that point.)

 

DIY, get some Depo aftermarket housings, a retrofit kit and make them how you want them- after 20 years owning the same truck, Tundra brakes and retrofit projectors still my favorite upgrades in terms of everyday drivability.

 

I'm in the same boat for the looks - keep as original as possible,- so installed 2.5 in. projectors into aftermarket housings and quite happy with.

 

Super helpful! Called the dealer and found out original owner had them replaced in 2006. Do you know if those require any routine maintenance? Or should be ok after recall replacement?

 

You need to replace them yesterday. They're a primed grenade in your LCA right now. OEM are rated for 100k max. 19 years is a LONG time, and I'm willing to bet those LBJs are pushing 200k+ miles. It's a miracle they haven't failed yet.

I've posted this pic before, but I learned about the defect 5 months in to owning my first Tacoma. These LBJs had 90k miles on them. I was going 65mph and hit a small bump. I'm lucky I didn't flip!

 

Got a link for this projector?

 

Change them with Toyota OE, nothing else, too important. Very much a safety issue and only OE are good enough. OEM isn't the same. That just means that at one point the manufacturer made OE parts but it's zero guarantee that they are the same quality.

 

2002 sr5 4cyl 2.4l don't have the LBJ recall listed. have those failed too? Same part??

 

I don't know if they had any recall but I would expect the 5 lugs don't stress the LBJ nearly as much as the 6. But if you inspect yours and they have any play at all, they need replacement.

 

Someone mentioned it earlier but Honda Odyssey window washers. Low hanging at $17, incredible improvement with a fan pattern instead of two streaks.

$20 2011-2013 Genuine Honda Odyssey Front Windshield Washer Nozzle 76810-TK8-A01

https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Honda-76810-TK8-A01-Windshield-Assembly/dp/B00LIRXIN0

 

That is an awesome cheap mod, big upgrade

 

I'm posting the part numbers for the two lower ball joints and the price from my local dealer. One can get them for less money online, but it's been cautioned above to only get genuine Toyota parts.

$165 43330-39556 Suspension Ball Joint

43330-39556 $190.87

$136 43340-39436 Ball Joint Assembly

43340-39436 $165.13
They quoted $1,165 to swap both out and provide realignment. Or $672 for either side.

 

Just talked to mechanic and a Toyota dealer - he said that since replacements corrected the original defect, no routine maintenance is required and only need to be replaced if start showing signs of being worn out. Is that right? Seeing some conflicting information in other LBJ subs too.

Haven't experienced any issues in my truck yet (ie. play in wheels, clunking while turning) despite the replacements being 19 years old. Should I be worried?

 

Worried about 19 year old parts on your truck that can cause catastrophic damage? Nah!
But if it were my truck I’d replace em.
OEM bj’s please, and proper torque for whatever bolts you use.
Oh yea, good idea to clean out the threads on the knuckles too!!

 

As one of the many people who have had one fail, this is not good advice.
They fail catastrophically and without any warning.

Some people make the argument that if you check them for play often that you're fine. If you want to gamble on that you can, but others have religiously checked them for play and still had them fail. They are the single Achilles heel of these trucks. Swap them out and forget about it for the next 10 years.

The tow truck alone is going to cost more than just replacing them, let alone the collateral damage that will occur. I was only going maybe 5 mph when mine failed, and still it ruined a CV, UBJ, bent the fender, and put a dent in the cab. This isn't something you have to worry about constantly, if you just get it done and out of the way. The interval is somewhere around 75-100k miles, so the chances are you'll never have to give them another thought. If you do, it wont be for like 5-10 years.

Its a very easy replacement as well, good for getting started doing front end work. If you've been in there before its like a 30 minute job.

For other easy/fun mods; accessory lighting is a good one. Flush mount reverse light pods in the rear bumper are one of my favorites. Use those far more than I use front lights. But also front accessory lights are great.
+1 on the honda nozzles too.

 

the Odyssey nozzles are a must! i love them
AND
took more time to adjust spray pattern than the actual install

im real partial to the Volt Meter clock mod.....so awesome
(unk if your 03 has clock in same position)

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-change-factory-clock-into-voltage-meter.269631/

 

I wouldn't say that if you replace them that you're solid for 5-10 years or 75-100k.

It's the bolts that are the real issue here. No amount of threadlocker is going to help. No aftermarket $1k replacement is going to change anything. It's the design that is the failure.

Personally, when installing them I skip the threadlocker completely. Toyota NEVER has mentioned using threadlocker when installing and just the fact that these bolts are so torque sensitive, I'm sending them dry. After install I do paintpen the bolts. As for checks, I check them for play and also do a visual check (paintpen) on a regular basis.

Still, it bugs the hell out of me but it is what it is I guess. Probably the only reason why I'd seriously consider a 2nd or 3rd gen lol.

 

These are available from eBay for $6.99/pair. Edit: Don't buy the $6.99 ones, they don't allow vertical adjustment for aiming.

 

OP safety items first!, the truck is 20+ years old, then make sure it’s stops good, then tune it, then bells & whistles.
Tundra brake upgrade is one of the best mods for a 1st gen Tacoma, IMO.