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Low hanging fruit for 1st gen mods?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by jerrynerdalert, Jan 25, 2025.

  1. Jan 28, 2025 at 1:52 PM
    #21
    Moonrman

    Moonrman Fix it and it will run

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    Nice, parts and labor. Should be a stickie thread???
     
  2. Jan 28, 2025 at 4:24 PM
    #22
    SpencerTacoSC

    SpencerTacoSC Well-Known Member

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    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.)
     
    ztwatson likes this.
  3. Jan 28, 2025 at 8:23 PM
    #23
    Laxtoy

    Laxtoy Dog is my backseat driver

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    Fox 2.5 DSC resi CO's w/ 700lb King Coils, Camburg uca's, T-100 rear leafs, 13WL Tundra brakes, 1" 4crawler body lift, 295/75/16 Hankook MT, Ruff Stuff u bolt flip, 10" Fox LSC resi shocks turned back on custom mounts, home built rear high clearance bumper with dual swing outs, Diode Dynamics SSC2 Pro rear floods, Skid Row front and transfer case skid, home built transmission skid, Mercerfab sliders, home built front bumper, Badlands Apex 12k winch with synth line, 4.56's, ARB rear locker, LonePeak wedge camper, eBay snorkel, Sierra LEDs 20" dual amber/white light bar, Diode Dynamics SS3 Max amber fogs, Mini D2S projector retrofit, Blue Sea ML-ACR, dual Odyssey PC1200's, 100 watt solar panel, 20 plate heat exchanger/home built shower kit
    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.IMG_0671.jpg
     
    MadNachos likes this.
  4. Jan 29, 2025 at 7:16 AM
    #24
    smyles1632

    smyles1632 Well-Known Member

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    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.

     
    MadNachos, oldgreg, Laxtoy and 2 others like this.
  5. Jan 29, 2025 at 9:40 AM
    #25
    jerrynerdalert

    jerrynerdalert [OP] Member

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    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?
     
  6. Jan 29, 2025 at 11:34 AM
    #26
    darth_bronchioles

    darth_bronchioles Well-Known Member

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    TRD Supercharger URD 7th injector kit K&N intake 4Runner Mirrors Fog Light Mod
    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!

    IMG_20200607_222155.jpg
     
    jerrynerdalert[OP] likes this.
  7. Jan 29, 2025 at 9:34 PM
    #27
    ztwatson

    ztwatson Well-Known Member

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    Got a link for this projector?
     
  8. Jan 30, 2025 at 5:28 PM
    #28
    MadNachos

    MadNachos Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
  9. Jan 30, 2025 at 5:36 PM
    #29
    slodoug

    slodoug Well-Known Member

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    2002 sr5 4cyl 2.4l don't have the LBJ recall listed. have those failed too? Same part??
     
  10. Jan 30, 2025 at 7:45 PM
    #30
    MadNachos

    MadNachos Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
  11. Jan 30, 2025 at 8:44 PM
    #31
    hp415

    hp415 Well-Known Member

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    Last edited: Jan 30, 2025
  12. Jan 30, 2025 at 9:08 PM
    #32
    Laxtoy

    Laxtoy Dog is my backseat driver

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    MadNachos and jerrynerdalert[OP] like this.
  13. Jan 31, 2025 at 7:55 AM
    #33
    TACO in SC

    TACO in SC TuRD

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    Pretty well stock
    jerrynerdalert[OP] likes this.
  14. Jan 31, 2025 at 1:21 PM
    #34
    jerrynerdalert

    jerrynerdalert [OP] Member

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    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?
     
  15. Jan 31, 2025 at 1:46 PM
    #35
    Parkvisitor

    Parkvisitor Do you know midnight?

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    stuff
    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!!
     
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  16. Jan 31, 2025 at 2:04 PM
    #36
    time623

    time623 Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
    Last edited: Jan 31, 2025
    MadNachos likes this.
  17. Jan 31, 2025 at 2:36 PM
    #37
    ControlCar

    ControlCar My Moto: Help & Learn…period.

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  18. Jan 31, 2025 at 3:17 PM
    #38
    Area51Runner

    Area51Runner Well-Known Member

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    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.
     
    Last edited: Jan 31, 2025
  19. Jan 31, 2025 at 3:56 PM
    #39
    TACO in SC

    TACO in SC TuRD

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    Last edited: Feb 16, 2025
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    #39
  20. Jan 31, 2025 at 4:50 PM
    #40
    Parkvisitor

    Parkvisitor Do you know midnight?

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    stuff
    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.
     

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