What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

The previous owner of my 22 had the AC go out while still under warranty. Apparently one of the refrigerant pipes was rubbing from the factory and it spring a leak. Might be a similar issue.

 

Here's a thread with Part Number info:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tailgate-bushing.768217/page-2

 

Looking for some help. I got done replacing the driver side joints. It only cost 3 bloody knuckles and a smashed thumb. The joint press i got from Amazon was a universal kit for 4wd, but either I was using it wrong or it was the wrong sizes. What press kit do I need that actually fits our truck?

 

Installed KB Voodoo 10" Alu bedrack, also installed wolfboxg850 pro as a rear mirror. And found that it is possible to install rear camera on bedrack with license plate bracket. Later I discovered that it will start shaking at 40mph because of airflow. So I designed and printed "rear camera bedrack mount for Voodoo bedrack", made with petg. If you need stl file - just send dm.

 

Ahhhh, many thanks...

Unless there is an extended warranty dealing with a TSB or something, you are pretty much on your own... 3 year/36K mile warranty...

You need to have the system properly checked out, head(high) pressure and low pressure readings checked, not sure if that can be done using Live Data in the HVAC module or not, hadn't looked yet, anyway you could have a hole in the condenser from a rock hitting or something... A/C is best to be left up to the pros, you can damage something very costly if not preformed correctly...

 

Had one of my 3d printer friends make me some hub rings as I didn't feel like the center caps were doing a good enough job. Now the center caps stay put and are super snug with no chance of them falling off. Should make tire rotations much easier. Despite always making sure I centered the wheels as perfectly as possible with the lugs; the truck actually feels like it's riding smoother with these installed.

Measurements were a 106.1mm to 107mm ring that was 9mm deep to use the entire hub flange.

EDIT: Freddy threw these on his page in case anyone else wants a set. They're sold in pairs: Hub centric rings | FredTechUSA

 

Most auto parts houses have a free loner tool program and a ball joint press is included in that, they can match the correct kit for your vehicle...

Unless you are going to be replacing ball joints on a regular basis, not worth the cost...

Tech Tip, put your new ball joints in the freezer over night and when ready to install, take one out of the freezer and install it, keep frozen until ready to install, so have everything ready 1st...
After you have done this many many times, your wife will just ignore you doing this... lol
Of course when you gut the freezer in order to put your axles and spool in it for a hard freeze, you tend to get the evil eye...

 

Got my alignment in order.

 

I'll take a set

 

The cost is totally worth the experience gained. I'll definitely stop by my local autozone to see what they got. The freezer tip i will employ for the passenger side. I was having the hardest time getting the old joint out.. I had to modify the darn sleeve just to get the job done. I also used mapp gas and a shyt ton of banging. I'll never let my wife ignore me.. lol.. who else gonna call the ambulance when yea... ty Davessr5. I don't want to struggle for hours again.

 

Sold my bumper and wings and lights I had laying around. Not sure who I was kidding thinking I'd be mister super offroad guy with this truck. Maybe mildy adventurous off road dude but, nothing to necessitate bumpers and stuff. Now I got some more funny money and made a new Tacoma friend who lives locally... Yay me.
I must say, it looks fantastic on his truck.

 

Also did my rear YotaMafia extended brake lines and SpeedBleeders. Only banged my head on the truck 27 times.

 

Do NOT powder coat in the oven or put car parts in the dishwasher. I’ve been informed this is inappropriate.

 

A while back I asked if a 4th gen Diamondback SE would fit on a 3rd Gen as I was offered a hell of a deal on one. Per Diamondback the answer was "Maybe?". Per installing it the answer is yes. Rear cover sits pretty far forward but the gasket still fully engages with the tailgate so WIN! For a $1000 (It's a month old) I'm pleased as punch!


Edited to correct. It is an SE (HDs have 12 cleats) but still a GREAT deal in my mind!

 

That is a "Heck-of-a deal!"

I remember when the price for an SE was $1300+ and the HD was $1600+ a couple years back.

Now the prices are: $1949 and $2349 respectively.

 

Haha I can check if he'll print you some.

 

Could be worse, the 1st time I replaced ball joints on a Ford Twin I Bean over 25 years ago, I bent my Snap-on C clamp press part cause I didn't clean it enough to see the snap ring and was trying to press out the ball joint the wrong way... Oops... lol

Ball joints typically pay about 1.8 to 2.5 hours per side, probably average 4.0 hours for all 4...
Once you figure out what cups to use, it goes pretty fast...
So I would expect a non pro for the 1st time to take 3-5 hours per side

I was told once to hurry up and get the damn bearings out of the oven, she needed to use it...
Luckily I have a parts washer...

 

Did the same thing last year but it also dented my quarter panel. Not sure if anyone has mentioned it yet, but you don't have to replace the whole bumper as the broken bits can be ordered separately (unless you want a whole new bumper). I got a bumper from a member in Reno and ended up just taking the the parts I needed and then painted the covers to match my color. Hardest part was (hopefully) what you don't have to worry about which was the quarter panel. I'm sure you've already checked but there are a few sites out there that make it very easy to order the parts from and unless you want a full replacement, it's that pricey.

 

Hubcentric rings were a game changer with my STI. Nicely done.