PcBuilder's 2003 Tacoma Build

So I changed the oil and oil filter as well as plastidipped my rear bumper.

I do not understand why Toyota would put the oil filter in the hardest place possible! It also doesn't help that I spent a good 30 minutes looking for the oil filter... I was thinking about my old 2.7's location! I'm going to remove my skids at some point to remove the oil that dripped from the oil filter.

I went to plastidip my back bumper in the car wash bay like I did with my whole front end, but the crazy owner was there and flipped out on me saying this isn't my personal shop and that if I want to do that go to the garage and pay them to use their facilities... I wasn't about to go pay the shop another $5 just so I could paint my back bumper! I had already payed $5 earlier to use their lift and tools when I did my oil change.
So instead of having a good area for painting that was out of the wind and not as cold, I had to paint my back bumper in an empty parking lot... It looks like crap because the wind was making all of the paint form together and bubble up, then I was painting my emblem black instead of orange, but I didn't let the paint sit long enough when I put the emblem back on so I'll have to redo that at some point as well... Haha Plastidip just hasn't been good to me with this truck.

 

Eh, I might paint the bumpers with Rustoleum bedliner this summer if I get bored. I may have a plate bumper by then... As for the grill, emblem, and corner lights, I'm going to color match them eventually.

I broke one of those tabs and nearly ripped the liner in half trying to get it out of the way... But it still holds just fine.

As for the steering, I haven't messed with it yet. I'm not sure how I need to go about removing some of the fluid so I can take of the pump and clean out the filter to see if that helps.

 

Eh, I really want to get it color matched though. By the way why did you change from your satoshied grill to a stock one?

Well the noise while turning isn't too big of a deal, but if it can be fixed then awesome. I think I'll replace the pulley as well eventually, I think that's the noise I'm hearing when it sits at idle.

 

Oh okay, I remember now haha I looked at one of Homertaco's black ones, but I honestly think I like the way the look stock better for some reason? If I was going to put lights behind the grill I'd definitely get one, but since I plan to get an elite bumper and put lights on it, there is no point for me.

 

Attempted to remove my sway bar. Got one bushing off and the rest of the bolts were froze up. Sprayed them with pb blaster and gonna take a shot at it again tomorrow.

 

Just waiting on the shocks now!

 

Anybody think these are any good?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/24-LUG-NUTS-BULGE-ACORN-12x1-5-BLACK-/261005742640?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A2003%7CMake%3AToyota%7CModel%3ATacoma%7CSubmodel%3ADLX%7CEngine+-+Liter_Display%3A3.4L&hash=item3cc5279230&vxp=mtr

 

Going on the Tacoma this weekend!

 

NICE!!
Good luck! I just did full OME last Saturday. Did you get new u bolts? Are you re using your existing top plates on the fronts?

 

So I'm guessing I need to move the clip to the bottom notch?

 

Thanks! Should be pretty easy because the garage I'm using has a lift so I can let the suspension drop, a wall mounted hydraulic spring compressor, and all the tools I need.
As for bolts, I'm using all the factory bolts and top plates. New stock shocks were put on the truck probably less than 5,000 miles ago so the bolts are brand new...

 

About to order my wheels, just checking to see if anybody sees anything that would cause them not to fit...
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-85-5883

 

Selling my wheels and tires...

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/wheels-tires-marketplace/262348-265-70-16-tires-stock-16s-sale.html#post6408713

 

Well I wasted 7 hours trying to install my lift on my truck.... Spent 3 hours trying to get the 5100's and eibachs to fit. The upper ball joints were keeping me from getting the shock/coil assembly in and I couldn't get the upper a-arm to separate from the spindle so was screwed... Didn't even get a chance to work on the rear. Looks like I get to have somebody else put my front lift on for me.... This sucks.

 

BFH and a 2x4...!

 

Well considering it cost me $40 to use the garage and tools to do what I did today, I really don't feel like attempting to do it again and fail and waste another $40...

 

It's either attempt it again next Saturady or pay a shop to install it Monday...

 

$40 for the day.... What time did you start? 8am..? You got plenty of time. Work on the AAL & get your confidence back. Than tackle the front.

 

Yup, $35 do use the lift for 8 hours, and $5 to use their tools. I'll definitely do the add a leaf next Saturday.

 

That's IF I can get it installed... I really want to attempt it again, but how do I get the a arm to separate from the spindle/ball joint?