What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

Looked at it basking in the rays of a setting sun after a day filled with rain.


A day of rain makes for a pretty sunset ;-) by Kathy / Analog Soul Photography, on Flickr

 

Cool shot ^

 

I chose the 883s. I want the ability to add a bumper in the future, but I won't have the money to do it for probably a year at least. I also did not want any possible body roll with the 881s. Didn't want 882s in fear of them over lifting the front.

Also picked up the AAL to go with the dakar springs in the rear.

Jelly much?

 

So, did a little maintenance on the taco yesterday. Changed the plugs, wires (first time since owning) and changed over to synthetic. NGK plugs and wires.

So before this, I noticed the truck didn't like low RPMs in second gear. Like most manuals, I take slow turns and put around at lights in 2nd with no problem, but since owning the taco, it seemed like it shuttered or stumbled more then most at low speeds in second. I didn't think much of it, just thought it was taco behavior.

Anyway, changed all that stuff out, tightened the valve cover bolts since I hear they loosen frequently on here, and mine were def a little loose.
(I'm getting to the point I promise)
So, after I did all this, I drove to the auto part store to drop off an Optima battery for charge, (about 3-4 miles). Rode the same. Left the truck idling while inside. Took about 5-10 minutes, then when I left the truck seemed like it was running much better at lower rpms in second. Weird I thought, but it's still running much better today. Night and day difference to me.

Do you think it was just the wires? The plugs in it were the same part# NGKs. Didn't check the gap on the old ones, so maybe that could of been it.

Not complaining, just curious. Any ideas?

 

While I'm here, any recommendations on inner tie rod ends? I have a bad inner on my driver side. Is it bad to only replace one side, or should I replace the passenger side as well?

I see them on rock auto. http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=504266&cc=1388987

Any reason to use one brand over the other?

 

Got a chance to work on my switch setup for my lights.

Ditched the ol' clock and filed down to fit the switch plate


Saved a trip to the hardware store to get some washers and used some spare nuts (worked perfectly)


Mounted up in the truck


Dash setup as of now. Clock on my stereo takes the ol' clocks duty. Wiring for the lights hopefully to come sometime soon

 

great place to put switches.... thats where i have my seat heater switches

 

Explain please.

Did you disconnect your sway bars or something?

Cause the 881s is what I am going to go with when I'm able to pull the trigger.

 

Probably the plugs if anything.

Clean your MAF and throttle body and replace your fuel filter now. Pull the EFI fuse for a few minutes after doing all of that, let your truck relearn itself.... then I bet you notice an even better difference.

 

Thought my stock skid was stuck on but with all the right tools I have at work I got the job done much faster and easier. Hated taking the skids off. I have an oil pan gasket leak.

 

I haven't but plan on doing so when I install the lift. The main consideration was weight capacity. I want to add a bumper eventually and don't want to change coils again.

 

If your adding a bumper later go with 882s. Pm me if you want more info why or adam

 

Yeah I'm still pretty torn between 882 or 883. I still think ill stick with 883s. I just didnt want the additional height from 882 right off the bat. I don't really want added CV angle if I can avoid it. They would probably match the rear better wit the new springs and AAL though. Also worried about looks with 265/75 tires.

 

MOOG problem solvers. I have the inner and outer tie rods as well as the upper lower balljoints. Moog quality is high. I would say the parts are better than OEM.

 

I did most of that when I bought the truck. Only reason I held off on the plugs and wires is b/c it was done shortly before I bought the truck.

Fuel filter is on the list, but after trying for an hour to remove the rear line inlet, I gave up. I put everything I had into it, and it wasn't budging. Front one came off with a bit of coercion, but the rear one defeated me. If it wasn't tucked up under the manifold, causing me to have to remove the wheel and work through that wheel well, it might of been different.

 

Was it Frank? I don't believe you.

 

Drove it 500 miles. I averaged 20mpg with my stock wheels and tires in the bed of my truck. I don't even see how it's possible! Haha I only got 21 when it was stock...

 

They better be awesome or I'm blaming you.

 

Oh ok. Interesting. I spoke with him today and he told me he'd recommend the newer sport shocks to match the heavier coil. So that's the route I went. Makes sense to me, but I guess I'll just have to wait and find out the hard way if I like them or not haha.

 

Ok I see. Whatever works for you! I just wanted stability and a better ride. I expect it to be stiff, but not jarring like the stock suspension. Basically, I don't want to bottom out on speed bumps at 5mph lol.