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

New upper ball joints.
Driver's side was easy as pie, passenger side was.... slightly more difficult.

 

What did you use to replace the uppers?

 

What tools or what brand?

 

I debated oem ball joints and aftermarket control arms (light racing, total chaos, etc) but for the price I figured I would try Moog. They were only $30 each so if they fail in a year or two I'll get some UCAs.
As far as tools I loaded them with penetrating fluid yesterday and let it sit until this morning.
I used a BFH and a puller to remove and reinstall them. It's a pitman arm puller that I had laying around along with a flat piece of steel so I didn't damage the new ball joint.
The driver's side came out fairly easily when I cracked it with the hammer, the passenger side wouldn't move though. So I cut the stud off flat at the spindle with a grinder and put the puller on what was left, it popped right out.
Going in I cranked the bolt on the puller while having my father tap on the top of the spindle with the hammer. Couple turns at a time and watched it slowly press in until it was seated and I could get the snap ring in place.
Driver's side took maybe 20 minutes, passenger side took over an hour with all the fucking around.

 

Got one corner of the bumper welded on.

 

After driving a 4 door Mazda 3 for three weeks, my truck feels like a pig plowing down the pavement. Really need to get the LCA bushings done and have it realigned.

 

Got the basic shape of the rear bumper finished.

 

I have a push button 4wd shifter on my truck and today I tried to engage it, it makes noise but does not engage the 4wd or show the light on the dash.

Any ideas before I start tearing it down?

 

Are you sure it is not engaged? Could just be light

 

Whilst doing the LBJ I broke off one of the bolts taking it APART!.
Tried heating, PB Blaster, welding a nut on the remaining threads and even drilling the bolt out - all failed
I also noticed that the aftermarket (lifetime warranty axle shaft & CVs) CV boot had a hole. Picked up a new one (warrantied) from O'reilly.
Found a replacement steering knuckle for $50, installed the new front axle shaft, replaced the steering knuckle, put the front wheel on then had Mexican food for lunch!

 

100% positive as i was driving and it was still 2wd.

And once I got home I tested it 5-6 times more.

 

It looks good man

 

Spruced up the front alittle bit, white grille surround, black corner lights, devil horn emblem, and some amber grill lights

 

I was thinking on mounting an LED bar there on my bumper... I think you just sold me on the idea! How long is that?

 

This ones about 20" it throws out a great light output

 

Installed my CB today. Took alot of dremelling and test fitting but it looks great.

Its a Bearcat 980 with a Pioneer radio located where the factory radio was. I'll post pics tomorrow once I get it tuned.

 

I'm almost done with the front make over lol

 

Got half way through swapping out my rear leafs. Managed to get the front bolts out with a 4 ft. breaker, after cranking a 1/2 turn they broke free and so far 1 popped out like nothing (the other is still in place, sans nut.)

I am worried the longer shocks I bought are still going to be too short for my bastard built up leafs, same with the brake line, but I'll know when when its down off the jack stands.

The brake line bracket/mount whatever and clip was rusted into a lump, and I tore it in half getting the line disconnected... I am not sure what I'll do with that. The bolts into the frame are rounded off, even a six sided socket didn't work. Perhaps I can drill them out and fab up a new mount. That will wait until I see what length line I need etc when its back on 4 wheels.

 

New bumper!! Today!!

 

Hmmmm. I'm thinking I may get a smaller one for my bumper before a roof bar