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

Get recording camera that comes with GPS, imo Garmin has a couple 300 and 400 plus install, on my wish list as soon as cash out the lotto ticket.
By the way I spend all this week painting the frame with chassis saver, I just load bunch of pictures of before and after on my 1st media TW album, still not finish, I missed some spots but I will get them next weekend, also pending to remove gas tank skid and treat it/ paint.

 

Painted my tool box separator and riveted it in. Also added bed lights so I can see my tie down mounts at night.

 

Exactly, the 3.4L stays pretty tight, even if it is a rattling ol coot sometimes. I ended up pulling the valve covers to check, its not a hard procedure. It is interesting to see the condition of your valves and how well the engine was cared for, could be clean as a whistle or burnt brown with sludge, you'd never know! But, after 150K at the time, everything was still in spec

 

Speaking of fuel vapor...I'm noticing gas smell after shutting the truck off last couple days..just popped a code this morning (p0440, of course). took off the gas cap, no hiss so system isn't holding pressure. The problem is most of this shit is brand new...as in tank, charcoal canister, pretty much all the VSV's, gas cap. Besides hoses which can be a bitch to trace, any other areas you guys have found to be causing leaks? the filler neck looks pretty beat but I doubt thats it..

 

Smoke test is easier than blind speculation

 

Pretty much everyone including myself that actually checks their 3.4 valves at around the 200K mark find a couple barely out of spec on the tight side. Plenty of cases in the last few years right here on this forum. Would they go another 100K? Good question, many folks never touch them for 300K or more. Fewer others burn valves and crack heads. It does seem that the 3.4 tightens to a point and then stabilizes to a degree, unlike the 4cyls.
I like to combine the check with other jobs like valve cover gaskets, cam seals/plugs, injector issues or knock sensor problems and go from there.
That being said it is pricey to pay for this service by itself and few shops stock the shims required for adjustment so down time becomes a factor. Of course the future plans for the truck bear consideration as well.

The 03-04 got better exhaust valve seats so "in theory" they should hold up even better.

 

Damn it. I rotated my tires yesterday and apparently forgot to tighten some lugs before I drove it 3 hours home from my parents house. I got home- dropped off my wife and dog and then headed to the store. One mile from my house I got a crazy wobble and pulled over expecting a flat tire- lost 3 lugs on the rear drivers side and snapped a stud. Could've been much much worse, but still sucks. Can't believe I was that stupid. Very thankful it didn't let loose with my wife and pup on board while we were doing 80 on the freeway.

 

Glad to hear this turned out ok. Could have been way worse. Your lesson was relatively inexpensive.

I carry a torque wrench who's primary purpose is to make certain the lugs are correct. Be sure to tighten them in a star pattern and torque them to 85 ft/lbs.

 

I go 100 ft/lbs

 

a 100 seems a bit high. The spec is actually 83.

 

Speaking of lugs, what do y'all think about aluminum lug nuts? No way in hell? Or should be just fine?

 

Took it on tree duty.

 

Ive never had a problem with them always using anti-seize. but theres really no need for them on a truck? or do you just want some anodized ones for looks.

 

Conquered another fire road today. EAF.

 

Rust frame issues?
Check it out what i did this whole week, 95% done , missing some spots
https://www.tacomaworld.com/media/albums/frame-rust-restoration.32959/

 

Not quite blind, but still speculation I guess I'm hoping for an easy fix, is all

 

I would be concerned with the number of threads on the stud if you are using aluminium lug nuts with a thicker alloy wheel.

 

I figured lol

 

Finally repainted my rear bumper. It looks so much better.

 

Plenty of threads. Have extended studs.