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

When I did my first oil change after I got the truck from the original owner he was running the cheapest craptastic no-name conventional oil Jiffy Lube had to offer. When I changed it to Mobil 1 Full Synthetic I got the original crap oil tested at Blackstone Labs. I think the oil change interval was something like 6,500 (keep in mind this is conventional oil). I got the results back and I was surprised. Everything was in great condition considering it's used that craptastic oil brand for god knows how long. They even said I could change the oil at 8,500 miles next time (using the same crap conventional oil) lol.

These engines are tanks. God damn.

 

The oil all comes from one of three or four refineries... the name brands you see in stores only add their own additive packages with things that make consumers think their oil is superior. Most of it is ZDDP and things like seal swellers for high mileage oil. Dont get me wrong they can make a difference on old or under cared for engines. But even the "crap tastic" stuff with its basic refinery additives is pretty darn good. Making sure you have a good filter is much more important than choosing between Mobile One Full Synth and Walmart Supertech 5W-30 (which BTW is mostly supplied by Ashland, the parent company of Valvoline). Because it is free knowledge it can be really cool to compare additive packages of expensive and cheap oils, you'll find most of the stuff is the same. MSDS sheets are a good indicator. Also a great site that takes pride in dissecting stupid oil brand jargon and high price oil wank is bobistheoilguy.com

 

Harbor freight sales a wheel bearing press for front wheel drive vehicles. It looks big enough to do ours. $100.00

 

I did this yesterday.
My console lid was starting to crack underneath . From my fat ass leaning on it to hard.

You have to grind down the 5 raised areas to allow room for 14ga sheet metal. Some silicone to keep it from sliding around. A little curve in metal to fit flat.

 

If it's the kit I'm thinking of the threads strip out super easily.

 

Another win for logic and reason. Let's face it. When it comes to modifying our trucks, logic and reason are often not deciding factors.

 

Yes sir. I drive my Tank M-F and wheel twice a month. Not worth it. But When i wheel it, i wheel it!!

 

My truck used to use M1 but I switched to PYB now, too. Haven't noticed any difference in MPG or performance. I stopped buying into the synthetic thing lol.

Seen that commercial for M1 "yearly" oil? Lol it's probably just the same exact Mobil 1 but with a fancy label so people will actually use it for the mileage that it's supposed to go in the first place, instead of just mindlessly dumping it at 5k miles.. which is super wasteful and also $$$$

 

you guys have any input on where to get an intake gasket set for the 3.4? kinda looking for a kit that includes valve cover gaskets and all other associated gaskets. It's time for my yearly oil change, thinking I may get rid of some oil leaks while I'm at it.

 

Anyone ever install a roll bar in their bed (yeah I know it doesn't protect against rollovers, I just like how it looks plus it's a good spot to mount side, bed, and front spotlights)

I'm guessing I'm going to have to drill into the bed. Anyone have any experience with this? I'm picking it up tomorrow. I don't know if the sheet metal the bed is made of will be strong enough to hold it down.

I love Chrome but this is too much. I'm going to paint it black before I install it.

 

Did it on my 94, hardest part is fishing wires through the tubes.

 

Ou that's sexy. I wired my house for Ethernet and Coax for CCTV so I'm used to getting cables through hard to reach places, lol.

How did you mount to the bed?

 

Can't wait to see the pics when completed. I've always liked the look of those retro light bar/roll bars. I've debated putting one on mine but I'm not sure if I want to lose the tonneau cover.

 

Honestly my inspiration was the Back to the Future Toyota 4x4. It's my favorite trilogy of all time. I love the look but people don't put them on their trucks anymore. It was impossible to find one on Craigslist, it took me forever. I like this style because I can still fit my crossover toolbox in between the struts.



(Fun Fact: The KC lights are covered in the movie because it is actually illegal in the state of California to have off-road lights exposed, or it could be product placement. Lol.)

Auxiliary Lamps: Off-Highway Use

24411. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a vehicle may be equipped with not more than eight lamps for use as headlamps while the vehicle is operated or driven off the highway. The lamps shall be mounted at a height of not less than 16 inches from the ground, or more than 12 inches above the top of the passenger compartment, at any place between the front of the vehicle and a line lying on a point 40 inches to the rear of the seat occupied by the driver, shall be wired independently of all other lighting circuits, and, whenever the vehicle is operated or driven upon a highway, shall be covered or hooded with an opaque hood or cover, and turned off.

 

Check on EBay, there are a lot of dealers that sell discounted kits on there. Stuff like this.

 

Damn. How do i fix the speedo. Its way off. No way im doing near 90 traveling with traffic

 

Remeber you get what you pay for. I would go OEM or Felpro.

 

There's a guy with one where I'm at. It looks pretty good, he left it chrome.

 

Not Tacoma news, but I just landed a little part time side gig as a tech for local oil analysis company. Pay sucks, but not doing it for the money. I get that not everyone is an oil nut like I am, but I love this 'job'. Seeing the results of these 'crazy' long oil change intervals and stuff is just fascinating for me.

All oil is not created equal.

 

Welcome to being regeared!!


the good knews is, you stayed on 4.88s and 33s! So you can buy a speedo gear to swap out the OEM one and with your gears, tires/tranny combo. It should put it back very close(unlike 5.29s and 35s..)

I don't remember the correct one..BUT! I haz friends that have..

@Squeaky Penguin @Digiratus Both have 4.88s but different trannies. They can give you the PN to the right one.