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

OMG what a bitch that was to install! No fault of the skid plate, 4xInnovations makes an excellent product and all the holes are slotted for adjustment and in the correct place. The problem was my truck. One of the POs had hit something and bent to front cross brace/skid support up and rearward. Not too far but enough that I was struggling to get all the holes lined up and a bolt started on the rear 4 mounting points. I can definitely see a need to replace the front cross brace with something more stout, probably 1" or 1.5" x 4" rectangular tube and then the 2 rear pieces with 1/4" plate bent to shape as others have done. But it's finally installed, with the help of a floor jack and a prybar. Definitely opens up some space below the radiator. The stock skid had been slightly touching before, most likely die to the bent cross brace. Which is straighter now, thanks to the new skid and having all 5 bolts.

 

filled it with lumber for a platform build..

 

Got my motor out today, feels good!
Educational video attached
Cheers!

https://youtu.be/XlNOJ89wve4

 

I like how the bolts are recessed. On my RAT skids that's usually the first thing to go. I've had to replace the bolts a few times already. One time I didn't notice that one was missing until I got home from a trail run.

 

Yeah, that's a huge feature on this skid for sure. It does cost maybe 1" of ground clearance but I'm good with that knowing the bolt heads aren't going to get destroyed by anything.

 

I was about to ask you that. I've thought about having some metal welded on around the bolts that are exposed. Would hate to have to buy new skids since mine are still in good shape.

 

1/4" tall ring around the bolt head with a ramp on the front side. Be pretty easy to do.

 

Exactly what I was thinking. I don't have a welder, nor know how to weld but I do have friends!!!

 

Where in San Diego are you? If you're close to Santee, get in touch with Ian at Wheel Every Weekend. He does a ton of fab work and is (re)building his 1st gen Taco that is SAS with a 60 front and GM 14 bolts rear. I bought my RTT from him, very cool guy.

 

I'm about 30 minutes west of Santee. I think I remember his truck, pretty serious build. I'll have to get in touch with him once I sort out more work I need done (fab/welding jobs). Thanks.

 

Coronado? Bankers Hill? Mission Valley? I just moved to Tucson from San Diego after 28 years there. Lived in Lemon Grove right before moving, Coronado before that and a bunch of other areas. Love San Diego, my daughter still lives there, in Oceanside, but I got tired of the insane traffic, cost of living and stupid politics/laws.

 

I'm in Mission Valley. I work in the Morena/Bay Park area so I don't really have a commute. It's around 8 miles round trip. I do agree with you about the cost of living and the laws here though.

 

Yeah, I worked at Qualcomm up in Sorrento Valley. 20 mile commute one way up 805 sucked. And I rode so was able to lane split. Got me there faster but didn't make it any better. Got laid off at the end of September and bailed as soon as I found a place out here in Tucson. Hoping to get hired by Raytheon here soon, interview next Friday with them.

 

I worked for Qualcomm years ago in their product (mobile phone) testing department. Also in the Sorrento Valley area. Sucks about getting laid off but good luck with your upcoming interview.

 

Got it done, thank you. Did an oil change while I was down there, boy was that skid plate a bitch and a half to get off. I doubt the PO took it off once with the amount of oil that was caked on there.

 

Good to know. I will be getting headlights sooner than I think. I'm approaching the two year mark on my current headlights.

 

Changed my oil with the help of this guy.


Was gonna change my air intake but I guess I’m missing a piece, so that sucks.

 

Changed an 02 sensor, whoever had it last messed up the wiring so whoever did it spliced one of the wires so it would miss the o2 plug connection and go directly to wiring of the of the o2 sensor if that makes any sense, it had a check engine light going and my truck was running awful

 

I want this skid. trying to get rid of my RAT skids locally

 

Speed sensor gears swapped out today.
Went from 30 toth to 33.
4.88 on 33s