What Have You Done To Your 2nd Gen Tacoma Today?

Finally got around to doing the BHLM

 

i was not even aware this product existed. My drivers side is about 3/4 inch lower than the passenger side after I did my Dakar leaf pack along with bilstein shocks. Was the instal straight forward and easy? Would you recommend or just leave it the way it is?

Thanks

 

Here I thought everybody knew about this weight/height diff. That 21 gallons of gas on the drivers side doesn’t help. I think most owners don’t care about the small difference. Maybe I’m wrong. Some spring manufacturers make a right and left side version to make up for this difference. Would I recommend it? It’s up to each person to make that decision. Like I mentioned my OCD was kicking in, I got these on sale. I have not installed yet because of weather, I don’t have a garage. Install is straight forward. Because of weather, I’ll probably ask a favor from someone and install.

 

New plugs (front drivers side is still a bitch! Started with that one 1st this time)

Oil & filter
Refreshed trd air filter cleaned maf sensor

Zoom Zoom

 

Add the shim! Tacoma lean makes the truck look sloppy. To solve it on my 2014, the connecter bolt is a little looser on one leave spring, helps a lot!

 

If the dealer does it. At 4.00 a piece and some change do it yourself every 30K and save some money.

 

What’s better the coil over shim or the leaf spring shim?

 

I always used a coilover shim until I got adjustable coilovers

 

This next year I’ll be replacing the stock crap. 87K has done it over, lol. I may go OME shocks and coils. With either new springs or 3 leaf add a leaf. I don’t know if I should add the shim to the leaf or trim packer for the coil over.

 

There is a lot of info on the net about SG and its effect on aluminum, http://forums.pelicanparts.com/pors...m/143221-simple-green-corrosive-aluminum.html

etc..etc...

a lot of aircraft folks have strong opinions about it however I think their worries are with a different alum then in engine blocks, however its worth a look into the posts ..be informed and decide based on that whether its safe ..

BTW this is a my 2015 and I wheel it, also dont clean it with SG...

I do use Adams...

$13 Adam's Polishes All Purpose Cleaner (16oz) - Professional Heavy Duty Industrial Cleaner & Degreaser | Cuts Heavy Grease & Tar | Car Detailing, Tire Cleaner, Engine Cleaner, Wheel Cleaner

https://www.amazon.com/Adams-Heavy-...T1WE215BZZQ&psc=1&refRID=V70444Y4NT1WE215BZZQ

 

Interesting, thanks for the info

 

I hear they're kind of a pain to get at in these motors. Last plugs I changed was an 85 Escort, that was easy.

 

I doubt things have changed in regard to TSBs since I was writing service for Nissan and Toyota, but TSBs weren't a warranty extension of any sort on any part. A TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) simply gives techs and service departments guidance on how to fix an issue. Sometimes this includes a replacement part, sometimes not. While TSBs are technically a manufacturer's way of saying "ok, we know about this problem, and this is how to fix it", it's not the manufacturer taking responsibility for the fix themselves. If the vehicle is still under warranty, obviously it will be performed at no cost (if it applies to your specific vehicle). If the vehicle is not under warranty, the cost is typically yours. That being said, it's not super uncommon for a service manager to approve a repair as a "goodwill" repair. Do you take your vehicle to that particular service department for regular service? Have you bought your last several Toyotas all from that same dealer? Have you met the service manager and does he know your name? Any of those things will typically stack up in your favor for getting a "goodwill" repair. Remember, these repairs aren't free for anyone. The technician still needs to get paid. The parts still have an associated cost. The service advisor gets paid, the service cashier gets paid, the lot attendants get paid, and on and on.

A word to the wise, particularly those who don't wrench on their own vehicles: make a friend out of your service advisor. Don't get upset if a repair takes longer than quoted, they want your car fixed and out of the shop quickly just as much as you do, their paycheck depends on it. Bring them food (they most often work long hours and don't get much of a break or lunch). Treat them as you would a new neighbor. Be loyal to that advisor, don't just hand your vehicle off to the first guy that answers the phone or meets you on the service drive. Bring a dozen donuts for him or her to share with their co-workers or techs. Any extra time or money you spend in this regard is likely to be repaid many times over in discounts, preferred appointment times, and yes, even goodwill repairs. I went to bat with my service manager many times for loyal regular customers, often well out of regular warranty time or mileage. Many service managers even give their advisors a "goodwill budget" to spend as they see fit. They aren't likely to spend that budget on a guy they've never seen before that's complaining about the cost, as they're not likely to see that customer again either way. That budget is going to go to pay for a TSB repair for a regular customer, or for a free rental car for a repeat customer whose vehicle didn't get done in time.

At times I do miss the service drive, but mostly I don't. It's long days, always a fine balancing act between pleasing the service manager, pleasing your techs, pleasing the customer, and making a good paycheck. I now work on the opposite end of the auto industry (durability and corrosion testing new vehicles and prototypes for manufacturers), but I still have friends that I made on the service drive. Just remember, it's never a good idea to complain to your dentist about his prices, as sooner or later you'll be in his chair again.

 

After a year sitting in storage I decided to install the headunit

 

This is the reason, after a lot of research, I went with SPCs. Putting them on Saturday.

 

Is it just a stock motor/trans swap or is it something else? Have had my truck for 10 years now as well, crazy how much can get done to it.

 

I took the whole assembly off, there was nothing in there.. I think the fan is just tapping out..

 

I suppose it is...

 

Not hard at all. Just got to move a bracket and take the intake box off.