2005 Tacoma Base Access Cab 5-Lug RWD Manual – Ryan’s Build

My first car was my step-dad's 1987 Plymouth Horizon. It HAD intermittent wipers!

 

So did my dad’s 1986 Mazda B2000 pickup that didn’t have A/C or power steering! However, while the Mazda did have intermittent wipers, it did not have variable-intermittent...

 

Unfortunately, I work in the "city." No one would touch my truck where I live. The crackheads new how to unbolt the stuff correctly and steal my stereo. They were actually "considerate" on that part... They left all the bolts and shit... It's the getting to the stereo part... Broken door lock or window that causes the most inconvenience/cost.

Plus, I've taken out my stereo. OMG, it's too easy! If I ever turn into a crack head... I'm targeting 2nd gen Taco's! Flat head screwdriver and four bolts! Your aftermarket is mine!!!! ha ha ha

 

In my area, in about 2007-2012, portable GPS theft by heroin addicts was all the rage!

 

Unfortunately, that truck is gone. I didn't think it worth it at the time. The truck was pretty beat. I wouldn't have been fooling anyone. But that was also it's beauty... You saw my truck coming, you'd be like... he must not care... get... out... of... the ... way! Or they probably thought I was a poor gardener...

 

Did the old truck have A/C?

I am not picky when it comes to my vehicles, but one think any vehicle of mine MUST have is working A/C!

 

Well, yes, but it never worked. But, where I live it's not that important. Plus, I'm an arm out the window on a hot day kind of guy. But, my new truck DOES having working AC. I'll be curious this summer whether I use it... I recently learned that my wife does use her AC a lot... mmmmmm....

 

4x4 Leaf Spring Installation (along with QA1 TS703 Shock Absorbers)
2005 Tacoma RWD 5-Lug - January 2020

Leaf Springs No. 90-297HD from ATSSprings.com (They were the cheapest I could find considering shipping and tax)

This was relatively straight forward... One bolt gave me problems: the front leaf spring bolts position was hard to get to, get off and torque properly... Also, I didn't notice the bolt on the leaf springs was setup for above axle, but I'm putting it below...

I was going to install new bushings in the shackle, but... I realized that removing the old one would have taken me down an hour+ long detour of drills, hammers, blades and flames! I didn't quite have the time... I think I'm going to practice on the old leaf spring. The rear bushing looks the same.

I also finished installing the QA1s from before...

"Supporting" the leaf spring for bolt removal...


Old vs New (Also, I have no garage... and my driveway sucks...)


Aligning the leaf bolt with the axel hole... A second jack came in handy.


Leaf spring on (along with the new QA1s)


Leaf Spring Replacement Instructions
2005 Tacoma RWD 5-Lug

1. Block front tires
2. Spray fasteners with penetrating oil
3. Loosen lug nuts (21mm)
4. Lift truck
5. Put on stands
6. Remove wheel(s)
7. Support rear axle with jack so no tension on leaf springs
8. Detach rear shock lower fasteners (17mm)
9. Detach parking brake cable from leaf spring…(12mm)
10. Remove four u-bolt fasteners (19mm)
11. Remove spring seat
12. Support leaf…
13. Remove front leaf nut and bolt (19mm) (This one is difficult because of the tight location…grrrrr)
14. Remove rear leaf shackle to frame nut and bolt
15. Replace shackle bushing?
16. Snug tighten new leaf rear shackle to frame
17. Snug tighten new leaf front bolt
18. Use second jack to align leaf top bolt with whole in axle
19. Torque u-bolts in criss cross pattern (85#)
20. Tighten parking brake cable mount
21. Snug tighten rear shock lower bolt
22. Put wheel back on and snug tighten lug nuts
23. Lower truck
24. Bounce on back of truck a few times
25. Torque lower shock fasteners (74#)
26. Torque front/rear leaf bolts and shackle bolts (89#)
27. Torque lug nuts (85#)
28. Test drive

Notes:

• If replacing with 4x4 leafs:
  • make sure center bolt of leaf is in the right direction!
  • Consider ½” longer u-bolts
• Two jacks are really helpful

 

"But, Captain... they have intermittent wiper technology!" Now, I do, too! Whoa-ha-ha-ha!

I found this video helpful.

File under: "Things you should never, ever, have to do to a car."

 

Hellwig Rear Sway Bar HW7670 Installation
2005 Tacoma RWD 5-Lug - January 2020

This was rather straight forward. I did have to remove a wheel to utilize a torque wrench on the passenger side. I'll test drive it tomorrow! =)

I mocked it up before putting it on to get a general idea and to make sure I had all the parts. Once you're under the truck, it makes much more sense...


Installed!

 

OEM Runner Boards
January 2020

I was trying to jazz it up a little bit. These might be too subtle. My wife thinks I should paint them or plasti-dip them. Try accent colors. I might just come to grips with the silver color. Go Raiders? Not.

New Toy!

 

So..... what's your final say on the Hellwig Sway Bar ?

 

The simple answer: I like it. I feel it dramatically helps in my curvy two mile, 700ft altitude climb to my home (the main impudence) and on curvy off-ramps.

Unfortunately, I also changed my leaves and rear shocks at the same time. I did have a week without the sway bar, but I also went on vacation for a week since I installed it. Once I replace my shot front suspension, I'm contemplating disengaging the sway bay to see if that is really the difference.

I sort of wish I would have looked more into using the X-Runner sway bar. I think there might be more of an aesthetic elegance factor (that probably wouldn't affect ride quality) and would only matter when you're under the truck looking at it...

Also, I don't really like how the Hellwig passenger side end link bushing is right next to the exhaust. I'm concerned about premature wear...

 

UP-107 Mod
February 2020

So, this is one of those mods that you'll never now if it DOES work. I'm skeptical, but it's only $15 and it looks cool. And it's easy and quick. Reference

How to:

1. Torq 25 that top bolt out.
2. Wrestle the top part off. Hold the bottom... jiggle the top with force. Those things on the side are NOT tabs. Do not mess with them with a screw driver. I broke two. They're just alignment thingees.
3. Remove foam insert.
4. Remove "air cap." Pry the tabs loose and pull. In theory, you're not going to need this thing, so don't worry about breaking it.
5. Attach UP-107 and tighten.

Installed and looking cool!


NOT disintegrated and NOT costing me ThOUsanDs of $$$ after 134k+ miles...


Ok, so if you look at the part and see that washer/seal... that's what's holding the thing together... NOT any tabs. Do NOT try to pry off anything around the sides of this thing. It's not necessary. Hold the bottom. Wrestle the top loose. Yes, make sure that thing is snug back in place before putting back on.


This just shows the stock thing and what I'm calling the "air cap."

 

Energy Suspension Front Sway Bar Bushings
February 2020

Installed Energy Suspension 9.5171R Sway Bar Bushings. Anything to help with the "sway" until I upgrade my front suspension. I'll see tomorrow if I can tell the difference. Old ones didn't seem too bad.

Installed.


Old vs. New


I did buy these from SOS

 

Um, stupid question, but what is this thing? I'm all about cheap fixes to known problems on the early 2nd gens.

I've also had to $500 worth of glass broken by some crackhead just to grab of $50 worth of Harbor Freight hand tools and a phone charger. Just another part of life in urban California I guess.

 

Supposedly, there's a foam filter that can break down and cause $2k worth of damage. You remove the foam and put this on the intake instead. I'm highly skeptical. But it's $15 and looks cool! My foam WAS pretty dirty...

I honestly think it was some rumor from the early days of the 2nd gens... The video I watched, he had 64k, foam fine. Mine 134k foam fine. I have to assume that if it was a major problem, by now there would have been a recall... but... $15?

Plus, I always wanted a car with a chrome air filter...

I think this mod is as close as I'm going to get...

 

Cut Down TracRac
March 2020

Cut down my TracRac because I saw it here! I got to buy a new tool (tap and die set) and do something new (tap some holes). I like the way it looks so much better! I took 5" of the height and 4" of the width.

 

you have any closeup pics of your rack mounts? I'm having some issues with mine, particularly bcause it doesnt seem like the clamps actually pull the rack down to the bed. they just clamp to the tacoma bed track.

might be that i dont have the thick rubber spacer underneath the rack but i wont know until that comes in the mail if it's the main issue.

 

I do now. I don't think I'm using the rubber things. Although, I know I was using them before I cut the rack down. Mmmm...