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

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by SlimDigg, Feb 7, 2011.

  1. Feb 26, 2020 at 10:33 AM
    chowwwww

    chowwwww Well-Known Member

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    "The battery was about 7yrs old. No electrical mods to the car... All the fuse able links were still in place along with the factory mount and plastic box." from the OP of that cruiser.
     
    se7enine[QUOTED] likes this.
  2. Feb 26, 2020 at 10:36 AM
    eon_blue

    eon_blue Most Improved Member

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    Just throwing my own experience into the mix here, when I bought my truck it had a red top Optima in it that the PO installed in 2010. I replaced it in 2018 and it was still going strong, just didn't want to be running that old of a battery for my own peace of mind. But never had any issues with it.
     
    2002Tacoma4x4 and chowwwww like this.
  3. Feb 26, 2020 at 10:39 AM
    El Taco Diablo

    El Taco Diablo Professional Pinstriper

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    Impulse Red DC, 5vz-fe, 4wd swap, LT, dual case, F/R locked
    Just 3 tons of fun!!!
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2020
  4. Feb 26, 2020 at 10:43 AM
    El Taco Diablo

    El Taco Diablo Professional Pinstriper

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    Just 3 tons of fun!!!

    You can put in a larger battery hold down in the stock location. You have to take out the little plastic tray... and if you go with a longer battery, you'll need a battery tray long enough and strong enough to hold the weight, because it will hang over the area the stock battery sits in.
     
    chowwwww[QUOTED] likes this.
  5. Feb 26, 2020 at 10:46 AM
    se7enine

    se7enine MCMLXXIX

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    My guess is it was overcharged.
     
  6. Feb 26, 2020 at 10:51 AM
    JasonLee

    JasonLee Hello? I'm a truck.

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    TRD Supercharger and more.
    Speaking of larger trays... Does anyone know of a tray & hold down for a 27F? Right now I just have the stock clamp tightened down and the extra space is padded by some cut up mountain bike inner tube.
     
  7. Feb 26, 2020 at 10:55 AM
    chowwwww

    chowwwww Well-Known Member

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    Also found 20% off for red top optima. $273 for the X2 and bout $195 OTD for the Red Top. both are Group 35.
     
  8. Feb 26, 2020 at 11:03 AM
    betterbuckleup

    betterbuckleup Well-Known Member

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    Concord, CA
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    Got a Dakota Digital SGI-100BT installed yesterday to correct my speedo and tach.

    PO had put in an instrument cluster from a v6 taco when I have a 4 cyl so it doesn't read right.

    Wired this bad boy in and everything is dialed now! Stoked to have a functioning tach now and not have to exclusively rely on my scangauge unit.

    Happy with how the install turned out and you can control it over bluetooth which is super convenient.

    20200225_181818.jpg

    20200225_175931.jpg
     
    kuntry09, SwampYota and ireymon like this.
  9. Feb 26, 2020 at 11:06 AM
    betterbuckleup

    betterbuckleup Well-Known Member

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    If he truly didn't do any electrical mods, how could a stock charging system overcharge an AGM. Expecially an older LC like that. that likely doesn't output that much voltage if it's anything like the first gen tacos.
     
  10. Feb 26, 2020 at 11:08 AM
    JKO1998

    JKO1998 Well-Known Member

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    You’re like the master debater here lately
     
  11. Feb 26, 2020 at 11:09 AM
    El Taco Diablo

    El Taco Diablo Professional Pinstriper

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    Just 3 tons of fun!!!


    Lmao


    Edit... I did catch what you did there.


    Lmao
     
    betterbuckleup likes this.
  12. Feb 26, 2020 at 11:26 AM
    El Taco Diablo

    El Taco Diablo Professional Pinstriper

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    Just 3 tons of fun!!!
    All I know is this.

    20200226_111751.jpg

    At idle with 100% stock charging system. (haven't even done the big 3 upgrade)

    Red = main battery
    Blue = Aux battery

    Both yellow tops going on 2 years old... the .1V difference is not suprising since the cable from main to aux is around 6 feet of 4 guage wire. (voltage drop).

    And I don't base my opinion off just these batteries... I base it off all the yellow tops I've run in multiple vehicles over 20+ years, with the same result.
     
    SwampYota likes this.
  13. Feb 26, 2020 at 11:30 AM
    JBTacoma

    JBTacoma Well-Known Member

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    Keeping them charged using only what is needed to run the truck is easy. The test comes when you have to use extra lights at night to winch multiple times in a row. That is when the big 3 upgrade helps. And the alternator upgrade.
     
  14. Feb 26, 2020 at 11:35 AM
    Dan8906

    Dan8906 Well-Known Member

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    I officially own my truck! That’s a good feeling!
     
  15. Feb 26, 2020 at 11:37 AM
    El Taco Diablo

    El Taco Diablo Professional Pinstriper

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    Just 3 tons of fun!!!

    That has nothing to do with what we are talking about.

    Never said the big 3 isn't a good idea... or that I wont be doing it, or that I don't think I should have already done it.

    We're talking about Optima batteries here.

    And specifically that they are junk... and also being suggested you have to run an upgraded charging system to get them to work right.

    100% false


    And for the record... not only is my alternator stock... it has exactly this many miles on it
    20200226_113616.jpg
     
  16. Feb 26, 2020 at 11:56 AM
    JBTacoma

    JBTacoma Well-Known Member

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    You pointed out they are holding 14v on stock without the big 3 and on stock alternator, so it is something you were talking about.
    I was pointing out most anything will if you only use them for stock reasons. Put them to a test that is hard on them, daily use is not much of a test and neither is an occasional winch use.

    Put a few hard winch loads in a row on that stock alternator and it want last much longer. I have one that has 345000 on it but it is a daily driver.
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2020
    SwampYota, Bigal90 and m3bassman like this.
  17. Feb 26, 2020 at 12:04 PM
    se7enine

    se7enine MCMLXXIX

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    Bad internal voltage regulator :notsure:. Seems silly to outright say Optima sucks because of someone else's terrible and uncommon experience with it. Nobody here is not buying Toyotas because of 1st gen Tacoma's frame rust and LBJ failures.
     
  18. Feb 26, 2020 at 1:09 PM
    betterbuckleup

    betterbuckleup Well-Known Member

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    Yea that seems to be the only logical explanation if it truly were "stock" otherwise.
    And that's why I like to have a voltage gauge to keep an eye on charging voltage.
    If that were the cause of the incident, maybe keeping an eye on voltage could have prevented it.
     
  19. Feb 26, 2020 at 1:26 PM
    El Taco Diablo

    El Taco Diablo Professional Pinstriper

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    Just 3 tons of fun!!!

    Again...you're changing the subject.

    I pointed out that I have not done the big 3 and I'm running a stock alt because it was said that Optima has to have some sort of upgraded system to work correctly.

    I offered that as evidence that is not the case.

    That's the second time I've said that, and I'm pretty sure I'm talking in English.

    Seems you are hoping to start some kind of side arguement about the big 3 and it's benefits... only I probably agree with you on 100% of it regarding the big 3.

    Again... I'll spell it out.... you do not need an upgraded alt, or the big 3, or anything else to... SPECIFICALLY... run an Optima battery. What you do need is a properly functioning and properly wired system to run ANY AGM battery. AGMs are all more sensitive to charging issues.
     
  20. Feb 26, 2020 at 1:54 PM
    GQ7227

    GQ7227 mw survivor

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    309km east of Hazard ...the good life
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    black woolWax, green IFC, borlaCB, custom Line-X PC drums, skid, nuts, hooks, 1/4 silver frame...
    :taco: :taco:
    i am so old now i do not recall that day i got the title from the bank lol

    but it looks like your truck was years away from even being built when that event occurred
     

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