2Runner

After installing the battery above I figured I was already grimy so may as well install the OEM Lunar Mist rear bumper I had scooped up back in July. This is now matching up nicely with my front grill, bumper, and signals to round out my "factory" SR5 color keyed package.

I lucked out as this bumper was in great shape just 10 miles away, and one of few I have ever seen pop up for sale. The guy had an 03 double cab 4x4 he was adding "armor" to so this beauty needed a new home.


It shined up really nice, and I think looks right at home on my 5 lug regular cab even though I dont believe the factory offered them quite like this!

 

Nice updates as always dude.

raptor liner the bed. Have them not come over the bed side and do just to the top of the rail. The plastic liner just traps moisture, rubbish, and rubs the bed rails. No bueno.

what’s stopping you from calling energy and getting poly bushings for your leafs ? Plus a 3 inch block in the rear would probably put you even to the front.

how’s the suspension riding other wise?

supercharger ?

time for some depo half half’s for the tails and clear corner marker lights

always love the updates and progress.

 

Glad you enjoy the progress, the truck is super fun to drive and work on!

I may consider the raptor liner when I do something down the road, but enjoying some lunar mist metallic and a bit of patina currently.

The rear does feel a bit firm over large bumps and turns already and I really like oem parts for my 1st gen, so with this in mind I am going with oem bushings over the Energy in this application.

The plan is to drive this truck hard and I dont want to chance messing with blocks and extended u-bolts that can potentially come loose, and I like less parts in general! The de-arching also allows me to fine tune, say 2.5" drop on the right and 2.75" on the left as in my case.

The truck rides super nice despite it being way off balance ride height wise front to rear. The steering got a bit heavy with all the weight up front but it should lighten back up when the rear drops down I figure. I really haven't driven it to the limit with the rear end up in the sky but I can tell on my "some what spirited" canyon runs the truck feels extra planted being lower to the ground already, and definitely gave me a giddy feeling as it gently soaked up the small tight curves in my local canyon with ease.

Things keep backing up as I've been waiting to get the rear dropped (and working on other projects in the mean time). I had wanted to drive it around with the full drop first and then planned to install the supercharger. My plan has just been taking way longer than I though it would have unfortunately... these are trying times for us all indeed!!

 

Really nice build! Im trying to build a 2wd 02 as well. Just got my kyb monomax and chassis tech lowering springs and blocks.

 

@isaac665 thanks for the kind words, nice truck you got there and should be really sweet to get that drop going!

 

No worries man yours makes me want to go the extra mile with mine... Just received the shocks today. Patiently waiting for the springs and blocks now

 

Went to my buddies shop yesterday and used his fork lift to help determine the exact drop I want to go for in the rear when I get my leafs de-arched next Wednesday at last!

A thick blanket and some wood blocks were used to cushion the pressing from the forks.


This worked really smooth and no damage was done to the classic mini truck!


Looks like 2 5/8" of drop is going to get the rear lower in relation to the front than stock for better handling, yet still leave a slight rake so I can still load it up when needed.


I think this looks just right over all and fits the direction I want to take Trudy.. I should get even better handling, a sexier stance, and hoping it will be funner to drive than ever!!

 

Yesterday I had some free time and was able to knock out a few miscellaneous items Trudy was ready for...

I added these

$16 Energy Suspension 9.9116G 1" Tall Button Head Bump Stop

universal bump stops to the front lower control arm shimmed with a couple washers to try and emulate the gap and travel at stock ride height. Sorry no pics..

Replaced my fuel cap since I noticed it on the maintenance schedule and I had yet to do this and the retainer clip was also broken anyhow. Detail cleaned the fuel door and filler area while I was there and things came out mighty nice.


I also swapped over an oem ash tray I pulled from the yard long ago, my original kept sliding its way out just bit constantly while I drive so this is going to be nice to not have to push it back in every few minutes!



Since I had a left over bushing I thought it would make a nifty cushion for my center console arm rest when I fold it up vs having it just lay against the metal tab that was there.




A couple more updates should be coming up this week too if all goes well!

 

The update we have all been waiting for, or at least myself perhaps..

After months in the works, I was finally able to get Trudy's rear settled down by taking her to Deaver and getting the rear leafs de-arched. She ended up around 2 3/4" lower in the rear which compliments the front drop nicely overall in my eyes.

Took her for a washing and the obligatory TacomaWorld pics!
















Although Trudy is more beautiful than ever now, I am happy to report she even drives and handles better than she looks! Driving this little truck around town, on the highway, and in the canyon curves has all improved and the truck is even more enjoyable than it already was before. Not only does she handle the turns like a go-kart now, the ride is actually smoother and more comfortable overall much to my welcome surprise!

There is less float at high speeds and bumps on the highway, and it take speed bumps and potholes less harshly as well. This maybe due to being lower in the rear than the front in contrast to before it was lowered and having more weight in the back now is helping to soften the ride perhaps. I recall when I removed my camper shell the ride seemed to get a bit harsher on the speed bumps and potholes as well. My seating position and viewing angle even feels a bit more comfortable having the rear down a bit while sitting in the cab now since you can't really lean the seat back too far in the regular cab.

I was totally elated on the test drive as the trucks new found manners delighted my senses.. and I dont think it has worn off yet looking at the pics either!!

 

This is my favorite thread!

I have the Taco you started with, same color even, bought it new in February 2004. I had the dealer swap the carpet floor mats for the heavy ribbed rubber ones. I put the clock in dash, got it from a wrecker. Over the years I let the dealer service it every 6 months and I just drive it. 62k miles on it now. Last week I added a Tonnopro 3 fold soft cover for the bed. Next I want some new wheels and tires. I'm eyeing a mild lowering, less than yours and I'd like to retain the stock tire height (27" or close.) I've been reading the Gen 1 lowering thread.

Any ideas on front springs to lower a base 4 single cab about 1.5 inches? My thought was that and 2 inch blocked in back. I too like to keep a little rake in in a pickup. It looks more "useful" even if it's empty back there 98% of the time.

 

Thanks @notrouble , you have great taste in trucks and threads I may have to say!!

There are only a couple options for coils for these trucks available nowadays.. From hearing what you want, to get the least amount of drop feasible and the softer spring rate for a nicer ride go for the Belltech 4260 2" drop.

Nifty NOTE: The 2" drop is actually rated for a v-6 extra cab, so with your light weight regular cab 4 cylinder you will get closer to only a 1.5-1.75" drop depending on your current spring sag (results vary).

I would do the front first and measure before and after so you can gauge your actual drop. This will help you decide how much to lower your rear based on where the front ends up at. Stock length shocks are fine with this drop too.

My actual drop is 2.65" from factory height new since my coils are custom made so. With my 245 width 25.6" tall tires I have a ton of space and think you can surely run taller tires than I am with the Belltech coils mentioned above.

I wouldn't mind some pics of this beautiful low mileage Lunar Mist sister once she gets her upgrades please!!

Mine came with the highly sought after yet almost impossible to see while driving digital clock right from the factory, can you believe that find?!!

 

Well, I got my first plan scuttled. I had a line on some Konig 5 spoke wheels that were mostly charcoal with some bright edge details. My plan was to embrace the 4 tone exterior. Chrome look for lug nuts, Toyota and Tacoma logos and wheel details. Charcoal for the bumper metal, grill surrounds and most of the wheels. Black for the grill center, bumper tops and bottom, and things like mirrors and door handles. All that wrapped up with a bright silver body. Now I have to rethink... I would like charcoal on the wheels to tie into the bumper and grill. I would prefer a wheels that shows the 5 lug minitruck heritage. I'm back a couple squares and looking at wheels again, 16 inch preferred but 15 and 17 acceptable.

 

I think charcoal wheels would look quite nice against the silver body and other charcoal goodies, heck yeah.

5 lug minitruck heritage huh?!! Sounds intriguing so far!

 

I was able to work with a buddy of mine and fabricate some rear bump stops for my drop at his shop over the weekend. Basically traced the mounting plate from the oem part, cut out with a water-jet. Then just welded an Energy low profile universal bump to the center.



Installed them on the truck and now there is plenty of clearance for a load and still have some bump absorption if needed.


Trudy is feeling so nice to drive lately the more I am getting used to the new lowered suspension!

 

Spent a good portion of the afternoon polishing up an old OEM SR5 gauge cluster that I plan to install this week if all goes well. This is actually my second gauge cluster as my first one sadly turned out to be dead when I finally got around to getting it installed. This new used one was the cheapest I could find that actually showed the odometer working in the photo and had free returns, I didn't want to get burned twice on this same part!

It did have a couple scratches on the lens so I decided to polish it up. The scratches were a bit tough to get on pics but here's a couple.



I used some clear plastic polish, some new micro fiber towels, and a polishing ball on my drill to get the scratches out and shine up the lens.


Things were looking really good and were working nice. I found the best result by focusing on just a small inch or two area at a time. Then when inspecting my work, I found a piece of my microfiber towel on the INSIDE of the cluster!


So then decided I needed to remove the lens to clean the inside while I had came this far already. Found it worked best to use the screwdriver prying the tabs from the lens side to avoid breaking the plastic tips on the ends of the clips as below. A bit of pressing down and in just enough to release the clips one at a time being very careful not to break these thin old plastic tidbits and things slipped out without drama.


Everything was apart so this made it easier to get the lens clean inside and out. Some rubbing alcohol wipes took some dust off the gauges and dried nice and clean.


I kept polishing and checking each spot in the sun light to find any flaws and within a matter of hours I felt like I had came as close to show room restoration perfection as I could.


This was time well spent and the lens is almost invisible now, kind of!


I can't wait to get the cluster installed so I can get the engine speed from the tach to really help me fine tune my gear shifting, and add to the fun behind the wheel.


Also I think the white face gauges are going to add a splash of sexy oem sportiness to the truck, which will look right at home in Trudy.. once I get this thing installed and working of course!

 

Love it

 

This weekend I was able to get outside and spend some quality time with old Trudy. One of the more annoying items about the truck since I had bought it was the worn out seat belt. It had lost most all of its re-tractability tension so was most often found dangled across the floor, and the clip that holds the buckle in place was also missing. So every time I got in and out of the truck I was fishing for the buckle to put it on, and also trying not to get the loose belt caught in the door as I closed it shut!

Well I figured I had had enough of this and decided to replace the entire seat belt with a brand spanking new OEM belt PN 7322004130B0. First I removed the 4 bolts holding the door scuff plate trim in place.



Then lifted the carpet slightly and removed this bolt holding the seat belt to the floor pan. Notice that darn buckle right at the floor as usual!


Then I pulled gently inwards on the side trim panel and seat belt cover to release the clips and remove the panel.


Then popped out the center trim piece around the seat belt passing through the panel and pulled the old belt through.

Then I popped off the upper seat belt height adjustment trim cover by prying from the bottom up and out. Then removed the bolt for the height adjustment.


Then there were just two more bolts holding in the belt assembly, this one up top. Also unplug the yellow harness.


Then another below, here it is removed so you can see.


This step is not optional in my mind, I had to clean up this covered panel that had never been cleaned since the truck was new more than likely!


Also cleaned up the connector with some electrical contact.


The assembly is simply reverse the steps of course, but I found one tip that worked great for me. Remove the metal clips that hold in your side trim panel and mount them to the plastic tabs on the part so they are aligned as you push the trim piece back in as straight as feasible. Only two captured in the pic, but I think there were 4 total.


I was certainly excited to see some more brand new OEM goodness in my 02, especially since I have to use this thing every time I get in and out of the thing! Here it is all shiny and new..


It has all the tension of a brand new belt of course which is so much nicer to use, and can't forget to mention the buckle always going right where you need it when you grab the belt and strap it on!

 

As I finished the seat belt job above, the last step was to mount the door scuff plate back on.

My screws were all crusty and almost white, so I did what any good citizen of TacomaWorld would do and got some new OEM screws (PN 90164-50049) to top off the job and get one step closer to full showroom floor restoration!


You do see these things every time you get in to your vintage first gen Tacoma after all!

 

To further spruce things up in the cab and add to the driving experience, I was able to get my SR5 gauge cluster calibrated to my true mileage and installed.

After the polishing the cluster and lens came out better than new.


Adds a bit of OEM sporting attitude to my once sparse base regular cab, and also gained some nifty features like a tachometer and trip odometers.


Looks pretty cool with the lights on during the day.


And of course the obligatory shot in the dark.. there is a cool glow around the needles that soothes the info fed to your brain!


I am happy with how they look and feel.. It was fun taking it for a test spin and getting used to seeing the tach on the dash. I think I will use that trip odometer and see what kind of mileage I am getting on my next tank too.. why not?!