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

Wallet is $1500 lighter, but the A/C issue I had earlier in the summer is resolved. Replaced the compressor and magnetic clutch, leak test, recharge. All because I thought I heard some funny knocking and didn't want to chance it. But the place I took it to is pretty communicative (the mechanic texted me and told me about his third gen and said I had a sweet truck), and honest. So if anyone in central Ohio is looking, Japanese Automotive Service is the place to go.

 

Another lesson learned.... Don't buy cheap parts...
The TRQ inner and outer tie rod ends I used to replace the old OEM parts less than a year ago are already shot.
Let me explain,
Dropped my truck off at Les Shwabe this morning and I got a call stating that the inner and outer tie rod ends have a few inches of play. It's something I've noticed too but I thought it was the steering rack. So, in this instance, I'm finally having somebody else do the work.
The OEM toyota parts would literally cost me the same as Les Shwabe installing the parts and giving me an alignment.
So, great way to spend 550 bucks today...
That would have been my Tune, or my detail.
Rant over.

 

Tough lesson to learn as you end up spending double the money in the end. I learned that with alignment cams and lower control arm bushings the hard way.

 

What happened?

 

https://www.carparts.com/Headlight/Replacement/TY0508CHL?bsft_aaid=e748ae88-c8ab-4fa9-b03d-ced7c4a6fd33&bsft_eid=967862f1-46a4-508a-7228-29455d807cd2&bsft_clkid=aa4d515f-349e-49b3-ad1f-67ffa4a1b14f&bsft_uid=e6f4c54b-c96e-4438-9750-482d8d279b52&bsft_mid=5e39a75a-892d-4d9d-a1ed-2965f7140e36&bsft_txnid=412432e3-4490-4092-8659-57d9751eaf87&bsft_mime_type=html&bsft_ek=2022-09-30T12:34:41Z&bsft_lx=33&bsft_tv=236&cpcoupon=UR2A8M3KVTPG7NE

Ordered new headlights from Carparts.com.





Here is a code for 10% off 100 plus. Good luck.

They sent a link to give recommended people $30. Here it is for what it is worth.
https://share.carparts.com/testers00.welcome

 

Did a couple of interior mods I saw on Tacomaholic's Youtube channel.

First did the vinyl wrap for Temp Controls.



Video Tutorial @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLXss26EAJk
Vinyl @

$24 3M 1080 MX12 Matrix Black 5ft x 1ft (5 sq/ft) Car Wrap Vinyl Film

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0771XJX9L?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Add the Tufskinz raw carbon fiber piece and black matte piece to my center gear shift area.


Video Tutorial @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybQnkHsiKgk
Tufskinz Website for 2nd Gen Tacoma @ https://www.tufskinz.com/collections/2005-2015-toyota-tacoma

 

Try pushing down on your hood. Might have an alignment/ latch adjustment issue. There's adjustable rubber screws on the core support above the headlights. The latch mechanism is also adjustable

 

This wasn't on my Tacoma but on a 1st Gen Sequoia I used to have, I used SPC alignment cams/bolts and Daystar LCA bushings. While neither of those companies are bad, that particular combo of parts did not work well together and I ended up chasing alignment issues for several months. Took a while to figure out that the Daystar bushings were smaller than the stock Toyota ones and when combined with the SPC cams (they did not tighten down as much as the stock ones due to the plastic sleeve used) they allowed just enough slop for the LCA to move within the LCA brackets.

 

Yup..... oh well. 550 bucks spent today won't change the future much. Yolo

 

Nice seat.

 

Those look similar to mine that came from PartsGeek. Think mine were around $145. Hope yours are better aligned. Took a few adjustments to get mine corrected. Still happy for the $$. Take the time and run a clear bead of sealer around the seam. I always do just for leak insurance. My stock headlights developed a small leak and they were original oem.

 

Lately I feel like it's been flipped around while I sit on it. Ffs. Replacing stuff you've already replaced sucks ass

 

Installed mine last summer. The factory trim piece had worn thru the metal and caused surface rust. I went extra and added some grip tape and textured paint to keep it from happening again. Did all four doors.

 

Just added some cheap storage cases from Amazon on to the the roof rack. Pretty easy install.

 

Changed 5spd and Tcase fluid today.
Just remembered, I still need to update my maintenance log

 

I washed a camping season's worth of rodent repellent out of the engine bay. Nice and clean but doesn't have that nice pepperminty smell.
Love repairs that cost nothing.

 

I use seat spacers with mine. Made a difference for sure.

 

Thankful to still have my Tacoma, following a couple bikers when all of a sudden they split to avoid a huge metal trash can in the middle of the freeway. Had no time or options so I had to swerve and cut off the guy to my left, car behind me swerved and the guy he cut off slammed brakes and jerked the wheel causing him to get loose at 70mph. Car fishtailed and careened across 3 lanes smack into the side of an suv and they both went skidding into the retaining wall on the shoulder. Drove up a ways to where I saw highway patrol making a stop and pulled over to let him know.

 

Damn. Glad you're alright!