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

I was never a fan of the ricer taillights my daughter got, so I replaced them with more OEM ones.

 

I just went through this yesterday, checked Lowe’s, Home Depot and Ace, and couldn’t find anything that short that still had a section of unthreaded shoulder. Not sure if having threads there is any kind of dangerous, but I only wanted to do this once so bought from the dealership. Should have probably gotten the nuts and spacers from the hardware store… It’s a M10 x 1.00 pitch.

YMMV but just wanted to share so you don’t waste too much time scouring for an exact replacement at the store like I did.

 

You can always cut bolts that are too long with a grinder and a cutoff wheel while holding them in a vise. Grade 8 or 10.9 fully threaded won't be an issue if they're torqued to spec - the driveshaft won't be pivoting or relying on the shanked portion a partially threaded bolt to be there. $50 for one flange's worth of hardware is absolutely ridiculous.

3/8-24 Zinc Plated Bolts (should still fit a 14mm wrench / socket - for some they will be too tight and go to a 9/16)

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/b...rength-grade-8-steel-hex-head-screws/?s=bolts

3/8-24 Zinc Plated Nuts (100 for $10)

https://www.mcmaster.com/94895A815/

3/8-24 Split Washers (100 for $10)

https://www.mcmaster.com/91104A031/

If you only needed 4 of each McMaster wouldn't be the best way to go, but you could redo every flange on each driveshaft this way and only spend around $30-40 depending on the bolt length you buy (I usually buy a commonly useful and inexpensive one and cut them to the length I need for projects).

YMMV

 

Thanks for the feedback! Wish I would have asked yesterday, lol. Luckily I only needed a single bolt, but I’ll remember this for next time.

 

270,000 mile oil change and tire rotation. Not sure how many miles the tires have on them but I've drove 10k on them so figured might as well move them around

 

Installed the Honda Odyssey washer nozzles today in aftermarket version after reading about them in another TW thread.

I bought these:

76810-TK8-A01 Front Windshield Washer Nozzle Fit for Honda Odyssey KA/KC/KL/KX 2011 2012 2013 2014 2Packs

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJ2XHTH4

The spray head nozzles are adjustable and only took two tries to get them sighted in.

Soooooooo much better spray pattern than the 1995 OE pinholes

Highly recommended.

Just Do It!

Mike

 

That Dewalt impact wrench has made my life soooo much better....I have not found a bolt/nut it couldn't take off, including axle nuts.

 

A little bit of self gratification....off with the old plain license plate frame, on with the TRD one. This came in the most rediculously awesome packaging....Amazon.com: Black License Plate Frame for TRD : Automotive

 

New shoes. Old ones were fine and still had plenty of life but wanted to hang with the cool kids in the mud. Got a great deal through a buddy at his shop so wasn't too bad. New Year's Day mud trip planned with some friends so it'll be nice to see how they hold up. 265/70r16 should've gone to a 75.

 

Besides new tires, did an oil change and finally got around to replacing my catalyst. Who knew the p0420 code was legit… earned these next 6 beers with this. Stripped both bolts on the muffler pipe end. Autozone sockets were sacrificed.

 

Added a little something to my rig...

 

Saw this a couple days ago and it looks like a perfect fit for your truck. Any cool details with mentioning?

 

I mounted an OVS awning and shower curtain. Started the power distribution panel. Installed a positive pressure vent. Placed my old drawer box in the back. Mounted my slide and tilt fridge bracket. Mounted the fridge power box, still need to hook up to power.
I am on leave and have to head back to Colorado next week. So that was all I could do this time around.

 

I can never tell if your walking cobble stoned streets or stateside lol sounds like a project when you get back. I think that setup will fit you nicely!

 

This will be my last hurrah, this time next year I should be done with it all.

 

Congrats and thank you.

 

Funny, because I too just bought a Tundra and I also noticed how annoying the Tundra forum guys are (in comparison to the 1st gen guys here).

 

How you liking the tundra?

 

It's incredible. I went from daily driving my '03 Xtra cab Tacoma (which will now be made into the gnarliest of hunting rigs), to the Crewmax Platinum Tundra, and the creature comforts, ability to get up and go, and increased space inside are all amazing.

How you liking yours?

Edit: I blew the doors off this punk kid in a WRX yesterday and it was so much fun to go fast again lol

 

Seems like a nice solution from @Marlin Crawler to a problem that we're all familiar with, and easier to install than some of the other options...

HD LCA Frame Mount Upgrade Kit, 1995.9-2004 Tacoma | Marlin Crawler, Inc.

This unique kit makes your frame eccentric alignment tabs bullet-proof, whereby no amount of force will ever cause your cam tabs to lose their factory positions.

To achieve this, our patented design wraps USA-made 1/4" thick steel 360° around each alignment eccentric, encompassing all 16 cam tabs for unparalleled strength, durability, and rigidity. This design also greatly strengthens your LCA frame mounts allowing the frame to handle many times greater stress loading than stock as well as provides impact protection to your sensitive control arm hardware. This is ideal for all use cases including daily driving, overlanding, rock crawling, high speed desert, and competition events.

Installation requires welding, however, does not require drilling or cutting of spot-welds and may be performed without removing alignment hardware or control arms