Couple 1st gen questions

long time Toyota guy but new to the Tacoma world, so here's the new guy stupid questions.
First. Is there any easy way to replace a heater core in a tacoma? The thought of tearing the whole dash out doesn't excite me. On my 1st gen runner we actually cut a hole in the firewall. It was a beater truck so it was fast and easy.
2nd
My truck is a stock 95 4x4 2.7 5speed, what's the biggest tires I can run on this truck ? I'm hoping 31's will be ok.
A few inches of lift is in its future but it's not a pressing issue during winter steelhead season, lol
Thanks for any help
Mike

 

For the heater core, I only know to pull off the whole dash which is easier if started with a 6 pack...

My 96 was able to run 31 10.5 w/o a lift and 33's with about two inches of lift and minor trimming.

 

I've only done it on a the V-6. There is no easy way to do that job. With that said, taking out the dash is really not that bad of a job. You need a 10 mm socket and a phillips head screwdriver. Use you camera to record pictures of fasteners as you remove them.

The way toyota built these trucks, there is only one way to put it back together. Plus taking out that dash will allow you to really clean areas that never have seen a vacuum.

 

I was afraid that was the route for the heater core.
Thanks for the info

 

Also while your in there if you want to do the LED dash conversion it would be a perfect time.

 

The six pack is good advice. Take your time and have a few beers. It will go faster than you think.

 

Thanks guys, where do you find the led kits ?
Ok one more stupid question, I will be installing a winch in the near future. I plan on upgrading to a deep cycle optima battery and was wondering if you guys can suggest a good upgraded alternator.
I will be using the winch a lot.

 

Gm alternator swap is what I did, you can get an adapter plug online if you even need to go back to stock in a pinch. 140 amps is what mine puts out, much better than the 90 amp

 

Cool thank you very much

 

Oh man. Heater core is just time consuming. Did it once in a 1990 Volvo. I think I made it through a case of beer. But.... You save a lot of frog skins if you do it yourself and you have the time.

 

I've done them in my 1st gen runner. I know it's not really hard just time consuming. It's just more fun when it's a cool upgrade. Lol

 

This should answer any questions about the lights. Your going to have to sift through the 30 something pages...but its in there.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...d-cluster-lights.354333/page-31#post-13587597

 

Cool thanks

 

Sorry to spam the thread but I gotta ask. Did the GM alternator happen to bolt right up or was there bracket modification done? Which alternator did you go with? I'm intrigued at this point

 

I was able to run 31x10.5/15s on my '98 2.7L 5 spd without a problem. I had added a winch, several halogen off-road lights (this was before LEDs got so good), and a 500 watt amatuer radio, so I installed a second alternator to handle the extra load. Kept it as a separate circuit from the stock charging system. Installed the ALT under the AC compressor. There are several threaded bosses under the AC, so I fabbed a mount to make it fit and just bought a longer belt. Put a large battery in my bed tool box. I could run every accessory and light, and my voltages held steady at 14.2 even at idle. Easy mod once you get the mount done.

 

By any chance do you have a picture?
Thanks for the info

 

I wish I had some. Almost all of the photos I had were on my old cell phone, and it was stolen shortly after we moved here.

 

It's the cs-144 it bolts on, you just have to loosen the bracket to get it to squeeze in.

 

Sweet thanks

 

You can run 33's with some trimming. When I had 33's I had to massage the pinch weld flat and I did rub the frame a little at full lock on one side.

Loved it. Super capable.


Also, stock alternator is pretty good if you upgrade the battery to an absorbed glass mat type AGM type battery. I still am using my 60 amp alternator with a 710 CCA AGM type battery and have done some long hard pulls and been just fine. Obviously the CS-144 alternator swap is a good idea, just not always necessary.