PennSilverTaco's "Perfect 5-Lug Regular Cab" Build, Aspergers, and General BS MegaThread!

I'd be willing to dress up as a straitjacketed zombie and pose with the truck!

 

But I'm not as attractive as any of my friends...

 

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My final question is regarding the milling of the cylinder head. My mechanic told he was going to have the head milled. My friend Dave, who was a mechanic (now he drives an 18-wheeler), said that milling the head isn't always necessary. The service writer at the dealer (who oversaw the frame replacement last November) says that Toyota recommends against milling the head and it won't be done unless necessary.

I am not particularly worried about this because Thompson warranties parts and labor for two years. There is a very high likelihood that I will have a newer Tacoma by October 2024, so whatever happens my current truck after I sign the title over to the new owner is no longer my problem and something that I try not to think about.

The truck is getting a new head gasket, so my conscious will be clear when I sell it, and if anything relating to the head gasket goes wrong in the next two years while I still own the truck, I'm covered. I have actually gotten a couple parts installed at Thompson that ended up being defective, and Thompson was true to their word about replacing them.

Should I insist on getting the head milled and pay extra for it?

 

It can be checked. If it's not true...mill it

 

Bill, what was your experience been with having a shorter bed? Access cab 3rd Gens are fairly hard to find, so I'm thinking that I might have to settle for a DCSB if it's a really good deal.

 

It basically should only need shaved if the head is warped. Some people will shave a little just to clean the surface up but l think you will be fine as is.

 

I briefly, and I mean briefly, worked at a machine shop.
I did not do machine work, I was basically the grunt.
I pulled engines and replaced them. I only built a few and those were Chevy small blocks under the supervision of a master tech/builder.

Anyways, the point is if, you have the right tools and equipment you can measure the head and block for “flatness”.

I do know that on most, the preferred method was to mill the head.
But, the majority of my experience was on older vehicles.
1980’s or older.

 

I was a little worried at first but added a hitch extender and bed bars, so hauling has never been an issue.

 

doesnt need milled just because. If its warped yes. No need to throw money at it, if it doesnt need it. They can clean it just fine for new head gasket

 

LS swap time

 

I do not think my truck would be running as good as it is if the head were warped. There also no obvious sign of oil leaking from the head, so that tells me that it's exclusively internal...

 

My truck gets bad enough gas mileage with the 4-banger, but that'll be plausible if I actually have to replace the engine while I still own the engine; I would not mind doing a 4.6L, 4.7L, or even 5.7L swap and keeping the truck all-Toyota...

 

Well, there you go. Get cracking. If you’re light on the throttle that LS swap may actually get amazing fuel economy

 

I just need the truck to last another year or two while I save up for a newer truck; I don't want it to absolutely kill me at the pump. My uncle has a 2012 Tundra, 2WD with the 5.7L, and he averages less than 10 MPG around town. If I hit the lottery, I'd have my mechanic Pete put a 5.7L and appropriate transmission in it, along with possibly doing X-Runner suspension...

 

You’re right. I have $300, tonight

 

You gonna put $300 towards turning my truck into a sleeper?

 

No, I was hoping to buy your truck for $300

 

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