TacoFMS' attempt at a build thread

OUCH

 

Was a beautiful weekend this weekend. So I decided to take advantage and knock out a project or two...

Dropped the bumper. (No fun at all by myself, but oh well. It has to happen.) Then drained the radiator and the block.

Removed the old upper and lower radiator hoses, stock radiator, stock thermostat and housing as well as the original water pump and idler pulleys.

Installed a new CSF radiator, Mishimoto 160 degree thermostat and new housing along with a new Toyota water pump and upper and lower hoses. Also decided to replace the idler pulleys while I was in there.


Had decided to pull the trigger on a new tool purchase as well a couple weeks ago. Picked up a vacuum coolant fill tool. It hooks up to compressed air and pulls a vacuum on the entire cooling system. (Which also allows you to check for leaks.) Then you just put the other tube in a bucket of new coolant and close the vacuum valve and open the fill valve and it automatically pulls the new coolant into your radiator and block. It is supposed to eliminate all air pockets that can form when refilling your cooling system. Seems to have worked quite well. Also made it very nice and mess free when filling up the radiator.

Ever since I purchased this truck new it has always run a bit hotter than everyone else's trucks, plus tends to run hot on trails. (The main reason I cut holes in the hood last year or so.)

After completing all the work I started the truck and let it idle to temp. It came up to around 160 and after revving for a bit it seemed to max out around 165 or so, but then came right back down to about 158 when left to idle again.

So it definitely seems like a win to me! Plus gives piece of mind with the maintenance aspect of new pump, pulleys and hoses. Not to mention a new belt and fresh coolant.

 

Let me know how you like that thermostat.

 

Will do, but I honestly feel like it would be worthless without the upgraded radiator. It would just open up sooner but after a bit it wouldn't matter as the radiator wouldn't cool any more than normal like the stock thermostat would.

 

I just replaced my radiator yesterday, but it was just a stock replacement. About 20,000 miles ago I flushed the coolant and changed the thermostat. Then, the radiator started a intermittent leak around the upper hose nipple. Discovered that part of the nipple was missing, and let it leak at different times. I was thinking about changing the thermostat out to help with all the stop and go that comes with work.

 

Nice, glad it solved your issues!

 

Did the bug deflector effect your MPG efficiency?

 

No... at least I seriously doubt it. This truck has been modified since about day 3 of ownership, so there is no telling, but I seriously doubt it had any effect whatsoever.

 

Nice truck!!! I just scrolled through most of the thread and it's awesome what you've done to this thing the past 10 years!!!! What a cool story

 

Thank you sir. I did not abide by the "buy once cry once" philosophy on many things and had to learn the hard way on several. But it is pretty much how I want it now. So I guess that's the ultimate point.

 

Not really a truck update, but I finally bit the bullet and bought a new toolbox for the garage to replace my old husky box that I had outgrown.


Didn't even have a coupon for any of it, but the manager told me since I was buying all 4 pieces and renewing the ITC membership she would discount a couple items... imagine my surprise when the total for all that rang up over $200 less than what the subtotal of just the boxes should have been!

It was a bit of a beast to get unloaded and assembled by myself, but I got it done and am very pleased with the end product.

 

nice. One day i can be as cool .

 

Two weekends ago decided to give the truck some much overdue attention and test out my newest toy (brand new polisher) along with some new products.

After 14 hours worth of compounding and 2 stage polish I was ready to put the new sealant on it. Decided to try out the new Chemical Guys SiO2 sealant and top coated it with my favorite wax from Dodo Juice.



I must admit, she still cleans up quite nicely. The new Flex polisher got all the hard water spots and nearly all the offroad pinstriping out of the paint. I was very pleased/impressed.

 

Then took it camping this past weekend with a customer of mine.


Ended up being a very rainy weekend... think I'm still trying to dry out!

 

I just stumbled across your build thread…Really awesome stuff. I love seeing other SR5’s that have been built out.

 

i use the chemical guys

Chemical Guys CWS_301 Citrus Wash & Gloss Foaming Car Wash Soap (Works with Foam Cannons/ Guns or Bucket Washes) Safe for Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles, RVs & More, 128 fl oz (1 Gallon) Citrus Scent

https://www.amazon.com/Chemical-Guy...chemical+guys+citrus,aps,71&sr=8-1-spons&th=1. stuff is the bomb

 

Look at mine lol if you like sr5's hahah

 

Oooohh…Don’t mind if I do!

 

Thank you sir! Couldn't see paying the extra for a bunch of options that weren't my first pick... so I started with a more "basic" version and picked out exactly what I wanted.

 

You attention whore.......