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Tips for washing undercarriage?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Badwin45, Nov 2, 2015.

  1. Nov 2, 2015 at 12:45 PM
    #1
    Badwin45

    Badwin45 [OP] Well-Known Member

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  2. Nov 2, 2015 at 12:50 PM
    #2
    Wasatch

    Wasatch Well-Known Member

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    Simple green and a power washer works really well! Get on all fours and go after it. Looks like the device you're looking at eliminates the need to look under the truck, but keep in mind that doing it with a basic sprayer you'll also have an opportunity to see damage/leaks/or worn out parts.
     
  3. Nov 2, 2015 at 12:51 PM
    #3
    TexasPreRunner

    TexasPreRunner Well-Known Member

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    The sprinkler that waves back and forth works pretty well
     
    patbegley, TacomaMike37 and Arailt like this.
  4. Nov 2, 2015 at 12:56 PM
    #4
    spitdog

    spitdog Well-Known Member

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    I made a undercarriage washer out of 3/4 PVC. Basically it looks like the letter T and attaches to the garden hose. Drill a line of small holes in the T part and get a hose attachment from Home Depot and you set to go. Works good. Everything cost around 10 bucks. Look on utube, that's where I got the idea.

    image.jpg

    image.jpg
     
  5. Nov 2, 2015 at 1:01 PM
    #5
    Tacoma SS

    Tacoma SS Well-Known Member

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  6. Nov 2, 2015 at 2:41 PM
    #6
    Badwin45

    Badwin45 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the tips guys.

    I have a 3100 PSI pressure washer and the surface washer. The wife likes for me to wash the driveway and patios once or twice a year...

    As for the sprinkler: I suppose if you had enough clearance, you could use a rain train traveling sprinkler with the jets aimed up.

    I change my own oil so I'm under the truck 6-7 times a year anyway.
     
  7. Nov 2, 2015 at 2:59 PM
    #7
    Harley2

    Harley2 Well-Known Member

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    Hmmm, I just take mine to the hand wand part of the carwash throw on some pull over rain pants and go to town. In the winter I pull her into the garage at work and clean her up with a garden hose set to a high pressure stream? We have a floor drain in the garage for this purpose.
     
  8. Nov 2, 2015 at 4:05 PM
    #8
    NMTrailRider

    NMTrailRider Well-Known Member

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    Is there anything under there that is in the least bit delicate? Can I just take the high pressure wand at the car wash and go to town?

    I did that a couple months ago, but didn't get close t anything. Just kinda kept the wand at a distance. and now my leaf springs have been squealing terribly ever since.
     
  9. Nov 2, 2015 at 4:07 PM
    #9
    Justus

    Justus fucks not given

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    that's what I use when needed
     
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  10. Nov 2, 2015 at 5:04 PM
    #10
    Harley2

    Harley2 Well-Known Member

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    The wand is what many folks use, particularly those of us in the snow/salt belt. Its perfectly fine, spray away. Many drive through washes also have a high pressure undercarriage wash which is ok for a simple quick rinse. Your squealing leaf springs should have nothing to do with washing your undercarriage unless someone had used a spray on liquid penetrating grease between the leaf springs to quiet your already squeaking springs sometime in the recent past. Lots of threads on the common leaf spring squeak which most all either have or will get. actually keeping the dirt sprayed out of the springs will help decrease squeaks.
     
    NMTrailRider[QUOTED] likes this.
  11. Nov 2, 2015 at 5:50 PM
    #11
    NMTrailRider

    NMTrailRider Well-Known Member

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    Thanks. Yeah I've read lots on TW about the squeaky leafs. This was the strange thing- I have a 2014. Been driving it for about a year. No squeaks. A couple months ago I washed the undercarriage with the wand and immediately upon driving out of the wash bay, I heard the first squeak. If anything, it's gotten a little worse since then.
     
  12. Nov 2, 2015 at 6:03 PM
    #12
    Dagosa

    Dagosa Well-Known Member

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    I tend to agree with several in our heavily salted area who take special precautions in the fall to treat their cars and then just rinse the undercarriage. The idea is to neutralize the salt and brine and not power wash under too high pressure. They feel it drives water and salt up into drain holes and the salt material deeper into the hidden areas of the frame and body members. I don't disagree and would recommend the washers that just spray rather then produce a lot of pressure like a pressure washer. One guy in particular has cars and trucks that get through our winters for decades totally rust free. He knows what he is doing when his 25 year old winter car is rust free. He believes in frequently rinsing rather then occasionally power washing.
     
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  13. Nov 2, 2015 at 6:23 PM
    #13
    spitdog

    spitdog Well-Known Member

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    If you use fluid film on your frame, a power washer can remove it pretty quickly.
     
  14. Nov 2, 2015 at 6:26 PM
    #14
    jstchilln

    jstchilln Well-Known Member

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    Sprinkler. I've used one for years and went 15 years on my old T 100 with out a spot of rust. I always spray up under the fenders with the garden hose and let the sprinkler do the rest. I also open the front doors and spray into the hole at the top of the fender. This flushes out at the bottom of the fender and leafs and gunk that can stay wet and sit and rot come out. Any place salt can sit I spray good.
     
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  15. Oct 18, 2022 at 1:36 PM
    #15
    george3

    george3 Well-Known Member

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  16. Oct 18, 2022 at 1:37 PM
    #16
    george3

    george3 Well-Known Member

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    is there a link for this on YouTube ?
     
  17. Oct 18, 2022 at 1:40 PM
    #17
    spitdog

    spitdog Well-Known Member

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    There was 7 yrs ago when I made it.
     
  18. Oct 18, 2022 at 1:57 PM
    #18
    george3

    george3 Well-Known Member

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    Wow - that was fast. If you happen to have the link please post. I searched and found some others but not this one. Thanks.
     
  19. Oct 18, 2022 at 2:07 PM
    #19
    OffroadToy

    OffroadToy old, forgetful, and decomposing

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    Thinking about getting this for cleaning under the truck and to remove mud/dirt before hand washing exterior.
    [​IMG]
     
  20. Oct 18, 2022 at 2:16 PM
    #20
    george3

    george3 Well-Known Member

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