TruKnight's Autobot Build

update: tried the 'nail in tire' mod. not a fan, had to get it fixed, apparently ran over one somewhere.

got a lot of use out of that bedside electrical plug to power my air pump tho!

thinking about getting a new set of ko2's tho, since my og ko1's are coming up on 8 years old now. they still seem like they are in good shape, but not sure if I should run them out for another few years since my daily commute is tiny and I dont offroad.

 

Wow, just went through the whole thread and great job! Did you by chance make a parts list you could post to do the front end conversion swap? Been looking to do this to my early 2nd gen as well and was wondering what all exact parts I might need.

 

tanks!

I did but I lost it. however this thread is even better than what I had: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-12-15-tacoma-front-end-swap-with-pictures.632719/

good luck!

 

Awesome, the video at the end of that thread really helps! Do you remember if there were any different parts needed for the bumper itself? The op in the other thread has a aftermarket bumper so wasn't sure.

 

oh, yes you need quite a lot for the bumper assembly. try this thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2012-tacoma-front-end-conversion-rg11.293318/

and if you search around there a I think a couple of other threads with such info but I dont have them handy.

 

Nice, thanks for the helpful info!

 

New owner of another Arkansas access cab here. I’ve enjoyed reading about your project.

 

welcome to tw! hardly any of us arkansans on here tho, at least around my neck of the woods, there are lots up north. glad you enjoyed my humble page!

 

happy new year tw!

I guess this makes my truck officially a decade old now, I could have sworn it was just yesterday that I brought it home for the first time!

maybe someday ill bring a 4th or 5th gen home

 

update: replaced battery clamp with a hold down made by forum member Coupe. kind of had to since the original one lost a J screw and left my battery dangling around with just the leads to hold it in! it never fit right with the newer, larger battery anyway so good riddance. this new one is a nice upgrade, very pleased.

 

did some basic maintenance today. its only notable because this is the first time ive changed my own oil and not just had a shop do it because I didn't really want to sit in a potentially virus infested waiting room if I could avoid it. watched a few youtube tutorials, was pretty easy, will prolly do it myself from now on.

also, after digging yet another mouse nest out of the side of the rain gutter, ive given up trying to keep them out of my truck and have instead resorted to placing one of those walk the plank traps on the side of a bucket filled with water and baited with peanut butter closeby. already nabbed and drowned one of em!

 

log entry: replaced battery today. it wasn't dead, but I felt somehow that it was time to go ahead and do so.

 

log entry: changed oil 8-9-21

 

log entry 3-11-22

was time to change out the now 10 year old tires ive had since I did the lift back in 2012. my old KO1's did good so got some new KO2's for the decade ahead.



regrettably I think I have to visit the stealership to have the spark plugs and some other fluids changed after it warms up some more. I haven't taken it back there since I picked it up in 2010, but after looking at some tutorials I dont think this is a maintenance item I can manage myself and not screw it up. the only thing that bothers me is how much will they rip me off for and will I be accosted by a salesman while I wait entirely too long in the waiting room...

 

fluids like trans and diff I can see having a service center handle - just messy. As for the plugs, I’ve done it a few times and it’s a pretty painless process. I’d have a hard time paying for that.

 

yes those and coolant flush and steering fluid, and I dont want to store/dispose of those fluids myself. if it were just the plugs I might try it, but id rather just squish it all in one trip. I at least change my own oil if that makes it better.

 

woke up to 5 engine codes today, same ones in this thread I found:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cel-p043e-p043f-p2401-p2402-and-p2419.187824/

ive not had time to read about it fully yet tho. in the meantime im going to clear the codes and see if they return, and have a look under the truck over the weekend to asses. its time for my oil change anyway.

hopefully I wont have to take it into the dealership tho, this system seems redundant to normal driving unless im mistaken. may ignore it for a while.

edit: first code in 12 years tho, so im not upset, figured something would snap eventually. =)

 

Charcoal Canister & filter for the fuel system. Been there, done that.

 

im hoping it was just a fluke. ive cleared the code and its not come back for the drive home. ive never overfilled the gas tank like I read people doing tho, it was on 1/2 when this appeared. I wiped off around the gas cap in case some dirt was the issue. need to change my oil over the weekend, ill scoot under there inspect it closer now that I know it exists and where it is. hopefully its not a big rusty mess like ive seen pictures of tho.

edit: log entry, 8-28-22: oil changed, air filters changed.