What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

couple of questions for people:

anyone have experience doing the timing belt/water pump maintenance and replacing the rack and pinion? both need doing, the timing belt is just coming up on it's interval and the rack and pinion has a decent leak and needs new bushings anyways. Both of these are a bit out of what i think i could do right now, but then again so was my suspension work when I bought the truck but I jumped in and didn't have any issues. Just wondering how involved it is and whether it's worth having a shop take care of or whether I ought to be able to do it myself.

Also, does anyone have recommendations on where to go for a new E-brake cable? I've looked at Rockauto and Orielly's but neither seem to have OEM ASIN parts so im kind of stuck between either the Orielly's "BrakeBest" or an ACDelco from Rockauto. Also, I keep seeing things for front, rear, right, left, etc. which one do I need? feel kinda stupid asking but not as stupid as I would buying the wrong part.

 

https://builtnko.com/collections/1st-gen-tacoma-1997-2004


@Empty_Lord

@. other people that wanted a new grille

 

Yeah

 

I tried 3 different e brake cables From oriellys and never go the right one. Ended up going OEM if I remember right.

For the cable starting at the arm thing under the drivers door back to the axle

 

Picked up a little sumptin, sumptin for my prerunner.

 

The timing belt is time consuming, but not something you couldn't do with a bit wrenching skill. Check out Timmy the tool man's videos.

 

@Matic

Nice looking DC. I like how you have the winch mounted higher than you normally see.

 

Appreciate it.

I didnt notice that it was any higher. I have seen a few people cut into the grill to get one to fit. I guess its just the design of the all pro bumper.

 

I already ordered one last night.... yea I’m bad

 

I’ve been looking for a clean stock air box. Mine has a few cracks in it

 

Gah. I’ll be ordering one on pay day.

 

Timing belt is pretty straight forward. Steering rack is also pretty easy. Just make sure with the steering rack that you lock the steering wheel in place so it can’t turn and mess up your clock spring. Just run the seatbelt through the steering wheel to keep it straight. Lining up the splines isn’t a huge deal. It will just take a little guess work and trial and error to get the splines oriented back to center.

 

I always tell people who aren't sure if they can do it, it's just nuts, bolts, and parts. If you can take it apart you can put it back together. Only difference between disassembly and assembly is cleaning surfaces for gaskets.

 

Exactly what my pops said when he tore into his escalades engine. Rebuilt it himself...and he's not a mechanic. He's a welder

 

I have been running this one for four years $82.99

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Air-Intake...60650?fits=Year:2000|Model:Tacoma|Make:Toyota

 

They are several around that price on ebay and Amazon, I have them in two of my trucks, they are easy to find, just search for Toyota Tacoma air intake box

 

Installed a camper, does that count?

 

So did I. They're so hard to find used in my color. Found one for a steal on Craigslist. Looks good, bud.

 

Thanks and love that color! My camper was a diy project from this site and really happy with how it turned out.

 

I bought my truck with a repaired air box that will need to be replaced at some point. I'm considering replacing it with a cold air intake but I've read mixed reviews on whether it's worth the cost.

Does anyone have any insight or advice on CAI vs. OEM? Thanks!