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

I've been happy with 4.56 so far with DC auto and 33s, but the only extra weight I have right now is a camper shell. I cant complain too much though for the price I got the diffs for.
Maybe I'll sell my spare rear 4.56 R&P and pick up 4.88 for when I eventually get rid of the aussie locker in the front diff

 

As anyone who lives in a cold climate knows, when it's cold (single digits or lower) your steering is really stiff until the hydraulic fluid warms up. Well since I moved up to 33" tires it is more of a bother. Anyone have any suggestions on how to mitigate it. I use Valvoline Max Life ATF in it. Would something different work better in the cold?

 

I don’t think I’ve ever really noticed this problem…

let it idle for a second

 

Try switching to a Toyota brand ATF or just flushing out the fluid for newer cleaner fluid.

 

I always thought the opposite. Trans to radiator to cooler back to trans. Figuring the fluid will only be as cool as the radiator fluid is which is normally 200 degrees.

 

The fluid is only two years old, maybe three.

 

Try a different ATF and see if it still happens.

 

In the past I only noticed it when it was really cold, like -30 but this year it was pretty noticeable at -10. I drove home from work, six miles, and it was still pretty stiff when I got home.

 

I was hoping someone would have a good recommendation of one to try, rather than just blindly throwing different brands at it. I guess it's possible it got some water or something in it, even though it's not that old.

 

Toyota brand would be the one I'd try. Sounds like it's isolated and a rare problem cause it's not a common topic.

 

I've had good luck with the same stuff you're using. The valvoline max life ATF. Worked fine when I was in Montana, but was also on 31's and no armor so not as much of a load on the system.
Although tbh I wouldn't expect the power steering of any 20 year old truck with oversized tires to feel normal on a cold start at -30 temps....

 

When's the last time you cleaned the screen in your reservoir?

I bet it's cavitating.

 

Really depends on what climate you're in.

The "cooler" on the bottom of the radiator is actually more of a warmer than a cooler. It gets ATF up to operating temp in cold weather, faster.

 

Clean the screen in the reservoir out. I used to have this problem until I cleaned it. When it would get around 0 I'd have no power steering. Cleaned it and it's been fine since.

 

I cleaned the screen when I flushed the system and rebuilt my power steering pump two or three years ago. I guess it wouldn't hurt to do it again.

 

Pull the cap next time you start it and see it it's nice clear fluid or full of foam.

 

This is the place I took it to. Only cost me 400 bucks

 

resealed hi roof topper

 

Yessir! First good excursion.

 

I've trashed two power steering pumps this year on a 100 series over a reservoir cap that wouldn't properly seal. The system sucked dust and mud into the reservoir and into the system. People who stay on pavement don't notice the problem. Check your cap for a good tight seal when you clean the screen.