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

Unfortunately the bumper is gone from rear ending someone in the fall. Been saving since then to try to budget in time/money to make a tube or plate bumper

 

I Can’t wait!

 

Changed the transmission mount. It made such a difference driving it down the road and hitting small bumps that used to make the transmission and transfer case bounce an extra bounce or two. Next up, motor mounts. Not right now though!

 

The tundra guys do it. The master can technically keep up with it… but it’s spotty. A mm or 2 shaved off the ears makes the caliper fit. Pads aren’t a lot bigger, rotors larger diameter and the rotors 32mm thick vs 28.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/2000-2006-tundra-big-brake-upgrade-kit-14wa-calipers.61231/

1st gen non VSC tundras have identical brake systems to the later 1st gen tacos

 

Well, more like the last 3 days, Changed timing belt. Hoses, v belts, headlights (still wiring for spyder lights). Cut out place for hand to get into oil filter in skid plate. Painted plates, reinstalled. Next up cat back exhaust.

 

I’d like to see a pic of the skid plate cutout

 

Do you have pictures of the one you removed and was it noticeably worse/breaking apart? Did you have any like thuds or movement when changing gears (assuming it's manual). I typically get a sort of thud switching gears, especially into fifth gear, and I'm not sure if it is related to the mount or not, mine mostly appears fine and Timmys video on replacement made me think it wouldn't be worth the swap. I also have a vibration that I've thought could be from the transmission mount but I'm guessing it isn't that.

 

It's pretty easy to swap. Undo the bolts to the trans and crossmember. The get a jack to lift up on the rear of the tcase, might even be able to push up on it by hand.

 

Yeah its super easy. Just did mine.

 

Where'd you get them headlights?

 

Weekend project that ended up taking a bit longer than the weekend... But, it's done. Truck is back together. Bigger, better, and ready for redemption.

https://youtu.be/oqQSxjxlaUU

 

Here’s the old one. The cracks are like that all the way around. I could definitely feel a thump on bumps. Both the gear shift and the transfer case shifter would visibly bounce. I initially found out that it was bad by putting a 2’ pry bar in it and prying both up and down. I could see the cracks from that. I didn’t notice the separation around the metal plates until I took it off. It’s super easy to change. The torque specs on the bolts is so low that it doesn’t take much to get them broke loose. I also sprayed them down with PB Blaster. If you do it, save yourself a lot of time and headache and just order it through Toyota. I couldn’t find one shown anywhere but 1 place locally. They ordered it and it was not the right one. I found another that said it would work in Miami. I ordered it and it didn’t fit. I finally went to a local dealer and they looked it up from the VIN. Ordered it and it is a perfect match. I wasted over a week trying to get one that was cheaper than OEM.

 

Are compression test kits from autozone decent quality? What’s the consensus on those.

 

I’d buy one from Amazon for about the same as you’d “rent” from autozone. Then you’d always have it. But yeah I’d use the one at autozone if that’s what you need/want.

 

Went out to BC last night, woke up super early to get up Canoe Mountain. Top is 2665m (8743’ for folks south of the border) then drove back home after. This truck continues to amaze me.

last time I over heated the trans at only 1100m (starts off at 860m). With the tranny cooler, lightened taco without my rack and topper, no screaming wife in the backseat.. I made it up with my trans temp only goin up around 165 average. Peaked to 205 once. Absolutely incredible views up there.

 

Great pics, big fan of your truck.

 

Thanks!!

 

Spent 12 hours replacing all of my ball joints. Yikes what a process. Sure beats paying the shop the 1000.00 they quote me though

 

Geeez that's beautiful, the truck and the views.

 

I'm one of the GMRS cool kids now and it works!

I also attempted to do an alignment but the pax TRE was seized in the tie rod, had a brain fart and buttoned it up, then realized I could have adjusted the driver's side TRE and would have been able to bring the toe in like it needs.