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

Has anyone tried replacing there stock leaf spring bushings? I am attempting it but it is kicking my ass any suggestions on how to remove bushings that have been in for about 14 years?

 

Burn them out

 

X2 torch it

 

Alright i'll try that, thanks

 

Got a job so now have money for mods

 

that or you could use a hammer and a socket to beat them out after you heat up the leaf spring to expand the metal so they come out easy

 

Are you talking about the main eye bolt (front) or the shackles? Did you already get the bolt (or shackle pin assembly for rear) out?

 

To get the leaf pack out i removed the rear shackle bushing but now i can not get the shackle removed from the leaf pack, i have tried beating and prying.... I hear from a friend thats a mechanic to take a air hammer to it? So i will try to find access to one tomorrow

 

I did mine last summer and destroyed the bushing trying to get the shackle out. We drilled out the bushing to get the leafs off the shackle and my uncle used a press to get the the bolt out. We then upgraded to grade 8 bolts for the new leafs.

 

Oh I forgot to post this in here. I'm refinishing the used Hidden Hitch I bought. This is after grinding off some small rusty bits where the powdercoat had been chipped off, then I keyed all the powdercoat and put on 2 coats of Duplicolor filler primer. I'll do the gloss black this weekend after the storm passes.

I also called Hidden Hitch today to ask for replacement stickers. They are on their way.

 

losing my mind...

 

Get a torch & burn'em out... seriously, it works well

 

X2 or a press

 

I have one but can't play it at all. Can't circular breathe either.

 

I can

 

Circular breathe or drone?

 

circular breathe.

 

If it's supposed to be hidden doesn't painting it orange kind of defeat the purpose...?

 

Thats the primer coat