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

Good to know since I’m running them on my truck.

 

You don't run dual electrode spark plugs? It says to use them on the sticker in the picture under the nose of your SC. (Actually says to use them on driver side... I use them in both sides, I think a lot of people do)

I wouldn't go by whether there is a puddle under your truck to tell how much oil you're leaking. Have you checked your skid plates? A lot of oil can drip on to your skids and you'd never know it looking for oil on the ground.

 

+1 on SPC. I'm collecting parts to do my 4x conversion. I got a new set of spindles and decided I wanted to just get new races for the UBJs to install on the new spindles. They were great to deal with. Very polite, knowledgeable and helpful.

 

What part of Utah?

 

Agreed! This is the second time I’ve called and they’ve been helpful both times. I’ve been following your build thread, hope it all goes well! I just finished my conversion. If you decided to replace the bushings in your UCAs during the conversion like I did, I found a much easier way than what LR outlines.

 

Fuck ya picking up his old flatbed soon @wheeleveryweekend

 

Right on

I'm hoping not to have to do anything to my UCAs. They haven't been on the truck very long.

The 4x convert should be happening pretty soon. The garage looks like Santa vomited in it right now cause all the Xmas totes are pulled out of the attic. The plan is to organize the garage this weekend, then do the valve cover gaskets next weekend, then do 4x swap mid/late January.

Still need to buy the front locker (probably Spartan) and twin sticks, but other than that, I have the vast majority of the parts collected.

 

Mine had been on a while. So UBJ and bushings were due while I had everything apart. With a front locker and twin sticks you’re going beyond me..I’m just happy with 4wd hahaha I did mine in two stages. I did everything under the front end back in March, and the transmission/transfer case a little over two weeks ago. The task of removing and installing the transmission seemed daunting, but it actually wasn’t bad. Especially with videos from @Timmah! A harbor freight transmission jack is worth it’s weight gold!

 

I'm totally doing the 2 stage plan. I still have to re-boot my CVs, press the wheel bearings in the spindles, replace seals in the front diff etc. I'll be working on those things in the evenings after work leading up (another reason I need to unbury my garage).

But I'll be doing the diff etc first and then doing the trans and Tcase... Probably over 2 weekends. Trying to limit down time, the truck is my daily driver.

 

Down in Draper. I’ve got family up in Logan!

 

I’m just up there for school, originally for Vernal

 

Small world!

 

There’s a few Utahns running around, not tooo many in the 1st gen section, at least that claim to be.

 

Denso IK22’s which have one electrode have long been the recommended plugs to run with the SC. They are two steps colder than stock plugs which help prevent pinging/knock.

I never go by a puddle on the ground to determine how much oil I’m leaking/consuming. I check the dipstick periodically. I see my skid every time I change the oil since I remove it, and it’s always clean.

 

Smelled burning oil today popped the hood to see smoke off the driver side exhaust. Thought my valve covers were shot but it turns out all my Vc bolts were lose I tightened them all two turns no in/lb torque wrench. It quit leaking but should I take one bolt out at a time and put loctite on them.

 

Learning to do your own alignment is super easy with the SPC. Once you know what your doing you can align your truck yourself in less than 30 minutes.

 

Good to know SPC is great to work with. I didn’t know until I started researching their UCAs that their facility is only about 15 minutes from me. Guess if I have issues I can just drop by!

I’d love to learn how to do this one day. One of the big reasons I’m stoked for the SPC arms is that Brian told me that I can get better numbers AND get the tire away from the firewall a bit more. I’m hoping that proves to be true.

 

Truck is back and the 4.88s feel great!

 

Did they actually back out? Doesn't sound like you changed the gaskets recently so why would they suddenly be loose? You could use locktite but only use blue if anything. I would suspect the gaskets if you haven't done them before and tighten the bolts properly with new bolt grommet things.

 

Got her registered