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

Yea, if you use cbi brackets you have to cut some off and drill a new hole.
Rago brackets work fine from what I hear

 

It really depends on how bad your old ones were, if they weren't that bad then I don't think you'd feel much difference. My whole steering rack was moving side to side when I turned the wheel, so I definitely felt a difference after replacing them. I wouldn't call it a "whole new truck" though lol

 

I'm running 600lbs springs with tg low profile bumper but a regular cab 4 cylinder. I'd say you need at least 650lbs springs.

 

These will work. It's what I'm using.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fit-95-04-...Kits/264450834880?fits=Year:2002|Model:Tacoma

 

I have 600s on mine too and they feel stiff to me lol. V6 xtra cab with bumper/skid. I've only got them set to 1.5" lift max.

It's all subjective really, it got a lot better after I added the bumper last year. I couldn't imagine doing 650 unless I was running a winch and dual batteries maybe.

 

I’ll try throwing on the 600lb coils.

 

700#

 

I think your truck qualifies for heavier coils haha

 

I’m extended cab, plate bumper, winch, skids agm battery and I ran 700 for a few years. It was stiff as hell. I’m running 650s now and it feels much better.

 

I absolutely don't think mine are too stiff (for me and my setup). And I like how they handle turns better than the 650s I was running on the Donahoe Racing coilovers previously.

 

Maybe both our problem was the shock....not the spring haha I was running icons so the same as you. Now on ADS.

 

ADS is premium stuff

DR - Icon... not so much

 

Replacing some elk damaged fenders and door, as well as replacing a cheap aftermarket chrome bumper. Took a long time to find OEM driver side parts. White is a different shade but close enough for now. Having the dent in the cab popped as best I can tomorrow. Eventually will have it painted. Next up is a front bumper build...

 

Most the time it is the valving, not the spring.

 

I know you are pretty versed on ADS. Did you make any changes to your coil overs valving? I think they ride pretty dang good. The compression adjuster makes a pretty big difference as well, I keep them around 6-7 clicks.

 

I haven't yet. But need to. Depending on when you got yours they changed the "standard" valving as well so could be different than what mine are. But mine are too soft and need to be stiffened up for how I drive, especially the rebound. I only have a plate bumper on my truck though so It's not super heavy. But I bottom then out a lot and the rebound control is terrible. I'm due for a rebuild this spring and will likely stiffen it up all around. Now that I have access to a nice wall coil compressor I'll likely do a lot more tweaking.

I don't have clickers on mine, but sometimes wish I'd sprung for them.

 

Mine are about 2 months old. So likely the new valving. I don’t want to make any adjustments to mine until I get my rear shocks relocated and ADS to match. To get a better understanding on how it all feels. But currently I’m happy overall. Night and day better than the icons.

currently, I have some 9” bilstein 5125s and they feel strange, almost bouncy, compared to the Icon VS i had before. Hoping MCM will finish up his relocation kit soon. Otherwise I’m going to go with the TC kit and have to figure out a way around the 3/16” I’ve added with the frame support.

 

A little modification and I think it will fit, lol.

amazing craftsmanship @RelentlessFabrication

 

This weekend I was able to get outside and spend some quality time with old Trudy.

One of the more annoying items about the truck since I had bought it was the worn out seat belt. It had lost mostly all of its re-tractability tension so was most often found dangled across the floor. The clip that holds the buckle in place was also missing, so every time I got in and out of the truck I was fishing for the buckle to put it on, and also trying not to get the loose belt caught in the door as I closed it shut!

Well I figured I had had enough of this and decided to replace the entire seat belt with a brand spanking new OEM belt (PN 7322004130B0 for my 02 reg cab in charcoal). Turned out the job was pretty darn easy and well worth it for convenience and the added safety of a new belt of course.

First I removed the 4 screws holding the door scuff plate trim in place, then pulled it up and out of the way.


Then lifted the carpet slightly and removed this bolt holding the seat belt to the floor pan. Notice that darn buckle right at the floor as usual..


Simply pulled gently inwards on the side trim panel and seat belt cover to release the clips and remove the panel.


Popped out the center trim piece around the seat belt passing through the panel and pulled the old belt through.

Then removed the upper seat belt height adjustment trim cover by prying from the bottom up and out. Then removed the bolt for the height adjustment.


There were just two more bolts holding in the belt assembly, this one up top. Also unplugged the yellow harness.


Then another bolt below, here it is removed so you can see.


This step is not optional in my mind, I had to clean up this covered panel that had never been cleaned since the truck was new more than likely!


Also cleaned up the connector with some electrical contact.


The assembly is simply reverse the steps of course, but I found one tip that worked great for me: Remove the metal clips that hold in your side trim panel and mount them to the plastic tabs on the part first so they are in place as you push the trim piece back in as straight as feasible into the holes. Only two captured in the pic, but I think there were 4 total to grab.


I was certainly excited to see some more brand new OEM goodness in my 02 regular cab, especially since I have to use the darn belt every time I get in and out of the thing! Here it is all shiny and new..


It has all the tension of a brand new belt of course which is so much nicer to use, and can't forget to mention the buckle always going right where you need it when you grab the belt and strap it on!


Things just keep on getting better when your living in TacomaWorld..