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

@1997tacomav6

 

The first thing you need to do is to see if the bottom of your fluid jar has a "low fluid sensor" opening at the bottom. This was optional and not all first gen tacos will have this option. Mine did not. There is one small hole with a small rubber grommet on the bottom side of the tank where the fluid pump plugs into the jar, and all tanks will have this. So determine whether or not you need the tank with one hole or two holes. Then go to your local Toyota dealer and order the tank. The tank will cost between $100-$125 depending upon dealer and taxes.
Toyota part number is

$143 85315-04060 Windshield Washer Reservoir

85315-04060 for tanks with the two holes, and Toyota part number is

$134 85315-04050 Windshield Washer Reservoir

85315-04050 for tanks that just have the one small hole for the pump. It was pretty easy to change...release the little black clip holding the wiring harness to the black plastic cover by firmly pushing it upward, then remove the 4 bolts in the right wheel well that hold the tank in place, and then work the neck of the bottle and the two tabs on the neck through the hole in the engine bay that the neck of the tank comes up through, and out through the bottom of the truck. The black plastic cover for the bottle was also secured to the original tank with a couple of staples, so I carefully removed those staples so I could reuse the black fluid jar protector/cover once I had it removed from the truck. I cleaned the cover before reinstalling it, because well, that is just the kind of person I am. You will also reuse the cap and strainer from your current bottle. Takes 30 mins to 1 hour I'd say to do this project.

 

has it been painted recently? Looks great.

 

I started mine up. Wanted to bring it up to temp and put some juice on the battery.

 

Thank you! Nope still has the original paint

 

Having the time of my life fixing the previous owners "upgrades" to the truck. It's new to me, 1996 standard cab with the 5VZFE V6, was a rare combo I wanted but I foolishly didnt notice the alarm system(?) installed poorly under the steering column with around 100 butt connectors and poor splicing everywhere... Also had some sound system installed that I removed 95% of but accidentally pulled too hard on the wiring for the right side speaker and have to reconnect it. Fun...

 

Today I did a few things.
I finished the breather mod for the front diff that was puking on Saturday. Extended the line, put on a new breather and an in-line Edelbrock filter (guts removed).
Then I hit a pick and pull on Saturday.
Installed 4Runner headrests I got for $10 each- they are MINT. Close match. I tried to use the Tacoma headrest covers but the 4Runner headrests are taller and it didn’t work. But they’re close enough and no more banging my head on the metal bar.
At the same place I found a black shifter knob from a RAV4 and a black 4x4 knob from a 4Runner. The RAV4 shifter knob is busier than a Tacoma one. It’s a little taller and a little wider and it goes down further on the shaft to the point it makes contact with the boot.

lastly I found a used holster at a local gun shop- $20, heavy double leather with a spring clip on the back. I flipped the spring clip and drilled new holes- the clip is held onto the holster with screws. There are magnets between the layers of leather- my Sig P365 fits snugly in there and the magnets hold it even better. I put the clip up under the console surround. I can move it back and forth on there depending on where I sit. But with the pistol in it, there’s no movement while driving. No more pistol digging in while driving- and I called my town police regarding legality. So long as it’s “in my direct control” defined as being able to reach it. So I’m good to go.

 

I too am on the look out for some 4Runner headrests. Love how they can move forward compared to ours

 

The pick and pull I hit had four 4runners. I went there to get a part and called the guy from the yard. When he said $10 each for the headrests I almost fell over!

 

Any chance you got a look at a complete set of front seats from one of those 3rd gen runners there? I’m looking for a grey cloth set. The ones I’ve found local aren’t in the best condition.
I’m in CT so not too much of a haul from MA

 

This is where the acronym DPO comes from - Dipshit Previous Owner

This *might* help, although there are probably some differences since its an 01.

 

Yeah I'll have to find a 1996 specific one it looks like. The extra pain that I get for figuring this all out is even though it came with a 5VZ from the factory, they had EGR equipped 5VZ's unfortunately and this particular Tacoma has a non-EGR 5vz swapped in from a 4Runner so the wiring is *slightly* different, but I'm still figuring out just how... Luckily the alarm seems to be all body control module territory. Doesn't help that I am extremely inexperienced when it comes to wiring of any sorts.

 

The seats I saw (I was also on the lookout) were spent. A few leather ones that were all crackling. The one that I got the headrests from was a cat hotel- stunk bad and the drivers seat was gone. But all of the headrests were present!?!? And mine had ZERO smell. The truck was full of litter like they were coming from Petco when they crashed.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/your-unique-mod-on-the-1st-gens.118241/page-93

 

I had my timing belt and water pump replaced. I got the kit from aircabinman on eBay. My mechanic was super impressed with the quality of the kit. If anyone is in the Ventura Ca area, off-road Werkz is a great place to have work done. They do anything from regular maintenance to custom fabrication. Best prices too. Other places quoted me $868 to install the kit and wouldn’t guarantee their work since they didn’t buy the parts. Off road werkz did it for $565 and guaranteed it for a year. And did it in half a day. Tomorrow I get tires.

 

Looking good.

As someone with the same bumper and winch solenoid, I'd recommend rotating it down ~60 degrees, so it's oriented "up" instead of "forward." Couple reasons:

1. Getting it "behind" the leading edge of the bumper is good if you hit something.
   • Like a deer. Right now, the solenoid will take full impact of a center-of-bumper hit, and you'll need a new solenoid.
   • Or a vehicle.
   • Or a ledge, tree, etc. on the trail. Or a wall in a parking gargage. You probably won't wreck in in that case, but no need to have it hanging out there.
2. From a water perspective, it just seems better to me. As it is now, water will blow in horizontally, and can then make its way into the connector (which is also horizontal). When rotated so the connector is up, you won't get blown-in water, and the orientation will mean that water has to go up to get into the connector.

Set back on the bumper a bit:

​

After a deer impact; Hella's destroyed, solenoid, not:

​

 

Still trying to figure out my driveshaft vibes.

Anyone know if a carrier bearing can spin off center and still work?

When I pull the driveshaft off and spin the carrier bearing it wobbles a decent amount. Is that a sign that it's done for? I replaced it last year, so I wasn't thinking I'd have to get a new one yet. Also the rubber in it feels and looks totally fine otherwise.

Although I did have to replace a bad ujoint so maybe that caused it to wear prematurely.

 

Probably correct. I’d replace it.