What have you done to your 1st gen Tundra today?

I really appreciate everyone's responses and letting me know if I'm in pink milkshake territory or not. The ATF lines (The left ones in that photo) only had pure red ATF in them, but they connected to the radiator which was the confusing part to me. I thought the transmission had its own cooler on the front.

 

That looks really good I need to do that badly, what did you do for prep? Did you use matte or gloss clear?

 

It does, but the transmission fluid also goes through the bottom of the radiator.

 

Anyone got a beat on this grille assembly? Found it local and really diggin’ it! Ran the part number through the old google search, and didn’t come up with much. Likely gonna grab it this weekend.

 

That looks like a Darrell Waltrip Special Edition Grille

 

Appreciate it @speedtre

 

Falken Friday at the Wood. My boy’s tires came in via FedEx. Wanted to get a full 5 but the deal was only for a set of 4. We will likely get a 5th one within 5K miles to work into a 5 tire rotation. Still gotta run down an alloy split spoke wheel.

 

My apologies if I scared you, I misread the entire post. I thought you were changing your coolant and there was ATF in there.

I now see that you were changing the radiator and it makes total sense.

 

PM inbound

 

New speake day. One side is in. Immediate increase in clairity

 

Spent about 4.5 hours installing new steering rack bushings (including drive test time).

Steering seems softer/spongier than prior. Steering is straight and true. No need for alignment. Less road feel and more Cadillac big car drive feel. Truck turns well but just feels softer.

Old bushings were harder than the Energy Suspensions. Old bushings look to be Dorman per online studies with the split in the middle versus offset. Looks like the old bushings have been on a long time due to amount of corrosion.

Torqued everything properly. Greased everything with the Energy Suspension grease. Rack has about 1/16” play side to side when the wheel is being turned. Looks like these new bushings have play ‘built in’ to them.

I’ll live with these for a while and get used to them. Let the mojo settle in on them and then make a final decision. Its a definite change in the softer direction. Still a positive feel and the truck drives/tracks great, but its spongy and I feel less road.

 

Gloss clear. Lots of prep. Sanded everything with emery cloth. Wiped everything down with denatured alcohol. Used playing cards around the wheel rim as a protection to keep paint spray off rubber tire. I removed tires and sprayed them flat on the ground. Did all the pre-prep with the tires on the truck.

 

I bought some wire wheels and sand paper going to get the paint tomorrow and get going. Thanks for the inspiration buddy!

 

You’ll be very impressed. Duplicolor Silver Wheel Paint and Gloss Clear. They have other colors. Auto stores carry their products.

 

are they just plug and play?

 

I wired them to the factory connector on the bracket. They do bolt right into the bracket

 

Hmm... Its possible that your bushings didn’t need replacing. With mine, my bushings were so old and dried that you could almost move the rack around by hand if it was on jack stands. This led to that “early 90s GM steering” where I could turn the wheel 20-30 degrees before I would get the actual wheels to move.

If your rack wasn’t moving, I doubt you’d actually see any improvements.

 

That's exactly the opposite of what I experienced. Crazy.

Just from messing around with mine I can say that even 2-3" in length can be noticed if you are going the wrong direction. Maybe I didn't notice much difference if I was on the short side of optimal and I added a bit, but if I shortened it anymore I'd notice it right away. 27-33" sounds like about where I am if I recall. Mine might be a bit shorter. I completely forgot to check mine. I'll try and remember tomorrow.

 

You are correct. I ordered these thinking my originals were original and these would be an upgrade. After I got them I went under to inspect pre-install and I saw what looked like non-OEM bushings. No recollection of who put these in or when but they are obviously aged a few years, but not worn. I couldn’t break the bolts due to no impact wrench at the time so I shelved these. Fast forward to today and I can feel a difference once in hand between the two.

Been reading reviews and hearing complaints about Dorman being hard plastic, but seems thats what you want. These Energy Suspensions feel squishy in hand. The steering wheel turns and reacts at the same degrees of turning but just feels softer. I need drive it some more. Think maybe these were design for rock climber goons.

Time will tell and I’ll report back.

 

My new headunit came in today and I got it mounted up. I'm powering the backup camera using the switched accessory wire on the headunit so I can use the camera anytime using the headunit cam button. I'm also going to connect the reverse trigger so it'll auto switch when in reverse. I saw a video for a Sequioa where the owner found a reverse trigger wire taped up in the dash. No luck on my 2005 SR5 so I'll just run a trigger wire back to the reverse lights tomorrow when I run the camera video cable to the back. Any tips on routing the video cable? Are there any grommets in the floor or door sills I can use? I didn't get a chance to look for myself today as I waited for FedEx and got started on the temp install before I fell asleep.

 

Decided to touch up my bumper today with bedliner. Looks much better

 

Any one have any recommendations for replacement front headlights? I want to replace them but I cant really decide which to get. I also maybe wanted to try the corners smoked and the centers clear but I cant find any smoked corners by them self's.

I still have these clear corners that didn't fit very well but maybe I can make a bracket to get them to work.

$109 AKKON - For 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Toyota Tundra Regular | Access Cab Headlights w/Corner Lights LH + RH Pair

https://www.amazon.com/Toyota-Tundr...2282-209-&vehicleName=2003+Toyota+Tundra&th=1

$87 Brock Replacement Driver and Passenger Headlights Headlamps Compatible with 2000-2004 Tundra Regular Access Cab Pickup Truck 811500C010 811100C010

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008G35SZK/ref=psdc_318323011_t1_B016EBJR8Y

 

These new speakers blow the originals out of the water. And the bass is much better. They fit the factory bracket perfect too tweeters are in too. Made some spacers and used good 3m tape to put them in stock location. Original cover is still on

 

Breaking Benjamin. A classic.

 

Saw this from another member. Reverse

Also there is a switched 12v source in your trailer harness so no need to run back to stereo. .

There is a grommet under drivers seat that I used to run camera wire it if cab.

 

i've found it to be the best spot for the signal. its actually where the factory nav trucks get the signal (yes they get reverse signal, but had no backup camera)

 

Excellent thanks for the info guys. One more thing, I want to route the USB input and install it on the front of the console using one of those switch blanks. Does anyone have a link for a USB port that snaps in place of the switch blanks? Thanks.

 

I’m sure they exist, but I have yet to find one. The ones I’ve found are power only

 

I found one after I posted. Not sure of quality though. Does the little cubby just pop out with trim tools easy peasy or is it a remove the console affair?

MOTONG Male to Female USB Power Port Socket Adapter for Toyota VIGO(42 22mm)

$15 MOTONG Male to Female USB Power Port Socket Adapter for Toyota VIGO, Please Confirm The Dashboard Hole's Size Before Order(40 * 20mm)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07425JMN9/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_Rl7rEb61EKY0K