2015 MGM Limited

Making friends

 

@S. Equoia

There's a trail run at Minden on Aug 21, set up by the tec guys, should come!
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tec-minden-newbie-run-august-21-2021.731531/

 

Thanks for the invite, I’m a bit busy with a basement reno that is in the home stretch and I can’t commit but thanks again for thinking of me. We did coates/bondary after all the rain, it was fun but thinking we need a lift and bigger tires before we head back out on the trails.

 

I wonder if Tundra FOX fronts work on Sequoia, I'm selling them as soon as my dsc's come in.

There's also a half decent small stretch by mosport, if you go take Darlington-Clarke Townline from Concession 10, its like maybe 2km of small trail and a nice overlook down to the lake, if you go north of 20 on Darlington-Clarke, you can hop onto Sandyhook, which is like extension of Boundary.

 

Yeah pretty sure they do. I’ve got my heart set on the dobinsons IMS kit. This is out only vehicle so it will likely be a bit until I can start modding it more. I’ll check out the extra bit of boundry road, thanks for the heads up!

 

Installed a USB charger in place of one of the accessory outlets. Easy swap and looks great, nice to have fast charge in the truck for sure. Will likely do a few more if this one holds up to everyday use.

 

Was it pretty easy to pull that panel out?

 

Super easy, no tools. I just removed the cup holders, which is very easy and pulled up the portion underneath and the little piece with the lighter and outlet just pulled straight out. The wires were held in place with a clip kind of deep in there, which if you remove it will give you a bit of slack to work on it.

I didn't follow this video when I did it but it's pretty much the same process. Just wiggle and jiggle and I doubt you need a pry bar. Good time to clean in there too as you can see from my pic it a dust/dog hair magnet inside there.

Super happy with the outcome, the hardest part was deciding on which product to go with as there was a slightly more expensive model but it looked identical to the one I went with.

 

Almost had a bad day yesterday changing the oil...

Dropped the skid plate, drained the old oil, replaced the washer and tightened drain plug to spec. Went to loosen the filter hosing and it was not budging. I did the last change and obviously overtightened it or maybe didn't put enough new oil on the rubber o-ring but I was getting worried. I didn't have a 27mm socket on me at the time and was trying with the 3/8" adaptor with my breaker bar but it was rounding over the the housing removal tool. Of course the oil had drained but I still had my bike! Off I went to my workplace to retrieve a 27mm socket. By this time it was starting to get dark, perfect! Wife was starting to ask what was going on, you know how it is. Thankfully she understands

Stuffed some paper between the housing removal tool and the housing as well as between the socket and the removal tool to reduce any play between the tools and housing. I was going to try a bit harder with the 3/8" adaptor but I felt it was about to split in two.

SUCCESS! After a gentle tug, it let go. Big sigh of relief... Pretty sure I didn't hear the torque wrench click last time I tightened it, could barely hear the click this time but it definitely clicked. No cracked housing but I may upgrade to the metal housing for the next oil change. WHEW!

Doing the transmission tonight... maybe.

 

Damn, lucky you! I know exactly about the whole wife thing! Small project takes 3x as long……what the hell are you doing out here?!?
I did the metal housing shortly after I got my truck…….very nice upgrade! I think torque for oil housing is like 18lbs.
Did my tranny a couple times, real easy just need a good length of hose to go down to the side of tranny. I use one of these too drain into and to get an accurate amount back in.

 

Yes, that's the plan. Hopefully it's currently at the right amount because as much as I'd like to, I'm not doing a flush and level check like I've seen some do.

I purchased the easyfill Amsoil pouches so I shouldn't need the hose and pump. I'll still have to measure and put the fluid back into the easyfill pouch but should be good to go. I've got enough for two drain and fills. I will check the 2nd drain to see if a 3rd is required.

 

SHIT...

Drivers side valve cover leaking near the back of the engine! Felt like it's been running a bit rough the last few days. Merry Christmas to me

 

Probably just a bad gasket.

 

Yeah my guess as well. Put a socket on it to see if maybe the bolt was a bit loose but it felt snug enough for me to not want to try any harder.

Looking at some videos and reading some posts, it doesn’t seem like a hard/expensive job but the timing is just really bad.

I don’t think I want to tackle it myself although I think I could do it but now do it take it in to Toyota or just my local autoshop?

Will Toyota recommend changing both valve cover gaskets? I know the spark plug seals will be recommended and I agree bit is there any need to do both valve covers I wonder?

any ball parks on cost of repair up here in Ontario?!?

Thanks in advance,

 

It doesn’t seem hard, just time consuming, a lot of stuff to remove just to get to them and keeping track of shit. Cleaning all the surfaces real good.
I'd probably do both just for peace of mind plus you're halfway there getting the one done.

 

Yeah, I don’t think I’m going to tackle this one myself. If we had another vehicle I would likely give it a shot but I for sure would run into problems knowing my luck!

I think I’m going to see if the Toyota dealer we purchased it from will have some form on mercy on us.

 

Yep, that's why I am glad I have a beater Scion and a motorcycle......lets me do small projects on my own time while it sits in the garage while I go about my days. Although the wife doesn't care for her car to be on he street when I do!

 

Congrats, Schweet looking Rig... Digging the new grill. Well done

 

Thanks! Love this thing, wish I could keep modding!

 

It was recommended by Toyota that I leave it. They pressured washed the engine bay and said it's barely leaking, which I knew. He said I'm more than welcome to replace the gasket but it's not worth it... Not sure if they looked at the plugs to see if they had any oil in them but I felt it running a little rough. I'll take a look myself.

I might just wait until summer but I hate leaving things, always bites me in the ass.

 

Nice build so far! How was the wiring done to connect to the oem wiring back there?

 

Thanks! To be honest, the connections on the USB charger fit with enough friction I just stabbed it in. I figured in case I want to go back to the old accessory that was original I can easily change it back. Plus its so easy to pull those panels out, its no bother to get back at it.

It’s still working perfectly and I swapped out the one on the back of the centre console. Happy with how they turned out.

This truck is so much fun in the snow, in 4HI with all tractions aids turned off.

 

Oh i didn't even look at the back, i figured it would just have wires coming out that would need to be soldered/tapping into. Just ordered one for myself. Thanks for sharing!

 

Yeah the original wires clip together, I just unclipped with a small flathead and stuffed the new wires in place. I had to bend over the new connectors so they were small enough to fit in but it was easy.

 

Took off the runners. Really like the look, still snowing…

 

Taking off the runners makes a huge difference. I had ours off for a month or so while I waiting for the TRD Pro runners to come in. I think the black runners or rock sliders complete the aesthetic and add a little convenience.

 

Yeah, some weld on tandem sliders would be nice.

 

Finally got around to changing the transmission fluid. Did 4 drain/replace with amsoil ATF. Definitely needed it.

1st:



2nd:


3rd:


4th:

 

Very cool and yes much needed. Howmany miles on it? Does it feel smoother/better shifting??

 

It's at 130,000km, definitely feels better shifting. From 1st to 2nd and shifting into reverse especially but overall better. Also did the Amsoil engine flush with the last oil change.

Also valve cover has not leaked since, so no idea what happened there but have been keeping a close eye on it.

Next is new spark plugs.