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

Did the solo drive from LA to Vegas, and back. Solid 80mph the whole time. I was looking at the scangauge the whole time watching temps, she did great. I was scared to do the drive, but then I remembered I’ve done every piece of maintenance possible.

 

Got sumo springs on, glued my mudflaps where they were peeling away and got them back on the truck. Power steering flush. Made a mess so I spent more time on cleanup than flushing.

When I had the steering knuckles off last weekend I didn't realize how big the axle nut cotter pins are, so I put what I had in there, which were way undersized. Opened things up again today and put in bigger cotter pins.

Low-tech, box-checking weekend.

Not sure how the Sumos sit for other people who have them, and whether or not you're lifted makes a difference, but on my truck they just make contact, with a tiny tiny bit of compression, with the frame. My leaf springs still have a little arc in them but not sure if that means they're a bit worn or if that's how Sumos sit on a stock suspension.

 

Leafs are probably pretty worn. That overload end is sitting real close to the rest of the leaf pack

 

You re-used your U-bolts? You maniac!

 

I did too on a few occasions haha

 

Messed with my brakes some, and installed a rear backup camera (from Master Tailgaters).

 

Looks good. I like when you can still see the bumper for a frame of reference.

 

I'll do it if they're not too stretched looking, at least once or twice, but if they looked like that, I wouldn't.

 

I remember seeing someone post about it being recommended to change them, but in the FSM diagram they don't show them as a non-reusable part, so I reused them. I suppose I should look into it more. I don't remember them being cheap...but of course that's not the primary concern.

 

Brake controller works! No faults or codes. My asshole was puckered something fierce when scotch locking the brake light wire, but calmer heads prevailed. All is well on the 7 way, as well. Finally got to test the trailer lights (needed a new battery) and she's good to go!

Now I just need to decide if I'm going to replace that TRE before the trip, or after.

 

OEM u-bolts should be hardened, so you're likely fine if they're in great shape. Aftermarket bolts, you need to check. Not all (not many?) are actually hardened steel, and will stretch. Opinions vary; if it's aftermarket, I typically won't re-use more than 1x-2x before I toss them.

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Scotchloks are the fucking devil, especially for exterior wiring. Use Positaps for christsake!

 

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In that case I was fine on the off-roader with OEM u-bolts and AAL, pre Alcans (I already knew that, didn't die), but I probably need to buy some new u-bolts for the street queen. She's been taken apart and reconstructed twice since these u-bolts were included in the SOS kit. I actually plan to take it apart once more so I can swap out the ill fitting lift block (being used as a lowering block) for a proper lowering block made by SOS to fit the kit right. I guess that would be the opportunity to swap the u-bolts for new and be done with it.

Then it'll be time to install the lift block on the off-roader and I'll be re-using the Alcan u-bolts, assuming they have the threads to make it fit.

The street queen just barely has enough threads on its current set up.

 

I may ultimately swap out with hardened bolts, I highly doubt the ones in the Icon AAL kit were.

But I'm waiting to hear back on these damn '97 Hilux bumpstops b/c I'd love to, in one fell swoop, update the bumpstops, swap out my driver's ATS HD leaf, and throw on fresh bolts.

 

@panhandlemonium we torqued bmf's u-bolts for days. Never hit torque & was surprised when his shock mounts failed.

 

Yeah I'm afraid for those u-bolts. Pretty sure they were a different material from OEM and pretty sure we were trying to reach OEM torque specs. Probably need to be replaced and properly torqued haha

But wft do I know? I just use the impact!
I don't think I've ever used my torque wrench.

 

Counting ugga duggas is a reliable means of torque measurement. Don’t knock it.

 

Yeah those look like a way better option!

 

I was worried about the clamshell connectors on my Tacoma too. They came with the kit. But it was only for the interior brake pedal wire. Not much weather down there. I agree they're not a good option, but often they hold up. My camper is a 1992, made in British Columbia, and all the interior splices, from the factory, are clamshell. Everything still works. Any time I do a project on the camper you can bet I use a better wire connection, but I'm also not out to go fix everything that ain't broke.

I mention BC because I posted a photo of the Tacoma controller install on a Tacoma forum and a guy from Canada was giving me crap about the clamshell, saying it wouldn't hold up two winters in Canada weather. I pointed out my Canadian trailer uses them and has been holding up fine for a few decades...

 

I can't disagree with anything that's been posted. Just want to post this for reference. I'll admit that my bolts could be replaced. They threaded fine and mostly torqued without issue, but could have at least used a thread cleaning. But I was full speed ahead with the job and they were good enough, and I didn't have new ones on hand for the job after checking this diagram.

 

Can you post a pic of the sos lowered truck? Which drop did you order?

 

I’ve been singing the gospel of “fuck scotchloks and t-taps” on here for years now, where were you on that one, bud?!

 

I started with the 2/3.5 inch kit. But my leaf springs were so saggy it was more like a 2/4.
I modified it a bit, by changing my worn out OEM 2wd leaf springs for lower mile OEM 4wd leaf springs with Wheelers Off-road progressive add-a-leafs, used Bilstein 5100's instead of the recommended 4600's, and threw in a lift block as a lowering block (to offset the lift from the 4wd leaf springs).

So after all that, I'm sitting at about 2/3.5 inches still. Sits almost level. Maybe 3/8" of rake.

 

Upside down, stuck under the brake pedal with a scotchlok, that's where lol. I didn't want to use either of those options, but that's what I had to work with.

Those posi taps look nice, though, gonna need to buy some. thanks!

 

Looks good. How close is your frame and rear axle?

 

Dope AF

 

Thanks. Still have plenty of room down there. The rear is nice and stiff now, so even with my 325lb ass standing on the rear bumper, IIRC @Mr.bee said I still had like 3" of clearance.

Edit: 4-5" without weight

 

3 @ max drop, so 4-5 now? The aal's were a great call.

 

Sometimes you have good ideas

 

I've never had a bad idea.

 

My mistake