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

Yeah, the dents on mine were actually compressed inner channel, so reformed for function. Character remains!

 

Yeah, disconnected LBJs, swapped CVs, shocks and springs raising front end near 1/2" then was surprised to find alignment still within spec at a shop. Could check it yourself or run it by a shop that checks for free. Got

WIBENTL Digital Angle Finder-Electronic Level-Laser Level, 3-in-1 Digital Level/Protractor/Inclinometer/Angle Gauge,Rechargable Magnetic Level Box for Table&Miter Saw/Construction/Woodworking-WB01

this digital angle finder for $19.99 that seemed have a good level of accuracy when teste against control measures.

 

if I was to do it again I would make the all thread press with larger than bushing diameter sockets to press them out. Also I’d go to harbor freight and spend $40 on a cheap air hammer with a chisel bit to hammer the bushings out. Have a sharp knife to cut the flanged head off the bushings and then go from there. If I was going to do it again I’d go OEM rubber most likely. The press tool will help remove and install the new bushings flush.

 

Where'd you get it?

 

When you do, I'm interested in your old parts

 

Thanks. Have the air hammer! Guess need to read up more on rubber vs the ES poly bushings.

 

Yess Assdog you'll be first to know. Maybe sooner than you think. Haven't set a time line as of yet

 

Poly all day

 

That's what I thought. I think can only get the single OEM grommet 45517-34020 anymore anyways and the other bushings aren't sold separately from the rack?

 

Somewhere in the later portion of my build thread, i simply popped the speedo needle off of its post and pressed it back on exactly where i wanted it to be. I knew about the yellow box but chose to not go that route.

 

Your rack bushings too that long to remove?! Weird, because I had mine replaced in closer to *6 minutes.




*ok, not 6 minutes, but the removal and install process went fairly quickly and smoothly on my truck. I used Poly Perf's bushings.

 

I had a rough time removing the bushings. Idk maybe 18 years of staying put has them harder to remove but they were a pain in the ass. With my limited tools

 

What's wrong with your headlights?

 

Next you're over look

 

Or just say...

 

now we all want to know

 

New Rock Auto Code 267387303198834985

 

https://youtu.be/YywcR0E9bM4?si=C89LH7bZs5EjfoHT

This vid helped me out a ton. I knocked mine out in about an hour.

if yours are worn, which they probably are, you're gonna notice a huge difference. I used the suspension dudes PU rack bushings. I'm 90% positive I gained steering angle since the tie rods are now fully extending instead of the rack moving back and forth while turning. I still have a surprisingly good turning radius with 285/75/17's

don't forget to get some sort of silicone based grease. Otherwise the bushings are gonna squeak and wear out faster.

 

I didn’t use any grease and my poly bushings don’t squeak at all, I’ve read a few things that says not to grease them.

 

Well I'll probably keep mine. But only if I can restore the bolt holes. They're all either torn, or PO stripped them and put in a new hole with a self-tapping screw. I was starting to think this might be the perfect job for my new-ish tool...the pop-rivet rivnut gun I bought for my topper rear window project...Seems like a rivnut kind of project.

Might be inspired to paint my skid plate while I'm at it after seeing these photos.

 

Do you have those brackets I mentioned or did the PO break those too? I replaced the hardware on mine with a large SS washer and screw since I rarely take them off. Only the two bolt holes where it attaches to the skid get a lot of use during oil filter changes.

 

energy recommends greasing THEIR bushings.

https://www.energysuspensionparts.com/formula-5-prelube-bushing-lube.asp

 

I guess that's what I meant. I've never tried to take them off completely. It's where it bolts into the skid plate that mine is pretty janky.

I'll check at some point.

 

Lube them. I used poly ones on mine, and for some dumb reason I think I only lubed the outside of the big bushing that goes all the away around my steering rack. I sometimes get a squeak when I turn. I plan on taking it off and lubing the inside of it in a week or 2.

 

So can you leave them on while removing the skid for the oil changes or they have to come off too each time?

 

Or Silglyde works IIRC?

 

Only the two points that attach to the skid plate on each side. They basically hang from the bumper while I’m working there.

 

Yeah they're junk. They'll leak within 2 years probably, unless your truck is kept inside. Need to make your own seal with your favorite form of RTV, caulk or similar or just be OK with having to replace every once in a while.

 

Anyone know what size the castle nut for the outer tie rods are? I know it’s a 19mm but anyone know the thread and pitch? I had to use a nut splitter to get it off so it’s trashed.

 

many silicone based grease should work just fine. I used "super lube" and it's holding up great