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

My ‘03 AC got some freshies this week…started with a power stop brake caliper/rotor upgrade plus some new hoses. Huge difference in braking power, and got rid of warped-caliper wobbles.

swapped fog light bulbs to LED, color match the headlights now and hopefully will help light up the dark rural roads I drive. Serious thinking about some ditch lights.

Swapped into some new shoes yesterday…BFG KO3’s and they’re lovely, ride is smoother than the aging falken’s I was running from PO.
Also figured out my spare is still original, manufactured in ‘02, and flat as can be. Unfortunately the tire shop couldn’t lower it due to seized cable, I soaked the unit from every angle with PB…gonna give it another day or two and try to get the spare tire down so I can replace it.

Anyone dealt with a seized spare before have any tips for me?

 

If it truly is seized, you’ll be replacing it anyway as I did a few years ago. Just start cutting the spring away with an angle grinder being careful as the tire will eventually drop. Then going from up top you can remove the unit from the crossmember and install a new one. I have a Dorman unit on mine now.

Also… we like pics! Pics or it didn’t happen

 

Haha ok ok.
Here’s the only pic I took during brake job, I should have done some before/after pics, those old calipers were nasty looking, and the rotor had the most substantial lip on the edge I’ve ever seen. I did have to trim the dust shield a tad to fit the caliper, maybe 3/4” wedge on both sides (you can see one of the clipped pieces on the ground next to the drips of brake fluid).
I know, things are a bit rusty in the background…spring weather is here and I’m going to start spending afternoons with a 6 pack and cleaning things up under there a little at a time.

 

I made some progress on my bed swap. Engine hoist makes it so easy. Halfway there. Gonna clean up the frame while the bed is off and probably treat it. And clean the back of the cab.

I swear the previous owner must have parked his truck at the bottom of a quarry or a riverbed. The amount of rocks and dirt I’ve cleaned out of the frame is insane!

I’m gonna see if I can get the house in my garage and do the new bed with that cuz it’ll be much easier than with the 4 ratchet straps.
Pics so far.

 

That'll clean up just fine for an 06 and doesn't appear to need too much treatment.

 

That’s a hot tip. I just went out and cut it all out, I’m leaving Wednesday on a road trip so my spare might have to live in the bed unless I can source a new hoist locally…the hunt it on.

Surprisingly enough the cross member isn’t rusty much, I’ll clean it up a little bit and hit it with some paint tomorrow.

 

I think I’ve got a spare if you want it

 

My brother's loan of his 02 AC came with the condition that it be available for seasonal and as-needed hauling jobs. Today, we used it to haul 2 loads of compost for his garden. Lined the bed with a tarp to minimize cleanup afterwards. The truck definitely rides better with a load, but three scoops from a front end loader really compressed those leaf springs.

 

RIP. PHM.

 

Changed the oil, rotated and cleaned the shit outta wheels so I could put a coating on them in hopes of keeping brake of the inner wells. Man that's time consuming to clean.
Also while changing oil noticed a leak. Sprayed it down with brake clean in hopes of chasing it down.
Does it look like it could be coming from the figure 8 gasket? The hose that comes from.back.of oil/filter unit has a drip on the downside curve of it...I'll check tomorrow after some drive to see if anything is obviously more wet than other areas.

 

Yea I chucked them. All I have left are some SS3 and SS2 lenses.

 

Not that you didn't see it but check those transition areas from box to frame. Looks like ya got some delamination on passenger side.

 

I think I may have a hoist laying around. Been rolling with no.spare for a while. Planned on a full sized and matching wheel and didn't have the heart to put it under there. Not even sure it'll fit with the bigger tire anyway

 

I went to Big Bear yesterday because I couldn’t make it to Sedona. It was sunny at first, but then it started snowing really hard and we got about 3 inches of snow with crazy winds. I wasn’t ready for it, and neither was anyone else, but it was still a lot of fun!

Muddy trail


Before the storm

 

I found a Dorman locally and I’m headed to pick it up this morning. I appreciate the offers but I’m trying to get this done today before my road trip!

The ‘03 with fresh KO3’s. The PO put on 2” wheel spacers, I am going to take them off and run some 1”, maybe no spacers. I definitely don’t like the 2” spacers because the tires stick out past the flaps and the slightest road grime flips all over my truck.

 

Nice cap!

 

Had a great time at T2S with a bunch of the best gen crew. Truck didn’t seem to like the elevation and was running kinda weird under load, but once we got out of the mountains it seemed to be fine
Master Tetris San Francisco peaks got fresh snow the week before, so most stuff around camp was still messy and soupy
Enjoying some fresh fish Took some convincing but the boys had fun “driving” cheesin PTFO got home and went to the neighbors house for a baby shower

 

Added a 1" block to the back. Sitting nice and level now. New U-Bolts installed.

 

Got the new bed on without any drama. There’s a little spacer or something shaped like plug of some sort that goes in the back between the bed and frame. It kept falling out or moving and keeping the bed from sitting fully on the frame so I left it out. Love having the bed and bedliner in.

 

Composite? Doesn’t look like pressure treated.

 

Tested my anti-squat mods. When any significant weight was in the bed (aprox..<400 lbs), the truck would noticeably squat down on the back axle. Short trips it's manageable, but at night the headlights would shine significantly higher. I installed a Hellwig add a Leaf and a Larger bump stop on the axle. It worked well. Previously the truck would squat with one bike and gear loaded. I tested it with two bikes loaded on a trip out to the desert.

 

I had a really positive experience at Harbor Freight today. For what they lack in quality, they make up for in customer service. As much as I swipe at their products, they are the Walmart of tools. Absolutely no resistance or questions when exchanging broken equipment.

 

Finally replaced the blown out shocks/struts with bilstein 5100's. The install was a surprisingly easy and it feels waaay better now. Considering an add-a-leaf to level the back out and increase tension.

 

How many miles on coils?

 

Husky custom all weather floor mats for the front of the 02 AC finally arrived. (These were necessary after I shampooed the carpets!) Got them installed. They definitely provide more coverage than the Weathertech generic fit mats. They could be an inch or so wider, but I like how the tread pattern breaks exactly where the mat tilts up near the firewall.


Husky is apparently the only vendor who makes anything specifically for the rear of the 02 AC. These are floor liners, not mats, and they're made in two pieces. As mentioned on the Husky website, I did have to trim the driver side to accommodate the power seat. The driver side liner includes the portion that goes over the hump. The passenger side liner is a separate piece. These run all the way to the door jambs!

Based on the stock photo on the Husky site, I thought they would ride up and cover the storage compartments. Obviously not. So, I used the generic Weathertech rear mats to provide a little protection there.

 

130k

 

Where did ya buy the block from? A lot of what I've found on the Google machine searching for blocks have been what looks to be composite material.

 

Late to the blower party but I got 2 blower motors done today, tundra’s and a rav4

Neither were that bad, thinking someone replaced the rav4 blower since the plastic isn’t faded at all

 

Not to hate too much on the blocks, but it looks like your leafs could use a refresh. Is there a reason you opted of blocks over new springs?
Great looking truck by the way.

 

We missed you