Overwhelmed with youtube university

Hey Y'all. So you may remember me posting last week that I was about to get a first gen tundra and to try and talk me out of it. Well, you didn't and now I have it and I am absolutely in love with it.

That said, I've always taken my car to a dealer for service and gotten absolutely ripped off every time (this I know). One of the reasons I wanted an older truck was to be able to learn to work on it. I'm new in the town I moved to though and don't have friends here who do that sort of thing. Single female, it's an uncommon interest for sure.

I took it to a local Toyota guy today who confirmed I did find myself a nice truck at a great price. Here's a list of things he said I should think about doing soon and what needs to be done now.

Timing belt (this I knew already and budgeted when I bought it)
LBJ (also knew this and budgeted for it)
Lower control arm bushings
Front brakes (soon but not now unless I want to)
Alignment
Rack and Pinion leaking
Trans pan leaking
Driver front axle seal on diff leaking
Tires
Headlights (they're pretty dim and clouded)
Lift - I would love to but don't think it's in the budget right now

I've been lurking here for a bit and also watching tons of youtube to the point I'm a bit overwhelmed.

Long post, but of that list, what can I reasonably dive in and figure out and what is best left to a professional. Because some youtube videos are like totally you can change your own timing belt and then I read elsewhere and it's like no dont attempt that unless you want to eff your engine. I have changed timing belts on vintage industrial sewing machines before, but that's quite a different beast.

I'm going to leave the ball joint to the professional, but what else on that list is asking for trouble if I try and dive in? And yes I realize that probably if I have to ask the question, then all of it, but sometimes you don't know until you dive in how hard things are. I'm pretty good with machines in general, but always shied away from cars.

And last thing, holy hell there are so many more options for headlights than I ever thought possible. The custom options from TEQ customs are the coolest things I have ever seen. I figured the old 4x4 truck cliff was going to be steep but mannnnnn.

Looking forward to learning!

 

I'm assuming you aren't in an area where frame rust is common?

Couple of things: Brake fluid should be champaign colored not dark like coffee. Get into the habit of changing the brake fluid. If you can't do a complete flush, at least remove the fluid from the master cylinder and replace it with fresh fluid every oil change.

Headlights? One of my pet peeves is aftermarket headlight that aren't DOT approved. Some states are starting to crack down.

And, most important, Welcome from Ohio.

 

You can do all that with what you find here and on YouTube.

Headlights - restoration kit or buy aftermarket lenses.
Brakes - easy, peasy can do in your sleep.
LBJ - borrow a front end service kit from Advanced Auto, need torque wrench, cordless impact, impact sockets (excuse to buy tools)
Transmission pan leak - pull, scrape and replace with Toyota RTV sealant (unless Toyota gasket exists), Need torque wrench for installation.
LCA bushings - best to cut out old CAM bolt hardware & replace with new CAM bolts, OEM LCAs or suggested aftermarket (i.e. Moog, stay away from Mevotech), need sawzall, diamond tip steel cutting blades, torque wrench & new impact sockets & impact wrench you bought.
Rack & pinion leak - chances you may need replacement steering rack, more involved, may want professionals if you don’t want to tackle.
Axle seal leak - More involved but doable. Could get professionals involved or not after you read up on it.
Timing belt - same

 

I think ball joints are within your reach.

The leaking rack doesn't bother me at all. If the level doesn't drop in the resiviors between every oil change, it's not an issue. It only takes a few drops of oil to make you think you have a major leak.

Same for the trans pan gasket and the axle seal. If you are not seeing stains, move on.

Basically, if you are not seeing oil stains on the driveway where you usually park, then don't worry about it.

 

Just make sure with lower ball joints you ONLY USE OEM REPLACEMENTS. Even if your mechanic says otherwise. Even if your momma tells you not to. Even if God himself jumped out of the heavens and assured you all would be well, use OEM on those, and ideally, four fresh new bolts per side.

 

My 2-cents...

Headlight restoration kit, if you have a drill, I like the 3M kit, followed by something like Meguiar's Clear Coat Spray.

To me, changing brake fluid at every oil change, even just the stuff in the Master Cylinder, seems a bit excessive.

LBJs; I have a lot of tools and mechanical experience, one of my LBJ was really stuck and it was NOT easy to get it out. I think you are smart to leave that and the timing belt to a shop.

I would definitely keep an eye on the transmission fluid level. If yours has a dipstick it's easy for you to check, or get the level checked by a shop if yours does not have a dipstick, as you can have problems if the trany fluid gets too low.

Most of the rest on your list I would classify as, "as time and money allow", unless the leaking items are REALLY leaking.

Dealers are, in my experience, often NOT the best place to find quality technicians. If you can find a local shop that specializes in Toyotas you are usually better off.

As I'm sure you have seen, genuine Toyota parts for things like the LBJs and the timing kit are the only way to go.

 

if the plastic top of your radiator looks brownish and not black, that's a good indication that needs doing too. The part is not that pricey and whomever does your timing belt should do that at the same time. No need to pay for coolant twice.
LBJ's are definitely within the skill set of a DIY person. It's just 6 nuts or bolts per side and you don't have to get on your back underneath the vehicle. Hardest part is breaking free the ball joint. They make a tool for that and you don't even have to buy it, you can rent it for free.

 

Maybe I missed it, but go ahead and update the one line vehicle description in your profile. Need the year, body type, 4WD or 2WD and and engine size. The correct answers to the many questions (like afternarket headlights for example) you will have will be different depending on those items.
And welcome BTW.

ETA, I see you added it to another part of your profile.

 

No rust... I'm in SoCal and carfax had her living here her whole life with dealer service every 4000 miles for 20 years. The last couple owners took less good care of her, though. I did read up on that and inspect the frame before purchase, too.
Good tip on the headlights.. I didn't even realize not DOT approved was a thing. Thanks!

 

This is what I mean by a 'brown' radiator. This is what mine looked like when I bought it (yes, battery, brake fluid, battery tie down and PS fluid were replaced :

 

I was wondering about a restoration kit. At least just to clear things up for now. I've been reading mixed reviews, but was thinking for the price it might be just fine.
I love tools and actually have all those things already other than a front end service kit that I didnt know could be borrowed! Thank you!
Except the sawzall. The bushings are actually sounding kind of involved at that point.
The leaks seem a bit more involved than I thought they'd be too. Hmm.

 

Yeah.. it's staining a bit. Not like gushing all over but theres def a spot in the driveway when it's parked.

 

OMG I cannot figure out how to add it to the blue area where you all have yours. Where the heck is that setting lol?

 

ABSOLUTELY! I've seen LBJ failures. They scare the crap out of me.

 

Click on 'You' at the top right, select personal details and......

 

Yeah, there's a kid in town that makes custom suspension stuff for Toyotas and he was kind enough to check things out for me. I was planning on having him do the ball joints and when I have extra cash to lift it, I'll take it back. I just gotta order the parts for him to use.

 

One other thing. Right now there is a sale at https://autoparts.serratoyota.com (and other dealers too that are part of their online parts program). This dealer charges no sales tax eiter if you ar enot in Alabama. The 20% off is taken off their already discounted prices. So you often end up with as much as half off.

Still 4 days to go, so you have time to make sure you get the right part number. But that would be a good place to get the LBJ and bolts.

 

OP,

I did my LBJ's with hand tools, two "shop / trolley jacks," and 6x6 and 4x4 wood blocks. I used a 15 inch 1/2" drive breaker bar and similar ratchet, Craftsman 1/2" drive torque wrench, and advice from this site. I had zero luck renting a service kit from an auto parts store and bought an OTC kit from Zoro.com. I also used a 3-foot-long piece of pipe as a cheater bar when using the breaker bar---things were that tight. I have an impact wrench but it would not fit between the truck and the blocking that I had---just not enough room.

Let me find my thread on this and link it.

Something a local mechanic said...."pressing out the ball joints." | Toyota Tundra Forum

Lower ball joints....what bolts? | Toyota Tundra Forum

Definitely get OEM lower ball joints. Big sale going on this weekend from Toyota dealerships online.

You probably already know to get a Denso radiator. I got mine from Rock Auto.com (It is Denso right, that's the one we are supposed to use?)

 

Oh thank you!

Suspension Ball Joint (Right, Front, Lower) - Toyota (43330-39466)
https://toyotaparts.ourismantoyotao...4O6BCWATNJOnWttNgfKOZZl0sWqiFB4saAnPFEALw_wcB

Suspension Ball Joint (Left, Front, Lower) - Toyota (43340-39356)
https://toyotaparts.ourismantoyotao...ension-ball-joint-left-front-lower-4334039356

Bolts X8:
https://toyotaparts.ourismantoyotao.../toyota-suspension-ball-joint-bolt-9008010066

Is that all I need?

 

Those look right, but someone with your year will need to confirm. My part numbers are different as they changed in 2004ish. The best way to find your part number is here:

https://toyota-usa.epc-data.com/tundra/

Enter your VIN and all parts will be for your specific vehicle. Even the colored interior trim parts should give you the correct part number.

 

Thank you! Checking tomorrow.
Does fitment not available at this time mean out of stock? Frick.

 

This is the thing you need to watch out for with that autoparts program. If you look closely, the part number they showed you are not the part you asked for. It's possible they threw those at you as that particular dealer does not have them in stock (Serra doesn't, I checked). The dealer you gave links to earlier is also a solid dealer and the price was good. I'm not sur ehow much shipping is from them though.

But, got to this more national site, Genuine Toyota Parts and Accessories: Official Online Store | Autoparts.toyota.com, then look for a dealer near you. They may have it in stock and you will likely still get free shipping.

Correction. Serra was remembering my vehicle and so not giving me your part.
Once I deleted my vehicle, it gives me this: Don't forget there is 20 percent off that price, plus free shipping and no tax if you are outside Albama. BUT, use the edc site I sent you to verify part numbers. No need to rush, no-one is doing or shipping anything for the next three days at least, so take your time.

 

This is exactly the kind of encouragement that ends with a torn up project truck in my driveway haha

 

Forgot the left one. One thing I will say about Serra, I have found sometimes their orders take a week or so to ship. But a phone call clears that up and the no tax helps.

 

Yeah, these two things are in your future.
1) You will be going to this site A LOT. Bookmark it: https://toyota-usa.epc-data.com/tundra/
2) You will be looking for the next holiday so you can get 20% off ordering OEM parts online.

 

Maybe start with giving the brakes a try. You can get some rotors, if you need them, and pads from rock auto. Definately a easier mechnical job that anyone can do with a youtube video or two. Then if you can do the brakes, you can do the lower ball joints; it's not complicated just a bit annoying honestly. Alignment wise, I like getting the lifetime plan from firestone and it pays off in the long run. Headlights - have any friends with a buffer? Could buff those out than spray with clearcoat to make it last.

Have you looked at timmy the toolman's youtube channel? He's a toyota master tech with a lot of long videos.

 

The thing to note about Serra Toyota during sales is that the "full discount" will be calculated after the item has been added to the cart and the purchase amount displayed before checkout.

The example from @Fragman shows the difference.

 

You've got a great start with this group of Tundra owners. Accomplishing simple maintenance tasks first helps build confidence. Many great suggestions have already been posted about changing fluids.

If you are planning to do suspension work, look into a lifetime alignment with a reputable shop in your area that you know will be in business for the long haul.

Get an alignment and ask them to check the LBJs.

 

Yea, but the headlights, brakes and LBJs are really something you can do yourself. Especially if you have an impact wrench to free up the LBJ bolts in case someone put loctite on them. (Although it’s probably safer to heat them if someone used red loctite)

Have you checked the vehicle service history to make sure the LBJs were removed/replaced at least once under the recall? If not, you may be owed some free OEM LBJs.