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

Thats it! I sanded mine lightly and then cleaned it with acetone which slightly softened the top layer. Quickly hit the lens with acrylic and the coating melded into the lens for a nice bond. There is some crackle effect, but not seen unless under the microscope.

 

Alright. Time to embarrass myself. It took me at least 2 hours to change out the rear shocks. I had a hell of a time getting the shock to stay still, and not turn, while I tried to tighten it up top. There was also such limited room to work. What tools did you use to get it done in 20 minutes?

 

We call it pookey in the electrical world.

 

I'll have to do that then. Thanks for the tip. What grit sandpaper did you use?

It seems you and I both have the same goal of giving our 2002's a "refresh". I have a 3M headlight restoration kit coming for the headlights. I'm going to try that before buying new ones.

 

Think it was a 220 sanding sponge. I did the 3M kit years ago $40? and spent 2 hours on them for only slightly better results that lasted only a year. Ended up buying a headlights with both bulbs combo for $50 3 years ago. Cracked my side markers doing the install on a cold day!

You can buy JUST the lens for headlights for around $55 right now.

 

Ouch. Hopefully I'm not wasting my time. I did find the 3M kit for around $12 on Ebay so I'm not out a ton of money if it doesn't work.

 

Mine had the little sanding discs for your drill and all the polishes and tape etc.

Bought at auto $tore.

 

Think I should deal with this? Lol. As far as I can tell, this is the original battery...

 

I'm impressed it's still working.

 

Yeah I’m impressed with the original battery lasting this long....

Pretty sure simple Baking soda + water will help get rid of that stuff.

 

We have a winner folks! That ‘Great White North’ climate preserves those batteries eh?

 

You and me both.

I've tried baking soda + water as well as other corrosion inhibitors/removers. The only work for a short time.

I guess so. I always thought cold was bad on batteries. All I know is this thing has worked just fine down to -45 Celsius.


This spring I'll be replacing it with an Odyssey AGM and installing new connectors.

 

Its the heat from my understanding that kills batteries. The weakness isn’t revealed until cold settles in. Everyone of my batteries has gone bad in the fall usually 3 days after a cold snap. We go from super hot summers to cold winters here.

 

You won’t have to worry about corrosion or leaks ever again!

 

I had the same problem. Ended up removing the bed... Used an impact, sawzall, socket, and vice grips. Lol

 

While on the subject of batteries, how many turns does it take for you battery to start the engine? Mine is usually always at 3. Stick key in and turn/hold and it goes into a quick 1-2-3. Starting on the third turn. Sometimes it starts on the 4th, but never more than that 4th unless the battery is dying/dead.

 

Usually 2, sometimes 3.

 

It's because your battery is off gassing more than typical because of the age/condition. It's kind of like rust too where if you don't get all the corrosion it spreads faster.

 

I'd say by the 2nd or 3rd. I swear sometimes it almost is instant.

 

That's exciting huh! Congratulations man. When I paid mine off I felt like I got a serious raise at work.

 

Coca cola man!

 

That makes perfect sense. Someone told me it could be something to do with the fact the previous owner wired in floodlights on a bull bar and when that was removed, the wiring was left behind. You can see the inline fuse in my picture.

Speaking of rust...I really need to figure out what to do with my rust spots this spring too. There's probably a dozen or so rock chips that are rusting on my A piller and roof. I'd love to do a basic touch up, but I'm not sure if that will be good enough. I really don't want to spend the money on a full strip and paint job though. Would rather dump that few thousand into a new truck as much as I love this one.

 

3 if not more. When I bought the truck 3 years ago I thought "this thing has the longest crank time on any vehicle I've ever owned." I asked a mechanic(who has the same truck) and he said that it sounded normal to him. I'm getting a new battery tomorrow though.

 

Yeah considering my payments were.only 200 a month and I was paying between 700-1000 a month. It's gunna be nice having that extra money.

 

2-3 normally, but when I had a bad battery and the old girl sat in 15 degree weather all night it went maybe 5-6. I have noticed It feels like this engine seems to turn over more without starting then out of all the vehicle I have owned.

 

You actually hold the key instead of “bump” starting?

 

I sprayed the two pullies on the passenger side and now there's no more annoying squeal when the engine runs. Thank god that's finally over.

 

That was my thought too lol. I used my sister's car the other day and kept forgetting to hold the key.

 

Yep. The whole process takes about 1 second total.

1-2-3 (start happens on ‘3’ 95%/‘4’ 5%+/- rest of time) = 1 second or 1/60th of a minute.

 

Try bumping the key to start then release instead of holding.