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

Hi, Paul! After you suggested these, and looking around these months, I've been pretty sure I'll go with Stubbs. Can you tell me why you decided on the HD-SKO? I was thinking of the Ultimate SKO because I like what I thought was a large kick-out in front of the rear tires. I'm pretty limited in my visual imagination, so now that I'm comparing the HD to the Ultimate, I'm wondering if I got it wrong; is the kick-out on the Ultimate meant to mount at the front (if so, not what I want).

 

Installed the Bilstein 4600's in the rear, pretty easy process. Lifted the bed and sawzalled the tops of the old shocks off. Had the intention of installing new LBJ's and 4600's in the front, turned out to be more of an ordeal than anticipated. The LBJ install on the passenger side was relatively easy, when I started working on the driver side, I discovered two bolts in the spindle had snapped off at some previous point. Fortunately, I was able to cannibalize a spindle off of a third gen 4Runner. After finally getting everything back together I decided to hold off on the front 4600 install for the day and watch sports.

I didn't feel like installing the 4600's into the crap Monroe springs (blasphemy) and after looking at the truck a little more, I am starting to lean towards wanting to level out the front end. I will start a separate post for this topic.

Here are some photos from the event. (YES, I know I need to replace the CV's, but I just bought this truck and am working my way through it.)




Old Spindle Gone.




Here is how it sits as of today. (Not sure how much of the front sag is from the old crappy springs)

 

Your truck really is awesome, Sam! Thanks for the eye candy reminder.

 

That just takes me to the main page of the forum

 

Really? When I click on it it takes me to a page with a set of 9 photos.

Try this one, post #34. I'm not logged into that forum either, so you should be able to view it as well.

 

Ok that link was better

 

Maybe a half inch sag by looks (up front).

 

Yeah, I am debating on finding some 5100's to install instead of the 4600's I already bought.

 

I chose the HD over the Ultimate for a few reasons. I'm not planning on really hammering the truck off road, just need basic protection. Second, they attach at 4 points(I could be wrong about that). Third, price. They're $110 cheaper. I think the pic of the Ultimate is backwards maybe. And finally, by all accounts, Richard is a great person to do business with.

 

Tightened up all the bolts along both valve covers. I'm shocked at how loose some were. Fred wasn't kidding.

I'm really dreading the day I have to replace the gaskets. I'm not a tall guy and I can't really reach the back of the engine. Even on a stool is going to suck. Nothing like the gasket job I did on my old Corolla. That was easy.

 

I can't wait to get these shitty Monroes off my truck. Worst mistake I ever made. My truck sits about like yours in that last picture and I hate it.

 

You have any oil dripping off the sides?

Better sooner than later you do the repair. Stealership cost on materials was $180 (paid for advice as well). Do one VC in a day 3-4 hours. Do the other side the next day. You might benefit from a small step ladder?

 

Negative on leaks. Have a step ladder which helps a little. Short arms is the curse.

 

No leaks is good news. Just keep those bolts snug, but not too tight.

My drivers gasket was leaking more than the pass side and I went through about 3-4 snuggings in 3 years.

 

Thank you!! We have so much more planned, too!

 

Torrential rain last night. Checked truck for leaks, especially the rear cab area, where the slider window gasket weep holes were clogged and creating an overflow leak at the rear door hinge floor boards. Dry as a bone.

Front cowl, which wasn’t leaking but removed for clean up and inspection, is still dry too.

Waiting for paint supplies to arrive to fix side dent. Depending on weather, may put off any work till spring.

May take truck to mechanic tomorrow for a shakedown analysis on the wheel bearings. Suppose to be 5° windchill so I may just stay inside and say fuggetaboutit!

 

Future reference torque spec for those bolts is 53in-lbs or 6n-m. Book says to tighten them uniformly in several passes.

 

Could you use something like this?


Kinda expensive if it was for one-time use, but over your lifetime, maybe well worth the money.

 

I've heard of guys letting some air out of their front tires to lower the truck a little bit for better access while working on it.

 

Had to share this.

 

I would have guessed him to be a Ford man.

 

Oh man that's beautiful. Makes me miss my old Chevys.

 

Pro tip for those of you that live up north but buy vehicles from down south/out west. Check how cold your coolant is good to. It was -10° this morning on my way in to work, and the truck's temp gauge started creeping up on me while cruising down the highway. Coolant must have froze up.

Those of you that live out west or down south, DON'T PUT JUST WATER IN YOUR COOLANT

 

Hehehe

 

Sounds like a flush and refill are in order.

 

I won't probably go that far, but I am going to go pick up a gallon of Toyota full strength today, drain some of the coolant out of the radiator and replace it with full strength.