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

Ok, $200-something and about 10 minutes later, I'm woodgrain minus the dash, I think? Don't remember what other stuff might be woodgrained.

I still need to figure out the part number for dash bezel, working through it w/Roman now. Looks like the dash bezel will cost almost as much as the door plates and cupholder assembly.

Was it worth it? Still not sure how I'm feeling about it yet. Might take getting the wood grain dash bezel to pull it all together. But hey, new OEM triangle foams!

 

Added 6 oz of seafoam to the 6 quarts of engine oil.

 

I need to get on this soon. Waiting to hit that 3000-ish mile mark to add it in so I can do the treatment. Just changed the truck's oil in October and I've barely driven 1,500 miles since because of the pandemic. I try to get it out at least once a month and hop on the interstate for 10-20 miles just to run it in 4WD per the owner's manual, but that's not helping

I've been at least adding an oz per gal on gas every other tank to clean up the fuel side, but haven't done anything on the oil side or radiator side yet.

 

Woot. Hopefully this cuts down on the drone.

 

At the same time I wish I wasn't driving mine so much, but honestly I wouldn't have it any other way.

I'm putting 100 miles on the clock daily. 500 in a week. If I work the weekend add 100-200 to that figure.

At least 500 miles a week.

 

How fast are you allowed to go in 4wd??? And if ur on dry pavement u just have to not make any sharp turns right?

 

Tbh ive done seafoam through the intake. But putting it in my oil just does not sound right at all. I dont want anything but 5w30 oil in my crankcase no offense. I'm probably uneducated on seafoam though

 

Some questions you've asked could have different answers depending (a) who you ask and (b) how a truck is equipped. I'll share my responses knowing there's a high risk someone will call me out or disagree. I hope they'll gently share their 2¢ instead of roasting me.

You should really RTFM (read the f'in manual) instead of listening to me, but the rough gist of what I recall is something like:

• Truck has 2WD, 4hi and 4lo modes
• 4hi is for 4WD anywhere*, the limitation on engaging 4hi: you need to be travelling less than 62mph to engage
• You can't get into 4lo without first getting in 4hi, and I think 4lo is limited to 15mph, but I don't remember, someonne needs to clarify
• Toyota recommends driving in 4WD 10 miles per month to keep things lubed up

As for when to use 4hi/4lo, that's like religion and politics. You're right (see asterisk* above), 4WD and turning on non-slippery surfaces can lead to binding, so in my opinion, the general "safe" rule of thumb is: If driving on slippery surfaces at any speed, 4hi is OK any day. If stuck, 4lo is the way to go.

With limited slip differential, you may add other answers to the general "safe" rule, but when in question or you just don't know, defer to the "safe" rule of thumb.

Personally, I recommend you don't listen to me because I'm probably wrong. For the sake of lube and because I like driving fast in a straight line to do what needs to get done quick, I choose to hop on the interstate and throw it into 4hi when the on-ramp straightens up, then kick it back off as I'm exiting the interstate. I usually end up doing it when I'm headed on a parts run.

EDIT: I just want to say, the above may only apply to the '04 - '06 or trucks with VSC? Or may be totally wrong. I won't speak with confidence on this one.

EDIT2: Just cleared up the mileage/mph numbers per the '06 manual

 

For my two wheel peel unit, and none of those applying to me... This was an educational read for me.

 

This is a common misconception. It's a highly-refined petroleum product, just like your oil. It's 100% safe to use in your gasoline, your oil, and even your transmission, although I think they recommend always follow-up with filter changes for those latter two within 500 miles of application. It will not degrade or corrode any of your lines.

Trust me when I tell you this: Seafoam is 100% safe to add to your oil. It will clear out deposits on everything, fix stuck lifters and misc other valvetrain noise. If you need proof of what Seafoam is capable of doing, I highly recommend you watch this video. I also recommend watching the follow-up video here if you're skeptical still.

I'm more of an engine guy and car audio guy than anything else, dad is ex-Navy mechanic who taught me everything I know, and my uncle (RIP) built up and rebuilt engines for several NASCAR straight-line racers in Vegas the last several decades, it's where I learned most of what I know. I've done some crazy swaps and builds in the past. I don't take this stuff lightly, but I also admit I don't know everything.

I was introduced to Seafoam when I got my first truck in the early 90s. I've used it ever since. It's an incredible product. I use it in all my 4-cycle engines. I can't tell you how many times it's taken used and abused engines and had them purring like new.

It's worth stopping by their site to check out their FAQ/info section and generally look around. It's not a gimmick product, and it's not the typical snake-oil product. It and Marvel Mystery Oil are two fabulous products I can't imagine living without on the shop.

Oh - and it's also a good fuel stabilizer for overwintering and to generally add into every fuel canister you have with gas in it.

 

47mph.

No turns allowed unless on soft ground. Slow easy turns are ok at speed. Nothing sharp.

 

The best videos I can find on the subject are here, although I'm sad the 1st one doesn't get more into part-time 4WD which our 1st Gen uses. It's also worth noting the 3rd video deals with the Tacoma, and a newer one at that, but some of the points about the flashing 4lo/4hi indicators are really important. The last video probably won't apply to many here.

Toyota 4WD simplified

4hi vs 4lo vs 2hi explained

Know your Toyota (well, not our Tundra): Properly engaging 4WD

2004-06 Toyota Tundra How to Use First Gear Shift L Button For Towing And Down Hill Decent

Video about VSC, LSD (not the fun liquid stuff) and 4WD/2WD

And finally, if you want to blow off time while learning, hit Engineering Explained's YouTube channel (2nd video above), that guy always has really fun tests, especially with 4WD, and occasionally use Toyotas for the experiments. He really breaks things down into bit size chunks and tries to show you the mechanics behind it all.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClqhvGmHcvWL9w3R48t9QXQ

 

May be different across models, this is direct from my '06 owner's manual where 100km/h = 62mp/h

EDIT: Guess I'll update the numbers in my post above.

 

You are correct. It is 62mph.

 

No lie, I had to look it up. And it may only apply to the 04-06, I really don't know.

I'm still not sure about the speed limit on 4lo, or if it's required to enter 4hi before you hit 4lo on these trucks.

 

Yes you must enter 4HI and then stop. Go into Neutral. Press 4LO then shift into Drive.

 

I wish I could hit 2hi
Such an irritating day at work.

 

All of this talk about 4WD has me feeling dumb as a stump. My 2006 is badged 4x4. Stupid question time... my FIL and husband tell me the 4WD hasn't been used in forever, and is locked up. Neither of them has offered an explanation, other than "dont use it." Would anybody be willing to chime in and suggest what my next steps should be? I don't even know enough to test their hypothesis that something ain't right with it. I've basically been handed the keys and left to do with it as I see fit.
Edited to add pics of the Green Meanie.

 

All this 4wd talk is making me feel sad. I'm moving soon and absolutely will need to pursue a 4wd conversion before a hard winter hits.

Knowing I'm stubborn and won't buy a different truck, do you guys think it would be better to buy a salvage truck or hunt down a junk yard for the parts?

 

If you have the space get a salvage truck so you have every bit you need. Junkyard trucks are usually picked over and where I'm at Tundra are hard to find at a yard.

 

Dang, that's some nice patina on the hood, and your neighborhood reminds me of my old neighborhood in Arlington while dad was stationed at NAS Dallas. We used to live one house up from the corner of Avanti Dr and Pierce Arrow drive when I was younger. Of course, back then everything behind our house on the west side of Avanti was one gigantic maize field. Last time I looked, it was a full-on subdivision.

Anyway, I generally tend to trust people when they tell me stuff like "it's broke". That said, without them telling me exactly what was broken, it would be really hard for my curiosity to avoid "accidentally" bumping the 4hi button while I was driving in a straight line at 5-10mph to see if it engages.

Normally, when you tap the 4hi button on my truck, it flashes 4-6 times, then goes solid if engagement is OK. If it fails to engage, it'll continue flashing and beep - there are several checks in place that cause it to beep if it fails to engage. Regardless which outcome you see, whether it goes solid (i.e. it worked to engage 4hi) or it continues flashing and beeping (i.e. there was a problem with engaging), returning is as simple as tapping the 4hi button again to disengage and return to 2WD. Cant guarantee it won't grenade though.

 

Definitely the same here in the ATL area.

 

https://youtu.be/pTTVhjZNpOQ

I'm seeing changes in my little hometown too.

 

Same here. I called around when I was looking for a bed before I committed to fixing mine. Nearest tundra I could find in a junk yard was 250-275 miles away.

Old cars get crushed.

 

I heard there are a bunch of Tundras in Arizona yards, and I'm not far at all from there. I'll have to keep an eye on auctions I suppose. I might have to hunt for a nice "rollover special."

 

They will mostly be in phx, your you have to harass local ones weekly. I found what I thought might be a promising one, but nothing every came thru.
Lots of cats on the local 4runner page will post up “new arrivals” at yards that they frequent. There’s one guy that funds his builds by parting out salvages he picks up. Haven’t seen anything like that for our trucks though

 

Oh shit? You turn it on and off while moving? Didnt know you could do that. Lol and thanks

 

Thank you for your reply. I'm a pretty curious cat. We'll see what happens on my way home from work tomorrow.

As for the paint, I'm at a loss. It's a work truck, so it's ok if it isn't pretty. However, I hate pulling up to a house for an estimate in this beast. It's fugly, and I feel like a "Chuck in a Truck" not someone that anyone would want to hire to work on their house. I'm leaning towards rattle can quick fix, followed by DIY bed liner-style paint job.

 

Push the button!!!! Do it at a stop sign in a neighborhood, and just see what she does.
I haven’t used it, but I hear raptor liner is a easy diy, if you have an air compressor for the noozle application thingy. I have used monstaliner, and they have tintable options, maybe request a color swatch of some greens, or blacks that might looks good. I’d skip the rattle can and just prep it right the first time, use whatever liner products you choose and be done with it.
@Rex Kramer did his hood and cab top, I think @Darkness is looking to do his cab top, probably black I’m guessing.
It’s a weekend job but not bad to go from chuck in a truck, to; Gopher in a Chauffeur! Haha I don’t know your name so I could only make a pun based on your username.