04 Double Cab Return to Glory - Pic Heavy

Hey All!
It has been a while since I created my intro post and figure it was time to start my build thread. Little background, I bought the truck with 69,500 miles. It had sat since Aug 2017 (not sure why) but it kept the miles down. I had a 2015 Tundra until my first was born and the extended cab wasn’t working out anymore. So, I sold it and started looking for an older Tundra to keep cost down and get a true 4 door fully loaded (for the year) enter my new to me 04 Limited DC.

Now, onto the resto. More just TLC at the moment, but have plans for brakes, suspension, etc..

PS - If someone could tell me how to input pictures into the text instead of at the bottom of each post, that would be helpful!

 

First I had to address the center support bearing as it was shot!! Once
That was taken care of I decided to start in the front of the truck and just work my way back.

Pretty much all my little brackets were rusted beyond saving or plain broken, so I needed to start with those first. I added some example pictures of the condition of the brackets for brake lines/fuel lines etc.. they were in rough shape. So, I packed my tools and headed to SC salvage yard that had multiple first gen Tundras and grabbed a bunch of brackets misc parts. Then the process of cleaning up the used brackets (which turned out to be a big success and steal!) for the cost. Can see the air filter retaining clips before and after.

More to come...

 

More TLC under the hood.. Can see all aluminum parts are pretty pitted and corroded, so I plan to slowly address that by removing both intake and valve covers. When I do that, I’ll replace plugs, coils, starter etc..

The wire wheel on my impact is doing wonders and very impressed so for on the aluminum. At the salvage yard I picked up a new power steering Res bracket. It is “like new” and can see what came off vs newly installed.

Next I have to replace two brake lines due to those pesky broken retaining brackets... To much vibration caused them to break. Lines should be in soon and the process of replacing and bleeding is next.

 

I removed a ton of wiring from the truck that ran from the head unit inside to under the bumper. Previous owner had some back up assist and a camper shell installed that I sold as it was in rough shape, and left damage to the cab. During my wire chasing, I found someone had cut the factory radio wiring... ugh.. why?!? No big deal, the salvage yard saved me again and I picked up the two connectors and about 2” of wiring which I plan to fix all the birds nest behind the head unit.

 

Love to see this type of TLC. Keep up the nice work and thank you for taking pictures.

 

Thanks! Will do. I have a few more I can share right now, but felt like I might be bombarding the forum with posts lol

 

Off to a great start! Looking forward to seeing more progress.

 

Looking good.. Well done Sir

 

Well... made some more progress today. All fluids changed minus the trans (waiting on new pan bolts) and power steering. Was planning to replace brake lines, but dealer ordered the wrong one.. So, the wait continues for that project.

However, managed to continue the TLC process of removing EVAP hoses, air bag sensors, misc and cleaning (feather dusting as PHM refers to it). Nothing seems to work better than simple green and an ole toothbrush.

Also, lots of prep and painting. After I ditched the crusty dipstick tube, the dipstick itself didn’t look right. So, good ole can my of John Deere yellow paint and wola!

 

Got the power steering fluid flushed as it was pretty bad... Was a very sinple and straight forward project, clean up took longer than the actual process. While I had it apart, I cleaned thoroughly and put some new clamps on and ditched the crusty originals.


I also managed to finally get the correct brake line home. I wrestled with a broken bracket that it almost seemed like the nut had welded to the bracket. It was very rusted and broken in half which led to the brake lines failing to begin with. The bracket is located in the left hand (drivers side) wheel well. It holds a rear ABS line, rear brake supply line, and evap tube that all run along the frame rail. I used the good ole smoke wrench (didn’t work) PB blaster, and finally vice grips. Took about an hour to get it out, but finally managed. Cleaned the area up, and painted. I’ll get a after photo once the brake lines are in.