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2004 DC Big Job - TB, Front End, Steering Rack, Everything Else. Seeking Opinions & Commentary!

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by DarkMint, Mar 20, 2025.

  1. May 20, 2025 at 4:23 PM
    #31
    shifty`

    shifty` We call it “riding the gravy train”

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    There's a sticky thread for that: https://www.tundras.com/threads/lower-ball-joints-part-numbers.97100/
     
  2. May 21, 2025 at 3:42 AM
    #32
    panterahead79

    panterahead79 New Member

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    Thank you Shifty I searched but couldn't find what I was looking for.
     
  3. May 21, 2025 at 6:02 AM
    #33
    shifty`

    shifty` We call it “riding the gravy train”

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    Inside that thread?

    IIRC, 2004 is a crossover year. I want to say, if you currently have OEM, the size of the LBJ nut will tell you which ones to use, I want to say older style had a 14mm and one a 17mm?

    @BubbaW you have a 2004 and I feel like you've been thru this. If you're available, any input?
     
  4. May 21, 2025 at 6:52 AM
    #34
    BubbaW

    BubbaW Blessed 2 B above Ground

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    Trimming trees….but the link you posted above references both TSB’s that came out. 2004 owners have to determine which TSB applies according to their VIN. I wanta say I recall @NickB_01TRD and possibly others addressed that numerous times in that same thread but of course memory is not what it used to be….all I got
     
  5. May 21, 2025 at 6:55 AM
    #35
    shifty`

    shifty` We call it “riding the gravy train”

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    :amen: to that! :rofl:

    Too much to remember, too little grey matter remaining over here :D
     
    G_unit3000 and BubbaW[QUOTED] like this.
  6. May 21, 2025 at 8:24 AM
    #36
    NickB_01TRD

    NickB_01TRD You don't need less cars, just more driveway.

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  7. May 21, 2025 at 2:20 PM
    #37
    panterahead79

    panterahead79 New Member

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    I tried earlier to use the info @shifty` sent me for the other sticky thread but when I enter my vin at the link it says not valid but it comes back correct at the toyota.com /parts to a 2004 tundra beats me as to why. Is there another way to find the frame number because that's what the link calls it from the sticky thread I will determine the nut size hopefully tonight if it don't start pouring. I will check @NickB_01TRD info
    Thanks for all the help you guys and glad to know that 04 was a cross over year. I really need to get this figured out so I can order the parts and get some of these issues figured out as she's getting kinda rough to drive and is my daily.:fingerscrossed:
     
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  8. May 21, 2025 at 6:27 PM
    #38
    panterahead79

    panterahead79 New Member

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    @NickB_01TRD II read through that post you sent. I still can not confirm my proper ball joint numbers or frame from og info @shifty` sent me. I can confirm that i Have 17MM Socket size bolt heads that hold them on. I have dealt with a lot of vehicle components over the years but this has been one of the most challenging things. Normally I would have just went to whatever parts store an bought the replacement. Then went on in life with no worries. I bought a cheap false water pump AKA fan bracket. from ava spent 6 hrs replacing it with a buddy doing the pump and belt after i was stuck 8 hrs away. it lasted about month took it back under warranty to ava and it failed again 6 mos later. I didn't bother warranty the 2nd time I just bought the oem pump fan and bracket. still have the bracket I could take it back under warranty but not worth my time. I said no more and bought the oem knock on wood. She is still solid.
     
  9. May 21, 2025 at 6:27 PM
    #39
    shifty`

    shifty` We call it “riding the gravy train”

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    VIN can be found in a couple places.

    On the dash, driver's side, thru the windshield.
    Driver's door, look on the physical door itself, just below the latch in the jamb.

    Maybe you're missing a digit?
     
    panterahead79[QUOTED] likes this.
  10. May 22, 2025 at 4:18 AM
    #40
    NickB_01TRD

    NickB_01TRD You don't need less cars, just more driveway.

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    Post up some pictures and tell us the date your truck was built and we can probably get you lined out.
     
  11. May 22, 2025 at 4:38 AM
    #41
    BubbaW

    BubbaW Blessed 2 B above Ground

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    Just because it says that does not necessarily mean you entered something wrong, it's just the way Toyota is reporting back. The below pic as you can see is a valid 2004 for sale with proper entry and it comes back "not a valid VIN"

    Given the first 8 characters of a persons VIN can not identify them, mind sharing your first eight digits.

    50J.jpg

    The below attached pdf explains a Tundra VIN. As you can see, no way to identify a person via 1st 8 digits.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: May 22, 2025
  12. May 22, 2025 at 2:30 PM
    #42
    panterahead79

    panterahead79 New Member

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  13. May 22, 2025 at 2:37 PM
    #43
    panterahead79

    panterahead79 New Member

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    Here is a pick of the truck and door tag.20250522_165600.jpg 20250519_170318.jpg
     
  14. May 22, 2025 at 2:50 PM
    #44
    shifty`

    shifty` We call it “riding the gravy train”

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    Yeah, weirdly, I plug that VIN into the EPC and I get nothing. The Toyota Parts site recognizes it's a 2004 Tundra.

    Does the badge on the dash (look at it thru the windshield) match the door sticker there?

    I did run that VIN thru Toyota's Parts system, and it kicked back the following:
    Ordering from this dealer (within the next 4 days), as long as you don't live in Alabama, are free shipping and no tax, and this is what the total bill would come out to be $216.99

    upload_2025-5-22_17-50-35.png
     
  15. May 22, 2025 at 2:58 PM
    #45
    panterahead79

    panterahead79 New Member

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  16. May 22, 2025 at 3:04 PM
    #46
    panterahead79

    panterahead79 New Member

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    not sure why it didn't post what i wrote on the quote post but using that info i should have a
    UCK41L-PRSSKA . frame
     
  17. May 22, 2025 at 3:16 PM
    #47
    panterahead79

    panterahead79 New Member

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    @shifty` Thanks for confirming the part numbers are good I will just use that link and order the LBJ UBJ and TREs and the bolts for the lowers
    I appreciate all of your guy's help wow they made this like reading hieroglyphics. I've had to decode vins before but wow even after I used @BubbaW info
    I'm looking at 3 options lol
     
  18. May 22, 2025 at 3:19 PM
    #48
    panterahead79

    panterahead79 New Member

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    @DarkMint sorry for clustering up your thread with my mess.;)
     
  19. May 22, 2025 at 3:29 PM
    #49
    BubbaW

    BubbaW Blessed 2 B above Ground

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    Yeah, the UCK41L Model Code is also on the Certification sticker you posted that's showing your VIN....bottom right corner shows that Model code and your C(color)/TR(trim)

    As for the 50J link, your 5TBDT441 is like my 2004 DC which was covered by the SSC-70B TSB, which I have attached and is not even a choice on the drop down menu at the 50J link.

    50J VIN.jpg

    2004 SR5 DC.png

    Also....these are the parts I bought from my dealer back in Feb for my 2004 DC LTD.... LBJ….43330-39825 LH/43340-39595 RH
     

    Attached Files:

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  20. May 22, 2025 at 9:20 PM
    #50
    DarkMint

    DarkMint [OP] just gettin by

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    All good you have the best on this forum helping you out and dropping knowledge, i always learn from these guys.

    also i remember i read somewhere, maybe on the LBJ main information thread, big ball joint has a more symmetrical bolt pattern, small ball joint bolts tend to be more "trapezoidal" in bolt hole placement.

    Small LBJ
    3AE277A2-B897-4046-8CC1-72AD173755D8.png


    big LBJ
    3A0B96F9-9D30-467F-8316-26145BE1A360.png



    Kinda hard to tell but maybe you see what I mean.
    Someone stop me if I'm flat out wrong.
     
  21. May 23, 2025 at 4:25 PM
    #51
    panterahead79

    panterahead79 New Member

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    Ok so I thought I had this all figured out had the cart ready to check out last night until it came to the LBJ bolts. The dealer site says 9008010066 on the fiche. I had already read through this bolt thread https://www.tundras.com/threads/spiker-engineering-lower-ball-joint-bolt-test-1st-gen.111746/ my understanding is that is the smaller bolt head I know I have a 17mm bolt head so i should need either 9011910933 or 9010512316 I think? The dealer site says they are all exact fits for my vin. :frusty::frusty: Can one of you knowledgeable hieroglyphic readers help me out again. Added shots of what I have in my cart or had because I believe it must time out or something I've truck2.png truck2.png done it several times now.
     
  22. May 23, 2025 at 4:33 PM
    #52
    panterahead79

    panterahead79 New Member

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    Something didn't post right or I hit it wrong here'struck1.png the other part of cart.
     
  23. May 23, 2025 at 10:52 PM
    #53
    TnPlowboy

    TnPlowboy New Member

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  24. May 25, 2025 at 4:16 PM
    #54
    panterahead79

    panterahead79 New Member

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    @TnPlowboy Thanks that helped. I finally got the oem parts ordered. Thanks for all the help all you guys.
     
  25. Jun 28, 2025 at 8:05 PM
    #55
    DarkMint

    DarkMint [OP] just gettin by

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    Progress^ Inserting here so i havent double uploaded. Shoutout to @455h0le_dachshund @Sirfive @Kimosabe old fashioned force did the trick, total PITA.
    It has been an eventful time for someone who has never done UBJ/LBJ/UCA/LCA before. Could have gone better, could easily have gone worse.
    One side is done ish. Pass side vs driver side. Will inspect joint geometry tomorrow in daylight to ensure nothing is pinching. Replaced stock brake line rubber hose and lower hard line part with KPO stainless braided line. Bolt that holds brake line to spindle snapped its head off like buttah, i may just ziptie the line to the spindle for now...
    Also, alignment is ALL FUCKED UP since i have no idea what Im doing especially with the BisonOffRoad alignment tabs...but it fit so it's a problem for later.
    Swapped out Monroe QuickStrut for Bilstein 5100 and OME 2887 springs.
    Driver vs Pass:
    IMG_1759.jpg
    IMG_1761.jpg

    Installed:
    IMG_1754.jpg


    Process for UBJ:
    Old crusty, no grease, only dry dirt in the boot:
    IMG_1744.jpg

    Obligatory:
    IMG_1745.jpg


    Pressing in the JBA UBJ adapter:
    IMG_1747.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 28, 2025
    KNABORES, Kimosabe, shifty` and 4 others like this.
  26. Jun 28, 2025 at 8:13 PM
    #56
    455h0le_dachshund

    455h0le_dachshund Mum stole me darts

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    You done good.
     
    DarkMint[OP] likes this.
  27. Jun 30, 2025 at 10:57 AM
    #57
    Kimosabe

    Kimosabe Slacker

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    Nice work. The other side will be easier and quicker. Maybe throw a little piece of wire around that ziptie holding the brake line. I'm not sure where you are but some zipties can break when they get too cold and brittle. Or just go grab an m-6 x1.25 ( I think) bolt and replace.
     
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