1st Gen. Lunch Table - General Discussion

I did get the fender away from the door. I'm going to update my build thread with all of these photos instead of dropping them here. I'll post there in a bit.

 

I noticed my driver bellow is totally screwed today when I went to put it back on with a metal zip tie. I had used plastic zip ties when me and Casey changed the tie rods, and the driver side below kept coming off the rack. It's pretty shredded now.
I'm assuming brand isn't a big deal for a part like this. I figure I'll order a new one tonight. Going to check AutoZone website and rock auto.

These universal bellows from SPC look cool. Not sure if they actually fit though.
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/.../automotive-truck-2006-toyota-tundra?q=Bellow

After shipping, a single Beck Arnley bellow from rockauto come out to within a dollar of AutoZone.

 

I used a cheap-O bellow from RA. Shredded itself in a year or so. Detroit axle bellow on there now. Will inspect tomorrow. Still one OEM bellow (26yrs old) that looks minty.

 

Did you order the BT-673x2 or BT-637x2 from Detroit Axle?
They are only 44¢ difference in price, but the dimensions are different. One is 8x6x2 inch and the other is 9x3x7 inch. Both are listed for my truck, though.
I like that I can get a pair of these for a better price than anywhere else. And they have a ten year warranty.

I went ahead and ordered the larger ones just in case. Going to pack em with grease. My front ends been creeky since I got it back from 4LoFab. Might be because the bellow was off the rack and torn. Might be because me and Casey didn't pack em with grease when we did the tie rods.

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/62Sa13PiJbA?si=i0hB06ckV_jVLF0v

 

There needs to be a new section on here for "What tool did you buy today for absolutely no good reason?"

 

Well don't leave us hangin

 

Actually, fairly reasonable. 1/4" Tekton torque wrench. I know...anticlimactic. I haven't been able to do squat to the Tundra lately because it is humming along just fine. Spent 7 hours removing the intake manifold on a Ford V6 in a Mazda minivan this past weekend. All that to replace a coil pack and three spark plugs. I've been spoiled. Only owned a 78 Chevy 1/2 ton with a 350 and the Tundra in my life. That's it. Both, painfully easy to work on. Mazda minivan, not so much...At least I cut my wrenching teeth a little.

I suppose I sorta have a reason for buying the torque wrench. I was using a 3/8" Craftsman torque wrench from the 80s which, ignorant at the time, I likely stored improperly. I was torquing away and, lo and behold, one of the intake manifold bolts twisted off. Had it set correctly, but it didn't give. Long story short, I bought the 1/4" for when I get to do the whole thing over again to replace the bolt I twisted off. It's leaking oil at the valve cover gaskets, so will just hit it all at once.

The technological changes from 78 are truly amazing. After I bought the Tundra in 2004, I didn't do squat on it for 2 decades. Let other folks work on it. Now, I'm enjoying doing some of it myself again, and am amazed at all of the changes. 78? No OBD. Huge improvement. I'm still learning what all these sensors are and what they do. Fun for me.....

 

Side note: is spray gasket remover worth the cash, or will something else work just fine? Seems like there is a dedicated chemical for damn near everything these days.

 

Honestly it might be better just replacing that fender with one from a junkyard if you can find one in the same color. The color match will probably be off, but at least it'll be close enough. In the shop we'd replace that all day because the labor hours to repair would cost more than a new part.

The other alternative is replacing the fender and having a shop spray it. Without blending the door and hood for color match you'll have a noticeable difference as well, but itll save you dough. You can take off your old fender and provide it to the shop with the new, unpainted, fender to have them color match as best as possible. OEM would be the best replacement for fitment, but if you don't go OEM or Recycled (LKQ) then go with a CAPA certified aftermarket part. Fitment may still be a tad bit off, but it would be miles better than a non CAPA part.

Check this to see the information on CAPA certified parts.

https://www.capacertified.org/Home/VehicleOwners

 

02 AC LTD 4x4 4.7 L (Eaton Truetrac Diff; stock Starfish rims with 265/70-16)
Yesterday, I was driving up a minor hill in a residential area in the rain. I wasn't doing more than 25 MPH and the Truetrac back end suddenly came out from under me. The tail fished both ways and I thought I was going to end up spinning 180 right there with a car coming from the opposite direction. I let off the gas and somehow managed to get it straight again. I turned on 4HI for the rest of the climb.

Since this truck is on loan to me, I've been trying not to spend too much money on it. But I see it really is time for a new set of tires. This truck might see some time on grass, gravel, or dirt, but very little true off-roading. What are you guys running that works well on the highway, but still has an all-season or M+S rating? I don't want to get the cheapest thing, but I'm trying to avoid shelling out for Michelins. Thanks!

 

How much weight did you have in the rear? For the longest time, I ran Toyo Open County ATII in load range E and they worked great on the highway, but I definitely put weight in the rear when it was wet.

 

The bed was empty and it was just me in the cab. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

I would try putting a little bit of weight centered over the rear axle and you might be surprised. Just the first thing I would try before splurging on tires.

 

Something like a 50lb bag of drainage rock? I can do that. Still, the tread depth is looking pretty doggone shallow.

 

I use Brakleen to clean up areas with gasket, and plastic razors usually. The more important part is that you don't drop any bits of gasket in a way they'll get internal to the engine (thinking about valve covers here especially).

 

That works, anything that's easily removable. It's not a bad practice even with new tires, the lack of weight can prevent traction in general.

 

I just put these on my wife's vehicle:
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...ewall=Blackwall&partnum=55HR0TCHTXL&tab=Sizes

And these just went on the Tundra on Friday:
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire... White Letter&partnum=67TR7DRTATRWL&tab=Sizes

Totally agree on adding the weight to the truck if you are having issues. But low tread tires will spin out no matter the weight if they get wet.

 

i like my bitchelins. Defender ltx m/s. They’re highway tires, they’ll slip in deeper mud and on wet grass, but they’ve been pretty solid. Sorry, dont know anything about snow. But they’re quiet, they ride nice, and they just wont wear out. No clue how many miles are on this set, but they’ll likely age out, before wearing out, even with the extra caster and no sway bar. The last set of michelins on the titan lasted over 100k, but pretty much all highway miles.

 

That's the plan for now is to source a junkyard part. A junkyard northwest of Nashville has a retractable bed cover that I was looking into already and the whole front clip looks in great shape. I will inquire about the availability of parts left. I'd be looking at both turn signals, bumper cover and driver's side fender. May pickup the passenger side as well then it would match all around. It is the dark blue but has fog lights already and I could snag the needed switch too. Have to go take a look at it. Maybe an hour and a half away.

 

Happy Birthday, good sir!!!

Any epic plans for today???

 

Thank you.
Sleep, followed by my last shift of the week tonight from 19:00-01:00.
I might treat myself to wings or a taco salad tonight.

 

HBD. I was going to answer "sleep, probably" but kept my hands tied.

 

Well, not a great way to spend a birthday...

But, sleep good and have an extra beer, bong or whatever your DoC is these days for me once you're off work!!!!

PS>> What ever happened to your PNW move???

 

That must've been hard for you...

 

I certainly will enjoy some Prickly Pear Shiner and put some loud skunk in the air by 01:30. Then it's a 2 mile walk with various calisthenics worked in every so often. Then more beer and some food, while I watch ECW.
That's my Thursday morning ritual.


That move is still possible someday. Just not yet. I don't want to move across the country from my immediate family until both parents pass and I have a solid trade skill to get a good job up there. ACC is supposed to be getting electrician, welding, HVAC, and plumbing courses soon. I think I'm going to do the electrician class when that happens.

 

Happy Birthday dude!

 

Well, I looked closer at the pictures and the bumper has a tear in it below the passenger side fog light. So, maybe both fenders and pickup a white bumper and rename the truck Captain America. Lol.

 

I mean, it's hard enough to stop touching myself as-is!

 

I'll have a Shiner or two or three in your honor this evening


It's really not 'across' the country; it's more of a little north and a little left (yes, that's a double)...