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

I have installed ditch light brackets from Hot Metal Fab. They are probably pretty similar. The Hot Metal Fab bracket though is a two-piece bracket. If I can give you any advice for install. It would be to trace out the hinge where it connects to the hood and only remove one bolt at a time to prevent the Hood from moving on the hinge. If the hood does end up moving on the hinge at least you have it traced to get it back into the original position. You will also have to cut a space in the plastic paneling that runs between the hood and the windshield for the bracket of slide in between. I just used a good strong razor blade for this .

 

I went to the Yota Yard in Denver. They recently received a 2000 Tundra access cab with fender flares and I figured I'd take a peek at the flares. Maybe ask them about a rear bumper and passenger side door window that has some scratches, or maybe even some side steps.

Well, they showed me to the Tundra and when I mentioned the flares, first thing out of dude's mouth was $400. I told him I just paid $350 for brand new Bushwacker OEM flares for our 2018 Tundra. He goes well we usually charge 1/2 of what the dealership would charge and these are OEM. So, $200 for a set of 18 year old flares, in a junkyard. He must have realized he lost me as a customer because he backtracked right away and did one of those "offer us a price", but he was right - they lost me as a customer forever. If he opened with "offer me a price", I'd be fine, I'm from a haggling culture. But opening with $400 was just insulting. So, back to forums and craigslist.

 

It's insane what junkyards in some places ask these days. 20 years ago they were happy to liquidate cars, now they act like they're selling new parts.

I saw a pair of MK4 GTI 20th anniversary headlights in good shape at a pick-a-part, asked how much and they said $450. At that I would have to yank the bumper and grille to get them out, to the aftermarket I went.

 

@Darkness Do you know if the spindles from an 03 4x4 are the same as my 06 4x4?

 

@Brown Bear

 

Different. 06, 05 and I think 04 use a different lower ball joint than the earlier trucks. The 4 bolts are wider apart and I believe there is a difference for the shaft of the ball joint where it meets the lower arm.

 

Damn, of course they are.

 

So today's is the day I install my new rear bumper... But I finally got under the truck only to realize the bumper is integrated into the hitch and I don't want to lose my hitch or have to buy an aftermarket hitch. The pic of the bumper installed in the previous owners truck had a hitch so I assumed everything would work out fine. Fuck

 

Any way to retro fit? Break out the grinder and cut around hitch. Might have to notch the new one?

 

Junk yards are disappearing around here. Not sure why, but maybe due to online (both new and used parts) competition.

Its a shame because I learned to wrench from my family mechanic who would send me to the junkyard to pick parts and then tell me to do it myself!

 

5100s are going in today...I'm gonna wait until it's not 38 degrees out. Looks like south texas is gonna have a winter this year

 

So my options are:
1. Leave it alone. Sell bumper. Have Trail Toys or Maner build me a custom bumper with integrated hitch.
2. Wait til I have an aftermarket hitch and install em both.
3. Install bumper without a hitch. (Not even an option)

 

Doesn't look like it.

 

I vote for option 1.

 

Wanna buy a rear bumper?

 

That's my vote as well.

 

Lol, if the wife would let me. Pics and price?

I actually got my truck in houston, I'm in san antonio

 

I got lucky once and found a DIS and MAF off a t-bird that worked on my SHO. $35 for both. I guess they didn't know what they were.

 

Take some before and after measurements. I'm thinking about getting some.

 

Will do!

 

I'm near Houston. I'm asking $430 and I'm willing to drive to Houston or meet closer to SATX if necessary. *Includes the LEDs, not the shackles.*



*Fits if you have no hitch or an aftermarket hitch. Won't fit if you have the stock Toyota intergrated bumper hitch combo unless you remove the hitch or heavily modify it.

 

You’ll be very happy with the 5100’s. A firm sporty ride. The truck will feel stouter, as well. Wondering if its because the shock piston rods are a larger diameter on these vs. stock or Monroe?

Towing and hauling are nice with the 5100’s too.

 

You looking just the level the front or lift the rear too? I can't recommend enough the wheelers off road progressive add a leaf and the Bilstein 5160 rear shocks.

 

5100’s with front at one (1) notch up from stock. Just discovered last night my front coils are TRD 4x4 which gives a higher lift vs. the other Tundra model options? I thought they were all the same, but they aren’t. Maybe this is why some people get various different readings on their lifts/mods? Versus all things being the same. Apples and Oranges?

 

Makes sense my limited 4x4 was sitting much lower than most 4x4 tundras I've seen before I lifted it.

 

I wonder if the coils rods diameters are different, as well?

 

I just assumed it was because the original suspension had 200k miles since 2006 lol

 

Any welder worth his ticket should be able to fab up a reciever on that bumper, assuming the bumper material is thick enough to provide strength. Since you have tow shackle points on it, I'd assume it is.

Probably want a couple gussets and cross braces so there would be a bit of enginerding, but it could be done pretty easily. I'm a welder and could probably have it done in a day.

Maybe take it to a local fab shop and see what they say.

 

I lost my job last Thursday. So selling it is the only viable option if I can't install it as is. I've already put too much money into it as it is.

 

Oh damn. Sorry to hear that.