Getting up to speed in my new '02 Tundra

Yeah that's a tough one...I know that with all the video tutorials, I could handle the timing belt. I'm still hesitant. It's near enough to due that I'm sure some of the advice here would be to wait on the job I just did, since you need to take all this stuff out for the timing belt job. But since the truck is new to me, radiator is original, I just want to get this out of the way for peace of mind. Still pretty intimidated by that job, not ready to pay for it yet either, and in the meantime I want the radiator replaced.

But yeah you're right. If I was really being completely rational, I'd set aside a weekend sometime in the next month or two and do the timing belt/water pump and radiator and hoses then.

 

I think you have a fine plan. The notion of "while you're changing the radiator you may as well just change the timing belt while you're in there" is analogous to "while you've got the wheels off you may as well just change the control arms while you're in there". Changing the radiator is insanely easy, just don't let the ATF drain out while you're doing it. and there are two less bolts to remove than changing a tire...

 

Yeah, thanks. I was careful there since I didn't want to have to add any. I lost probably 1/4 cup. Refilled and bled the coolant system at lunch. Haven't taken it for a drive so we'll see if I got all the air out. This is one time it helps to have an uneven parking area. Easy to get the front end elevated.

Assuming I got the orientation right, I'm ready for the front suspension install. But worst case, it's a lot easier (and safer) to just compress the coils a little and rotate the shock now that they're in there with the top bolt secure. I realized after reading a few tutorials that there's no point struggling with the fronts right now...why not just wait till this weekend when I do the UBJs?? Then I'll have all the room I need between the control arms. So I'll wait till then to swap these in, even though I've got some momentum.

 

I just want to applaud you here for using a proper spring compressor. Your teeth and skull are silently thankful.

 

I've used the other kind! Didn't like it. Figured even if I only do this job once or twice more, the cost was worth it. I did a little searching around and while this is still far less safe than the real spring compressors, it did seem better than the rentals.

 

I'm usually pretty skeptical when things say "custom fit" for a 22 year old truck. But in this case, custom fit!