Loose gear shift

Weird...we have the same year, but the gauges are clearly different. Either it's a mid-year change, or...2004 DCs are truly unicorns!
(My mfg date is 03/04)



Apologies to OP for hijacking the thread.

 

What might be even weider is, that is your gauge that I simply added the 9 and white marks

 

Time to replace that 'D' LED or bulb.

 

You know, it's the damnedest thing...I DID replace the "D" light (and several others as well) The "D" light remained dim, even with the new bulb. I took it out and removed the green condom, yet still the same result. My theory is that since the "D" light is illuminated the preponderance of the time, and it is incandescent, that the heat has permanently yellowed the plastic. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it! (It still pisses me off every time a look at it)

 

Here's another example to further derail this thread. Bottom right corner you can see my volt gauge wired directly to the battery. The refresh rate of the display makes it impossible to photograph all the digits fully lit but it's reading 14.61 here at idle after a 20 minute drive. I, too, have an '04 DC but using a Ford diode and an AC Delco gold 94R AGM.

 

@Shifty guy at the shop that does bg flushes gave me a $75 quote to flush the engine & change the oil.....but, doesn't recommend doing it unless their are serious issues with the engine....might cause more harm then good....so, I guess the next step is to pull off the valves covers & see what they look like.....the gaskets need replaced anyway.....if not too sludged up, I might consider doing it.....toyota recommends one at 90,000, if I remember correctly, and this truck has probably never had one....

 

Sometimes the gaskets don't need replacing.

A lot of times what guys on here have found is that, with time, the bolts lose their torque, or maybe the rubber washer on the fastener compresses, and they simply need a tightening.

But if you do choose to go that route, here's everything you need, along with instructions, part numbers, process, etc.: https://www.tundras.com/threads/valve-covers-fix-or-leave.105385/#post-2712883

 

@Shifty update....finally got a nice day to work on the truck....but now it's trying to rain....pics of things as I take it apart.....no cracks in the timing belt, but it looks pretty worn, time for a new one....your thoughts?

 

@Shifty got the right side valve cover off.....not to bad, nothing that mmo at every oil change won't be able to take care of....gaskets are a little hard....I'll change them as soon as I can get some new ones....

 

Yup. Definitely a little burnt. Driver's side will definitely look 2x as bad.