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

Well it's been awhile since I've been here, but truck keeps getting better. Over the summer I finally did the big brake upgrade from the newer model. I was only able to get one new caliper the other was refurbished, but like new, and they cost the same, except I lost out on the core charge for the rebuilt one. Of course you go this far, I got the drilled/slotted rotors as well. All brake problems solved!! Found someone selling some older aluminum rims from the older 4-runner I believe, so that spruced things up. New tires as well. Finally got a new windshield and can see clearly now, then some bling like light covers and a bug shield. The light covers look cool, easy to remove, but keep your new light from getting sandblasted. Next will be exhaust, sounds just the way I like it now, but that's until something falls off. 18 years for original exhaust, not bad. Dual exhaust is what I'm looking for. Then gota find the better transmission, and then I suppose there is a better rear end option............and the list goes on.

 

I learned a little trick when using the spray bedliner: Do a few follow up coats using some Rustoleum Finish Spray in black on top. Smoothes out the grit and provides an even better look IMO. Looks nice what you did.

 

Do you have any pics of how you mounted your lightbar behind your grille? I'm putting a light bar on this spring, and I'm debating about going behind the grill like yours if I can figure out how to mount it or going behind the lower grille in the bumper.

 

Do this.

 

I try to remember to grab some today. Its mounted to the grill and I had to cut out all of the vertical plastic veins for it to fit. I dont have a dremel so I used a grinder, dont judge the messiness!

 

Finally got around to doing a post-mortem on the old front headlight casings that I removed recently. These were around $50 for both assys WITH halogen bulbs. The cases are plastic with reflector liner coating. Basically, cheap China made. The bulbs both were saggy and crooked. Maybe melted and sagged due to heat? The reflector cone, where the bulb projects, was dull and dark.

The new ones recently installed cost about $115 for the headlights and side markers (no bulbs). The cases are REAL METAL. I’m guessing these are a better product. Made in Tiawan, but fit and finish is way better.

Read this other guys Supernova v.4 LED story install and he says no likey. Confirms Caspers comments about LED in reflector.

Was going to do other truck stuff today but decided not. Rather lard out than work today.

 

Lotta good stuff here! Please post some pics when you can, so we can see all this.

Any of y'all spray in your own bedliner? I haven't priced it out but am guessing I'd save a lot rattle-canning my 1st gen, compared to what I spent paying Line-X to do my 3rd gen.

 

I rolled my bed liner using

$100 HERCULINER HCL1B8 Roll-on Bed Liner Kit,Black, 1 Gal.

Herculiner.

 

Thanks! One gallon enough for the entire bed? Dry without roll lines? Are you happy?

 

https://goo.gl/images/QVTG8h

 

Waiting for the dishwasher to finish cleaning your valve covers?

 

Ha! I guess you saw my other build? I didn't even think about that but now I'm gonna do it!

 

Yeah. Its your profile pic too. Make sure you snap some new shots of that V8 4.7 Cover on the top rack of your dishwasher.

 

It came out better than expected. I recommend it.

 

Finally got around to fixing some dents and started sanding down to base coat getting ready for new paint.

 

Well, then, this is my plan! I

With this as a chaser needed. Great tips, Guys!

 

Busy day again.

• Washed truck again.
• Got one fender flare painted. It looks great. Can't wait to get all the black trim done. This 17 year old truck looks amazing. Previous owner must have been an anal bastard like me.
• Removed one side badge. This was a major PITA. I'll probably leave the other one for now.
• In between coats I replaced the spark plugs in my wifes Rav4. Oddly, the OEM replacement plugs didn't come gapped correctly. That was my first time having to gap a set.

Before:



After





Old plugs with 101k. Toyota recommended changing them at 120,000 which seems too long.

 

What paint did you use for the fender? I’m planning on using a heat gun on Monday to try and get color back.

 

Cheap rustoleum from wal mart. Semi gloss that works on plastic. The spray nozzle wasn't the greatest but I like the way it looks.

 

I agree looks really good, if the heat gun doesn’t work for me I’m going to go the paint route.

 

Turned out nice.

 

Here ya go! I just figured out where I wanted it. I cut the veins out of the grill to set the light as far forward as possible, and cut slits to fit the mounting tabs. Also had to bend the hood latch rod a bit, it still works fine. Also had to move the drivers side horn over some

https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...oad-led-light-bars-58w-8200-lumens/3772/8069/

 

Awesome! Thanks for taking those pics. I really like that set up.

 

I've been pondering the same but, think I'm going to go this route. I'm thinking a curved 14" dual row light bar on each side of the license plate would be perfect. For whatever reason, I've always had hesitations about putting anything in way of the direct airflow to the radiator. Maybe that's inexperience speaking, though, and it really doesn't make a big difference.

 

Painted another fender flare and another round with the #advanceAutoTurkeyBaster. The fluid is looking cleaner. I'm going to wait a few days and do one more enema.

 

Had some fun the past few days down in the Ozarks. It was very wet. Made for some long muddy trails and awesome water crossings.

Made a nice little slit in my sidewall with lots of miles left to go... one reason I carry 2 full size spares.

 

Is the Aisin brand coolant acceptable or do we have to go with the Genuine Toyota red? I've read conflicting info on this. The red is really expensive.

 

I've always used the Toyota full concentrate and dicker with them on the price then used distilled water to make it 50/50.

 

Been using this for long time. Pre-mixed. Not concentrate! If you add water use distilled. See red circle.