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

Did the springs from ATS not include 2 new spring eye bolts? Two 14mm x 110mm front eye bolts were included in my set. They have different lengths here if needed. https://www.autoandtrucksprings.com/leaf-spring-eye-bolts-grade-8/

 

I went out to work over lunch. Yeah they did. In fact the factory bolts are to small and would have clunked. I should have opened that first.

 

Did you reuse your OEM Shackles? How did they look upon inspection? Specifically your bushings.

 

Got the truck back from the body and paint shop today. Replaced the busted up front bed panel. Now on to Line-X it.

 

Shackles and bushings were in great shape. The new springs came with new eye bushings already installed so the only bushings reused were the lower one's in the rear shackle. I'm really happy with the way everything turned out.

 

Ordered some items for the trucké (truck pronunciation in Mexico). Inspected el hoses (the lineas in Español) and I’ve known for a while that most of them (vacuum hoses) will need replacement soon as they are dry and some cracking.

I’m not opposed to paying for OEM as the bends for most of these are perfect fitment. Whats another alternative? Looking for exact hose diameters.

Also, I’d like to clamp these hoses with the proper sized Spring Clamps or the likes of a nice Snake Style Clamp. Any reccos or should I start talking with myself on this issue?


Thinking out loud its best to do OEM Hoses and clamp them. Guess its a matter of buying some Toyota 3/8” and 1/4” Spring Clamps. Open to suggestions...

 

I’m stoked for you on this.

I’m torn on the HD (for 4wd) Version or just staying OEM Strength. The HD might make me too high in the rear as you got about an 1.5” on yours. My OEM springs still have what I believe is mostly the original rake and adding an 1.5” might make me have to lift the front and then I’d become a really cool suspension guy.

Still Meditating on this difference 2wd vs 4wd HD height factor.

 

I have the exact same response but I might replace great with good. I also wish I had that tool. The bushings in my springs were terrible especially the front. I had to drive a wedge in to get the spring out. It took forever to figure that one out. I am almost halfway done. One or two more nights.

 

Are you working 12 hour shifts on this?

 

I hope not. So far a couple hours maybe. The U bolts are a beast without an impact.

 

Yeah. I heard its best just to cut them with a grinder if you lack impact gun.

 

I think I am going to try a Milwaukee carbide blade first. I used it to cut some 1" axle bolts on my trailer last year and it was a joy to use.

 

After install I was 23 hub to fender.

 

I forgot you have already done this on a double cab. Got a picture?

 

It was my old access cab I sold to my Nephew. The DC needs it, but it's down the list after the hewitt bypass and replacing the torn cv boots

 

With the HD Version for 4wd with the ATS Springs?

Here are my measurements from almost 2 years ago with AC and 4wd. If all things are equal, then I’d get just another 1/2” lift which is fine.

 

Well, I don't hate it. I have a new appreciation for folks that do those wraps professionally.

I'm curious how much this will cut down glare from the hood.

I'm a little bummed about my bug guard. Tried to reinstall it, and 2 of the mounting tabs inside the good gave up the ghost after 19 years. Seems unlikely that I'll find replacements.

 

I also washed the truck today and applied a coat of Griots 3-in-1 to help cure my PTSD after seeing @des2mtn That's why the paint looks so good in this picture. There was half an inch of pollen on there.

 

I like the matte black. I think it looks good. How's it look from about 40ft away?

 

I think it came out nice. Adds a unique look to the truck. Only thing that bugs me is the bit of white at the top but it could just be the picture angle.

 

I'm not sure yet. The way my driveway is angled I wouldn't be able to see it from that far away. I wish it extended down to the grill and covered that entire section but it's growing on me.

There is a tiny gap there. I tried my best to cover it but installing it was a real bitch. There were a few times I thought it was ruined. I was hoping the soapy water would allow me to slide it around but it didn't. It just keeps it from sticking too soon. If I had had a 2nd person helping it would have been much easier I think.

 

The projector headlights are looking great. Is that a brute force on the front end?

 

It sure is.

 

Finished installing one of these today, made a bracket yesterday and positioned the motor. Used a connector taken from a junkyard Toyota horn to make a very simple harness, they're riveted onto the horns.

 

I just about have the new leaf spring job done. Everything is in and bolted up. Tomorrow I will get the weight on the springs and get everything torqued up. The u bolts were about 2 inches to long. I don't have a socket anywhere near that long so I had to cut them all. Getting the front of both springs out was really tough. Pounding a big flat head on the inside side of the spring seemed to help things break free.

 

Sorry the job isn't going more smoothly for you, I almost feel guilty for how easy my springs came out. When I spoke with ATS they asked me how long my stock u-bolts were and sent me new one's that were 3/4" longer. The eye/shackle bolts are 125 ft-lbs and the u-bolts are 98 ft-lbs. Criss-cross tighten the u-bolts gradually until they're at 98, tighten the eye bolts/shackles with the truck on the ground. You're almost there!!

 

Why yes Hand Man. I’d love to help you. Just go down to your friendly Stealer and order some for about $3 a spring. You need to measure each hose end and count how many you have and add them up. You got this guurrrlll!

 

Oh thank you. I never thought of that.