It's Wednesday night, my wife is working, and I'm feeling lazy. That can only mean one thing; It's update time!
The last week has been pretty busy as far GG goes. It's also been busy at work and home, so it's really nice to have a garage to get away to. A friend and I have been talking about a Moab trip in October so I've been using that as my motivator to get things done. I'm targeting the second weekend in September to get all the major stuff done. Why then if Moab isn't until October? My wife has a work conference every second weekend of September and while I usually take off for two days on the motorcycle while she's away, I'm thinking some close to home shake down in GG is in order this year.
As I previously posted, I all but took last Thursday off and replaced both CV axles with Napa units, then did the Tundra brake upgrade. All the parts went on without a hitch, but I suck at bleed brakes alone with just a hose and a soda bottle. So last Friday I took her to Brakes Plus to get them bled "professionally". They guy there was really cool and helpful, he even squeezed in GG when he had a full calendar then walked the key across the parking lot to Safelite where I had an appointment later that afternoon (more on this in a minute). Well, they may be cool and helpful and all, but it seems that they gave the bleeding job to the new guy who knows nothing as the pedal was only slightly improved. It still travels half way to the floor before grabbing. So I searched around and discovered the wonderful product called "Speed Bleeder", which replaces the bleed screw-valve thing. I want to order some for GG, does anyone know what sizes to get? Speed Bleeder Bleeding Brakes Bleeding Motorcycle Brakes Automotive Bleeder Screw Brake Bleeder
That same Friday I got a new windshield! The old one was cracked through in six places when I bought it, which helped with the purchase price, but was lousy for visibility and aesthetics. One day the week prior to last I was stuck in traffic and it was really irritating, so I figured while I was doing 2mph I'd call Safelite on my awesome new bluetooth handsfree Pioneer radio and make an appointment. And with that, she feels like a much nicer truck! It's sort of like when you have a nagging hang nail and finally chop it off, you just feel much better mentally to have it cleaned up. And for that reason it was a very satisfying "upgrade."
That same Friday afternoon... damn, it was a good day, I decided to change the oil when I got home. So I did. I already had a Wix filter and Rotel T6 on the shelf so it was quick and easy. The fact I have no front bumper or skid plate at the moment definitely helped that. Then I think I did something else, but I for the life of me can't remember what. Time passed and then I drove her to pick up some take out sushi. A a great end to a great Friday.
Saturday morning I was up at 6:30, damn dogs, so while my wife was working out, she can keep that to herself, I went to the garage to charge the AC since I wanted to show off GG to the Mrs when we ran errands later and she won't ride in a car without AC. I broke out the gauge/manifold set, hooked up a can, and charged away. It didn't take much and GG was blowing in the mid 40's F. It almost felt too easy. It was too easy. I went on a test drive and the AC cut out after about six blocks. I returned home, googled, and concluded that my expansion valve is probably sticking. I've done multiple unscientific tests since then that only reinforced that diagnosis. The part is less than $40, but the crap thing is the whole dash has to come out to replace it. Also, I can't tell from the FSM if the system needs to be discharged prior to replacement. So I'm throwing this one on the back burner and just wait until the weather is cooler to give my wife a ride.
Nothing truck related happened Sunday-Tuesday besides me getting groceries, running other errands, and testing the AC. Then this morning I got the garage itch again. Went out and decided to finish with the rear swaybar. Decided to remove the whole bar and then the end links so I could use the impact gun. Well, I never got to the links. I removed 1, 2, 3 bolts, then on the fourth popped the head right off leaving the damn shaft in the welded on hole. I sprayed some PB Blaster on it and threw the swaybar in the corner. I need to get a quality screw/bolt extractor that won't snap off with 10ft/lbs of torque.
Anyway, after the swaybar I was going to install the ToyTec rear bump extensions. But I was disgruntled and forgot. So I went straight to the ISR delete/Air Raid. I'm not trying to squeeze more power out of the 5VZ-FE, just wanted to clean up the engine bay to make room for the ARB compressor. So I pulled out the ISR and MAF, cleaned the MAF and the TB, and installed the Air Raid. Easy peasy. Then it was time for a shower and work.
Oh, and that other thing I did Friday that I couldn't remember? I replaced the stupid POS K&N air filter with a Wix filter.
Next up, rear bump extensions and ARB compressor!
Also, no pics. They'd have been boring anyway.
The last week has been pretty busy as far GG goes. It's also been busy at work and home, so it's really nice to have a garage to get away to. A friend and I have been talking about a Moab trip in October so I've been using that as my motivator to get things done. I'm targeting the second weekend in September to get all the major stuff done. Why then if Moab isn't until October? My wife has a work conference every second weekend of September and while I usually take off for two days on the motorcycle while she's away, I'm thinking some close to home shake down in GG is in order this year.
As I previously posted, I all but took last Thursday off and replaced both CV axles with Napa units, then did the Tundra brake upgrade. All the parts went on without a hitch, but I suck at bleed brakes alone with just a hose and a soda bottle. So last Friday I took her to Brakes Plus to get them bled "professionally". They guy there was really cool and helpful, he even squeezed in GG when he had a full calendar then walked the key across the parking lot to Safelite where I had an appointment later that afternoon (more on this in a minute). Well, they may be cool and helpful and all, but it seems that they gave the bleeding job to the new guy who knows nothing as the pedal was only slightly improved. It still travels half way to the floor before grabbing. So I searched around and discovered the wonderful product called "Speed Bleeder", which replaces the bleed screw-valve thing. I want to order some for GG, does anyone know what sizes to get? Speed Bleeder Bleeding Brakes Bleeding Motorcycle Brakes Automotive Bleeder Screw Brake Bleeder
That same Friday I got a new windshield! The old one was cracked through in six places when I bought it, which helped with the purchase price, but was lousy for visibility and aesthetics. One day the week prior to last I was stuck in traffic and it was really irritating, so I figured while I was doing 2mph I'd call Safelite on my awesome new bluetooth handsfree Pioneer radio and make an appointment. And with that, she feels like a much nicer truck! It's sort of like when you have a nagging hang nail and finally chop it off, you just feel much better mentally to have it cleaned up. And for that reason it was a very satisfying "upgrade."
That same Friday afternoon... damn, it was a good day, I decided to change the oil when I got home. So I did. I already had a Wix filter and Rotel T6 on the shelf so it was quick and easy. The fact I have no front bumper or skid plate at the moment definitely helped that. Then I think I did something else, but I for the life of me can't remember what. Time passed and then I drove her to pick up some take out sushi. A a great end to a great Friday.
Saturday morning I was up at 6:30, damn dogs, so while my wife was working out, she can keep that to herself, I went to the garage to charge the AC since I wanted to show off GG to the Mrs when we ran errands later and she won't ride in a car without AC. I broke out the gauge/manifold set, hooked up a can, and charged away. It didn't take much and GG was blowing in the mid 40's F. It almost felt too easy. It was too easy. I went on a test drive and the AC cut out after about six blocks. I returned home, googled, and concluded that my expansion valve is probably sticking. I've done multiple unscientific tests since then that only reinforced that diagnosis. The part is less than $40, but the crap thing is the whole dash has to come out to replace it. Also, I can't tell from the FSM if the system needs to be discharged prior to replacement. So I'm throwing this one on the back burner and just wait until the weather is cooler to give my wife a ride.
Nothing truck related happened Sunday-Tuesday besides me getting groceries, running other errands, and testing the AC. Then this morning I got the garage itch again. Went out and decided to finish with the rear swaybar. Decided to remove the whole bar and then the end links so I could use the impact gun. Well, I never got to the links. I removed 1, 2, 3 bolts, then on the fourth popped the head right off leaving the damn shaft in the welded on hole. I sprayed some PB Blaster on it and threw the swaybar in the corner. I need to get a quality screw/bolt extractor that won't snap off with 10ft/lbs of torque.
Anyway, after the swaybar I was going to install the ToyTec rear bump extensions. But I was disgruntled and forgot. So I went straight to the ISR delete/Air Raid. I'm not trying to squeeze more power out of the 5VZ-FE, just wanted to clean up the engine bay to make room for the ARB compressor. So I pulled out the ISR and MAF, cleaned the MAF and the TB, and installed the Air Raid. Easy peasy. Then it was time for a shower and work.
Oh, and that other thing I did Friday that I couldn't remember? I replaced the stupid POS K&N air filter with a Wix filter.
Next up, rear bump extensions and ARB compressor!
Also, no pics. They'd have been boring anyway.
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