Trump's 03 Tacoma

trump

Adventurist
I have hub envy.

These things are nearly unobtainium anymore, but Mitch found me a great set. I broke them down this evening and they look like they had never been engaged. Factory yellow grease lightly coated on everything.
 

4RunAmok

Explorer
These things are nearly unobtainium anymore, but Mitch found me a great set. I broke them down this evening and they look like they had never been engaged. Factory yellow grease lightly coated on everything.
That's friggin awesome!

It should be noted that these were this particular yard's LAST PAIR. And the yard dude had to pull out about 15 pairs of 2WD Hub/Half-Shaft/Upper and Lower Control Arm combos to get to these. The whole time I'm thinkin' "They're not going to be there, he just THINKS he has a set of manual hubs" "No no, they're under one of these!" he insists. The dude knows his yard.
 

trump

Adventurist
Tips/Lessons learned for manual hubs

I finished breaking everything down last night and learned some tricks in the process.

1. You absolutely must have a brass drift punch to unseat the cone washers on these manual hubs. Back the nuts off until they're flush with the stud. Then, use the brass punch and a BFH to hit the nut and stud. You'll see the cone washer jump and sometimes make a click when you get it free. Many people will just beat and pry on the hub until they come loose, but in the process risk damaging the hub body and causing them not to seal properly. PB Blaster is your friend.

2. Snap ring pliers specifically designed for the style of snap rings used with these hubs and CV shaft are on the top of my list for purchase. I couldn't imagine having to remove them on the trail like I did last night. Traditional snap ring pliers were next to useless.

3. After you break them down, the hub dials have a tiny ball bearing with a spring under it to keep them in the locked/unlocked position. If you don't know about them before hand, go ahead and consider them lost... I was lucky.

4. Don't count on being able to reuse the hub seals. They're crazy delicate... the originals in my case.

5. Breaking down the hub, spindle, and CV will take you 2 hours the first time around with breaks for swearing fits. With these tips/lessons learned, the second one will take you 10 mins.
 

trump

Adventurist
Did we learn at the same auto shop class?

LOL

Here's a couple pictures of the rebuild and cleaning.

A before shot of the dial before I restore it.
2012-02-27181017.jpg


Nearly cleaned up hub body... Off to the parts washer tomorrow.
2012-02-27181125.jpg


The goods.
2012-02-27180904.jpg
 

trump

Adventurist
Hey! Nice towel!

:D

So cool. Manual hubs would be so nice to have again.

That's exactly what I had been thinking. Then, the ADD actuator gave out for the second time. It was $100 bucks for another (hard to find) used electric ADD actuator that might just choose to stop working again... Or, $407 before taxes for a brand new actuator. Spend $100 more and you can swap to manual hubs and eliminate all the electronic equipment used in the system (minus the 4wd indication light.) It was an easy decision since I've lost all confidence in the ADD system working.

Now to get everything done. I'm trying to see if I can pull a rabbit out of my hat and find a way to get everything done by Thurs. With the snow Prescott just recieved with this storm, I would feel better about having my 4wd functioning before traveling mountain roads.
 

RogueTacoma

New member
Hey Trump. I've been looking for those lights from Ecco. The only source I've seen has them at $91 each, is that right? yikes.
 

trump

Adventurist
Hey Trump. I've been looking for those lights from Ecco. The only source I've seen has them at $91 each, is that right? yikes.

That's probably right. IIRC it was a $200 upgrade when I ordered the front bumper. Solid, top quality product, but yes... expensive.
 

Blackdawg

Dr. Frankenstein
:D



That's exactly what I had been thinking. Then, the ADD actuator gave out for the second time. It was $100 bucks for another (hard to find) used electric ADD actuator that might just choose to stop working again... Or, $407 before taxes for a brand new actuator. Spend $100 more and you can swap to manual hubs and eliminate all the electronic equipment used in the system (minus the 4wd indication light.) It was an easy decision since I've lost all confidence in the ADD system working.

Now to get everything done. I'm trying to see if I can pull a rabbit out of my hat and find a way to get everything done by Thurs. With the snow Prescott just recieved with this storm, I would feel better about having my 4wd functioning before traveling mountain roads.

Yea i don't have the electronic engaging 4wd thank goodness :D just a lever for me :D but the manual hubs would still be super nice.
 

trump

Adventurist
Yea i don't have the electronic engaging 4wd thank goodness :D just a lever for me :D but the manual hubs would still be super nice.

The ADD actuator engages the front diff not the transfer case. I have a manual transfer case too. Just pray that your actuator doesn't ruin a trip.
 

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