Wrenchin... Adventures under the hood... Put em here.

[Rideski]

Toyota.com shows Truestart as their brand, it's actually less than the Wally AGM.

Only a 12 month full replacement but 60 month pro rated. Tempting

I had several duralast golds that crashed and burned.

[Touring_Sedan]

Car battery time again gf's 2019 Camry. Appears she is still on the OEM battery. Showing signs of trouble. Tested at 10.9. , charged jumped right up to 13.5 but holding at 12.7

Going to get a new one, I've had pretty good luck with Walmart golds, even in my truck that sits around a lot. Put a Wally AGM in the other truck, running well a year out.

Makes me wonder about the OEM and if whatever I would get from a dealer would be the same or not. Got a solid 5 years of super short trips on her shopping runs. Can't get a price today for the holiday but if within $40 or so of the Wally considering getting it.

I've switched over to AGM batteries on most of my vehicles. I just replaced the Optima Red Top in my Wrangler. It was dated 2015. I used to be replacing standard flooded batteries every 3 years or so.



An AGM Odyssey went in the wife's VW.



They cost a bit more up front but. IMO they're worth it.

[Rideski]

Yeah I wanted to go AGM, but it was .75" bigger.
It appears this bracket will only be snug at the previous size or 1 3/8th's larger. Never seen a bracket like that before. Holds it nice and snug but rather constraining. Ended up just buying the Toyota approved. 2 year free replace, 6 year pro-rated. We will see...

[bagtagley]

The hunt for mouse remnants escalated quickly. Seats may need to come out. Really want to work on mechanicals but not gonna drive this thing until I can at least reduce the stank. Leaking from the cowl isn’t helping things.

[east or bust]

Blew the power steering pressure line on the Tahoe the other day. Was an easy fix but also kind of a bitch at the same time.

[gravitylover]

Damn bags that's a project. I've been wanting to strip the inside of mine but the walls are one piece and the headliner has to be dropped to release them.

[Name Redacted]

Just got the power steering replaced on my Chevy Express. Did not do it myself, sounded like a PITA though.

[warthog]

The hunt for mouse remnants escalated quickly. Seats may need to come out. Really want to work on mechanicals but not gonna drive this thing until I can at least reduce the stank. Leaking from the cowl isn’t helping things.

Ha ha, the $1,000 car vacuum. I got one of those too.
Good luck

[warthog]

I've switched over to AGM batteries on most of my vehicles. I just replaced the Optima Red Top in my Wrangler. It was dated 2015. I used to be replacing standard flooded batteries every 3 years or so.



An AGM Odyssey went in the wife's VW.



They cost a bit more up front but. IMO they're worth it.

I only use Optima Blue tops in my Jeep and Bronco. Red top is basically the same, without the optional top and side posts I believe.
Wife's QX80 has gone through 3 batteries in less than 3 years, but Infiniti keeps replacing them. Once that stops, I will throw a red top in hers too.

I think the blue top in my Jeep is going on 15 years old.

[Touring_Sedan]

I only use Optima Blue tops in my Jeep and Bronco. Red top is basically the same, without the optional top and side posts I believe.
Wife's QX80 has gone through 3 batteries in less than 3 years, but Infiniti keeps replacing them. Once that stops, I will throw a red top in hers too.

I think the blue top in my Jeep is going on 15 years old.

I went with the red top over the blue top for the longer warranty and I thought blue tops were made for rv or boat use where you discharge and then recharge rather than cycling with the alternator?

[heckacali]

RedTop
These batteries are designed for starting engines in vehicles with properly sized alternators, such as stock and modified cars, trucks, and other vehicles. They are ideal for providing a strong burst of power to start a vehicle.

YellowTop
These batteries are a good choice for users who need a lot of power but don't have access to continuous charging. They are a good option for automotive applications.

BlueTop
These batteries are designed for marine and RV applications, such as trolling motors, live wells, and big stereos. They are deep cycle batteries that can withstand regular discharging and recharging without degrading.

[Touring_Sedan]

RedTop
These batteries are designed for starting engines in vehicles with properly sized alternators, such as stock and modified cars, trucks, and other vehicles. They are ideal for providing a strong burst of power to start a vehicle.

YellowTop
These batteries are a good choice for users who need a lot of power but don't have access to continuous charging. They are a good option for automotive applications.

BlueTop
These batteries are designed for marine and RV applications, such as trolling motors, live wells, and big stereos. They are deep cycle batteries that can withstand regular discharging and recharging without degrading.

Yes, I know how Google works. I was wondering why hog chose a blue top.

[east or bust]

If you were me, and planning to drive the vehicle into the ground (09 4runner, 170k miles), would you pony up for new OEM 5th gen cv axles (not reman) or go CVJ reman? The price difference per axle is about $162.

Also, not lifted and don't plan to be FWIW.

[Mazderati]

OEM. No contest.

[El Chupacabra]

If you were me, and planning to drive the vehicle into the ground (09 4runner, 170k miles), would you pony up for new OEM 5th gen cv axles (not reman) or go CVJ reman? The price difference per axle is about $162.

Also, not lifted and don't plan to be FWIW.

An '09 4Runner is a 4th gen, isn't it?

Same CV for the 5th?

[east or bust]

An '09 4Runner is a 4th gen, isn't it?

Same CV for the 5th?

Yes and yes. The benefit of the 5th gen axles is the inner boot has another rib which supposedly helps with longevity, also have a different axle nut that doesn't use a cotter pin, otherwise they are the same.

[warthog]

Yes, I know how Google works. I was wondering why hog chose a blue top.

Endless recharge ability, and also because I had them for my boats. Red and Blue are basically the same battery, blue comes with a side post option common in boats. I don't worry about my daughter leaving something running and coming out to a dead battery that can't be recharged. Like I said, then be in my Jeep is going on at least 15 years old I think. Always takes a charge.
Boat engines have pretty robust alternators too. We aren't exactly running 9 hp engines.

[Falcon3]

If you were me, and planning to drive the vehicle into the ground (09 4runner, 170k miles), would you pony up for new OEM 5th gen cv axles (not reman) or go CVJ reman? The price difference per axle is about $162.

Also, not lifted and don't plan to be FWIW.

OEM 100%. Only $320 extra for a part that will last 150,000+ miles is a no brainer.

[Djongo Unchained]

OEM 100%. Only $320 extra for a part that will last 150,000+ miles is a no brainer.

Agreed and the 99.7% likelihood of those parts fitting together flawlessly, the first time is worth something too. Aftermarket comes with the potential for being viable, but slightly off. Or fucked from the get go.

The way shipping is a kinda shitshow these days, having to send parts back is infuriating.

[gravitylover]

Yep and I'm about to deal with a pita return because I fukt up (big surprise). I got some Jeep wheels for my Caravan, they're the right bolt pattern and offset but the rim part is thicker and they don't clear the front calipers. No big deal, get spacers so it clears and it'll be good. Nope. The wheel is wider and the spacer pushes it out 1.25" so it looks, well, like a Jeep but it's missing the fender extender thingy. So now I have 3 wheels I don't need, 2 are already on the back because those stock wheels were bent, and a set of spacers I got on eBay that have to be sent back. I also added to the hooptiness of the POS by having steelies with wheel covers and cool 5 spoke alloys

[warthog]

Dug back into the Bronco tailgate and replaced the side felts. She flows like butter now. Had a chance to update and clean some of the components too. Hoping to not have to dig back in there anytime soon, so I can button it up. You have to seal it up with plastic sheeting so the water doesn't find its way into the back. I have had the plastic off there since I got it, since I am constantly having to tinker in there.

Testing out my new sig too.

[Norseman]

Recently refurbished the leaf packs for my Tundra.

Things had been rode hard n put away wet. These are Old Man Emu Dakar packs which I originally installed in 2016.



Crusteaz








Had to cut the bolts out of the frame at the forward spring eye as they had seized in the bushing and couldn't be removed even with mucho macho force.






Forward bushings completely separated:






Inter-leaf spacers ground down to nothing:





Careful hacksawing from the inside, then a couple whacks with the cold chisel to remove the old rusted-ass forward bushing sleeve from the spring eye:





Took apart both leafpacks and wire-wheeled the shit outta each leaf with the 4.5" angle grinder. Took about a whole day.





... then heavily greased each one and reassembled, with new center pin, new bolts and sleeves for the spring clips, and new poly bushings in each eye.





Bolted em in with fresh grease on the shackles and went for a spin up to the trailhead for a big bike/hike solo day. Truck feels a lot better. Sweet.

[east or bust]

OEM 100%. Only $320 extra for a part that will last 150,000+ miles is a no brainer.

Well, to be 100% clear the cheaper axle is still a refurbished Toyota axle.

Agreed and the 99.7% likelihood of those parts fitting together flawlessly, the first time is worth something too. Aftermarket comes with the potential for being viable, but slightly off. Or fucked from the get go.

The way shipping is a kinda shitshow these days, having to send parts back is infuriating.

No doubt, gunna pull the trigger today. Think I have everything else I need. It’s a lot of money for sure, but crazy to think a shop would end up charging the same amount or more but be putting in shitty carquest or similar parts.

[warthog]

Nice work Norseman. I just hit 'em with OSPHO.

I do need to do an add a leaf soon though, so maybe I will dig in that deep.
Until I can get the Deavers.

[J. Barron DeJong]

Brake time.