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Head gaskets and much more

nolasally said:
@H2oman7.62mm K. So around 20k all in on a 17yr old truck with 315k mi on truck. Seems to me you are in for the long haul with that tundra. Look out for deer with that one!
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Given the mods, repairs & preventative maintenance performed during the past 7 years, I feel very comfortable driving this truck for another 10 to 20 years. As a rule, I always do my very best to avoid hitting whatever crosses my path - no matter what I am driving.

EDIT. The fly in the ointment is spinal stenosis in my neck, as I age this condition is increasingly aggravated by a less than smooth ride. Adding weight to the bed helps, but I will most likely wear a neck brace more often than not whenever I drive this truck.
 
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any chance there is an air suspension conversion available? Not for bouncing or lowrider reasons but its about as soft a ride as it gets. Set up with an auto-leveling system it won't care about weight in the bed either, it'll just trim itself out.
 
nolasally said:
Seems to me you are in for the long haul with that tundra
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Maybe not. From another audio site:
1998 Toyota Tacoma 4WD TRD Off-Road with hail damage to totaled, 160,000 miles and the valuation in May was $16,529. Owner Took the money and ran Probably to get a newer truck. Bought in 08 for 9500. COVID and associated supply chain issues etc. changed used vehicle pricing.
 
H2oman7.62mm said:
I spent close to $10k, a little more than planned, but there is no way I could go out and buy an equivalent replacement truck with the mods I have on this truck for less than $25k
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Those were good trucks and if you keep it going another 5 yrs you still be way ahead on yearly transportation cost vs new ! Considering cost , sales tax , insurance and depreciation on a new vehicle !
 
H2oman7.62mm said:
I found this kit
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spendy. With that much compressor and the air tank it seems thats more for rapid response than just simple load leveling. Also appears to be fully manual control per-wheel. I was thinking something far less entertaining like what Lincolns got. Small pump, no accumulator tank, and automatic level control. Nothing moves fast but its meant to trim to ride height and stay there, not go from dragging the ground to normal height rapidly.
 
gadget73 said:
spendy. With that much compressor and the air tank it seems thats more for rapid response than just simple load leveling. Also appears to be fully manual control per-wheel. I was thinking something far less entertaining like what Lincolns got. Small pump, no accumulator tank, and automatic level control. Nothing moves fast but its meant to trim to ride height and stay there, not go from dragging the ground to normal height rapidly.
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Yeah, that kit won't work for me and I don't know of any kit that can replace the leaf springs - not without fabricating some sort of 4-link suspension to go with it and coil overs would probably be better with that.

I'll just make the best of what I have, and it does ride better / softer after I aired up the bags... they lost pressure after sitting for 7 months.

IMG_0639 (2).JPGIMG_0640 (2).JPG
 
hm, what helper springs are those? The base looks suspiciously like the aftermarket replacements available for my Mark VII, which is not the same base shape as either of the two stock options. Honestly would explain a whole lot if they are simply using a modified version of an already-existing air spring base to make the Lincoln parts.
 
gadget73 said:
hm, what helper springs are those? The base looks suspiciously like the aftermarket replacements available for my Mark VII, which is not the same base shape as either of the two stock options. Honestly would explain a whole lot if they are simply using a modified version of an already-existing air spring base to make the Lincoln parts.
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I could have relocated the original factory leaf springs to hang under the axle as pictured, but they were toast so I am using a custom set of Alcan leaf packs. The Firestone Air-Lift bags are mounted with brackets and hardware specific to this application and are only meant to prevent sagging when towing or carrying a heavy load.

Do you have pictures of the air bag setup on your Lincoln? I have seen them before, but that was a long time ago.
 
As expected, the little bit of air trapped in the new cooling system was 'burped' into the reservoir tank... I had to add about a cup of coolant to the reservoir.

Here is a look inside the new radiator.

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nolasally said:
Ford isn’t bad. You just need to look at what they do best. Same holds true for other makes. With turbos all bets are off though.

BMW = in-line 6
Japanese makers 3-4 cyl.
US makers V-8
Porsche flat 4&6 cyl.
Volvo 4-5 cyl.
Mercedes used to be diesels

@ernieb1536 had you bought a sienna or odyssey and replaced timing belts when due for service you would likely still be driving it assuming your not in the rust belt! But I get it. You were likely lured into ford with $$$ off msrp where imports were likely sold at sticker…
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A well maintained Sienna or Odyssey is the best of the genre. They are a pleasure to own and operate. I am a Sienna fanatic!
 
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