So Fix it

The Nissan Motor Company began importing the Datsun pickup truck to the United States in 1959. Automobile consumers in the United States were accustomed to large vehicles containing V8 engines, so the Datsun 1000, a compact truck with a 37-horse power four-cylinder engine, was a foreign concept to most American automobile consumers. Nissan soon dropped the Datsun name and continued to manufacture the truck under the Nissan name. Nissans sales continue to grow with continued innovations and standard features that include automatic transmissions and fuel injection. Installing a torque converter requires moderate automotive repair knowledge. The transmission should already be removed from the truck being serviced.

Instructions

1

Disconnect the negative battery cable from the trucks battery.

2

Raise the front of the truck off of the ground using a jack. Place one jack-stand behind each front wheel assembly, under the "A" arm. Lower the truck onto the jack-stands. Make sure the front of the truck is safely supported. Remove the jack.

3

Raise the rear of the tuck off of the ground using a jack. Place one jack-stand behind each rear wheel assembly, under the rear axle. Lower the truck onto the jack-stands. Make sure the rear of the vehicle is safely supported. Remove the jack.

4

Align the spines on the output shaft of the transmission to the grooves inside the torque converter

5

Push the torque converter onto the output shaft of the transmission by hand until the torque converter is fully seated.

6

Lift the transmission up using a transmission jack and align the flywheel studs on the torque converter to the holes in the flywheel. The flywheel is mounted on the rear of the engine, under the truck. Make sure the transmission is securely strapped or chained to the transmission jack before raising the transmission.

7

Push the transmission and jack assembly forward by hand until the torque converter studs come through the holes in the flywheel. Make sure the torque converter is sitting flush against the flywheel assembly and the bell housing is sitting flush against the rear of the engine.

8

Insert all six bell housing bolts through the bell housing into the rear of the engine block. Thread the bolts by hand to make sure there is no cross-threading. Tighten the bolts using a torque wrench and socket to the manufacturers recommended torque level. Make sure the bell housing is sitting flush on the rear of the engine block before tightening the bolts. Do not use the bell housing bolts to pull the two units together.

9

Locate the torque converter access cover on the bottom of the bell housing. Remove the two access cover bolts using a socket wrench and socket and pull the access cover off by hand. Set the access cover aside.

10

Locate the transmission gear selector switch on the drivers side of the transmission. Place the transmission in neutral. Check that the transmission is in neutral by rotating the flywheel and torque converter assembly by placing a pry bar through the access cover hole and turning the engine flywheel counterclockwise.

11

Thread all six of the torque converter nuts onto the torque converter studs by hand. Rotate the engine flywheel assembly counterclockwise using a pry bar to access each torque converter stud.

12

Tighten the torque converter nuts in a star pattern to the manufactures recommended torque level using a torque wrench and socket. Replace the bell housing access cover and tighten the two retaining bolts.

13

Replace the transmission cross-member and secure the cross-member to the truck frame using two bolts. Tighten the bolts using a torque wrench and socket to the manufacturers recommended torque level. Attach the transmission to the cross-member using two nuts. Tighten the nuts using a torque wrench and socket to the manufacturers recommended torque level.

14

Raise the starter mobile assembly up to the passenger side of the bell housing by hand. Insert the "gear end" of the starter motor assembly into the bell housing. Make sure the visible starter motor gears are facing the flywheel assembly and attach the starter motor assembly to the bell housing using two bolts. Tighten the two bolts using a torque wrench and socket to the manufacturers recommended torque level.

15

Attach the two transmission cooler lines to the passenger side of the transmission using a flare nut wrench.

16

Insert the drive shaft into the rear of the transmission. Lift the U-joint end of the drive shaft up to the rear axle of the vehicle and thread the four drive shaft retaining bolts through the U-joint into the rear end by hand. Tighten the four bolts to the manufactures recommended torque level using a torque wrench and a socket.

17

Attach the transmission shift linkage to the transmission gear selector switch on the driver side of the transmission and secure with a nut. Tighten the nut using a socket wrench and socket until the shift linkage is fully secure.

18

Locate the fluid filler tube hole on the front, driver side of the transmission. Insert the fluid filler tube into the transmission through the engine compartment. Secure the fluid filler tube onto the transmission using a bolt and tightening the bolt clockwise using a socket wrench and socket.

19

Raise the rear of the vehicle using a jack. Remove the two jack-stands. Lower the rear of the vehicle to the ground. Remove the jack.

20

Raise the front of the vehicle using a jack. Remove the two jack-stands. Lower the front of the vehicle to the ground. Remove the jack.

21

Connect the negative battery cable to the vehicles battery. Start the truck and let the engine idle until it reaches normal operating temperature. Shut off the trucks engine. Check the transmission fluid. Add fluid as needed until the transmission dip-stick reads full.

The best way to tow a Ford F-150 is on a flatbed truck. Because the Ford F-150 is primarily a rear-wheel drive vehicle, it presents a few unique challenges when it needs to be towed. First, a tow truck that does not have a flatbed must winch the rear wheels instead of the front wheels. The problem with this scenario is that it leaves the front wheels free to turn, potentially causing harm to the F-150 and the tow truck if the wheels suddenly turn while towing is in progress.

Instructions

1

Check that the flatbed truck is at least a medium duty truck able to support 5,500 pound or more. Explain to the tow company or the tow-truck rental company that you will be towing a F-150 and ask for a medium duty or higher weight rated tow truck.

2

Lower the flatbed of the tow truck using the flatbeds hydraulics system so that it makes a ramp. If possible, drive the Ford F-150 up the ramp and park the vehicle and engage the parking brake. If it is not possible to drive the F-150, set the truck to neutral and use the tow trucks winch to pull the F-150 onto the flatbed rear wheels first to avoid damaging the transmission.

3

Secure the truck on the back of the flatbed by connecting the tow-truck winch to the F-150 and securing the tires with chains through the wheels and locked to the sides of the flatbed and tightened down, or lock the F-150 into place using metal plates or wheel chocks. Make sure that the back of the flatbed is flat in the upright position, disengage the hydraulics, and lock the bed before driving off.

Its time to adjust your 1995 Toyota pickup parking brake when it doesnt hold your vehicle in park. This is especially apparent when you are parked facing downhill. On older model trucks such as those built in 1995 this is a periodic adjustment you should make to ensure that the parking brake functions properly. It requires only a few tools that most backyard mechanics have on hand.

Instructions

1

Release and lower the hand brake down as far as it will go.

2

Find the center console cover that houses the parking brake lever. This can be found between the drivers seat and the front passengers seat. Find two screws on either side of the cover and remove them with a screwdriver. Lift off the center console cover.

3

Look for two nuts attached to two rods that are poking out of a metal plate. Tighten the nuts carefully. Check the parking brake to see how many clicks it moves up. Keep tightening the nuts until you have adjusted the parking so that it clicks three times when you pull up on it.

4

Put the center console cover back in place. Put the screws in and tighten them with the screwdriver.

You can pull the codes from your 1994 Toyota pickup right from home using an OBD I scan tool. This tool is used to retrieve trouble codes and reset the On-Board Diagnostics computer (OBD). It can be purchased at any auto parts retailer. Sensors positioned throughout the vehicle monitor all the functions of the mechanical and electrical functions of the pickup. The OBD computer alerts you to any trouble codes by illuminating a warning or service light on the pickups instrument panel.

Instructions

1

Plug the OBD I scan tool into the diagnostic port located on the drivers side dash under the steering column. The port is the same size and shape as the OBD I scan tools cable. Dont force it into the port, or you may bend the pins.

2

Put the key into the ignition, and turn it to the "II" position, but dont start the engine.

Turn on the scan tool. Wait for it to retrieve the codes. It will display them on the face of the scan tool.

3

Write down the codes.

4

Unplug the scan tool, and turn off the vehicle.

The neutral safety switch on the 1997 Dodge Dakota prevents the truck from being accidentally started in any other position than park or neutral. This prevents the vehicle from being started in gear and taking off which could cause an accident since the brake pedal does not need to be applied in order to turn the engine over. Like on many other domestic vehicles, the switch on the Dakota also accounts for the back-up light switch. The center terminal in the plug on the switch is for the neutral safety switch and the the two on either side of it is for each back-up light.

Instructions

1

Drive the 1997 Dodge Dakota slowly up onto two car ramps and apply the parking brake. Turn the engine off and remove the keys.

2

Put on a pair of safety glasses and crawl underneath the Dakota and locate the transmission behind the engine (and the transfer case on four-wheel drive models).

3

Locate the neutral safety switch on the drivers side lower housing of the transmission. It will have a wire harness plugged into it and underneath the plug, the switch will offer a hex-head in order to remove it from the transmission with a socket and ratchet.

4

Prep the replacement neutral safety switch with thread seal compound or tape on the threads and set it aside in a handy location without getting the threads contaminated with dirt or grease from under the truck.

5

Place the drain pan beneath the neutral safety switch position in the transmission housing.

6

Disconnect the wire harness from the neutral safety switch plug.

7

Loosen the neutral safety switch with the socket and a ratchet until it can be spun/removed my hand. Place the ratchet and socket down, but do not remove the switch yet.

8

Get the replacement neutral safety switch ready in one hand while removing the old switch with the other hand. Transmission fluid is going to start to pour from the switch port when it is removed. Remove the old switch and hand thread the new one in as quickly as possible to prevent losing too much transmission fluid.

9

Tighten the neutral safety switch to 25 foot-pounds with the torque wrench and socket.

10

Crawl out from under the truck with all the tools. Release the parking brake and slowly back down off the car ramps.

11

Run the engine allowing it enough time to reach operating temperature (inspect the temperature gauge regularly--it could take up to 20-minutes or so). In the interim, hop in the drivers seat and place a foot on the brake pedal while shifting through all the gears periodically.

12

Open the hood with the engine running and remove the transmission oil dipstick (red or black handled--do not confuse it with the yellow handled engine oil dipstick tube. Wipe the dipstick clean and look at the bottom of the dipstick for the hash-mark indicating "Full." If necessary, add transmission fluid through the dipstick tube using a funnel, but only add a little at a time. Allow a few minutes in between rechecking the level of the fluid so the new fluid is allowed to drain down into the transmission pan from the dipstick tube.

Although Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks are very dependable vehicles, they do require occasional maintenance. One part you might have to replace on your Tacoma is your headlamp. Like any light bulb, they wear out over time. There are no specialized tools needed to change your Tacoma headlight. In fact you can almost do it all by hand. You can purchase replacement headlamp bulbs at any auto parts store, and at many department stores.

Instructions

1

Open your Tacomas hood. With a 1/4-inch drive ratchet and socket, disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery to prevent shocks or short circuits.

2

Locate the rear of the headlamp assembly. The bulb is mounted in a plug which fits into the rear of the headlight assembly.

3

Twist the plug counterclockwise and pull it backward. This will remove the headlight bulb and its socket.

4

Pull the bulb out of its socket. Push the new bulb into the socket. Push the socket into the rear of the headlamp assembly and secure it by turning it to the right, or clockwise.

5

Reattach the black negative battery cable to the battery and tighten the terminal to the battery post.

Disconnecting the battery cables from the battery on your Chevy S10 pickup is necessary anytime you are working on the engine or electrical system in your truck. The cables come off very quickly and will ensure the engine cannot get accidentally started or cranked over while you are working around moving parts or parts that could become suddenly energized. If you are replacing a battery in your S10, you will need to remove the cables as well.

Instructions

1

Open the hood of the truck and locate the battery on the passengers side of the truck. Loosen the clamp bolt on the negative battery cable end with a wrench.

2

Lift the negative battery cable off the negative battery terminal and isolate the cable away from the battery. Loosen the clamp bolt on the positive battery cable end with a wrench the lift the cable off the battery.

3

Isolate the positive battery cable from the battery terminals while you work. Since the cables are no longer connected to the battery, they can be secured away from the battery together with no risk.

Removing the rear window from your GMC pickup is necessary to replace it with a new one or to upgrade to an aftermarket window. Sliding rear windows, tinted windows or a new window from GM are all great options if your truck needs new rear glass. Most auto glass shops can sell you a new window or an aftermarket replacement. Some salvage yards sell replacement glass as well, but keep in mind that used glass may not hold up as well. Small stress points could cause it to break during installation.

Instructions

1

Open the doors of the truck so you can work on both sides. Then slide the bench seat as far forward as it will go. Lean the seat back forward and climb in behind the seat.

2

Slide a small, thin screwdriver between the body and the rubber gasket surrounding the window. Pull down on the gasket without prying on the glass or it will chip. All you are trying to do is get the gasket below the metal around the window.

3

Pull the gasket down several inches away from the first spot, using an additional screwdriver. Hold the gasket down and work along the edge of the window while pushing out on the glass lightly.

4

Push the glass and gasket out until the top section is outside of the body. Then pull the window up and out of the rubber gasket. Remove the gasket from the window opening by pulling it away from the body all the way around.

Toyota has issued various recalls over safety-related defects in certain Tacoma and Tundra pickup trucks with model years between 2000 and 2010. Concerned drivers may contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with their vehicle identification numbers to determine if their Toyota pickup problems might be associated with these recalls.

Propeller Shaft

Toyota recalled 8,000 2010 model year Tacoma pickup trucks to repair propeller shafts with manufacturing defects. The propeller shafts could crack and separate, which could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

Rear Cross Member

In 2009, Toyota recalled 110,000 model year Tundra pickups with 2000-2003 model years because excessive corrosion of the rear cross member may lead to rear brake problems and/or spare tire separation. Both of these could result in a crash.

Brake Fluid Leak

Toyota recalled certain 2004-2005 model year Tundra pickups equipped with vehicle stability control and TRD dual exhaust systems. The exhaust pipe flange could rub up against the the right rear brake line, which could lead to a brake fluid leak. A crash could occur as a result of increased stopping distance caused by leaking brake fluid.