How to Tow a 1996 Toyota Tacoma Two-Wheel Drive Behind an RV

Take your Tacoma camping on the back of your RV.

Before towing your 1996 Toyota Tacoma truck, several custom additions are required. All Tacomas need a baseplate, which connects the RV to the truck via tow bars. In addition, brake lights and turn signals need to be set up with either a wiring kit or a supplemental light system. The five-speed manual transmission needs no alteration to be ready for tow, but an automatic transmission requires a drive shaft coupling. This disengages the transmission while the Tacoma is in tow to prevent transmission wear and damage.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. • 1

     Estimate the gross vehicle weight of your Tacoma. The curb weight of a 1996 Tacoma ranges from 3,240 to 3,435 lbs., depending on your model. Calculate your gross weight by adding any extras installed in the truck and the weight of the towing equipment to the curb weight. Check your RV and your RV's hitch to make sure that they are capable of towing your gross vehicle weight. The RV tow rating is listed in its owner's manual, and the hitch tow rating is stamped directly on the hitch.

   • 2

     Drive the Tacoma approximately three feet behind your RV. For now, the Tacoma should be in gear with the parking brake set.

   • 3

     Connect the tow bars to attach the RV to the Tacoma. Manufacturers use a variety of ways to connect and lock these bars into place, so be sure to carefully read and follow the product directions. After the bars are in place, connect the safety cables from the Tacoma to the RV hitch, securely fastening the hooks or clamps. Hook up the lights by inserting the cord on the front of the Tacoma into the plug next to the hitch. Fasten the breakaway device, if present.

   • 4

     Prepare the Tacoma for towing. Shift the transmission into neutral, release the parking brake and leave the steering column in the off-unlocked position. For an automatic transmission, disconnect your rear axle using the directions included with your drive shaft coupling. Prepare any other towing equipment or custom alterations on your Tacoma for towing by following the product instructions.

   • 5

     Walk around the RV and Tacoma, rechecking the connections on all towing equipment. Check the tires and tire pressure. Test the brake lights, turn signals and running lights to make sure that all lights are operating correctly.

Tips & Warnings

• Get in the habit of checking your tow vehicle at each fuel stop, as many seasoned RVers do. Inspect the towing connections as well as the vehicle itself.

• The towing equipment can require an in depth installation. If you are not comfortable adding the baseplate, drive shaft coupling and wiring kit, then have an expert install these on your truck for you.

How to Program a Toyota Smart Key

Program your new Toyota Smart Key yourself.

Toyota is one automobile manufacturer that uses the Smart Key. Smart Keys allow you to control your door locks and turn on your vehicle without using your keys. As long as the Smart Key is on your person somewhere, such as your handbag, pocket or briefcase, you can control your locks and start your car using the push button on the driver's door and the push-start ignition button. When you obtain a new or replacement Smart Key or you change the battery in your Smart Key, the key needs programming to connect it to your Toyota's interior computer so the key works properly.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. • 1

     Shut all of the doors and the windows of your Toyota vehicle and lock the driver's door using your key.

   • 2

     Unlock your driver's side door with your Toyota car key.

   • 3

     Place your new Toyota key into the ignition of your car without turning the key toward the "On" position. Wait for the security light on your dashboard panel to begin flashing and wait 15 seconds before removing your key from the ignition. Repeat this step if you are programming more than one key to your Toyota.

   • 4

     Press down and release the brake pedal of your Toyota five times. This alerts your vehicle that you are done programming your car's new Smart Keys.

How to Remove a Toyota Camry Air Conditioner Filter

The cabin air filter prevents allergens from getting into a car's passenger compartment.

The Toyota Camry uses a cabin air filter to catch any debris and sediment that gets sucked in by the air intake. The debris is pushed through the vents of the car and circulates through the passenger compartment. This can be bad for people with severe allergies. Replacing the filter once a year will help keep all these unnecessary allergens from getting into the car.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Screwdriver with star bit attachment

1. • 1

     Open the glove compartment fully. Unscrew the screw on the bottom right side of the glove box with a star bit attachment. This will release the dampening rod. Push the sides of the glove compartment in to release the retainer. Allow it to fully drop down for easier access to the filter.

   • 2

     Pull the filter housing out of the dash. It will be fully visible once the glove box is lowered. Discard the old filter.

   • 3

     Push in the new filter. The filter will stop once it is pushed in far enough.

   • 4

     Push the sides of the glove box together to fit between the retainers. Start the screw by hand. Tighten with the star bit attachment. This will secure the damper rod.

   • 5

     Close the glove box.

Tips & Warnings

• The cabin air filter can be purchased at any local Toyota dealer or automotive parts store.

How to Replace the Shocks and Struts in a Toyota Tundra

Your Toyota Tundra is great for hauling and the extended cab provides a comfortable ride for passengers. But if you let your shocks and struts get worn, you need to replace them to keep the things you're hauling in the bed and the people you're hauling unbruised. The typical replacement guideline is 60,000 miles under normal driving conditions.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Floor jack
• Jack stands
• Tire iron
• Ratchet set
• Adjustable wrench
• Torque wrench

1. Replace the Front Shocks or Struts in a Tundra

   • 1

     Lift the front end of the Tundra with a floor jack and support it by the frame with jack stands. Use a tire iron to loosen and remove the nuts holding the wheels on and set the wheels aside.

   • 2

     Use a wrench and a ratchet to remove the lower retaining bolt holding the shock behind the wheel hub. Remove the upper mounting nuts and pull the shock or strut out from under the Tundra. Repeat this step on the other side of the truck.

   • 3

     Attach the shock or strut to the upper mounting nuts in the frame and set the dial on the torque wrench to 47 foot lb. Tighten each mounting nut until you feel the wrench slip. Insert the lower mounting bolt and nut and torque them to 100 foot lb. Repeat this step on the other side of the Tundra.

   • 4

     Mount the front wheels and lower the front end. Have a professional check the wheel alignment.

   Replace the Rear Shocks in a Tundra

   • 1

     Raise the rear end of the Tundra and support it by the frame on jack stands. Remove the rear wheels. Locate the shocks behind the wheel hubs under the rear end of the truck. They look like tubes that slide in and out of each other, with one end connecting to the frame and the other to the back of the wheel hub.

   • 2

     Remove the nuts and bolts holding the ends of the shock to the suspension and the body. Repeat this step on the other side of the rear of the truck.

   • 3

     Position the shock, and torque the upper nut to 15 foot lb and the lower nut and bolt to 64 foot lb. Repeat this step on the other side of the Tundra.

   • 4

     Mount the rear wheels and lower the rear end of the truck.

Tips & Warnings

• If you ever take your Tundra off-road, have a professional examine the shocks or struts for wear every time you have the tires rotated or balanced.

How to Remove a Toyota Tacoma Stereo

The Tacoma uses an integrated stereo system similar to other import vehicles. However, there are plenty of aftermarket stereo systems out there, and though your factory stereo unit may not necessarily be bad, many people like to upgrade to a more advanced model. To do this, you'll first have to remove the Toyota's factory stereo.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Screwdriver (flat-tip and Philips)

1. • 1

     Remove the temperature control knobs by pulling them straight off. You may have to pry the control knobs off using a flat-tip screwdriver.

   • 2

     Remove the control panel by wedging a flat-tip screwdriver behind the face of the panel and prying up on the panel.

   • 3

     Remove the two screws holding the control unit in place.

   • 4

     Remove the ashtray.

   • 5

     Remove the screw on the upper right-hand side.

   • 6

     Remove the center dash component. You'll have to give it a good pull, but it will come come without the need for any tools.

   • 7

     Remove the screws that hold the radio in place.

   • 8

     Unplug the antenna and the wiring harness, and remove the old stereo.

How to Repair Toyota Camry Headlights That Won't Turn Off

Do not fear if you Toyota Camry's headlights suddenly refuse to turn off. Your car isn't possessed. In fact, the chances are good that the only problem is that the headlight relay has become stuck or is broken. A malfunctioning headlight relay can cause erratic changes with your headlights, including not being able to turn them off. The headlight switch on your Camry is located inside the main relay panel inside your engine compartment.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Socket set
• Screwdriver
• Replacement headlight relay

1. • 1

     Open the hood of your Camry and remove the negative battery cable in order to prevent electrical shock. Removing the negative battery cable will also prevent you from shorting anything out.

   • 2

     Locate and open the relay panel. It is just to the top right-hand side of your battery and primary fuse box.

   • 3

     Examine the inside of your Camry's relay panel lid. The diagram printed on the inside will show you exactly which relay you need to pull and replace.

   • 4

     Pull the bad relay directly out by hand. Plug the new one in and place the cover back on.

   • 5

     Use your socket set to put your negative battery cable back on.

How to Replace a 1996 Toyota Camry Power Window Switch

Power window switch panels are easily removed.

The 1996 Toyota Camry power window switch appears difficult to replace because there are no visible fasteners to remove. This is, however, not the case. It is necessary to take precautions not to damage the door panel when removing the switch, but the job takes less than five minutes to complete.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Wrench set
• Flat-head screwdriver
• Masking tape

1. • 1

     Raise the hood and use a wrench to disconnect the negative battery cable. Tape the end of a flat-blade screwdriver and gently insert it under the front lip of the window switch. Lightly press forward and lever up at the same time. The switch will pop up. It is held in place by spring clips that locks the switch in place, and pressing in releases the spring tension.

   • 2

     Press and release the lock clips that hold the switch wiring connector in place. Pull up on the connector. It will take some force to remove the connector. Use the screwdriver to lever the connector off of the switch if necessary.

   • 3

     Press the connector onto the new switch pins. Press firmly to seat the connector and make sure the connector locks over the retainer clips. Align the new switch into the mounting hole and press down until the switch snaps into place. Reconnect the battery cable and lower the hood.

References

• Autozone: 1996 Toyota Camry Door Panel Removal