Taco Burrito

I'm in the process of a 3.4 swap and I've read differing posts about how to do the T100 dipstick mod so if I can get some clarification I'd appreciate it. The engine is from a 2003 Tacoma. Is the yellow arrow where I'm supposed to drill out for the new dipstick (driver side, aft of the oil filter)?

vital22re

iTrader: (2)

yes thats where to drill

Taco Burrito

Thanks. Now, can anyone say whether it was easiest to go from the bottom up or top down?

BTW, I'm from Kirkland. Go Rebs.

hamish_18

Don't the kit's you can buy go from the top down? Is there a cut out in on the under side of the block for it? If not I would go top down. Because the hole is right on the edge of the block on the inside. If that makes sense.

Taco Burrito

There's not a cut or a hole anywhere on my block. It's smooth all around in the vicinity of where the hole gets drilled. That's why I was asking if it's best practice to drill from the top down or from the bottom up. :-\

wakkjobb

One would imagine it to be easier to drill from the bottom since the pesky engine is in the way coming from the top side... but I have been wrong a time or two in the past. I have to do this mod in the future as well and from what I have read/seen the "way" to do this is from the bottom.

Again, I could be wrong; this is the internet after all....

>>Dan

vital22re

iTrader: (2)

I say top down so you can try to get the angle needed for the dipstick as true as possible.



You've probably seen my truck zooming around Kirkland, especially the Juanita/ fin hill area. Go Rebs!

Ride4Fun

On my 97 block, there was a hole partically thru the block that was cast in from the bottom side. Therefore, drilling from the bottom side was ideal in my situation. It automatically set the angle and location.

Taco Burrito

How big does the dipstick union hole need to be drilled? What size drill bit? Nobody seems to have mentioned this in any of their write-ups. I had to order my dipstick parts from Toyota. They won't be here for several days, but I want to get the hole drilled now so if anyone can advise which drill bit offered the correct fit, I'd appreciate it.

BTW, these are the parts I ordered...

Dipstick - Toyota 15301-62060
Dipstick Guide - Toyota 11452-62060
Union - Toyota 90405-10033 (some members here listed 0405-10033, but the Toyota guy insisted that is an invalid part number.)

calipatient

iTrader: (1)

Those are all the things I used as well... I cant remember the size bit I used as it was a while back... Ill try and find it if someone doesnt post before I do...

BTW

I went from the top, down as said before to make your hole as true as possible for the union. I believe I used a chisel to tap a starting hole to keep the bit from slipping. Be sure to stuff some towels in the bottom end to prevent shavings from going anywhere they shouldnt. Also, when you press the union in be sure to take it one hit at a time. One too many and it will crack the block around the union and will require JB weld from there... just FYI

calipatient

iTrader: (1)

Taco Burrito

Post a hi-res photo so I can read the engraved size on that drill bit!

calipatient

iTrader: (1)

Ha! I pulled this from another thread.

dntsdad

According to the ORS instructions, it seems that he is advising to use a 3/8 bit.

I still think that I would start a few sizes smaller and work my way up, testing it at each new drill.

http://www.offroadsolutions.com/tech.html#engine

Taco Burrito

That's what I did... and a 3/16 drill bit snapped off in the block!!!!!!!!!

It's down in at least and inch and a half and I don't know how to get it out.

Rainieryota

How would i wanna plug the other hole in this case though?

dntsdad

You mean the stock hole at the front? I threaded mine with a tap and ran a bolt into it with some sealant on the threads to keep it from leaking.

wickedlester

The correct size for the hole is metric size U, although 3/8" is supposed to work also.

If you're drilling the hole without a guide it's probably best to go in from the bottom unless you have a 90 degree drill handy.

I had to do this a couple months ago and I'm glad I bought a drill guide (which I still have). That's a tricky angle.

4runner82

This was very helpful for my 3.4 swap on a 1989 4runner, the 3.4 is from a 1999, 1998 was the cut off year for the plug units with the existing hole.