What is Baseline?
- Thread starter 94 TLC
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Correct all minor mechanical issues, replace all fluids, belts, hoses, and maybe even do wheel bearings and brakes. It means you can reset the mental odometer to zero for a good long while and enjoy the drive.
Inserting 15" subwoofers underneath the the stock carpet around the perimeter of the cabin.
it's a vague term used on this forum for getting their vehicles "up to spec" mechanically, some overdo it though when they replace hoses, belts and head gaskets that simply don't need replacing.....
Baseline is a road in Mesa, just south of the U.S.-60, there's a Costco down there where I have been known to grab Pizza with Tools R Us and Inkpot.
For a truck that's new to you, it's where you don't know the caliber of the maintenance previously done. Replacing fluids, belts, hoses and refurbishing the steering knuckles will give you some insight into how well it's been cared for or abused. Working your way through the spark and ignition system consumables, identifying electrical hacks (especially around the radio) and previous owner installed stuff adds to your understanding and corrects another set of potential failures. Beyond that, familiarity is the source for confidence that you're driving an overbuilt reliable machine, and you'll probably be able to realize what's up when a problem starts, well before it becomes a serious issue (solving leaks helps a lot here).
Check the FAQ also, there is a section on this. I would say replace all fluids unless you know affirmatively when they were replaced and that they were quality products. I think that's the most important aspect of baselining.
Man, I didn't do ANY of that. I bought the rig in California, threw a set of used tires on it, then drove it to Phoenix and made it my daily driver.
Greased the knuckles and U-joints a few weeks later, then changed diff fluid and kept driving. Finally got to the valve cover a month or so ago.
Still runs and drives fine; I'm more worried about steering knuckle bolts failing on the trail than the rest of the rig.
Greased the knuckles and U-joints a few weeks later, then changed diff fluid and kept driving. Finally got to the valve cover a month or so ago.
Still runs and drives fine; I'm more worried about steering knuckle bolts failing on the trail than the rest of the rig.
You can INSPECT most of those items. If you have any experience or judgement you'll be just fine. For example the diff and tcase lubes-brake-ps fluid-belts-hoses-etc. Throwing away or draining perfectly good stuff is a waste and bad for the environment (if that makes you feel any better). It would be like throwing away tires with 5k miles on them. However I'd inspect all of it and make mental (or written) notes o when to change or inspect again. Yes, even those 2500 mi oil changes are a waste.
FYI, Advanced Auto Parts will let you dump all used fluids into their recycle tank for free. They do in Colorado anyway. I just put all used oil, diff oil, grease, ATF, etc into jugs and bring it there.
boy if you are headed out on the "trail" - definitely baseline your hoses - fuseable link - starter -
tis one thing to "limp" home - but I was "rolling the dice" - taking my rig to my hidden fishing spots....
with no cell service and the next town 15 miles away - would have been a complete cluster-f - if my heater valve failed out there...
luckily for me - both my starter and hoses "failed" when I was at home - but I should have "baselined" them
prior to making those trips....
bf
tis one thing to "limp" home - but I was "rolling the dice" - taking my rig to my hidden fishing spots....
with no cell service and the next town 15 miles away - would have been a complete cluster-f - if my heater valve failed out there...
luckily for me - both my starter and hoses "failed" when I was at home - but I should have "baselined" them
prior to making those trips....
bf
I bought my truck with a severe need of maintenance from the PO. I fixed the left mirror, scraped the tint off the front windows, replaced the wiper motor, changed the engine oil, and drove it for a year and a half when the radiator blew up due to bad belts. Then I replaced a TON of stuff, finished my brakes, fluids, axle rebuilds, and tires. Right after that I took it on multiple 1000 mile trips with the only issue of breaking some exhaust pipe hangers (washboard and snow packed frozen gravel roads at 70 MPH). I have put on 32K since I bought the truck.
I consider "baselining" to be: Changing all fluids, checking the ignition, checking the brakes (replacing if necessary), checking the belts and hoses, and checking the tires. If anything looks seriously out-of spec, it gets fixed before driving it.
I then make a list of what needs to be done, in order of priority.
1) brakes (make it stop)
2) Make it go (engine, fuel system, ignition)
3) Make it reliable (do those lited above correctly and with the right parts. Don't skimp.
4) make it nice (stereo, lift gate cylinders, door locks, windows up/down, seat covers.
I just got done "baselining" my truck. I have finally reached stage 4 after 3 years and 32K miles. I could have bought a truck for a LOT more money that needed a LOT less work. I chose to buy cheap, then I could add the money to it as necessary, thus spreading out my "payments" (read parts) over time, making it easier to budget, rather than getting a loan or dumping out a much larger chunk of change all at once.
I consider "baselining" to be: Changing all fluids, checking the ignition, checking the brakes (replacing if necessary), checking the belts and hoses, and checking the tires. If anything looks seriously out-of spec, it gets fixed before driving it.
I then make a list of what needs to be done, in order of priority.
1) brakes (make it stop)
2) Make it go (engine, fuel system, ignition)
3) Make it reliable (do those lited above correctly and with the right parts. Don't skimp.
4) make it nice (stereo, lift gate cylinders, door locks, windows up/down, seat covers.
I just got done "baselining" my truck. I have finally reached stage 4 after 3 years and 32K miles. I could have bought a truck for a LOT more money that needed a LOT less work. I chose to buy cheap, then I could add the money to it as necessary, thus spreading out my "payments" (read parts) over time, making it easier to budget, rather than getting a loan or dumping out a much larger chunk of change all at once.
Check all steering joints-box-column-look underneath for ANY loose (or missing) bolts(shiny or rust powder residue) any leaks-all suspension-springs-bushings-arms-stops-loose/hanging wiring-frame condition-all brake parts-I do ALL this on any older vehicle. I also powerwash the engine/suspension to make it wasier to work on or see any new problems.
That's sage advice, BILT4ME. I have done it pretty much in that order since I bought my truck at 176k miles. Almost done with baselining it, exclusively with Toyota parts and fluids, from head to toe. I am guilty of having replaced a few parts and fluid that did not need replacing since the PO owner was extremely good about that sort of thing with a long history of maintenance at a Toyota dealership. But I wanted to throw in my TLC under my watch. For mods so far, I have done the CDL and pin 7 mod as a part of the truck's utilitarian value. PHH, FHH and HIR headlamps does not count as mods, but done. Now that the truck behaves like a well oiled machine, I intend to start on the 'make it nice' work soon.
94TLC, you are in good hands here on IH8MUD.
94TLC, you are in good hands here on IH8MUD.
Thanks @ghosttowner !
Something I should add is that as I drive it, the ORDER or priority on some things may change, based on #1 safety. If there is something that pops up that is a safety issue, it gets done immediately. If I break off one of the three bolts holding on a skid plate, that's low priority. Also, as I drive it, the list gets longer because I notice little things that need to be done or improved. An example is the sun visors. I have just taken them completely out of my truck because they always fell into my line of vision. Some day I will replace them with SOMETHING, but I'm not sure what yet. Turns out, it a neighboring town, it's illegal to drive a vehicle without sun visors..... I'm tall enough it doesn't affect me , but I wear sunglasses, and if needed, a baseball cap (personal sun visor...)
Think of Baselining the vehicle as being similar to the multi-point inspection a Toyota dealership is supposed to do when they service your vehicle. Basically add your 30,60 90, 120,150, 180 etc... Service checks together to figure out all of what should have been done by your current mileage. Mostly a thorough inspection of certain drivetrain and suspension and engine parts as well as replacing anything that is worn or broken. As a former shop owner/operator, I always recommend new thermostat and coolant as well as a flush, Changing the trans fluid and engine oil and filter. Also, the land cruiser has numerous small heater hoses, I personally would check all of them for swelling and signs of cracking, hardness and leaking. It's cheap insurance against losing your coolant and overheating your engine. Always remember to test and re-test any new thermostat before installing it. A fuel filter if you don't know the last time it was replaced and a air filter if yours doesn't come clean after being blown out with an air hose.
As always. A tear down and inspection of the axles is wise. Why not insure that the things that keep your tires under your vehicle are in good working order? Keep in mind though, a baseline is simply a comprehensive inspection and replacement of consumables like fluids and filters and any worn or defective/broken parts. Hope that helps clarify.
As always. A tear down and inspection of the axles is wise. Why not insure that the things that keep your tires under your vehicle are in good working order? Keep in mind though, a baseline is simply a comprehensive inspection and replacement of consumables like fluids and filters and any worn or defective/broken parts. Hope that helps clarify.
Last edited: