What Have You Done To Your 2nd Gen Tacoma Today?

No drilling. I got the brackets by a vendor on here. They were from Famous Fabrication. I like these brackets (they are called hood-hinge brackets) because for installation, all you have to do is to unscrew two bolts on each hood hinge and put these brackets in and re-bolt. The pods do not hit the windshield when you open the hood and brackets are super stout. Some brackets position the pods where they could hit the windshield when you open the hood and some may require other modifications but there are other companies who make these and would install similar to mine. Not sure if these guys are still around but if they are, I would grab a pair if I were you.

 

I know this is from a couple weeks ago but I gotta say I am way more upset about the huge tracks that will last decades in the playa than I am your your friend getting stuck in it. Mistakes happen for sure but tread lightly, keep these places wild and open to everyone.

 

For some content I installed a Pop and Lock today to replace the handle I broke in Nevada! Love it so far, super simple install.

 

Couldn't agree more. We came through 25 miles of hard playa without incident just before this happened.

 

On my to buy list

 

Started my UCA install, which meant cutting off the old ball joints and sway bar links. Both completely seized and stripped.




I made the choice to buy new bolts, and cut out the old ones. I ran the new bolts in backwards so I wouldn't have to bend the inner fender.






Now here is what concerns me. When a company tells me their products are 2 stage powder coated (a base coat and a clear coat) for durability...the very first thing I do it test it. Well sadly I am less than satisfied with the coating on these arms. They are greatly under cured which results in very poor durability. This should absolutely NOT happen with a powder coated product when little force is applied, especially 2 coats of powder.



This tested out at an h hardness on the pencil scale


After that happened I chemically tested the finish, it failed miserably. I would say at best 50% cured.


The most depressing point though was how under applied the finish was. Each could should be between 2.8 and 3.2 MIL. For a total of 5.6 to 6.4 MIL overall for the 2 coats. It tested significantly UNDER that point which means it will be even less durable.








Not to mention whoever coated these, didn't mask anything off so I had to go and tap out the fittings. I am so unimpressed by the finish I am seriously thinking about pulling them back out, calling TC Monday and talking to them about it. No idea if they will work with me or not but I will probably end up stripping these completely and redoing them. More than likely they send these out to be coated at another facility but the QC on this finish was extremely poor. Otherwise these are built like tanks.

 

Ditched the camburg b.j. uca today and went with what I should have got to begin with! To hell with the quality of p.coat!

 

You say that, til it scratches and starts to rust and you lose the integrity of the metal over time. No thanks. The purpose of this coating is to preserve the metal and structural integrity.

They are solid well built units, but even the best built pieces can be brought down by a sub par finish. If you scratch it, and you get rust creep it will spread all over. Its only a matter of time before it gets into the uniball socket.

Thankfully its easily fixable.

 

Totally not saying you were at fault but there are folks out there who love to tear up areas without regard to the long term effects. At least you were in a group, I was out there all alone so if I got into that situation I would be kind of screwed!

 

Hell yea do it! Seems u do it for a living why not! As long as you don't scratch it during the install you should be ok. My camburgs were good for like 3 years no issue with rust and they were used alot mud, snow, fine gravel flying all underneath and no chips or anything. There are small scratches but no big deal living in cali we are fortunate rust realy isn't an issue like other places. Let us know what the outcome is with some pics. Good luck dude!

 

Will do, I will let you know what they say first. I wouldn't be so annoyed if they were at least 80% cured and some what close to MIL spec. In order to strip and recoat them I will need to press out the uniballs. I don't have a die for it or even stuff to make it. We will see what they say Monday before I do anything.

 

installed a front and rear lift today...

 

Installed my Morimoto XB LED fog lights with the help.of @Sleipnir

 

Installed an Undercover SE tonneau cover, then it rained. Just need to move it back a little, I hope that's all. Took this from under a carport. Thinking of getting some black wheels someday.

 

Rolled over 85k miles

 

Put 885s on new 5100s. Those and a few other things are going on the truck Monday.

 

This is a 3rd Gen but these wheels would look great on your truck. The gray would look good too.

 

I agree but I would like to see more of the gray wheels though.

 

Method Race wheels

 

Washed it.