PennSilverTaco's "Perfect 5-Lug Regular Cab" Build, Aspergers, and General BS MegaThread!

umm... your joking right.... cars / trucks havnt used carbs since the 80's

 

Do you still have stock stereo system with AUX input, or have you upgraded the stereo?

 

With a username like that he probably shouldn't be taken seriously

 

The head unit was one of the first changes that i made to the truck - the OEM speakers are still in there, but will also be changed out in due time. I needed a unit capable of camera input, and bluetooth input/output - and that OEM base radio AUX input was about as useless as it could be. A Kenwood DDX-470 on a Boxing Day sale was the solution.

 

I agree with you on the factory stereo being absolutely useless. My dad bought me my Tacoma brand new as a present of sorts when I finally got my learner's permit. On the night we bought it, my dad was still in the salesman's officer filling out paperwork when I decided to try out the stereo by blasting Def Leppard. I cranked up "Pour Some Sugar on Me," and the sound quality was so weak that I actually thought I'd managed to blow the speakers before we even drove it off the lot.

When I first got my license, my parents didn't want me to have any distractions (like fiddling with my iPod while driving). I gained more experience behind the wheel, and I convinced my parents to let me get a new stereo (mostly my dad; mom still thinks the stereo, with the exception of the backup camera, is pointless and just a distraction). In March 2013, I finally bought a Pioneer head unit and Pioneer component speaker system on Crutchfield.com.

My Pioneer head unit was great, and featured Bluetooth, USB, and MP3, but it was just a single-DIN head unit. In 2016, I decided I wanted a backup camera and bought a new Sony touch-screen Double-DIN head unit, also from Crutchfield. The Pioneer speakers I had installed in 2013 remain. They still sound great!

 

I recently installed a new Sony touch-screen head unit in my truck. It replaced another aftermarket head unit (Pioneer), which worked fine. The reason I replaced the Pioneer is because I wanted a backup camera. The reason I did not buy another Pioneer head unit is because none of the the Pioneer double-din/touch-screen units had front SUB/AUX inputs. All connections to between the head unit and the antenna were checked, and there is no problem. Is it possible the wire running between the head unit and the antenna has gotten damaged or worn out, or is the antenna itself starting to fail? Again, I only noticed this after my neighbor and I installed the Sony.

I first replaced the factory stereo in my truck in April 2013, alonh with the speakers. My first aftermarket head unit was a $130 Pioneer single-DIN AM/FM stereo with CD/MP3, Bluetooth, USB input, and the basic 3.5mm AUX input. I never had any problems with it whatsoever.

In 2016, I decided I wanted a backup camera, so I bought a Sony touch-screen head unit and my neighbor helped me put that in.

When I had the factory stereo, the speakers were weak and the radio was absolutely useless in terms of features, but it worked. It got the job done, and I never had any problems tuning in to my favorite radio station.

I listen primarily to 93.3 WMMR, a popular rock station based in Philadelphia (technically in Bryn Mawr, which is in Montgomery County and just outside Philly). I also listen to Newstalk 990 AM. During the holidays I listen to 101.1 MORE FM (formerly B101). When I'm up in the Lehigh Valley area, I listen to 99.9 "The Hawk," based in Bethlehem.

With the Pioneer, I had no problems either.

However, one thing I noticed with all three radios was the difference in reception quality between 93.3 FM and 99.9 FM. 99.9 The Hawk (based in Bethlehem like I said) got good reception as far as Newtown (Lower Bucks County region, over an hour from Bethlehem). 93.3 WMMR generally got good reception all over Bucks County and of course in Philly. Listeners are able to pick up WMMR on standard FM radios (both in cars and otherwise) in parts of Delaware and New Jersey as well. Due to the advance of modern technology, WMMR is streamed live and thus has fans and listeners not just all over the country but all over the world.

However, WMMR tends to cut out once I get into Quakertown. Once I cross into Lehigh or Northampton County, both of which border Bucks County, reception of WMMR is virtually nonexistent.

Now, for the primary focus of this thread...

With the Sony, I have noticed that interference with WMMR is particularly bad in the Central Bucks area where I live. There are certain areas along Route 611/Easton Road where it comes in great, but there is generally A LOT of interference (in layman's terms, static). The same thing happens in Doylestown Borough. In certain areas it comes in just fine, but when I'm driving around it fades in and out and often becomes totally overcome with static. 99.9 The Hawk hasn't been coming in as good as it used to either. By comparison, 990 AM comes in great and only gets the usual interference when I'm driving near power lines.

I drove into Philly a couple months ago, and of course WMMR came in perfectly. I'd say it worked fine until I got past Bensalem, which is literally on the border with Philly.

 

I put a Viper Smart Start in my truck, actually Best Buy did, when it was brand new 3 years ago. Best "mod" I've ever done. Was -9F when I got in it this morning but was nice and toasty inside and didn't have to scrape ice. Set the defrost on and blower on high every time I get out of it this time of year. Start it up at least 15 min. ahead of time even at the office using my android phone from quite a ways away before I get ready to leave work.

Had to warm up the main engines lube oil on US Navy ships for a full day ahead of time before getting underway. And for many years would manually start my trucks ahead of time before driving them and never hurt any of them, even back when my FJ55 2F engine had a carb LOL. I've noticed those that say it doesn't hurt it to drive cold usually don't live where it is really cold in the winter. And a few places in the North have laws in bigger cities against doing it. Unless it gets down to zero F or below, than they both change their tune pretty quickly. I don't think you will regret getting one. Going to be -25F Saturday morning here your damn right I'm going to use it. But I also use it at 20 above zero a lot. And when ever there is snow or frost on the windshield. Then I wipe it off instead of scrape it off before I get in.

 

^ Am I the only one who thought this guy was like a 65 year old man? Must be the screen name.

 

Did you look at the specs for the two systems? I noticed a few years ago when I looked for a new radio for a truck the sensitivity specs for radios varied pretty widely.

 

The 5-lug didn't come with a trailer hitch setup. By itself - i'm sure it would have afforded protection. I added an aftermarket Class 3/4 receiver on, at the same time that i replaced the bumper. Sum-total of damage to the bumper itself was to the powdercoat on a tow-mount, the wiring mount bracket for trailer wiring got flattened (just installed it the week before, figures), and one of the high-viz stickers got damaged.

More importantly - i have noticed a difference in the amount of people that are misbehaving around my truck while they play in traffic, which in itself reduces risk of collision. That's the end-goal. It's all good.

 

One thought - radio transmissions travel through ground in addition to air. Had a friend in high school whose father owned a local station. Was there one day and saw a strange-looking chart on the wall, he explained it was a map of their coverage area. NOT anywhere near a perfect circle, and his father explained that while the height of the antenna had some influence, the coverage area was most affected by ground, and type of rock versus "dirt".

May have something to do with the spotty reception you've experienced.

 

Haha. The "1989" in the screen name was a giveaway to me.

 

Opinions are like noses - everybody's got one. In my opinion it's not worth having. My wife's car has it and in the four years we've owned the car we've used it once. My truck MO is to scrape the windows, start it up and take off. If it's below zero F I'll give it 30 seconds or so before I take off but usually no more than that.

 

My last vehicle had it. Loved the damn thing. My new-to-me Tacoma does not, but it will.

Watching this space for sure.

Anyone have intel on this one?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-Taco...ash=item2a6ca278d1:g:ROkAAOSw6EhUTvHi&vxp=mtr

 

I've had one for 8 years or so and recommend. Wish I had one on my Subaru. Think it's an Avital. Simple with not many bells and whistles but effective.

 

If you have frost on the INSIDE of your windows something is wrong. Holy cow. Never seen that.

Do you have super humid winters?

 

I'm fortunate enough to park in the garage. No warm up necessary.

 

I carry a spray bottle with 50/50 water and rubbing alcohol.
Clears the windows instantly in winter....

 

I guess yea. Its miles of bogs and ponds at one side of the house and open sea at the other so moisture is abundant. We get super thick freezing fog that comes off of the bogs almost every morning. Not many days where you can get away without scraping ice inside and out.