The Tactical Panda's Sometimes Funny Great White Money Pit Build and Observations on Life thread.

Purchased from Casey Toyota in Williamsburg, Virginia on March 4, 2017. To wit: 2015 Tacoma Off-Road edition. Only 23K miles. The sales guy told me that the truck was previously owned by a military man who only had it for 11 months. But in that time he added an Icon Stage 3 suspension (3-inch lift), Black Rock wheels and BFG All-Terrain T/As, Avid Off-Road step bars and front light bar, and the camper cap (topper, shell, or whatever you call it in your neck of the woods).

Then the guy found out he was going on an extended deployment so he traded it to get a new 4Runner for his wife. His loss, my gain.

The cap (I call it a cap, OK?) has a textured finish to it; looks like it was Line-X'd or had a similar treatment as was the rear bumper.

Here's the first picture I took of it.


This picture, BTW, was taken at City Dock Park on the banks of the Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The woods across the river are on Ferry Farm; the boyhood home of George Washington. That is where the legendary Cherry Tree incident supposedly took place.

Also, contrary to popular folklore, young George did not throw a Silver Dollar across the Potomac River. For one, he lived by the Rappahannock; not the Potomac. Second, when George was a lad, we were still living under British colonial rule and were using pound sterling as currency. The Silver Dollar had not come about yet.

 

A closer-upper view of the four Icon corners.

 

First mod: Replaced the lame-assed factory Denso horns with a set of Hella Supertone horns. Since I am very anal about color-co-ordination and other minuscule details, I opted for white ones.

 

LEDs in all the cab lights.

 

Completed the Anytime Fog Light mod. Couldn't sleep because the dogs woke me up, so I went out into the garage at 3:30am and did it.

Since where I live (Virginia) is really anal about such things, I bought another fog light relay and will keep it in one of the unused relay sockets. That way when State Inspection time comes all I need to do is a quick switcheroo of relays, pass inspection, and then switch it back.

 

Productive day here at the Dog House. Completed the aforementioned Anytime Fog Light mod before the sun rose. Then took my new Bed Brackets out to a powdercoating shop. Expect them back on Wednesday. Hard wired a power supply for my GPS (my truck does not have Nav) that runs the power cable up through the defroster vents so I don't have to put up with the loose wires when plugging it into the Power Outlet. More on that later. Lots of pics on that one.

Finally, after soliciting input from a few folks, decided to move the Hella Supertones to new locations so they are more centered. I'm also anal about symmetry.

 

Hardwired a GPS power supply behind the radio so I don't have to deal with cable clutter. See it here:
Post #2052
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cheap-free-mods.4838/page-103

 

I haz decals!

 

The Fable of the Porcupines

It was the coldest winter ever. Many animals died because of the cold. The porcupines, realizing the situation, decided to group together. This way, they covered and protected themselves; but, the quills of each one wounded their closest companions even though they gave off heat to each other.

After awhile, they decided to distance themselves one from the other and they began to die, alone and frozen. So they had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the Earth.

Wisely, they decided to go back to being together. This way they learned to live with the little wounds that were caused by the close relationship with their companions, but the most important part of it, was the warmth that came from the others. This way they were able to survive.

The best relationship is not the one that brings together perfect people, but the best is when each individual learns to live with the imperfections of others and can admire the other person's good qualities.

The Moral of the story: Your life is full of pricks so you might as well learn to live with them.

 

Added custom TRD decals on the flanks in a tribute to my home state.

 

Two patients limp into two different American Medical clinics with the same complaint. Both have trouble walking and appear to require a hip replacement.

The first patient sees the family doctor after waiting a week for an appointment, then waits eighteen weeks to see a specialist, then gets an X-ray, which isn't reviewed for another month and finally has his surgery scheduled for 6 months from then. When the surgery is finally complete, he has to leave the hospital the next day.

The second patient is examined within the hour, is X-rayed the same day and has a time booked for surgery the following week. He stays in the hospital as long as necessary.

Why the different treatment for the two patients?

The first is a Senior Citizen. The second is a Golden Retriever.

 

A couple more mods completed. Got the Redline Tuning Hood Struts installed as well as the exhaust breather.





And, I added a Owl decal. Hey, I like owls.

 

Houston, we have a problem.

I purchased a Circuit Breaker/Relay Panel from TW brother Paranoid56 but it no fit. My master cylinder is bigger than the one shown in his pictures and the panel he sent me conflicts with the MC. I've been in contact with him and I'm going to make a cardboard template of a panel that will fit, and send it to him along with the panel he sent me. He'll cut me a new one to my specs and send it back. That's the plan, anyhow.

Stay tuned.

 

A full 360° in its current status. Mucho more mods coming later in the summer when I receive an big insurance check including...

Cazzio leather seats and Bun Warmers.

ARB Compressor.

Air Tank.

Air Horns.

Upgraded Speakers and Subwoofer.

Various sundry lights and LEDs.

Magnuson Supercharger (if I can talk myself into the idea of a $6000 mod that has little practical purpose other than bragging rights.)

 

​

 

My other money pit.

2002 Toyota Corolla (8-gen). Includes a rare but genuine TRD Lip Kit, Konig Wheels, Falken Rubber, custom Magnaflow exhaust, Wet Okole seat covers, various sundry bling and (my most ambitious project ever attempted) rear wheel disk brake conversion. It has won a shit-ton of trophies.

 

SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUBD!

 

Nice thread Salty!

 

What is the filter on your emission thingy? I know why it's there, just not where I can get one too......

 

Here is one source.

$22 Uni Filter UP-107 1" Clamp-On Breather

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003CJOTSA