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

About my parents:

My parents both attended William & Mary and that's where they met. Ironically, they were introduced by their respective roommates who were dating, and who broke up at a short time later. My dad joined the Navy right out of college, and was in for 25 years (1982-2007). He retired as a Captain and has been working for a defense contractor since October 2007. My mom was in advertising from the time she got out of college until she became pregnant with me. She went on maternity leave, and for lack of a better term, I became her full-time job. As of right now, my mom volunteers at the local hospital and makes a little extra money as a freelance writer.

Because my dad was in the Navy, we moved A LOT! I was born in Milpitas, California in 1989 (my dad was stationed at Moffett Federal Airfield). In 1990, my dad was transferred to NAS Willow Grove, in Pennsylvania. We moved to North Wales and lived in that specific house from about November 1990 until May or June 1996. We moved back to California in 1996 when my dad was transferred back to Moffett, and we lived there until June 1998. My dad was transferred to Norfolk NAS in 1998 and we lived in nearby Virginia Beach from 1998 until 2000. My dad knew he would be transferred to NAS Whidbey Island (in Washington) as early as 1999, and we moved there in July 2000. We lived in Oak Harbor (town on Whidbey Island) from July 2000 until June 2002. My dad was transferred to the Pentagon in 2002, and we moved to Fairfax County, Virginia (specifically Centreville). We lived there from July or august of 2002 until June or July of 2005. For the first year we lived in the DC Metro/NoVa area, my dad attended the ICAF War College in DC, where he earned his Master's Degree (My dad's Master's was paid for by the government!). After that, he worked at the Pentagon. Having spent most of his military career flying on P3s, my dad didn't like working at the Pentagon very much. It was just a desk job compared to his previous job description. In late 2004, he was offered the job of commanding like 4 different squadrons across the country, which would allow us to live in the Philly suburbs once again! My dad of course took the job, and retired in October 2007. A decade later, here we are still living in Pennsylvania...

 

Took my 2005 in today and they found a fairly large rust holes near the catalytic converters. They gave me a rental car until the local Toyota rep will adivse next steps. (Thinking it’s a determination if it’s age to drive or not as its much larger than the min 10mm) This is the first one they have had in under the new warranty enhancement that started in sept.

 

Did you buy yours new? I remember when the 2nd gens were first released. Ah, memories...

 

No just purchased it two months ago. I am Thankful for this forum where I learned all about the rust issue and prompted me to take it in.

 

My friend Tim worked for a company in Michigan (that should be your first clue), and this company had a 2nd gen Tacoma in it's fleet. Tim is the type of guy who treats all vehicles like he treats his own, and as a result is absolutely OCD about keeping the vehicles in his fleet in perfect condition. The local dealership wanted to just undercoat the frame, but Tim brought it all the way to Toyota Corporate and after more than a month got the this company-owned Tacoma in for a new frame...

 

What year was your S-10?

 

Sorry it took so long to respond. What year is/was your Malibu?

 

2012, worst rig I have ever driven. Suspension is crap, sluggish, and then there’s the transmission. The explorer cage cars we have are significantly better and that’s saying something.

 

One of these turds?


UGH!

 

Little newer, but yeah. I would take almost anything over that rig.

 

Another LEO made a post in this thread about the Dodge Intrepid he got as a patrol vehicle. I don't think front-wheel drive cars make good police cars, but this guy said his Intrepid "dominated in pursuits," even though it was ugly.

 

My buddy is a CHP and he loves the Chargers. The Explorers aren't too shabby, but I would love a Tacoma or 4Runner with a cage. The Sheriffs here used to have Jeep Unlimited Rubicon's in their fleet, wouldn't have minded to have one of those.

 

In Pennsylvania, we have the State Constable Service. A Constable, for lack of a better term, is a state-authorized bounty hunter (at least in Pennsylvania). They carry guns and badges, and have full police powers in terms of apprehending a suspect, but they only pick up people who are wanted and/or on the run. They typically use large SUVs like Expeditions, Suburbans, and Tahoes. My uncle's friend was a cop for many years, and is now a Constable. He swears by decommissioned Crown Vic Interceptors.

While picking up groceries for the kitchen at the bar where I work earlier this year, I saw a beige 2002-2004 Honda Odyssey EX idling in the fire zone, and the sliding door was open. I was able to see inside and immediately noticed that there was a divider not unlike what you might see in a taxi (or a police car). I have seen Odysseys in use as taxicabs, and the owner was right there loading groceries. My parents also bought a 2004 Odyssey EX brand new and owned it for 9 years. It was the best damn family vehicle we ever had! I asked the guy "Is that a taxi?"

He goes on to tell me that he is a Constable (by this time I knew what a Constable was), and he bought the van used for the sole purpose of hauling prisoners. The divider, obviously, was for his safety. I told him how my family had an Odyssey just like this, though silver, and that it was the best damn vehicle we ever owned. He said he knew the good reputation of the Odyssey, and that he would never have anything else (especially since decent 1999-2004 Odysseys can be obtained for just a few grand).

In my opinion, if my parents' Odyssey can handle almost a decade of routine abuse from me and my dog (and my cousins), then a secondhand example should have no problem shuttling handcuffed prisoners around...

 

94
The collision was in 2007

 

She wasn't an SS, was she? That would be a real shame!

 

Nah, was just a grandpa truck. V6, 4.3L.

 

Stick shift or automatic? Was it a base model or loaded? "Grandpa truck" almost always translates to well-maintained.

 

Auto, base model. Very basic, no-frills. Only add-on was a camper shell. Oddly enough, the driver that hit me was in a Ranger, so it was basically an equal fight.

 

Did it have air-conditioning?

 

@Plain Jane Taco
@HomerTaco
@98tacoma27
@Gr8fl
@booted

A Tale of Two Buses: Part 1

When we visited my aunt and uncle in California earlier this month, I had the opportunity to drive one of the VW Buses owned by my uncle! Of note is the fact that "Kermit" was the first stick shift I'd driven in more than a year!

So first, we'll start with Kermit...



"Kermit" is a 1971 Volkswagen Bus, personified as male. He was purchased new in L.A. and spent his entire life there until my uncle bought him earlier this year and drove him up to Monterey. Kermit ran and drove good, and was street legal, but he still needed a bit of work. My uncle had the interior redone, but Kermit is pretty much the way he was when my uncle bought him.