What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

Perhaps I should post this little mod elsewhere - but I was looking for a 'tech deck' type of solution for my Gen 3 - I wanted to mount my iPad mini and my Yaesu RT-60 without drilling holes for mounts, and have both items on a 'deck' that can be removed from the truck easily for security reasons.

I built a platform that installs into the cupholders forward of the tranny gate.

Parts needed -
two large 20 oz. plastic beverage 'shaker' bottles
3/4 inch maple plywood
14 gauge copper wire
West Systems epoxy
Ram mounts for your gear

I measured and cup the tops off (hack saw or band saw) of the plastic shaker bottles, using the 'threaded' ends to fit very snugly into the cup holders.
Then I measured, cut and routed a piece of maple to fit the space I wanted to fill with a flat surface, and marked the outline of the bottles on the board
I then drilled holes for 14 gauge wire, looping wire from outer surface of board to inner surface, and drilled the bottles to receive the wire
Wire was then fed into the interior of the bottles, and twisted , essentially 'stitching' the bottle to the board in a very rigid fashion.
I then clipped the twisted copper wire and poured West Systems epoxy inside each bottle and allowed to cure overnight.
I then refitted the 'deck' and marked positions for the Ram Mounts, which would not obstruct controls, tranny lever or my legs
I took the 'deck' wheeling today and it was rock solid - I'll paint it black after some additional sanding and wood prep. The deck easily removes from the cup holders and can be stowed out of sight when away from the truck. On to the next project.

 

Installed mud... lots of mud... not necessarily by choice... but hey free! LOL now probably going to install better tires... Any recommendations?

 

Thanks, I don't pay that much attention to tail lights so I didn't notice.

 

Yea, if those are the stock sport A30 tires not meant for mud...lol..any AT tire would be better. Glad you got out.

 

That’s a good idea, never thought about putting Velcro in there. I have that same kershaw blade though, great knife for the price!

 

Cooper ST Maxx

 

After waiting for a month for 2* shims from 4Crawler, decided to install the 3* shims to bring the pinion angle up and eliminate vibes. All better now, smooth driving.

Before angle.


After angle.


Shims installed.

 

Nice color matching mud

 

Damn, what does stock look like?

 

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???. Would like to see also. There are some pictures of the stock diff angle but not quite stock. Is your stock? Take pictures and compare.
See this thread for comparison kind of.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ures-as-reference-from-members-please.514767/

 

I haven't been stock since about a week after I met you.

 

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OK, I see...Now I am the bad boy, the black sheep, the bad influence...
I've heard that before from girlfriends I've dated...

 

When are auto makers going to realize that MOST of the consumers don't like chrome anymore?

 

What did the dealer say they did for you? My clutch also creaks, especially from 1st through 3rd gear and am curious as to what others' resolutions are.

 

MGM Vinyl for my fake pro grill

 

I'm gonna do this same thing. The rock blokz are nice an all but they aren't nearly long enough.

 

Cost me $22 a sheet for 12"x24" reinforced rubber from the company next to my work!

 

I have no problem with chrome, but i consider chrome to be chrome plated metal and not this plastic crap.

 

Where'd you get the grille? How much?
How much did the vinyl run?