What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

I would say hello first. Then say WTF. That way they won't just hang up on you. I can picture the parts guy answering the phone only to hear WTF !!!

 

When I did mine I dipped the rivets in dielectric grease to help prevent rust. I didn't use paint because the rivets fit very snuggly in the holes you drill - sometimes you have to tap them in. If you used paint the rivet will just scrape it away. These are steel rivets not aluminum and I had a HELL of a time popping the rivets by hand. I bought a pneumatic rivet gun and things went MUCH smoother.

 

Prinsu! Maxtrax and Plano

 

Replaced the license plate bulbs today. Put these in:



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076GX32NR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_pJCTAb64BFZH2



Nothing about it was easy and my XL hands paid the price.



But with some help of a pair of extra long needle nose pliers and a delicate touch I was able to pull it off, and in under 5 minutes.





And with this bulb, which is why I tested this version, there is no excessive glare in the rearview camera.



So for the money, and the results, these get my seal of approval.

I also replaced the damaged Hikari low beam bulb and finally got out and took some updated after photos. I'll process them and finally post my review on those. Spoiler alert, yes, I am very happy with the purchase.

 

Mine went in loose. Nothing really slides to remove the paint from inside the hole. I did put grease on the outside of the rivets too. It is negligible anyway. No more exposure than the threaded holes for other bolts on the truck that are not painted or greased.

 

Thanks guys!

Ok, I know I saw a video and I kind of remember them using either anti sieze or a special paint for drilled holes. I'm pretty sure it was a roof rack install vid.

I was originally thinking silicone. Just load up the holes, then load up the rivet heads.

 

Pro wheels and duratracs.

 

Do you know the dimensions of the decal? Roughly...looking to do something similar.

 

Installed 5160's in the rear. Forgot to put the roost shields on before I buttoned up the tops so I'll need to redo some work tomorrow. Shouldn't be too bad though.

Just did a brief drive around the block and was pretty happy with them. Fairly similar feel to the stock Bilstein's comfort-wise but got rid of the awful hysteresis they seemed to have.

 

Agree! I always rewarded my daughter in some way when she strived to do her best at anything. She played both school and club volleyball....including beach volleyball....year round tournaments and never ending weekly practices......all the while maintaining straight A’s (I don’t think she got her brains from me ; )
She ended up getting both academic and athletic scholarships to a D1 (NCAA Top Tier) university, playing just beach volleyball (2 person)....I also played for years....I’m in Conway AR for her beach vb tourn tomorrow(drove up from Houston today).
Figured she’s going to save me about $150,000 in college tuition and housing, fees etc.
Yeah she pretty much gets anything she wants from dad....even though she rarely asks for anything.
Amazing kid.....I got lucky no doubt. And yeah I bought her a car.....her Sr year of HS.
Pics I took at last weeks tournament at Stetson .....Florida....multiple Universities competing.

 

Tremendous respect for your daughter and you, sir.

Best times imaginable for you both. Father's pride is awesome stuff....gets us through challenging times.

Well done. Hope she has fun and gets a valuable education and stays plugged into her college. Being an alum from such a prestigious school will be a gift in and of itself in the decades ahead for her. Going there for sporting events and such will be a point of pride for her and the fanhood is cool.

I wish I'd went to a bigger school.....I wish my school could establish the football program they were on pace for.....sure would be more fun getting a win on Saturdays. Minor gripe, though. I had fun then....and fun now identifying with the university.

Well done, sir. Well done.

Just read this after getting my first cup of java and getting comfortable.....and waking up. In that order.

LMAO at the comment and the visual that came to mind.

My first experience at Toyota dealer for my first service did not go well. I left there a bit pissed off and the phone call that ensued afterwards was pretty much spot on with a WTF scenario.

I played the role of Grumpy Old Guy to the hilt.

I'd scheduled my 5,000 mile service a week ahead of time an very clearly stated that I wanted to pay for an oil change to be done, too. We discussed the oil & filter type, cost and time to arrive and expect it to be done, etc.

The morning came...so did a heap of other stuff that was piling up on me for my one day off.

Started with a bad hair cut. Don't have much hair left....and my barber, Sue....tore it up. Evidently, she was having a bad morning and took it out me.

Next stop was Yota dealership service department. I pull in ten minutes early.....to the most chaotic drop off zone imaginable. Evidently the 6 entry lanes were merely suggestions as owners were being waved over by the staff to cross over, park and move in what can only be described as a drunken circus.

"My" staff guy gives me a nonchalant wave over to a corner of the bay. He's engaged in a conversation with a 30-something gal who is rocking a pair of jeans and some strong genes in the best way. Hell, I didn't mind he was more focused on her than his waiting customer. I was, too.

So....he finally disengages and comes over....we both turn and watch her walk away. Not even kidding. This chic was stronger than new rope. He's got my info printed out on a sheet on his clipboard. He verifies a few things....we discuss that I'm getting first 5,000 mile service and paying for an oil change....he takes my keys and says to give him an hour.

I wait in the waiting area for my hour....then more. Rocking a bad haircut and taking work calls on my day off.

Staff guy comes in to get me....no charge he says. My truck is already. We walk over to my truck and he's complementing me on the seat covers I added. "No charge?....how is that?", I ask him. He said the first services are always no charge. "How about the oil change ?". "Sir, we don't do oil changes on the first service".

A WTF moment occurred then.

I decide to simply reschedule for another time.....a time when I can mark my filter conspicuously and confirm it is a new one afterwards......

Driving off I instantly notice they put the service sticker dead in the center of my windshield....vs the upper left corner that is customary for such stuff. Jiffy Lube gets it.....this Yota dealer sucked.


Grumpy Old Man day went from there.......

Those look like the ticket.

I'm seeing nothing but positive reviews on Hikari bulbs, too.

I'm wondering if I need to put them in the locations I've not yet done LED replacements.

Great pics. Your back-up camera clearly doesn't object to them and the new lights look sweet on the "T A C O M A" tailgate lettering.

Glad you didn't bleed out on the battle wound. The damage we incur from hardcore wrenching is part of the fun, no ?


My takeaway from the bloody fist of fury pic is the fact that I've got envy over that Inferno Scoop in the background. It looks badass. Scoop envy is strong right now.


Unrelated, though....I have a request.

I've been in contact with SCS lately. I'm considering Ray10's.

Could you post some side pics of your Tacoma....pics that really show off the wheels and the overall side views. Much appreciation.

 

I also want to add the 5160, did you add a leaf? What’s your plan for the front?

 

Enjoy our beautiful state. Conway has three universities/colleges and is a lovely college town. If you all get hungry, try Mike's Place. Good luck to your daughter and safe travels.

 

I'm just a few hundred behind you. About ready to go in for new tires. Still have the original Firestones.

 

It is nice here!
I have spent some time up in the Ozarks....I think it was near Buffalo River area.....ran across that cave house too....built by the guy that started Celestial Tea?
We might check out Mikes today....thanks for the info!
We drive back to Houston after her last match at 12 noon.

 

Thanks for posting. Perfect, these will be visible when the camper in on my truck.

 

Mostly done with the sound system now. It's up and running. I ended up having to put the gigantic Kicker crossovers in the plastic underseat storage bins. They were far too big to fit behind anywhere else.

Still have some small items to complete, like the LED backlit Toyota symbol in the center faceplate above the amplifier. Also going to use some of the LEDs from that project in the front footwell areas.

 

Leg day today at the shop!

 

Nice install!! Wish I’d gone with 2 10’s instead of 8w3. So you are keeping the Entune and what speakers did you go up front with?

 

Well, I went with these particular bulbs specifically because some guys were saying the type that have the led on the end were causing too much glare in the camera.

These will obviously not be as bright as those types but there is a definite improvement over stock. The light is white, they are not polarity specific, they cost $1.30 each, and there is absolutely no glare. Win win.

Unless you have a 2XL sized hand, mine are bear paw sized XL, I recommend these to anyone. Some guys have been successful popping out the clear lens and going that route. Some have cracked theirs attempting it. The bulb socket only needs to be turned CCW a tiny bit. The part closer to the bulb end is more round than oval. Using one hand to force it into the bumper hole, I used the long needle nose pliers to turn it a little at a time gently.

If you have normal sized hands this will be so much easier for you, anyone.