What Have You Done To Your 2nd Gen Tacoma Today?

Installed Energy suspension steering rack bushings, rotated tires, did a wheel alignment, installed new 7 way trailer connector(deciding if i want to mount inside my license plate light spot so I don't smash it any more)

 

After 3 years owning my 2015 basic Tacoma access cab, I upgraded my Entunes radio and front door speakers. After reading as much as I could find here so I would know what to expect, I Installed a Kenwood DNX994S (which gave me GPS and a front parking camera), and Kenwood 6X9 Low power door speakers. The radio install was fairly straight forward, with just a few plot twists. I used a iDatalink Maestro adapter harness for radios without separate amps, and it preserved all the steering wheel controls. However, because it is a standard 5 spd, I had to run the rear camera reverse sensing wire to the backup light wire. With an automatic, the adapter gets that data from the OBD2 connection. With all the new wires on the radio and the adapter harness, the front camera, microphone and GPS antenna wires, putting the unit back in was like stuffing 10 pounds of potatoes into a 5 pound sack. Installing the speakers, I also had worries that the screws into the adapter frame were not all that secure, so used 6-32 X 1' screws with nylock nuts. When I finished one side, I turned it on and the sound from the new speaker was as different as night from day. As I ran the fader left and right, I could hear instruments from the new speaker that I couldn't hear on the OEM side. This is not a power system. The head unit puts out 22 watts RMS (X4). The speakers are 3-way, 2-45 watt RMS, with 92 dB sensitivity, and 30-22,000 Hz frequency response. They deliver full sound at low volume. They were $59.99 per pair at Crutchfield, with Tacoma adapter rings and pigtails included. I pulled a rear door skin and discovered a nice speaker mounting hole, but no wiring. May or may not pursue that at a later date.

 

Yes some in the door jamb that are covered by foam, honestly sense I was not reinstalling the plastic liner I just started cutting it out

 

Scratched the hell out my interior.

I'm a mail carrier and sometimes we don't have enough LLV's, so I decided to use my trusty access cab. I figured a few packages and some plastic trays wouldn't do too much harm or move around much. Boy was I wrong.

 

Here's a picture from a few months back. Somehow my interior survived this day.

 

Once I had to use both hands!
Two more reasons to do your own oil change. My dealership gives me free gaskets and one free filter when I by four or more.
Have you never seen anyone pound a screwdriver through the filter to get some grip and leverage?

 

EFFF THAT!!! I understand they pay pretty good mileage. But I would be hard pressed to use my personal vehicle to deliver mail. Our mail carrier buys new and by the time he pays it off he has to buy another. Viscous circle!

 

I would recommend changing the springs. Most you will have to unhook anyway. Kit for both sides should be under $20. Drum will probably be okay just look for scarring or scratching on inside surface.

 

Buy the Toyota specific filter wrench. Here is a link from the one I bought:

73 MM


$18 Assenmacher Specialty Tools TOY 730 73mm Oil Filter Wrench for Toyotahttp://www.amazon.com/Assenmacher-Specialty-Tools-TOY-730/dp/B00239WHLG

 

Once, when I was in college on my 74 Datsun B210. My buddies and I ended up pushing the car to a local garage to have them remove the filter flange after I stripped the entire rest of the filter cartridge off. That was the one and only time I used the screw driver method.

 

changed all interior and license plate lights to LED...

 

My sway bar is still off, and yesterday was my first time ever driving without it. On the highway I got to 50mph and thought "holy shit who can drive without their sway bar on? It's so bumpy"

Nope. The bushings being worn out made it pretty wild without the sway bar, and as soon as I left the shop I noticed an incredible difference. Putting the rest back together this morning.

 

Swapped my MattGecko cool white bed lights for the warm white. The warm white is so much better!

 

How was getting your bushings out? My mechanics ended up using a pneumatic hammer since the pickle forks wouldn't budge.

 

How did you access the fenders to clean them like that?

 

Yes totally stock. Went to a parking lot and hit the steering stops while driving in circles and absolutely no rub. I even have all the stock mudflaps still on. Seems to have plenty of room...

 

Awesome... Thanks for the pics... A think I'm sold on the wildpeaks...

 

I have BFG M/T KM2s and love them, but they are a little pricy.

 

Heven't done much lately but I did get out yesterday and give it a good cleaning. of course now they're calling for some snow tomorrow so all the salt will be right back on it.

 

I found someone who took a set off a rubicon and is unloading them for $200!

How loud are the m/t's on the highway?