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

CMC!!! Took me 4 hrs. Don't hate on my welds they are not pretty but they work! I can finally turn full lock again!

Edit: looks bubbly cause undercoating was still curing.

 

Wet Okoles

 

Looks damn good. What size tires you running?

 

Got any info on how you wrapped it and or where you got your vinyl?? Progress pics?

 

Let's help this guy out

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/whats-the-best-year-for-the-second-gen.548978/

 

Mx4

 

How do we know you didn't backup to it?

 

Visited their web site, they do not make an engine bay cleaner, so which product did you use? I def. need to do this!

 

I went with Avery Dennison Supreme, purchased on eBay from a reputable seller. The Avery brand had the best reviews after days of research. I don’t have photos of the process. I watched as many youtube videos as I could find that were useful. My job is not perfect but it was the first vinyl experience I’ve had. If I did it again I think I could do a damn fine job.

I ordered a roll of 5’ x 15’ which would have been enough if I was more conservative on my first cut. I ended up being 2’ short wrapping my last side of the top, very frustrating! Do yourself a favor and spend the extra $30-50 and get 5x20’ then you’ll have plenty of extra for whatever misshaps you may encounter.

First, I took the shell off and put it in my garage on some stands so I could wrap the vinyl under the edges.

Second, I cleaned it with soap and water then dried and wiped with alcohol to rid the surface of dust and lint.

Third, I used 3M cutting tape to set up the lines where the butt joint seams would be. I used the roof rails to reduce the length of the butt seam.

Fourth, I started with the roof section between the rack rails. Take your time you can lift and reset if you get bubbles.

Fifth, I laid the right side. The cab corners are the hardest. I ended up cutting the cab side of the vinyl and laying a seperate piece rather than trying to stretch the vinyl smooth all the way to the cab window. A pro could probably do it but I work way cheaper than a pro.

Sixth, I laid the left side. Same as right.

If I had to do it again, I would not use a butt joint seam. I’d overlap the seam a half milimeter or so. When I did the 3m knifeless tape butt seam trick (google it) I found the seam to be more noticeable then if there was an overlap. I had a blue top and wrapped it white, I could see hint of blue on the butt joints. So I ended up cutting a thin strip of vinyl to cover the butt joint. From 15’ away it looks seamless now, the butt joint was noticeable from 30’.

You can’t see any of the seams between the cab and the front of the shell so I don’t think it’s worth the effort trying to stretch the vinyl around the corners perfectly. I don’t have OCD though, some probably can’t live with the imperfections.

It took me about 10 hours for the entire job but I have several delays (kids, wife, dogs, rain, etc...)

 

265/70-17’s. I didn’t want any rubbing

 

Enjoyed my birthday (yesterday) in a place that only something like my taco can and does get me to.













Sliders could probably use a new coat of paint now...

 

A buncha shit -


- Changed the gear oil in the front and rear diffs and transfer case.

$29 Mobil 75w90 Mobil 1 104361 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

Mobil 75w90 in the T case and rear diff. Lucas 80w140 in the front diff because of the ECGS bushing.

I need to order 2 quarts of MT90 for the trans still.


- Made a matching battery hold down for the starter battery.



It matches the house battery hold down now. I need to pick up some new hardware for it tomorrow.


- Added a secondary switch to my bed/shell lights



It was previously a single pin ground switch that activated when the tailgate opened/shut. I added a second ground switch to the inside side of the bed to be able to shut the tailgate and keep the lights on. The previous owner of my truck already had something mounted in this location so I just had to open the hole up to mount the switch.


- Added a second cupholder to the tailgate area.





Simple 7$ cupholder from Amazon and some sticky back velcro.


- Trimmed the shell mounting hardware

Before -



After -




- Fab'd a small handle for the inside of the shell to open it from the inside.






- Lastly, test fit the canopy with the shell.



It works for now, but I need to add a set of roof rails to the shell then I can add mounting hardware to better secure the canopy. Right now, the bar on the shell side just sits on the shell.

 

New LED backup bulbs are much brighter than the old halogens

 

Currently in th process of listing my truck for sale. Check out the classifieds

 

Got most of the air controls installed for my oba setup.

 

I put tinted headlights on to replace the old stock ones that are horribly clouded. However I think I made a huge mistake, as the light coming from them seems very minimal. Anyone else running tinted headlights?

EDIT:
Well that was short lived. Took them off after calling the shop where I get the truck inspected and the my told me they are illegal and would fail inspection and I could get a ticket.

 

Aluminum

 

Pelfreybilt. I ordered it with the centerhoop and then welded the full hoops

 

Put my front Bartact seat covers on. Plan to purchase the rear covers in the near future.

 

I got back a week ago from deployment. I did her 30k full service although I had to go to 3 different auto parts stores for enough

$29 75w-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75w-90 gear oil. Washed her and her truck cover which had dirt and pollin caked on to it. I also have decided to get her new tires, I'm thinking of 265-75-16 Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac.