What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

2nd AJT Design key fob switched. Used heatgun as recommended by another Taco enthusiast (forgot your name) and it was much faster to get the transponder. Be careful not to apply too much heat though.

Also at 5000 YouTube subscribers I'm going multiple giveaways and this @AJTDESIGN fob in black will be one of the prizes! I'm nearing 4700!

 

While we're on the topic... I get 12 mpg and I still have the tires it came with on.

 

Do you run gasohol or pure gasoline? Pretty easy to find straight gas here but a lot more expensive.

 

I'm running premium, as well.

 

I just run Costco gas, detergents and all. I do drive my truck easy. If I want to drive a little aggressive I always keep something around with more power to satisfy that need.

 

That’s really odd. The main reason I run premium is the “miss” feeling goes away completely on it. If I go back to regular it comes back, just like clockwork.

 

That's pretty bad. I added about 56lb's of tire weight with MT's and lifted it, haven't dipped below 15.7 doing all city driving.

 

As you mention, maybe my mpg will improve with some miles. It's still pretty fresh.

I also run premium for the pinging. Just an overall better feel on inclines + low rpm. It's not a huge problem and often avoidable. It was the same in my 2nd gen.

Not sure about this truck yet, but I did get slightly better gas mileage with premium in my 2nd gen. Somewhere in the range of 1-2mpg depending on a range of factors.

 

I'm still loving the choice to go with black....and it's been 9 months now since I brought her home from the stealership.

I'm not really up to speed with the changes they made to their black paint for the currently released Tacos....will be interested to see how this coat holds up. I tend to keep her washed & waxed with Chemical Guys products.

I have today off work....and it looks mostly rain-free, which is amazing considering the hurricane weather that petered out. Today may be a perfect day to wash 'n wax her, while sipping some cold suds and then firing up a grill for some burgers later on. Give my shoulders a workout, lol.




The tires are Firestone Destination MT2. I've had 7 different 4x4 vehicles, but for some reason I've never had mud tires on any of them. Each has been my daily driver, hunt & fish vehicle and grocery getter. This Tacoma is no different.

I went with these beefy monsters for a couple reasons. I've not been in a hunt club the past three years, dealing with recovering from 2 hernia & spine surgeries had me uncertain as to my abilities each Fall. I'll be driving 90 mins to hunt with a buddy on his land when I do hunt. I sold my Polaris 4x4, too. This means I'll be using my truck to access some of the hunt spots...or close to them, at least. I wanted something strong and aggressive that would get me there and back safely without issues.

These E-rated beasts have me feeling confident in pushing it a bit on the trails, streams and washouts that I may have to get past.
The lugs clean out very quickly. I've had zero issues in the mud, Georgia red clay, sand and rocks. They bite and hook up and move you forwards.

They are fairly road friendly, too. Not much road noise at all. These have around 7,000 miles on them now and it's stayed about the same as the day they were installed. Blacktop performance in the rain isn't as good as the OE Destination LE or the normal Destination AT that I've run on other 4x4 vehicles.

The other reason I decided to go with them vs my go-to tire, Destination AT, was the looks. I've got some buddies that have these on their trucks...full sized Dodges, Fords and Chevys. I'd not seen them on a Tacoma until I tried them out. I was grinning like a kid with a new toy when they pulled her outa the bay at the Firestone store.

This Tacoma is proving to be even more capable than my last truck, also a midsize 4x4 that I drove for 11 years, a Nissan Frontier. That truck went places on the hunt club that amazed folks. It had almost reached the point where having the Polaris was a waste of time, lol. I think this Tacoma may be even more capable.





















Nice deep lugs.













265/70r16 and no rubbing issues.

 

A heap of discussion about poor fuel economy on the 3rd gen forum lately.


Here's a recent 179 mile non-stop interstate run I made recently.....with heavy E-Rated mud tires:









Screenshots of my Fuelly app:












I consistently run regular unleaded (lowest octane).


I truly don't understand the crappy mpg #'s that some are posting. I drive on rolling hills on interstate every workday at ~75 mph.

 

If you have honest detailing experience you can do it. Otherwise I would probably have it done by a professional. Just depends on your level of comfort I guess. Clay bar and buffing are the major prep items but you probably won’t need it. Other than that it’s not much different than waxing. Adams was available and cost effective, and some friends really like their cars after they did the ceramic.

 

Thanks. Once I have the time and some decent weather I plan to clay bar and wax. I may get froggy and do the ceramic coating.

 

Good morning
Firestone made a good looking tire. It’s on my list when these Goodyear Kevlars are either sold or worn out.

I haven’t seen the new black yet(or maybe I haven’t paid attention to it).

Post up some pics after clean up!

Enjoy your day off too

 

I'm sure even the stock sized flaps would probably help keep some rocks away? Maybe...

 

If you want to ceramic coat, don’t wax it, you will have to strip it back off. The paint needs to be absolutely bare. I would also wash with dish soap to make sure no other waxes or treatments are left on the surface.

 

Makes sense. So once the ceramic coating is done, do you ever need to wax? Where does the shine or luster come from? The ceramic coating takes care of both (protection and shine)?

 

Agreed. I like it.

I'm an old dude....just turned 50, lol..... and black & chrome are what I enjoy.

I'm currently semi-okay with my stock wheels and mud tires. Most....most of the junk stay's confined within the wheel wells.

The problem is that I'm not going to be happy until I buy some new wheels. I surely don't need them, but I love the bronze Ray 10's. Their offset along with the mud tires is going to push me to add some flaps, too. I'm looking around now at various models, now. I'll post up what I get zeroed into.

Awesome. Your truck is looking great.

I really like those wheels on our 3rd Gens !!!!!

Your truck looks great.

Fellow Pirate here, too. Class of '92.

How in the world did we beat UNC so badly after losing the week before ?

Hope you are on dry ground at home. Have been very worried for my family in ENC.

Those seats look awesome !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I sorta stay on the borderline-naughty list with my bride. Keeps things interesting.

My cooking skillz keep me in the good graces, though. She took me out for a birthday meal the other night...and raved about how great the restaurant was. Came home and made the same meal the next day at home.....and beat 'em. Hands down, real deal, whupped 'em.

Not braggin'.....just sorta a hobby of mine. Stress from job gets abated nicely when I have the coals fired up, tunes on, something cold to drink and playing with my knives on a cutting board. More volume and additional cold beverages can overpower even the worst workweek.

Yessir.....stuff is slick, too. I can't tell you the number of times I've almost busted my rump while walking to stand locations. Not fun when carrying a climbing stand, rifle and backpack. I generally have been wearing LaCrosse AlphaBurly boots and they normally have good traction...normally. Unlined pair for most hunts and an 800gram pair for late season hunts.

Thanks. Gonna be a wonderful day.

When I was at the stealership getting my last oil change, I walked the lot some. They didn't have a black one. I'll check again at my 15,000 mile oil change.

I'll get her cleaned up today for certain. The weather is looking gorgeous today. Sunny with a high of 92 degrees.

 

I'm also 50. Offended at the old dude remark! Jk

 

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