What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

I finally got my LaminX tinted light covers to try and change the yellow/green light emitting from my Baja Design “Amber”rock lights that I’m using as Raptor lights ( thanks @MESO ).

I figure yellow and red = orange (the color I prefer) so I bought this..

My “Amber” BD lights without tint...





Little more red than I wanted but better than the yellow. I may try LaminX Amber ... for $8 easy mod.

 

@MESO Red Map lights.

Much better than the factory ones. The OEM maps blinded my night vision outside, so I went with red.



I have some puddles that I need to install but that's going to have to wait until I have a free weekend.

 

You can probably expect some other RED LIGHTS in your future if you run those on the road?

 

Good point!! just ordered the Amber tiny!

 

Ha Ha! They do look cool though.

 

Started in on my diy Goose inspired mounting plate, 3/4" birch bolted in 6 spots all adjacent to the beds reinforcing ribs. Going to mount my fridge slide, jerry can holder, and a couple of tie downs with t-nuts. Once it's done I'll be able to remove and install the slide and can holder pretty quick. Going to round over the edges with my router, seal the edges, and paint with exterior house paint and maybe bedliner on the top.

 

So, how is the height between that and the fridge and other stuff? I.E. the rack?

 

That fridge sliding rack looks aircraft grade! It probably cost more that the fridge?

 

It's pretty tight but I've got a plan to move up the rack a little to accommodate. Thought I was going to have that knocked out today except the powder coated stock I ordered from McMaster Carr came in all banged up.

 

It's pretty nice but wasn't too many monies.

 

Measure twice, cut once. Always liked that saying.

 

You could always bump up the rack with spacers?

 

The plan is to get a shell eventually, I had the crossbars and stays laying around so thought I'd pop them on there. My truck came with the factory tonneau cover, the fridge was too tall for that which was kind of a bummer.

 

Anyone want to race for pink slips?

 

You might even brush some linseed oil on that birch to preserve it before you cover it?

 

That's the plan, I ordered in some black powder coated strut channel with the plan of using it to space up the bed rail, but the stuff I got came all scratched up to hell. I might paint it, figure it would come out better than trying to paint the galvanized stuff from HD.

 

. When???

 

Not a third gen sorry

 

If that's vinyl you know some salty teen is gonna peal the "Gen" off lol.

 

Monday I Picked up a used 2016 Trd Off Road skid
My stock 17 TRD Sport is a 1 piece (front only) the Off Road is a 2 piece

A little degreaser, pram the edges, light scotch brite pad to rough it and a alcohol pad cleaning.....
Off to the “paint booth” at work. After 5 coats into the giant parts baking oven overnight


Well fast forward to today
A quick mineral spirits bath for the bolts to scrub all the crap off







Dropped the front air dam
11bolts using a 10mm removed !

The stock skid is on there
4bolts/12 mm
A broken bolt!!!!
Mr torch! Locking pliers... out

Lifted out the front stock skid

Lift up front skid & hook in place
4bolts/added heavy grease all over bolt and in holes

Pull out back skid /grease bolts and bolt holes /tighten. Done

Before


After

Sweet!

Total money spent:
Parts. Used ‘16 TRD OFF-ROAD 2 piece skid
$20

Labor
$0

Time cleaning and prep of used skid:
(Does not include paint and baking time)
Degrease, pram light primer on edges, bolt prep, light scuff of both plates, alcohol cleaning to remove impurities
30 minutes

Time for install:
Including air dam removal, removal of busted bolt, grease holes and bolts, install front and rear skids, snug bolts
30 minutes

Difficulty rating:
Easy
(I did it anyone can) need time and tools


Tools:
10mm socket for air dam bolts removal
12mm socket for Removal and install of skid bolts


I don’t care what anyone thinks .. lol
Pure sweetness for $20
Got hands dirty today...priceless