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

Nice! I love mine! Great ride!

 

Just shy of 95k. She has been on multiple continents.

 

Ran the wire of the dash camera from the fuse box up the A pillar (under the grab handle), under the headliner to the camera. Looks so much cleaner.

 

be careful what you ask for!

 

we want a before & after

 

Rebuilt the rear driveshaft

 

nice Camaro

 

except for the hood we're almost twins.

 

the latest in camo.

 

Pulled the grill and cleaned out my A/C condenser and oil cooler with a 50/50 mix of water and Simple Green....along with the engine and the back side of the hood.

 

I guess I should also say that I completely cleaned her up inside and out as well.

 

Did you remove the emblems or tape them off? Looks great!

 

I got my ARB manifold installed today using a mounting bracket I fabricated. Getting it ready for locker install this week.



Also designed in Solidworks this switch panel for the ARB Carling switches as there really isn’t anywhere in the dash to mount them.
I 3D printed it, came out great. I will use it as a temporary mounting solution until I decide where I want to make their home, likely make up another switch panel.
This one I will just use some industrial Velcro to mount just below the fuse tray to the left of the steering wheel.

 

Installed some ditch lights today. Just need to get them wired up when I have more time.

 

Looks like Simple Green mix works pretty well.

Are there any tricks to this, such as what tools to use?
I was thinking about doing it on a cold engine and maybe bagging off any electrical components (such as alternator) with a plastic grocery bag or trash bag and tape, to try and protect from water spraying.

Just bought this black brush from Harbor Freight in the hope of using it to help agitate any dirt and mix in degreaser, so it comes off better with a water rinse

 

When cleaning up the engine bay, I have a toilet brush just for that. Good stiff bristles, a long enough handle to reach wherever and cheap.
Don't leave simple green sit on aluminum to long. Spray it on, brush it and rince.

 

So pretty.

 

Finally completed the exterior portion of my build, after installing these sexy taillights. Now it’s time to move onto the interior, starting with leather seats! Here’s some cool pics of the truck:

 

Thanks.

 

I clean the engine 3 or 4 times a year. So it stays pretty clean. I have a pump sprayer with the water and SG mix. I always clean it when it's cold. The engine compartment is not a sealed environment. It's designed to take on moisture to some degree.

I usually wet the front end and fenders with water 1st. Then I soak the entire engine down with the SG and let it sit for about a minute then rinse it with low pressure water from the garden hose. I've got one of those hose attachments that has multiple settings. I use the one that's gentle...like watering flowers or something.

Fire it up and let it run for a minute or so. Shut it down. At this point you can towel off the black parts if you want. It'll look better if you do.

I don't need to really brush anything because I keep it pretty clean to begin with. If your situation is tougher you might need to and/or use something a little stouter than SG.

Don't use any high pressure. That's about all you have to avoid. Oh, and 1 other thing. If you have the 4.0 V6, pull the oil filter collar plug so the water can drain. Stick it back in when you're done.