Oldie2007 - The Little Big Red Readers Digest Renovation, Revival, and Restoration Thread.

You need the ultimate headlight upgrade wiring harness and bulbs next.

 

I think I will be thrilled with the Silver Star brightness, and actual focus for the time being!
Also, mine has seemed to fall right between the 2007 and 2008 DRL and lighting wiring changes, because it's always "half right!". I think these will do me well, if not, well, it must be time for ditch lights!

Seriously, I have all the old stuff in the back now while I am cleaning, and I don't like that lean anymore. EMU lifted springs? (NO, not in a rush!)

 

Well, not a phase, a a big moment for Little Big Red. At the August 11, ATX TTC meet up at COTA, she earned us the "Best in Show" trophy honor! We all know it's not a "show" honor, but respect within the group, and we could not be prouder. So that HAS to go in the album!

First to arrive Sunday with Tacos, water, uh..sodas, and our brand new EzUp!


I was truly shocked. And very happy!


So is Little Big Red!


She's blushing y'all!


Seriously, very thrilled to belong to this group! And proud to call so many of you friends.

 

That was a great day! Well deserved

 

Awesome Kurt, congratulations and very well deserved

 

​

 

Awesome congrats Kurt.

 

Replace the OEM Cruise Control Stalk - Phase Nineteen; Cruising!

Alright, last Saturday, instead of going to Houston to drink beer and eat with the HTC TTC, I tried to catch up on the house and run errands. Last stop was gas and car wash, and leaving the car wash, the cruise button popped completely out of the stalk. That would have happened on the way home, and would have made me mad if I was cruising back home, so I guess I'm glad it happened at home. Did a little research, watched some videos, and decided "in my scope". Did you know that other than YouTube videos, virtually info can be found on TW posts? True!

So, first step is to find a little screw in the back, and see if there is anything feasible there.


And it did not want to magically pop off, so on to Amazon:

Cruise Control Switch for Corolla Camry Yaris Cruise Control Assembly 84632-34011

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RVJY8CY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
(More on the old one later)

So off we go, after the edu-vidieos. WRITE down any important mileage numbers, and remove the negative cable.


Remove the two plastic covers. I don't have small trim tools, so I use a small flat blade, and removing from the "FRONT" made them pop out easier. Driver


Passenger, again, removed from the front.



Then you have access to the T30 Torx screws. Both sides. Loosen until they are very "sloppy" in the rubber retainers.




Now, you can gently rock the center airbag section out. The screws fasten the top, friction fastens the bottom. It's still just a wiggle, and making sure those Torx are fully backed out. Don't worry, if they wobble, they are close. No need to remove. (It took two hands to do the wiggle out, and it wanted to come out from the top first.)



It can rest nicely on top of the wheel. The two screws to remove the stalk are on the right, the obvious ones connected to the stalk. The stalk removes from the INSIDE of the wheel - not pull out, pull in. Remove the only connector - easier with the small screwdriver than my fingers.




I put the old and new on the bench, and will get to that at the end. New one came with a new replacement cable, so once I figured out there were identical other than than, on we go. Putting it back in is pretty much directly reverse! Insert from the inside, replace the two phillips screws, and plug the cable back in.




Push those Torx screws as far backed out as possible. Tip the bag/horn assembly from the top, then snap to the bottom.





Time to put the torque to the Torx, and cover it up! (One picture went AWOL, but you get it.)



And SO, does it work when you connect the battery? YES, YES it does, and the afternoon test drive verified all the functions. Happy guy.



And so, if you need to know, the original switch pulled apart from the back, by tugging on the wires there. popping the cover from the inside. Still had grease, so I moved the switch back in place, and put it back together. Probably will work again.... Small enough to stash in case Amazon is out of stock!




And that was fun. It really only took an hour, doubled by photo time, and the extra half hour I waited to make sure the airbag had discharged. So, a little reprogram of the stereo, and off we go. Test drive successful! A nice $15 fix, and....

But, wait, there's more!

 

Nice write up​

 

I feel something new coming soon oldie

 

Great Job Kurt way to get after it.

 

New cart pusher on yet?

 

Standing by for updates

 

We want bumper pics!

 

Shit guys, I am going shut down, and I see none of these until I hit the thread to see where I left off. So, I give this up from tonight, last touch up, going to go on in the Wednesday time frame. Lost my helper, but will make do.

 

Acquired a New To Me Bumper Guard- Phase Twenty; Look Out Shopping Carts!

OK, back to bargains and thank yous. @05prerun82 could not give away his old bumper guard when he replaced with an HC new bumper. Well, would not let him give it away, but for some fast food gift cards our Taco Mule can use on his daily adventures, a new LBR event was in the works. I mean why not? No cutting, more protection than I got. Will it lower the front a little? (More on that later!)

Onwards towards the install of a slightly used https://www.ebay.com/itm/ARIES-P2054-Pro-Series-Grille-Guard-Fits-05-15-Tacoma-/254342023235. It's this, with an LED bar in the middle I haven't hooked up yet. Yet another to do!

So, picked up at SATX C&C brought home and power washed, then hand washed, masked up, and touched up some.... no, not straightening the bottom bar. It's a "reminder"!









OK Clean up as expected, got son to help me bring it back out front for install. Just me after that, so removed the brackets, brought the laptop to the garage because what I expected was NOT like the bad install pictures, so got it figured out, and off I went!
Got to take the grill off (again)




The brackets go on the bumper mount bolts.




Took all this to do all that. Ridgid Impact tool review? Can't break loose old stuff down here. CAN tighten it better than I can.

OK, that middle bracket picture in the instructions was so bad, I was lost for 45+ minutes....then, there it is... PITA





So, brackets are all mounted, carry the guard over to the front, and figure out how Joe Leverage is going to help me via some jack stands.
But first, it's time!



Stab the back bottom bolts loose, and now I have a pivot and leverage

Yes, I had to rassle the beast inch by inch, but one by one I got every one in !
Know what, it's time for number 2 - because - it's freaking hot, and I have had plenty of water - I want to celebrate! Then tighten everything down....

Inside
Finally, PITA, have to have an extension to even hold on to the nuts inside, had to start them by hand with no clearance.....


SO, now it's installed and tightened up! What I got?
Any change in front height? Nah....
Before
After - maybe a skosh.

Oh, while I was down there, thought I would make the shackle tie more visible... that worked well!


What do we got?




oh, this was a 4 water, and 2 beer project, with a one beer clean up.


Photo editors in Google world really letting me down. But, something else accomplished, and at Phase 20, I would NOT have thought, BUT WAIT, There's more. Thanks guys!

 

Nice write-up kurt did you wire up that led light yet

 

No real need for me. Will be part of that switch/relay thing upcoming!