What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

Yes but had them a couple of years and they offered to do my headrests free. Awesome people there.

 

Roosevelt Moose hunt? Just kidding. I know how difficult the tag is to get. Have a great time! Old times huh? Hooah!

 

After getting in a fender bender, I purchased a TJM front bumper. Yesterday I installed an SR front grille. I'm more of a fan of the look than the TRD Pro grilles. Plus everyone has those these days. I was actually very pleased with the way the horizontal slats look against the bumper. Tossed on a TRD badge I had lying around to dress it up a bit.

I guess my next step is a level kit with add a leaf on the rear.

 

Looks great! I have the same bumper. Does yours have the winch under the license plate like mine?

 

I haven't added a winch yet. Taking it real slow, but I love how the license plate flips up to reveal the winch. I admittedly don't know a thing about winches so I have a lot of learning to do. Haven't needed a winch so far because I've really been babying the truck.

The bumper is awesome but not perfect. My frame was tweaked from the fender bender so the shop had difficulty lining it up. And they broke a clip on the passenger side while cutting the bumper, so I have to go to a body shop to try to tighten down the lines. And the powder coat was knocked off in a couple hidden spots I need to touch up with Rust-Oleum.

And with my tires (a little bigger than stock), while reversing at full turn, I get some rub. So the level kit is necessary with the added weight of the metal bumper, even though the TJM is lighter than most.

In the end though, we've reached the point where I'm happy to beat on it without feeling guilty. So I'll be trailing and learning from here on out. Grand vision is a simple overland build.

 

Good for you. A good rounded evaluation is the best that you can do, IMHO! Take care! Looking good too! Oh, one more thing. I have the SMITTYBUILT 10,000 lbs winch installed in my TJM. Haven't used it yet but when I need it, well you know? Damn, don't mean to carry this on but, in S.A. Texas if there is some flooding and you are the one in the truck and there is someone that is in some water and stuck, your winch can make all the difference? Not just off road? Helping people IS what we do. Yes?

 

Good points. I'm embarrassed to admit it all boils down to not knowing what a reasonable capacity or brand is, and not knowing how to install/wire. I don't want to spend a fortune over-building the rig. I'm only operating on a E-6 salary and the fiancee's jeep takes precedence (she's a cancer survivor and I want her to enjoy life).

And yeah, honestly, the TJM hit the perfect look for the price. I loved that I was able to use factory fog lights (had a bracket made) and skid plate, plus it involved only a small amount of cutting vs other full bumper counterparts. Only complaints are caused by install problems or the accident. The ONLY REAL problem I have with TJM is that I can't get them on the phone or by email. I have no idea if TJM support actually exists if I ever end up needing them.

 

I believe that they are an Australian Company? Not sure. Hard to nail them down. I had to do some mods to get the fog lights also. Hand made the brackets to install them. As for the E-6 salary! Shit, try $416.66 month as an E-5 in 1977!!! I couldn't even afford a car! Good that the pay is better. Good luck and thank you for SERVICE!!! Go wifey!

 

You may want to look at a winch from the dreaded Harbor Freight. I think the brand is Badlands, which I'm sure is a knockoff from some big company. I know quite a few people that swear by them and prefer them over a Warn winch. Generally, you want 1.75 to 2 times the weight of your vehicle. So easy math would put you getting a 9-10k winch. Just a suggest. No one needs to throw daggers here. There are plenty of videos on youtube. Good luck. winch

 

(she's a cancer survivor and I want her to enjoy life) Well? Ask her!!! Too proud to kneel? Go on. do it!!!!!

 

Hey Craig, bought that one for mine and had to take it back. Did not fit.

 

Didn't think about the size of it and fitting in the bumper. The guys I know have it on their JEEP.

 

Haha! Man I tell you what! We get dirt for pay at E-5 and below. I pulled my old pay stubs to show some of the E-3s what life was like 13 years ago and I think I shocked myself more than I shocked my airmen! I feel like things are alright at E-6 but when I look at the GS-12 or contractor next to me doing the same job with less responsibility for more money I have to remind myself I'm in it for more than the pay. I can't imagine trying to scratch a life out of a military salary in the 70s.

And I have to admit it, I don't like it when people thank me for my service at all. In my mid 30s with my health and upbringing, I'm really grateful to serve. I grew up poor and troubled. The military gave me a purpose, an education, a paycheck, and has given me a greater sense of reward than any civilian job I've worked.

Probably sounds cheesy but the Tacoma is a reminder of that blessing. Otherwise I'd probably still be driving my old 1990 S-10 with a 283 V8. Don't judge. It was a lot of fun and the engine was given to me.

 

Yea, me either. The Smitty does have the wireless remote, not sure how far it works (yet). Hope that I never have to use it.

 

" I have to admit it, I don't like it when people thank me for my service at all" Me either, just seems like the thing to do? Bullshit! I agree. No disrespect brother!

 

This may help with the winch search. There is a guy on TW that works for autoanything.com and may be able to get you a discount.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/autoanything-com-group-buys-and-discounts.497320/

https://www.autoanything.com/winche...MIssr5tv2L5QIVeyCtBh39AgLdEAAYAyAAEgIT-vD_BwE

Good Luck

 

Haha none ever taken. I'm sure the other servicemembers on the board will agree as well. We're all blessed to serve.

Thanks. I got a hell of a deal on the TJM bumper from Autoanything. Will do some research!

 

P.M.ed you, let me know. Not kidding.

 

What say you? TRD Pro’s or Morimoto’s?

 

Mirimoto's