El Taco Diablo... Mall Crawlin, now with LT for tall curbs

So people give me a hard time about all the recovery gear and tools I have. Im glad to meet another who knows how to be prepared. Every time I go threw and cull, it pains me.

 

I probably carry more than most people do (especially daily). But always having it in the truck is great because you never know when you'll need it. Seems like I need my jumper cables once a week (for others)... but I've also needed used my tire repair kit a few times, for coworkers (nails, I work in construction), I've needed my tow chains more than once. I got one of my tow straps off the job as a matter of fact, lol. The yellow one I use for a tree saver and to pull fallen trees out of my way.

And the best part of having all that in my truck all the time... I don't have to pack it, remember everything I need to pack, etc. It's all already in the truck.

 

Did some stuff on the truck today...

First of all.. Removed this piece of shit.

WAY more room in the passenger wheel well now. I never really looked in there to realize how much room it took up.

Started fabricating an alternative washer fluid reservoir.

Following @Blackdawg idea.

 

Work got cut short though... Got a call from Jen. She was at Wal-Mart with coolant dumping out of her truck.



The heater core nipple broke off. The stupid thing was a plastic fitting... the plastic was completely rotten.

Cleared the nipple out of the hose...

Took the garbage plastic fitting off the aluminum fitting that is behind it (took a special tool to do this by the way) And then attached the hose to the aluminum fitting (like it should have been in the first place).


Added 2 gallons of antifreeze... and she's back on the road.

 

Nice. Use hose clamps to hold it on the frame and it'll work good. Might epoxy the grommet from the pump into the PVC too.

 

I used a 2inch to 1/2inch threaded reducer. I siliconed the grommet and then basically had to screw the grommet in to the reducer. It fits pretty tight and the silicone will have over night to cure.

I was planning on using super thick black zip ties to attach it to the frame. Did you have issues with the zip ties you used?

 

They will break with time. I'd just use 6" or larger hose clamps to get it on the frame. Do it in an X and it'll be super solid. Use a zip tie for the part that goes under the fan and it'll be great.

 

Right on. I'll grab some hose clamps in the morning then

 

Didn't get to do much with the truck today... but I did get a chance to make a new brake proportioning valve relocation bracket.

 

@Blackdawg Question on the fluid reservoir.

I got a little side tracked and didn't end up finishing it. But I'm thinking of putting in with the fill cap on the driver side. There's a LOT more room to push it up in there next to the battery. But more importantly, I don't like how the elbow and pump cover the petcock valve on the radiator the other way. I know I'll have to add hose and extend the wires. Can you think of anything else that would cause a problem with this?

 

And update on the brake proportioning valve relocate bracket... HOLY SHIT what a difference it makes on my brakes. I thought that whole thing was just horse shit. Man, it makes a difference.

 

nah man go for it. Should just take a bit more hose and you'll have to extend the pump wiring. Otherwise it'll be fine. Cool to see how it works out.

 

https://www.hkbelect.com/product/374-mk4-adjustable-alternator-voltage-booster-2015/

Throwing this here to investigate further, later.

 

Found some white stuff to play in the oth day.

 

Did this thing today. I've always hated my daytime running lights. Not sure why I've never looked up how to get rid of them.

 

Aaaaand ordered another fricken door handle. This is the second time replacing the driver side. I've had to replace the passenger side at least 3 times.

Dorman 79344 Driver Side Replacement Front Exterior Door Handle

$41 Dorman 79344 Front Driver Side Exterior Door Handle Compatible with Select Toyota Models, Smooth Black

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001NYN8S8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Vg04DbCYENX03

 

Were the ones that broke Dorman or OEM? Ive had good luck with my Dorman ones after breaking several OEM handles.

 

I replaced the passenger with a Dorman a few weeks ago. It seems really solid. The driver that just broke was one of the cheaper ones. I just ordered a Dorman for it last night.

I don't think I've ever used the Dorman ones till now (when I read you had good luck with them)

 

Hopefully they work out well for you too. I know there a few different ways the handles tend to break, because of the way mine were breaking the Dormans have proven to be better since they have a little bigger lip on the back that engages the rods.

 

So... my kid and his wife are coming down for the weekend. Which caused this to happen in the garage a few days ago.




Progress is being made. Hopefully by tonight the garage will be back in order. Made a trip to storage, the wife finished shampooing the carpets last night. And some re-organizations in the house and garage should get it done.