What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

So it looks like this will be another episode of "F*ck-you,-you-can't-buy-the-parts,-you-have-to-buy-the-assembly," courtesy of Toyota. Well, and my stupidity for not tying down the oak limbs before driving down a mountain road.

$50 for right and left bed lights when all I need is the right lens.

https://www.oempartsource.com/oem-p...vPXRhY29tYSZ5PTIwMjAmdD1zciZlPTMtNWwtdjYtZ2Fz

Unless someone has a source...

Not for stupidity, I have all I need...

 

did some Taco arts and crafts for the bed or at least finished it. still need to make the drawers.

 

Took this photo!

 

Installed an RCI aluminum fuel tank skid.

 

So......where in SC now?

 

I had several old Jeep Wagoneers (+ a J10 truck) -- I taught myself to weld just to keep up with the things that fell off or rusted through.

BTW - nothing rusts "better" that a J series Jeep with the exception of anything built by International Harvester... (Scout, Travelall)

Ask around or watch Craigslist and find a Lincoln AC-225 -- they have made them for 50 years and they don't really ever wear out.

Get some scrap steel, 6011 rods, gloves and helmet from TSC and start practicing --- you can do this!

It is so satisfying NOT to need to ask a friend to weld up some do-dad for your lawn mower etc.

 

BTW nothing rusts "better" that a J series Jeep with the exception of anything built by International Harvester... (Scout, Travelall)

So true.
In fact, On a quiet night... if you listen real close... you can actually hear a Jeep rust.

 

Cali raised bed stiffeners.

 

I had several of them, so nice to drive with that big 360 V8 under your right foot.

 

Another fellow Louisianian! Nice truck!

 

How about sourcing some clear plexiglass and cut out a lense from it using the good one as a template?

 

Does your water port change shape when pressurized? Mine bulges. Don’t know if that’s typical. I don’t pressurize over 45 psi.

 

Topped off the Taco with a Prinsu today.

 

Any important safety tips/notes?

 

Nice! Geaux Tigers!

 

1) Don't look at the arc without a shield.
2) Get good gloves to learn.
3) Wear long sleeve shirts.
I've seen good welders use crappy units and do an excellent job then I've seen people with high dollar equipment do shitty work.
It takes practice and until you get proficient, have a grinder ready.
I use a little Harbor Freight fluxcore mig($200). It's not great but it does the job for me.
Good Luck!

 

Wear shoes you dont care about (sparks fall on them and will burn them up), dont wear things that are flammable, WEAR A WELDING MASK, and just remember, your making metal very very hot and causing sparks to fly. Your going to get hit with little burning hot balls of metal, they will go in your shoes, they will get in your hair, and they will land on your hands/arms. You can get gear to cover all these things so you dont get burned, but if your just welding every once in awhile its not worth it and you can just brush them off. You'll end up with a few dozen little burns, but they heal up pretty fast.

Also, get welding blankets to cover anything near by. The sparks that fly while welding are small molten balls of metal. They will destroy anything they touch (paint and clear coat gets fucked by these sparks)

But, the most important thing is to wear the welding mask. Dont use sunglasses, dont use a torch mask, get a welding mask. You cant see shit with it on till you hit the arc. Welding without the mask will hard boil your eye balls and cause serious damage. You will get a sun burn on your face without a welding mask. The arc from a welder creates UV radiation that will cook your face very fast.

 

Did the differential drop and skid plate spacer. While I was at it, I painted the OEM skid plate red and replaced all the bolts because one broke while taking it off. There were only two bolts in the skid plate. Sometimes I wonder if lifetime dealer oil change is worth it..

 

I use a cheap fluxcore CH welder I got from northern tool about 20 years ago. Cost me 60 bucks and ive welded up tons of things with it.

 

Yeah, mine has paid for itself several times over. I originally bought it to weld up the framing for my camper garage. Since then I have had to build many racks, gadgets, and repair things for friends and family. Definitely worth having one. Just need to get a tig now to weld aluminum.