What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

It is funny reading all the hoopla about bowl lights. My 2013 Ford Escape local commuter/grocery getter has the bowl lights, floor ambient lights and even has light rings inside the cup holders. And you can change the colors with a button in the overhead console. This is a 7 year old vehicle. I won't even talk about the better passing power the turbo 2.0 liter has compared to my 16 Taco 3.5.

 

How’s the resale on that thing?

 

I hear ya. I traded a Lexus in when I bought the Taco. It was like going back to the stone age.

 

Great. I picked it up for $3500 under book value. Saves the miles on the Taco PLUS it has every feature my Taco did not offer (in 2016). Leather, power seats, "bowl lights", power tailgate, remote start, awesome stereo, etc, etc. Not to mention an awesome shifting transmission with a functional sport mode. Guess that is why I drove 300 miles in the Taco the last 4 months. The Taco looks better and holds its value. The longer it sits the more I can get for my next vehicle...a 4runner or FJ Cruiser. Something with a worthy engine and transmission.

 

Installed these a few weeks ago, perfect lighting, very bright but not too bright, and keeps the OEM look with the lens.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ed-panel-dome-light-mod.692649/#post-24474619

 

I am not trying to bash my own truck. There are thousands of posts doing that. I love the truck. Hate the power train. I bought the 2016 new. A month later I sold my 2008 Prerunner V6 Automatic with 60,000 miles. I think I sold the wrong truck. I have had all 4 generations of Toyota trucks. The 4th gen is the best looking truck that I ever owned including many full size Fords. The Taco gets better mpg than my 2000 Prerunner 4 banger. But is has just a tad more power. I will not buy a tune. The truck engine is just a poor re-design of a great 3.5 base engine. I think it is a huge statement that I am happier overall with a damn Ford Escape 4 banger which I really do not care for. I even checked out 2021 Tacoma trucks. Same old same old. Maybe the next gen will be done right. I do know if I find the right 4runner or FJ then the Taco is history. Tired of seeing it parked in my yard.

 

Installed MESO map lights and dome light (so bright!) and Rekgen mudflaps tonight.

 

I did both a couple of years ago. Be careful. Use SPF 50 or higher the first week.

 

Hahaha!!! True! Don’t look directly into the light.

 

I wasn't... But now I am! Any idea which length is right?

I bought the overhead because the meso stuff is impossible to get when you need it... Insurance

 

And just realized, that's already where mine is...

 

how have you liked the Generals?

 

I went with the 72”, just in case anyone else is wondering.

That’s interesting. I have the rear locker up in the overhead console but traction control is off to the left of the driver. I actually have the same switch panel as you right now (from Cali Raised made my MESO) and I just ordered another one with the top switch/

$659 SP9100 Switch Pros SP-9100 8-Switch Panel Power System With Concealed Mounting Hardware

SP9100 so that I can put the puddle pod switch physically as close to the pods so it’s as intuitive as possible.

 

Almost two years to get this far. My wife was able to get the large decals cut and helped me get them on. The rest came on the truck.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

I actually used tape and cardstock to lay out the design. My wife scanned the template into one of her graphics programs and cut the vinyl at home. As far as bubbles, they are part of the process if you don't do this every day. We had some, even with using her tools, but they all worked themselves out after about a week.

 

Dunno if anyone tried this but When i did my Meso stage 1 tail lights i had a pair of very bright leds (don’t remember brand but was a good set off Amazon)for reverse and i was thinking how it would look as a map light since it had the same wedge bulb socket... learned a few things the moment i plugged it in... doesn’t fit bc it’s to big for the housing, don’t do it at night, and don’t stare at the sun cause that’s what it felt like. Was seeing spots for a bit that night...

 

I did something similar back when i had a 2006 accord, i wanted to change the gauge back lighting to a deep blue and someone in a forum gave me an idea to use color film from what they used for stage lighting to change color, it worked great and used it for a blue dome light and didn’t melt under the incandescent bulb.

 

Here

At Amazon DIYAH 12 X 48 Inches Self Adhesive Headlight, Tail Lights, Fog Lights Tint Vinyl Film (Light Blue)

$7 DIYAH 12 X 48"es Self Adhesive Headlight, Tail Lights, Fog Lights Tint Vinyl Film (Light Blue)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NCTU0DH/ref=cm_sw_r_u_apa_fabc_0KJPFb8751TMC?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

Love the "YO" on the grill