TheCochese's Project Con Queso

Wonder if they have a Canadian version

 

Eh-pillar.

 

Bingo!

Bonus points if it’s got the syrup stickies.

 

So, I'm just over 15k. I'm going ahead and changing the oil again after 5k, just because most of my driving is stop and go. Three miles to the gym sorta days. First change using the Fumoto, I'm excited to see how cleanly this turns out. Going to go pick up a HF creeper to help me out on maintenance going forward, rolling around on asphalt to do the skids and sliders was absolutely no fun.

So, apparently I'm supposed to grease a few zerks, check torque on the driveshaft, and change the front diff fluid. I have zero idea why you'd want to do that last bit at 15k. Doesn't seem normal. Time to do some research to see what's what. I don't have a scheduled maintenance manual.

 

I'm obsessive, I changed diffs and trans at 20k and grease every 5k. I do still only do oil at 10k, but the diff fluid, grease, and trans fluid is not anything as new and different as the newer light weight synthetic engine oil.
When I did the diffs, the fluid "looked" like it was fine. What does that really mean? No idea. Hahah. I will do it again at 40ish just because.

 

OK, based on this thread I'm going to decline to change them at this time.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-diy-maintenance-quick-reference.406712/

Off to pick up oil and the creeper.

 

Ordered a Pelfrey fuse tray. Thought it would be cool to have one thing from that infamous company on the truck.

Also, spent like thirty minutes after I was done with the oil change searching for a good place to put my winch disconnect. No luck thus far.

 

High ‘n Dry would be my choice. How much cable length did they give you.

 

Haven’t even gotten that far. Winch is still in the box. Just doing some scouting, there are a couple good spots but fabricating a mount will be tricky.

 

Nothin’ quite as frustrating as needing the winch, then findin’ power connections corroded to hell ‘n back. Maybe a weatherproof enclosure could help.

 

looks good

 

Thanks. I’m impressed that I got it all lined up as well as I did.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CKeSTm8l5-z/

 

That's like looking into a delivery room nursery and not knowing which one is your kid.

 

The name tags help (mine is front left).

 

Nigel? But he likes to be called Dog.

 

RIP Nate Dogg

 

I have to say it is a bit surreal to have the truck be at this stage after just over a year. Already to the hacking up bit, and I'm nervous as hell to do it. I don't want to look and see what a replacement bumper cover would be. The closest I ever got to a winch on the Jeep was when it was modeling the bumper that one day.

I'm also nearly to the point where I don't have any excuses to go out and play. I can't believe this thing is going to be this capable.

 

Do love this color! Great build.

 

My wife and I are getting ready to do some major repairs on our house, and we've made a list of other things we'd like to do as well. There was some near-term things, some far-term things, and things that would be more suited to a lottery list. In that same vein I thought I'd brainstorm ideas for the truck.

Drivetrain

• Largely good here, I've conquered almost everything that I could hope for. A full size spare or two with the SEMA wheels would be nice, but nothing near-term. The stock spare is pretty close in height, but I should look into replacing the tire with an A/T instead of the street tire. In fact I should do that this year.

Exterior

• I can't decide between running a rack and going with a topper long-term. I think if I'm going to be making cross-country trips the topper would be a better choice. I just don't know if I can reasonably put a RTT on top, or what those plans would look like. I think a short trailer with a RTT on top would be the wish and the most practical. The topper would not serve as a sleeper, but protected storage.
• A roof rack looks cool, but what would my use be? Besides lighting.

Interior

• Seat covers will happen at some point, as will heated front inserts. There will be the capability for more switches added as soon as that is practical and needed. I am pretty much out of storage space already in the cab, and I don't know how to go forward.
• With the Qi mat not working with my new phone (and case) I may look into a charging solution. The MagSafe charger brings up some potentially interesting mounting solutions.

Electrical

• The initial planning for the aux fuse panel has begun. A distinct plan in the beginning will save me headaches.

Lighting

• Bumper light is a go, ditch lights are a maybe, everything else depends on if I go for a roof rack.

Armor

• TC skid is waiting install, likely going with a fuel tank skid as well. Bumper might be installed before end of February. Might do a hitch skid. Not planning on a HC bumper at all, unless I mess the bed up.

Recovery

• Winch is waiting install. I still need to buy a tree saver or two, snatch blocks, and weigh the lines down. Not sure about this kinetic strap, might have to go with a rope. ARB twin compressor is hoped for, and I'd like to grab a couple more recovery boards.
• Starting to think about comms. I think it would be cool (and cheap) to get a Ham license, but how many people use that in their trucks? A CB would probably be a better choice, particularly for trail rides. Have to figure out where to mount one.

Etc

• Trying to walk a fine line here between really capable truck and one that doesn't draw too much attention to itself and doesn't look like a Radio Shack inside. I'm trying to not modify the interior much at all, or at least what it couldn't reasonably have looked like out of the factory.