What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

When my car batteries start getting to the 30-36 month mark I start looking at replacing. I've never had a car battery go on much past 36 months. You usually get that one "warning" start when it starts kinda weird then you better your ass to the auto parts store because the next attempt almost never results in a successful start.

 

My 2014 still has the OEM battery (it's my son's as of a couple months ago).
The new one's may not be lasting as long, but it isn't as if Toyota always has crap batteries.

 

Got 10 years out of my original 2nd gen battery and it was still showing 12.6v on the scan tool before I replaced it. Didn’t want to test the 116° Weather that was coming. I think it really depends on your climate, if you live where it’s colder it probably drains them a little faster with the cold starts during winter. My dad had an 89 2wd pickup and owned it 14 years; never replaced anything,but the oil and filters, however that was in the Bay Area where weather is not inclement.

 

3 years seems to be average. Depends on what you have drawing on it, and climate. My dad's venzas went out in 2, but he also drives 100k + km a year, and we live somewhere it gets down to negative 40.

 

My KC Flex Era 4's have exposed how shitty my stock headlights really are. Order placed...

 

Rivnut tool. Thank you!

 

What a fun meetup and bootlegger shenanigans! On my exit from the tarmac, the security attendant jokingly remarked about the expensive shipping on second hand auto parts.

Bumper contrast looks great on that inferno orange. Glad to see it will be getting dusty again in the desert.

 

i used some adhesive Velcro to cover mine

$8 4-Pair 4x6" Upgrade Hook Loop Tape Double-Side Adhesive Strips Mounting Sticky Fastener Backing Tape Waterproof for Indoor Outdoor Home School Office Use

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D38TNF9

 

I completed winter detailing on my gf's Scion and my truck. Her ten year old car needed it bad, but it shined right up (apart from a few plastic panels that have begun to fade). Both got washed, clay barred, and washed again before hers got a coat of Turtle Wax Hybrid Ceramic spray wax, mine got Klasse AIO first, then the Turtle Wax. They'll get another quick coat this week sometime but the second coat of wax is always easier and faster. I wanna try most of the Hybrid Solutions line from turtle wax, I've come to appreciate quick and easy waxing even if I have to do it three times per year instead of two.

I also finished outfitting them for emergency winter gear, her's has an ammo box with jumper cables, glow sticks, basic tools, a flashlight, a towel, and a small pre-packaged survival kit from the surplus store. Mine has all that and more under the back seats, I basically just added some basic recovery gear to keep during the snowy months.

We ordered some wholesale hats/gloves to keep in our cars and give to pan handlers, her heart just can't take it, and this is a great way to give something practical to those in need!

 

Being in Alaska I've always had winter kits for the cars, never know if you'll get stuck in your car in a snow bank. Love the hat and gloves idea, do you mind sharing where you ordered from?

 

Local shop that did our ceramic coating turned us on to this for black plastic bits. Local to boot for us as well. Our taco is to new to tell really I guess, but he swears 200 washes before re-appling.

$17 CERAKOTE® Ceramic Trim Coat Kit - Quick Plastic Trim Restorer - Ceramic Coating Black Trim Restoration to Last Over 200 Washes – A Ceramic Coating, Not a Dressing

https://www.amazon.com/CERAKOTE-Ceramic-Trim-Coat-Kit/dp/B07SHJVK4G

 

I agree!! Two more weeks!

 

Ha! I dunno, that $150-$250 shipping on these things is pretty severe too.

Yaaah! I just did the 3D letters the other day and dang that looks way nicer than I thought.

 

Man the Amazon reviews are either "BEST STUFF EVER!!!" or "THIS STUFF DESTROYED MY CAR!!!!" with no in between.. I imagine there's a trick to application.

 

I'm back into a 4x4 for the first time in years, even if I only use it to pull out a couple FWD cars from the neighborhood snow banks it's worth having a kit at the ready!

We just got this box from Amazon to get the idea rolling, we might try and find a better bulk deal for the next round. $34 for 12 hats and 12 pair of gloves, so about $1.40 each. I suspect it will feel good and be appreciated to give those out.

$35 24x Winter Beanies & Gloves Combo Pack, Bulk Pack for Men Women, Warm Cozy Gift (Assorted #1)

https://www.amazon.com/Winter-Beani...+Gloves+wholesale&qid=1633370127&sr=8-13&th=1

Project Farm on youtube ended up with that as their recommendation for a trim restorer/protectant, good timing by you on that one since I also remembered that video while I worked yesterday. Their video on ceramic spray waxes gave me the itch to try the cheap turtle wax stuff.

I enjoy taking a day to detail the paintwork twice per year, so the "enjoyment/ease of use" to "cost/time" ratio is the balancing act I do, but I'm curious about how far ceramic coating tech will come in a few years. I know turtle wax isn't as strong as a real ceramic coating but if water beads up all winter, I'm good with it. I hope you see 200 washes before that coating fades, that would be several years for sure!

 

This is the other product he likes for quick spray. Seems to work pretty well. I ordered both to keep in the garage.

$17 Griot's Garage 10968 Best of Show Spray Wax 22oz

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078SFMRQ2?ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details

 

And not a shop, but another friend recommended this stuff. Havent tried, not sure I will. The taco is ceramic coated now and areas with the clear protectant (clear bra of sorts), but we have 2 other vehicles I will would like to keep purdy as well.

$26 Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wash & Wax - 48 Oz Wash with 8 Oz SiO2 Boost

https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G210256-Hybrid-Ceramic-Boost/dp/B08PQ1B1K5?crid=3NKZBEHHQ0OTK&dchild=1&keywords=meguiars+ceramic&qid=1633371366&sprefix=megau%2Caps%2C246&sr=8-3

 

The only worry for me is that it seems to be only for paint work, I gotta have stuff that's OK on all plastic and rubber trim, as well as glass. I hate worrying about overspray. Have you noticed it stain anything that's not paint? Again, I'm all about the easy stuff cause I'll actually use it haha. I grew up using Nu Finish with my dad and that stuff is a nightmare compared to what's around today.

 

-Center console storage
-center console shifter panel/cupholder panel
-driver side kick panel
-passenger side glove box (loosen)
-infotainment faceplate
-unbolt/loosen head unit
-HVAC control panel

There are a few videos around on how to remove pretty much the entire interior, and the particular order/clip & fastener locations. Took maybe 30 mins to do it all carefully, but I've done most of it before. I would say 60-90 mins to remove most of the interior for first time.