What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

Yeah, the tail lights were easy to swap out. There are three bolts on each side of the bed that you unscrew, then the tail light just pops out after you pull on it. Disconnect the lights from the old tail light, and then put the new one in. It's a pretty quick job to do.

 

We've got an 05 acura tsx manual that they've (got twins) been learning on and will be theirs to drive. I don't want to sound like a naive parent, god know the stupid shit I did as a kid and I'm thankful they didn't follow my steps as a teenager, but they have good heads on them, thankfully. Not saying shit can't happen, cuz it does and I'm aware of that. We took it out on some pretty quiet roads to ease my nerves. They'll be driving the acura and hopefully that tree will be a very skinny twiggy one.

 

The local technical school trains truck drivers and they have a rig for the hands on part of the course. Both the tractor and the trailer is plastered with warning signs and has a bright yellow "CAUTION, STUDENT DRIVER" sign on both ends. Guess they work since I've never heard of it being involved in an accident.

 

Not sure really. I was on the fence between matte or dark smoke. I think the matte might tie in a little better with the OR flairs and trim but I do like the smoke too, so I'm not feeling like I should have gone with matte if that makes any sense.

 

Yah, and testing the skills of a semi truck and trailer driver is a bit riskier than testing the skills of a driver in a passenger car.

 

Looks good. I have been thinking of getting a set of those for mine also

 

Wow $630 seems pretty good. I don’t think I would wait on that one, as I’m sure steel prices blah blah blah.

 

People do tend to keep their distance from it. Saw it about a week ago on I-95 and it was a lone wolf. Don't think it was going over 55mph.

 

I taught my daughter how to drive in my Tacoma, when she got her license I gave her the truck. Shes been driving it for almost two years now and she loves it! Shes got a lift going in next week.

 

Lol, I'm pretty sure my parents thought I had a good head on my shoulders too... and I wrapped my first car around a tree three times (first two the tree won, the last was a draw) as well as got it airborne on many occasions doing some Dukes of Hazzard level antics. Even hit the governor on gravel once or twice.

That TSX is almost perfect for the role though, well played.

Also, damn I miss my little Nissan 200sx. My Mazda3 was even more fun to drive but I could never bring myself to flog the hell out of it on the backroads of Oklahoma like I did my Nissan.

 

The only reason I don't think I would ever get the matte version is that it adds to the already large A-pillar blindspot. I've already lost a pedestrian in it once... and found them again the hard way.

 

Yeah same position as you always taking forever to make a choice ha. Did you pick them up from Amazon? I’ve heard a lot come in scratched

 

Over the week the remaining parts came in for the new grille. So after I had the dealer update the ecu and helping my mom with her new rv I get home and take the grille off to disassemble.



I have separated all parts in the living room without any broken parts/tabs. Part in thanks to a heat gun. I’m not sure I’m going to like the new update before even putting it together- design yes but the plastic is flimsier then expected and some of the plastic “slates” are deformed/uneven side to side. Update tomorrow on final thoughts

 

Edit:

For larger surfaces or for parts not as dirty, or some smooth surfaces, the microfiber with the P&S method works fine. Otherwise spray the P&S interior cleaner, then agitate with the brush (small circles and P&S will foam slightly) and then wipe off with a clean microfiber. Then you can apply your interior detailer/leather conditioner ect.

You can also use the brushes dry with a vacuum or compressed air to clean air vents, cup holders, ect.

https://detailfactory.net/products/ultra-soft-detailing-brush-set?variant=21463437377600
https://theragcompany.com/products/detail-factory-ultra-fine-detailing-brushes

$27 Detail Factory - Synthetic Detailing Brush - Ultra-Soft Bristles, Comfortable Grip and Scratch-Free Cleaning for Exterior, Interior, Emblems, Badges, Instrument/Gauge Panels (Blue, Combo)

https://www.amazon.com/Detail-Facto...e-Instrument/dp/B07B8RV4Z7?pd_rd_i=B07B8RV4Z7

Think of it this way. Remember when your truck was new and the steering wheel and shifter were clean (not grimy or sticky)? P&S will remove any sweat, grime, ect. and leave whatever surface you clean it with like new again. Try it on your steering wheel and then wipe it off with a clean microfiber. Even the cheap yellow Costco microfiber's work fine for interiors. You'll be surprised to see how much grime can build up on interior surfaces. Not everyone notices details like that, but for those who do it's pretty cool and enjoyable for the next drive.

Example at 3:35 mark in video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz7h-HfSdRg

Yes, I know. I foresee a lot prices increasing into next year. I want to call two other local dealers to compare prices though. Maybe I can get them knock a little more off if I pay cash.

 

they will always (99.9%) wreck that first car, we went one step further by not allowing any friends to ride with them, they hated it but thats when stuff happens - when kids get together

 

I mean, it's probably a much lower percentage than that. Maybe 70%ish. It's still best to assume that any kid's first car will be destroyed. If it doesn't get destroyed then... well done, you get a parenting achievement. I don't have kids, but many of my peers have kids in their late teens or older. One guy I went to highschool with already has grandkids (degenerate). Quite a few of them buy small SUV's, trucks and crossovers, sometimes north of $30k and I just look at them like they've got an alien growing out of their face. The kid is going to roll an SUV, that's just the future you've signed the kid up for. I've ridden with a lot of those parents and they drive like crap so I know they are not doing the kids any favors in driving instruction either. "I want to make sure they are driving the safest vehicle I can get." "Umm, you are making sure they survive the crash rather than helping them avoid the crash in the first place." More dollars than sense or my priorities are diametrically opposed to theirs I guess.

 

I remember when I first got my license. No passengers allowed. First week took the buddies through the Taco Bell drive through for lunch. Just so happened my mom and sister were at the same drive through for lunch that day. I walked to school for the next week after that.

 

"they see you rollin"

 

What antenna are you using? I was considering running one in and having it connect to my

$19 UV-5R VHF/UHF Dual Band Radio 144-148MHz 420-450MHz Transceiver

UV-5R that i keep in the truck for emergency use and what not.

 

That's a good point. I'd imagine they do increase the blindspot.