What Have You Done To Your 2nd Gen Tacoma Today?

That strikes me as odd. In the boat world (my world) foam holds water and causes more damage to structural wood. The wood in the cases I've seen are always covered with fiberglass cloth and/or resin but in production line type work the work isn't always perfectly sealed. If painted metal is held under water it will rust eventually and I think foam would do a lot more harm than good. I am not a engineer though.

 

Installed new wheels and tires. TRD Pro in Gloss Gunmetal and 265-70/R17 BFG KO2 in Load C. I came from stock TRD wheels and BFG's in Load E, so I have finally have restored power and comfort. This was my final step in modifying my ride quality. Since installing the FOX 2.5's, I felt the need to make it more worthwhile by switching back to Load C's.

 

For the sake of debate and education, how much shielding is that dust shield doing? It doesn't have any sort of seal and isn't close at all to what it's shielding. As far as brake dust, I wash my wheels 4 times a year (if they're lucky) and my wheels have yet to sustain any damage from the brake dust. As far as heat, the dust shields are made out of sheet metal and metal is an excellent conductor of heat, especially sheet metal, so I seriously doubt during any type of normal amount of driving the brake dust shields shield any amount of heat from anything. When my bbq is on, the top of the bbq is just as hot as the inside of the top of the bbq according to my beer or my hand and the top of the bbq is made out of sheet metal.

If the brake dust shields had seals I'd be more inclined to believe they're actually shielding something. If the brake dust shields were made of finned aluminum/space age material I'd be more inclined to belive they had something to do with heat.

I've been working on vehicles for 44 years.

 

From a worldwide supplier of brake dust shields:
Although seen on a daily basis, brake shields, otherwise referred to as dust covers, back plates or splash panels, are largely considered an irrelevance and generally ignored by technicians, as they undertake their regular service and repair responsibilities. Perhaps the only exception is when they are sometimes removed on the misconception that without them brake cooling can be improved or benefit the vehicle’s aesthetics.

However, as vehicle manufacturers are always exploring ways to cut costs and reduce kerb weight, the fact that they fit dust shields means there is a requirement to do so.

Although they are generally relatively simple in design and made from pressed aluminium, this doesn’t undermine their importance as they serve to protect the braking system, as well as steering & suspension components, from heat, dirt and debris that would potential reduce their normal lifespan.

Looking in more detail, the shield protects the brake discs, pads and hoses from being bombarded by dirt and dust contamination from both the road and the friction material that is produced as the pads and discs wear from their use. They therefore help to maintain the vehicle’s braking performance.

In turn, they also contribute to the protection of hot discs, by reducing the amount of sudden cold water that can splash them and cause them to warp or crack.

The final element from a braking standpoint is the protection of electronic components such as ABS and brake sensors and their associated wiring, from heat and debris.

 

Well that sounds good, but it is "From a worldwide supplier of brake dust shields". As much as I'm sure they try to be impartial, human nature and business nature is to protect a good thing when you have one.

If you're building and maintaining enough heat to damage suspension components while braking.....you're braking too hard/too long.

 

I think my question is why do car manufacturers install them. If there was no need then don't you think manufacturers would cut out anything to save manufacturing costs. Anything to save a couple of dollars. There has to be something from NHTSA, or some industry requirement, that dictates they use them or they wouldn't. I just don't undersatnd the benefit of removing them although I agree their purpose is minimal, yet some, protection.
Here is a NHTSA recall for Hino trucks manufactured by Toyota:
SERVICE BULLETIN #: SB-19-002
HINO TRUCKS IS ANNOUNCING EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, A STOP SALE / STOP DELIVERY NOTICE FOR THE ABOVE AFFECTED VEHICLES. THE STOP SALE/ STOP DELIVERY NOTICE IS ISSUED DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF DUST SHIELDS ON THE FRONT BRAKE ASSEMBLIES AND DIFFERENCES IN AIR FLOW AROUND THE RIGHT AND LEFT BRAKE ASSEMBLIES, IN VERY WET CONDITIONS, THE RECALLED VEHICLE POPULATION MAY EXHIBIT A BRAKE PULL TO THE LEFT DURING HARD BRAKING EVENTS. INVESTIGATION SHOWS THAT THE RIGHT BRAKE ASSEMBLY IS BECOMING SATURATED WITH WATER WHILE THE LEFT BRAKE ASSEMBLY STAYS DRY DURING SUCH CONDITIONS.

 

Installed a winch. Badland ZXR9000

 

Got my freshly powder-coated FJC wheels adorned with skinny KO2s, and hunter road forced balanced.

While doing the 4-wheel alignment, the mechanic found 2 huge rot holes in the frame - the shop manager called Toyota, who said new frame warranty won't cover it cause the truck was cleared as ok and sprayed two years ago (under previous owner)

But the kicker, and the real reason why the new wheels aren't on the truck yet, is that the front/left shock was clean snapped off at the lower control arm, and was loosely resting between the stabilizer bar and the drive shaft, slowly ripping into the boot... and apparently it was like that for a while The mechanics were scratching their heads wondering how it was holding up so well, to the point it was unnoticeable while driving. All this to say, the truck is unsafe to drive and is spending the weekend in the shop. Maybe I'm really lucky, but still gonna thank God there was no major accident/failure while me or my GF was driving the truck like that

 

When did you find out your truck needed a new frame? Which dealership exactly? I was told today the recall was over in 2019, and because my frame was cleared as ok back then, I'm shit out of luck now even though I've got multiple Toonie sized holes in mine (over 28mm / 1.1 inches).

 

All done. Short of throwing on the coils and shaft protectors. Now whether to put king stickers back on em or keep the stealth look?

 

Got her ready for camping!

 

Blacked out king decals, that way you can’t see em unless you look close

 

Got the lift installed before it stormed

 

Victory 4x4 cap rack on my Leer 100XQ

 

added the rest of the Prinsu. got the section on the camper top. Happy with the outcome. Next is the 270 awning on the passenger side

 

Traded for 2008 sr5 for 2015 Offroad

 

Installed the softopper today! Really happy with the quality and how it turned out, dog approved too!

 

I took it back in March to get inspected at Voss Toyota. The extended warranty is good for 12 years after your truck was first purchased. If yours is an 06 unfortunately Toyota isn't going to do anything for you now.

 

Removed my light bar, it's for sale! The lightbar, not the truck.

 

We did pretty much the same thing at the same time! Good looking truck!
What front bumper do you have? I like it!