What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

Thanks for confirming. I had the same haul last weekend with ~12 mpg.

 

Another Tacoma in the family, met the InLaw's new Calvary 19 Sport- did the AC drain mod and have some Meso stuff coming for them..

 

That’s a mighty fine look’s truck ya got there! Though my opinion may be biased

 

Nope. Been burned too many times in the past. I let Toyota do the fist 2 years of maintenance on my previous 4runner. The first time I got under it to do my own oil change I found that they had broken the heads off of 2 of the skid plate bolts and never bothered to tell me. I had to go round and round with Toyota to get them to fix that mess. I also had a Volkswagen in the past that had a motor grenade 3 months after the warranty had expired. Even though they had done all of the maintenance at the appropriate intervals, they refused to work with me on replacing the motor.

Dealer maintenance can eat a bag of dicks....I do everything on my own with logs and receipts kept in a binder along with time/date stamped pictures.

 

There is nothing wrong with well cared for used tires. I always buy new 4runner take-off wheels and tires for my trucks. Paid under $1100 for 3 sets of new 17 inch wheels and tires for my last 3 Tacoma trucks. By new I mean less than 100 miles. Same for coils and struts.

 

Understood. It was just my .02. But the fact you are keeping logs and supporting documents i.e., photos is a great idea.

 

Understood. For most, dealer maintenance works out fine. I’ve just been bitten too many times. Battered vehicle owner syndrome you might say.

 

Right there with you man. I don't even want to bring the truck in to have them replaced my bubbled Qi charger. Going to see if they will give me the parts and let me do it myself.

 

How difficult was Parson Branch Road? Did you need 4wd-Low, or high clearance?

 

It's all packed gravel, 4wd not necessary. I live at the foot of the park

 

Broke a headlight hitting buzzard,so took the opportunity to upgrade headlights. Quick research showed that the OEM LED were the best choice and thanks to @daveeasa for making the wiring harness that makes it possible. Like any other project had its share of frustration but as you can see in one photo I had some entertainment to distract me. lol Overall super happy with them and looking forward to testing them tonight. Any one looking to upgrade headlights. This is the only option you should consider.

 

I was in 2WD 99% of the time. Went into 4H once only because it was steep and wet as well as narrow. I went back to 2WD because there were some tight switch backs. Overall it was not challenging at all. Beautiful scenery though.

 

I used to have a cabin in Townsend so evening trips through Cades Cove to count deer was a ritual. Been going there since I was a kid. Haven't been in a while and need to get back soon. Had a bear get in our truck once while camping at the Cades Cove campground in a homemade truck camper my dad built. Good times.

 

just bought some myself from someone here in TW for my SR5. hopefully i'll change them this weekend. your truck looks good.

 

My grandparents had several places over the years in Townsend. Same here. Been going since I was a kid ( 52 now ). My parents are from Maryville area. Have tons of cousins aunts and uncles up there. Good times indeed.

 

Wanted tp share some info for anyone looking at DEPO brand tinted Pro headlights. Put them in my 3rd gen and they looked awesome. After 1.5 to 2 years the tint, inside the lens, began to delaminate. I would avoid that brand. OEM is def the best option.

 

Today, I did the ever so popular Pro style grille swap, and added a Rough Country bull bar. This coming Thursday or Friday, I'm hoping to have some black TRD wheels, and Falken AT tires for a more aggressive look. I really can't stand these Ultra Mavericks that the previous owner had. Blah!

Before:


After:

 

Welcome

 

Changed out the factory shift knob

 

Finally got my rigid fog brackets so I could repurpose the DOT rigids off the tundra.