What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

Removed my front RCI plate so that my first oil change installing the Fumoto valve can occur. Jacked up the transmission plate while removing engine skid and as quickly as possible re-inserted the front transmission skid bolts. Now I can skitter under the engine to do oil change without ramps. Engine skid re-install after a day or so to be sure of no oil leaks. Engine skid can remain until front differential service needed.

Last time I skittered under I bruised the hell out of my forearms, but the arm shields below (plus a little more caution) just left my forearms a little scrunched for a few minutes.

 

Nice work

 

Have to run some used oil and motorcycle tires out there, really need need to ask what it is all about. Seems like I always space it when I am sitting in line at the weigh station.

 

Maybe that is the reason in itself, ha. The 17 sticks out and makes you think instead of the usual #0 or #5.

https://www.designededu.com/17-2/

https://fox40.com/news/local-news/sacramento/sacramento-signs-speed-limite-17-miles-per-hour/

https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinteresting/comments/ol715f/this_17_mph_speed_limit_sign/

 

Ha! Maybe that is it, makes you look and wonder if you can indeed drive 17 mph.

 

so upon further research I found I can change the bezel to the standard square and they offer a universal bracket. I ordered them and they should be here tomorrow so I can reuse my SS3 which is awesome cus I love having the amber backlight. Another person I found with a backwoods bumper said their SS3 bracket fit perfectly in the bumper so I will see when I re install them ! Cheers

 

Painted my engine cover, came out pretty nice. Just need some clear coat...

 

Yes trust me I wanted to confront him man to man after that punk did that after I broke that car in properly and saved and worked very hard for that car. If it wasn’t for responsibilities I would have thrown all caution to the wind and more then likely I’d be in jail right now . They lost a customer for life that’s for sure. It really was a blessing in disguise though because only a few months after I sold it and bought my Taco. Loved that BMW but this TRD is much more well rounded for a daily. Now I can start shooting again at my favorite areas and new ones I found in the woods . Go camping with a little off road fun and of course personalize the truck for my adventures

 

They're the Auto Ventshade brand, in-channel version. I love them. Had them on my '17 Taco, my old beater Accord, and just about everything else I've ever owned.

You'll sometimes see complaints about them being loose or interfering with the auto-up function on windows. I've never had any trouble with them, though. I've always prepped the channel carefully and let them set a couple of days before opening the window. Helps to install them while it's warm too.

 

Today was the first step in getting bigger tires installed on my truck....obligatory cab mount chop!

Went to Mikogenfab in Milpitas...it's conveniently located next to the tire shop I've been going to for close to 30 years (Auto Innovations).

He did an amazing job and was very thorough masking and making sure everything was done perfectly. He's pretty aggressive with his chops so I have no doubts lager tires will clear once I get to that.





Chop Chop Chop


Proper masking...I appreciate that




circumcised cab mount


Last coat...

 

Picked up a rubber stall mat from tractor supply and trimmed it to fit over the spare tire. Hopefully this will prevent sidewall creases from the spare tire cradle.

 

It’s an oddball number to make you pay attention. You have to do more than glance at the speedo to see that you’re doing something that doesn’t end in zero or 5. I’ve seen that in many neighborhoods.

This is all my guessing and, based upon my inability to read/ comprehend, take that as you will.

 

Damn....that is CLEAN.

 

Thanks...yes I'm very happy with how it came out.

 

They do this at some military bases too and makes you look twice. Very hard not to notice.

 

Just cooryis ...

At 15k. Reasonable for oil change. But since I have the engine skid off and I do offroad a bit (not every weekend, no rock crawling) does it make sense to get the front/rear differential and maybe the transfer case?

 

I did all driveline fluids, power steering fluid, transmission fluid, belt, hoses, coolant around 18k, but 6+ years old. If I recall front diff was pretty dark, but transfer case and rear diff could have gone a while longer. Noticeable improvement with trans drain and fill and power steering fluid change.

 

I am less than 6 years in ... might wait 5k for diff/xfer. But propeller lubrication seems reasonable. Are the zerks covered by the transmission skid? Would rather just pull all skids now and reassemble all at once later ... transmission plate is painful to align.

 

I don't recall. Last time my grease gun fitting wouldn't fit between the zerk and the end of the driveshaft so I gave up and figured I'd come back to it at the next oil change. That reminds me I need to pick up a tube of grease.

 

Rear brakes