Wisconsin Tacomas and bad financial advice

Food is excellent but a bit pricy, no complaints there. The decor is stuck in the 50's in the best possible way. Every dining room is a bit different with a wonderful mix of patterns and objects. Not sure if it is original or not. If it is it sure is well kept. This year is the 70th anniversary. That's a hell of a long time for a restaurant.

 

The whole thing worked out as I had hoped. Right from the start, Dave says: keep me the hell away from electrical shyte! I assured him that wouldn't be a problem. We got started taking out the grille and about that time Dan arrived. Dan jumped right in with pointers on how to get the bumper cover off, then he and Dave got to pulling the stock bumper. While they were doing that, I figured it was time to start putting the winch into the front bumper, which Tim brought out and set on sawhorses while we were doing what we were doing.

Somewhere along the way, Cisco showed up. Without a word, he jumps in the driver's seat and starts pulling the head unit. In no time, he's got the camera cables and controller hooked up and cables pulled through the firewall.

Dave and Dan by now, are ready for the new bumper and come over to help finish bolting the winch in. Within a couple of minutes, we're carrying the new bumper over and sliding it onto the mounting studs. While they finish mounting the front bumper, I grabbed the isolation switch, new battery terminals and start working the cabling. Positive cable had to be cut, new terminal ends crimped on and shrink tubed, isolator switch connected and bolted onto the mounting bracket. Positive and negative cables were connected to the battery terminals.

In the mean time, Dan and Dave had completed the front bumper and proceeded to the back, in what seemed like no time at all, had the new bumper on and were torquing everything in place. They finished just in time to help test the now connected winch, which was a success (was there any doubt?).

Tim and James were constantly bouncing back and forth making sure everyone had what they needed, constantly pushing that evil bacon on everyone. Did I mention how freaking good that bacon was?

A couple of zip ties and some cable protector sleeving and we're on to the bumper cover. By the time the bumper cover was on, Tim and Cisco have the camera mounted in the grille, which went back in...camera tests perfect (again, was there any doubt?). A little bit of minor wrap up, collect tools and it's Miller Time!

I honestly figured it would've taken us at least 2 hrs more than it did. What a team! Can't beat this WI group!!

 

This would be better with pictures…

 

You'll have to refer to Tim's @Pixeltim's posts...he's the picture guy when Jon's not around!

 

I kinda felt bad when I saw Doug walking away...we were pretty focused on the job, I hope he didn't feel snubbed.

One other thing...when Cisco @Aztec120 and I were under the hood, working the electricals, Cisco says: damn, these 2nd gens don't have a lot of room to work, unlike the 3rd gens. Maybe it's that big motor?

 

I had a bad feeling with this job when the very 1st 2 bolts I tried to remove broke. Fortunately they were not needed. After that it went pretty well. Sure we had a couple of snaffu's, but they were pretty minor. Things really could not have gone any smoother.

 

If I drove by that I’d be calling the cops saying that a bunch of shameless ruffians are chopping up a car someones driveway, without having the decency of stealing it first!

But it turned out to basically be a fast forward episode of Pimp my Ride. Excellent!!!!

 

Mod day at Tim's was another excellent day with TW crew.
Tim provided some snacks, maybe not the most healthy, but good.
We had some expertise is every area.
We definitely had enough tools. I hope everyone went home with what they brought.
Tim worked us real hard!
When I got home I took a nap in a chair for 2 hours, got up and went to bed and slept for 10 hours.
Tim, I'm glad I could help you built the rig that you always wanted.
Suspension is next. Sept 29th I'm unavailable. Any other day I'm good.

 

It was good seeing you guys! Thanks, @OldSchlPunk , for glossing over the fact that I mostly stood around and ate bacon.

Thanks @Pixeltim for giving us an excuse to hang out! Thanks for dinner, as well!

 

Than's fantastic, congratulations! I've wanted to check out the Hob Nob. Based on your description, will definitely have to make that happen.

The wife and I celebrate 20 years this Thursday. We'll also be enjoying a great dinner. She made reservations for us at The Harbor House, one of our favorite celebration spots.

 

My daughter got all of a deer this morning. Scared the sheet out of her. She is okay, car is tad banged up and the frucking feet ran away.

 

That's not entirely true...you helped put away some of the Mead also...

 

Nope, no like for that. Glad that's all of the damage. Hope the rodent is really sore.

 

Sounds like you guys had an amazing mod day at Tim's! Does @Pixeltim have a build page here yet? What a great group of guys, coming together to make it all happen.

 

Wow... glad she's alright. That's scary stuff. Thank science for laminated safety glass.

 

Oof! I'm glad she's OK! How bad is the front end?

 

I had a ton of fun yesterday and got some neat new experiences under my belt.

Seems Toyota stuck to having four 10mm bolts holding the head unit in for both generations. Just need a first gen and I'll have the whole gamut.

Assuming that's even possible and then also assuming the fourth gens would already come with a front camera......

Gotta admit if I had to do things over again the Germes Lab kit is a good deal. A lot less wiring work and easier to keep neat.

Thank you @Pixeltim for the hospitality and getting me into Mead. I still have no idea why I never bothered trying it, it's good!


It was also great seeing everyone again before my hibernation starts. Current plans are to figure out a week for SMORR late next summer to make up for all the fun I'll be missing this fall and spring.

If everything goes well, myself and @Pixeltim will be calling on you guys for some suspension upgrades sometime before then

 

Yikes. Glad she's ok and the damage wasn't worse.

After the boat ride myself, @Thatbassguy , and @Pixeltim were actually talking about hitting deer..... or at least trying not to. Thinking full hoops out front might be the move now.

 

That just sucks.
Glad she is OK.
Will she be borrowing the taco?