Cheap/Free Mods

Just tried this on my 2011. Works on mine, too! (I used the flashing seat belt reminder light as my count......let it go for about 30 seconds). Not just a 2008 thing.

 

Good stuff

 

Has anyone tried the intermittent wiper mod on a 2012? I found the switch on craigslist from an 08 model and was wondering if 1) the mod works on the 2012 model 2) if the switch for the 08 should work. Any insight anyone has would be great. Thanks!

 

cobalt719,

The switch should work fine on your 2012.

 

Thanks wolftree

 

Another way to hook up these same D-Rings.

I didn't want to cut that huge stock washer and i wanted the d-ring to be attached on top of the washer, under the bolt head, but you cannot remove the washer as it is swaged on, so i trimmed the D-ring to slip in between the bolt and washer.


It is obviously a weaker hookup, but once you drop it over the bolt you see it gets held really well, and i did the left and right sides opposite, so the way most tie downs would work would pull the d-rings so they wont come out.



By the time you crank down the bolt the D-ring isnt moving and it looks good where its at. its also a lot easier not taking the bed bolts all the way out. I put the d-rings in a vice, cut straight down with a sawzall on both sides and then cleaned it all up with a grinder/file.

 

So with all the electronics I've been hooking up (Fire dept radio, Scanner, Aux Lights, Strobes, Radar detector, etc.) I want to keep an eye on my battery voltage when I'm sitting with the motor off to conserve gas but still running key on power.

After much searching i found my answer and i think it should be added to the cheap/free section for others to see.

since i already have power run back to a fuse panel over my glove box i decided to grab power there and mount the meter on the right side below the vent.


This is a Lascar electronics EMV-1200 rated for voltage from 4-25vdc, i checked it against my big tester and came up the same voltage. You can find this on a bunch of sites, Jameco.com is good, but i was able to find it for $20 on ebay. The guy asked for 5$ shipping but i used the make an offer button and asked for 2 with free shipping, they accepted.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/190555304178?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649



with key on, truck off. showing 12.5vdc. when truck is running it stays up at 13.7-13.9.



its really easy to hook up, only 2 wires, +/-. drill one hole 5.5mm wide, peel and stick the rubber gasket and screw on the bolt.

 

Dont know why I didn't post this here sooner. And I know that there is already a High Lift mount write-up in here but mine is a bit different. Plus I figure I have done about 10 or more of the mods in this thread so I should contribute something.

Anyway here is the write up for it:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/195848-high-lift-jumper-cable-rope-bed-mount.html

 

I installed a set of air bag assist springs yesterday into my 2001 double cab Prerunner (4x2). This wasn't too big of a deal to install. It would have gone quicker if I didn't have a custom cat-back exhaust as the heat shield to protect the passenger side air bag from the heat of the exhaust pipe didn't fit without additional customization and adding a heat wrap to the pipe. Here are a few picks of the install. I ran the two air lines to the fuel door rather than to the license plate as shown in the instructions. I dislike the fact I have two valves to fill with air rather than one. I didn't know how bad my leaf springs were until I put 10lbs of air in the bags though. I guess my question to the all first Gen owners is what is the distance from the bottom of your rim to the bottom of the wheel well? I have had on-coming traffic flash their bright at me from time to time, but I figured there was a cop around the corner (never saw them). I have towed some heavy loads over the years (3 pallets of sod, motor for my jeep, w/ hoist, and a pallet of tile for a friends kitchen) of which I'm suspect that my leaf springs started to do the back bend b/c of it. Anyway, I'm running the bags at 10lbs now (minimum is 5lbs and 100lbs under load) as it still gives a somewhat soft ride. Last night I ran the bags at 25lbs and I could definitely tell it was a stiff ride. The kit wasn't too pricey either and besides the exhaust issue I didn't have to purchase anything else. The install took about 3 hours more or less. I'm quite satisfied.

 

Figured I would throw this in here too, since its cheap. http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...cheap-semi-easy-organizer-center-console.html

 

Your truck sits level unloaded. I know Toyota has a TSB out for the 2nd gen leaf springs that cant handle the weight...maybe this is something similar.

maybe you lent your truck to Jason and he decided to haul pinky around in the bed...that would blow even the toughest of springs....(inside joke)

 

Tiger, I have hooked up my aux reverse lights but i'm having trouble hooking the components to the relay.. I've taped into the reverse power [white/pink wire] i have a wire to the aux lights, i have a line to the battery.

How do i hookup the relay exactly?

 

Like this one. Just replace "Remote turn on lead" with the line from the reverse light, and pin 30 for the aux lights.

 

Wait so the 30 pin should be aux, everything ive seen shows that as the battery hook up?

 

OK, then follow what you're reading. I don't have the pin-out diagram of the relay you're using so I'm taking a stab in the dark to find a picture of wiring it up. It's been a few years, and it's too cold to pull my tail light off to check right now. But the package the relay came in should show you how to wire it.

 

In your application, It will not matter. Good catch though. In fact 85 and 86 don't matter, polarity wise, either.

In a "perfect world", yes, terminal 30 is constant (+) and 87 would be the load producing accessory (Light, motor, etc). 85 is the Ground (-) and 86 is switched (trigger) positive(+).

I attempted a quick google search to get a diagram for you, but there is so much bad information out there, I just about confused myself.

You didn't mention the ground. Thats the only wire you may still need to run.

Have Fun!

 

Inexpensive LED Mod... Probably $40 - $50


Expanding my LED build by adding 10 LED's in cup holders, glove box and above the 12 volt power ports. The links below were provided by another member RAPR (his build is here), but I modified them for the Blue LED's that I'm doing, you can also do amber, green, white, red, etc...

I'll have some extra wire and splicers on hand when doing this install.

My plan is to tap into the dashboard dimmer switch, then go to the toggle switch so that I can turn them off when going down the road, but still be able to dim them if they are too bright...

Here's what I've purchased:

The WAGO clamps
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-Wago-222-4...item20aefae732


LED holders (a must buy): (I used a 1/4" drill bit which worked perfectly)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/390380286829...84.m1423.l2649


LED'S:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-pcs-LED-...037?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ab2a4f155




Toggle Switch:
http://www.oznium.com/scion-switch-led




Here's what it looks like mid-build...

 

sub'd

 

Yeaaahhhhh!!!

Fun project to do ... this weekend I hope to put couple under rear bench seat and then my bedlights.