What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

Got my valve cover gaskets replaced and a/c charged.
Also I get crazy good mileage on the freeway.
17-18 mpg's depending on hills and how much I draft.

 

For the brake light, tap the brake hot lead (green w/stripe, tap at the far left with black wire) and ground somewhere else, or use another tap to the ground wires in the taillight cluster (white w/black stripe)


For the dome light to always be hot, you need to run a line all the way up to the fuse box under the hood and connect it to the fuse box feed (big white wire from battery) with a ring connector on the nut terminal inside the fuse box cover and sticking a 5 amp fuse inline right after that connection.

 

Awesome! Thanks for the info! I'm not sure if I need the dome light to always be hot...Murphy's law is if I do, I'll leave it on and drain my battery, so it may be fine this way or tapped off of the tail light eventually.

 

Wow!!!!! 340 really. ...!!!!!

 

Yeah, that's a risk. I thought I might see if I can find an LED replacement bulb for the dome light to further hedge my bets against dumbness. But there are plenty of times I need the light when the truck is off.

As you likely read in the other thread, using quick-disconnects between the bed and cap is a good idea for if/when you want to remove the cap.

And if you use the taps, put some dielectric grease inside where the metal blade is in the tap to prevent corrosion and future problems. Same with any fuse blades you might use.

 

Go all out and put in a sensor that automatically turns the light on when you open the cover, then turns off when closed. Like the cab. Unless you leave the cover open all night for some reason.

 

So this awesome guy by the name of John Schneider, aka Bo Duke -I'm no redneck by any means but loved watching DOH growing up- recommended that I go get me an insta-gate. So guess what...after he brainwashed me like all infomercial hosts do (Hell I still use a George Foreman grill), I got me an insta-gate and installed it:

Bed extender mode:


Load sh*t into my short bed mode:


Stealth mode:



For those interested, I'll have a small review and more pics with details posted on my build HERE.

 

Yeah, good point, that would be ideal to use a switch like for under-hood lights, but that would be far down my list. Still have to refinish my flares and install satoshi. But I do need to fab some bug screens for the cap's pop-out windows, so maybe if I'm motivated then, I'll do a switch, too

 

Paid off the truck today!!


And there's a new Hobart 210 sitting in the garage...

 

Is the dome light LED? If not, I'd highly recommend switching to an LED fixture. I had an extra one laying around from a project I was doing in a boat. So that's what I put in. Draws almost nothing, and a friend of mine left it on all night on accident with no battery issues the next day.



Also put in a 12v disconnect in case I need to take the shell off.



I've since loomed all of the wire so it looks neat and clean. Still working on a way to affix it so it doesn't droop down though.

 

Mine seems to tuck up under the bed rail there and stay put on the little interior edge. Maybe bulk it up with a second layer of loom and shove it up there.

 

Oh I meant the wires coming from the light. The ones by the rail aren't an issue anymore. I've tried gluing wire clamps with expoy to the cieling, but it always seems to come off. I'll wait for a nice hot sunny day and re-expoy them this summer. I think I've just been doing it when it's too cold.

 

OIC. Does it get cold in Alaska?

 

I like the lightbar Meatman. You should rotate your turn signal to be above that bar instead of on the bottom. Would look better and have better protection.

 

Are those the Trail gear turn signals?

 

nice work, they look good.

 

Finally got everything put back together on my truck.I found this cover on craigs' list for twenty five bucks so i had to get it.It will do until i get my color matched fiberglass leer cap on it.I also have some new wheez and tires to put under her.I found a set of 265/75/16 firestone destination A/T' on craigs' lists fo 100 apiece! The tires are brand new,stickers still on em.I got the wheels from here for 200.The new tires/wheelz should look and perform great and the whole set,wheels and tires only cost me 600!! cant beat it. now ive just got some minor mechanical repairs to get at,rear axle seals and a front shaft seal.But all that shouldnt be too tough.cant wait to get her back on the road!!!The beagles love to ride in the truck.They know they are heading to the brush for bunnies when the get in the back.

 

A little... It was snowing yesterday

 

Psh, it snowed here in Missouri last night. No big deal