Thunder's Garage Tetris: 04 Taco + 12 CTS-V + 06 GSXR

Useful threads I will need to look at later before they fall into the abyss of my post history:
Needle bearing fix (can't do with Harrop e-locker)
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...earing-vibration.276853/page-14#post-19749856
Air damper clicking fix (done but keeping here)
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/air-servo-damper-no-2-possible-aftermarket-part.500522/#post-16582776
Steering column "fix" (done)
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/sloppy-steering-column-fix.502851/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/first-gen-steering-wheel-clunk-fix.106254/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/sloppy-play-in-steering-wheel-gone.370052/#post-14171357
Relocate washer fluid reservoir with OEM tank from older Tacos (done - used original style tank)
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-wiper-fluid-reservoir-relocation-for-1st-gen-tacomas.441906/
welder:
https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/764170-hobart-handler-140-115v-mig-welder.html?feedsource=3
removing 3rd leaf from bottom for better ride:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/alcan-leaf-springs.606690/page-2#post-21031679
replace LCA bushings:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lca-tips.479978/#post-14617055
windsheild cowl area leak:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/passenger-floor-board-leak-fix.432290/page-3

***Useful links near bottom of post***





If I ever install LED turn signals:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/led-turn-signals-no-need-for-resistors-mod.514193/

TORQUE SPECS:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/need-help-with-torque-specs.441887/#post-14295028


Hello and welcome to my little corner of the interwebs. Feel free to have a look around and don't be afraid to ask questions. Try to look past the plastidip.. I did other things too and they feel left out.

New color (space grey plastidip):







Old color:
















So far the list of mods is as follows. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Exterior:

Off-Road:
-All-pro Bilstein height adjustable coilovers
-Custom Alcan leaf packs, built with 2.5" of lift and an extra 200lb load capacity
-Stainless rear extended brake line
-Bilstein 5125s 170/60 valving in rear, 8.5” travel
-ARB bumper with Gamiviti clear turn signal lenses
-Coastal Off-Road high clearance rear bumper
-RevengeFab sliders
-BudBuilt skid plate and belly pan + crossmember
-Fabtech angled spare tire carrier in bed
-TRD rear e-locker with 4.56 ECGS gears
-Harrop front e-locker
-Rear diff breather extension behind gas cap plastics
-Smittybilt H2O 10k winch (Gen 2 Comp Series)
-285/75/16 BFG KO2s
-Pro comp 8069-6886 gloss black wheels (16x8 - 4" BS sadly discontinued)

Paint:
-Plasti-dipped in space grey with dipped black trim pieces

Brakes:
-NAPA eclipse 231mm Tundra brake calipers with Tundra OEM discs and pads

Random:
-NWS deep toolbox loaded with tools, recovery gear, etc
-Dynomax super turbo muffler
-Homemade BPV bracket
-Street Guardian SG9665GC Dash Camera
-Bluesea fuse box

Lighting:
-Mini D2S 3.0 projectors with Philips 4300k bulbs and Morimoto relay, TRS 35 watt ballasts
-eBay high beam dash light fix module for h4
-Alixpress 7" LED front aux lights
-Black eBay headlights with smoke/clear corners
-eBay LED tail lights
-eBay LED rear aux lights - flush mount
-LED turn signals from eBay bolted to side of ARB bumper

Short Range Comms:
-Uniden 520XL Pro CB radio
-Firestik 2' or 3' fiberglass CB antenna on heavy duty spring and extra long mirror mount on toolbox
-Uniden amplified PA speaker (BC23A)
-Baofeng BF-F8HP HAM walkie talkie



Interior:
-Pioneer DEH-P6000UB head unit
-Warm white LED dome/map lights from superbrightleds with soldered 100 ohm 3 watt resistors
-15% tint on factory tinted rear glass, 5% on front (approx. 3.5% all around), -15% windshield strip
-4Runner locking glovebox latch
-Toyota Hilux carbon fiber/leather shifter knob
-Door dinger removed
-MechanicJon's seat reinforcements
-Wet Okole seat covers in Charcoal Grey with black piping

Here are some random mods and write ups I have done over the years:

4Runner locking glovebox latch in Tacoma: Increase OEM keyless entry range:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-increase-oem-keyless-entry-range.406672/

Better Bed Lights installation:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/installing-better-bed-lights-on-the-1st-gen.440036

Stock RS3200 Glass Break Sensor Installation (for 2003-2004):
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tvip-upgrade-to-stock-rs3200-alarm-system-2003-2004.524376/

Softer shocks to fix poor ride quality for lifted 1st gens:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/stiff-rear-end-after-lift-you-got-the-wrong-shocks.471164/

AC Drain Extension:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/frame-rust-from-ac-condensation.390399/#post-10740024

Doing away with plastic clips for trim paneling (2001-2004 Ext Cabs)
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/no-more-rattling-ext-cab-rear-trim.448164/

PLASTIDIP THE WHOLE DAMN THING:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/plasti-dip-full-truck-dip-thread.362577/






And how she looked the day I bought it in 2008.



And the new baby, the V

 

Looks sweet thunderone!The gray color looks good!

 

Dude, in love with that color. Looks awesome

 

Thanks! It cost about $200 in supplies to do and I did it at my friend's Line-X shop. I used about 3.5 out of the four gallons I purchased. It's not perfect but it really came out great for my first time dipping!

 

SICK TRUCK!!!

 

Just going to sub..

 

Digging the look of this truck and the mods done to it.

 

I'm thinking about plasti dipping my truck but I have seen that it only lasts a little over 2 years. Plus you have to wash it with special solution. How do you wash yours? And how long have you had it done? Any peeling or damage since then?

 

well I'm going on almost a year with the dip, and so far so good. No real damage to speak of so far. Anything that peels up (usually around crevices and door handles that get lots of contact or water buildup) can be laid back down with some paint thinner dipped on a rubber glove and a light touch.

I haven't washed my truck with anything other than regular car wash soap, but if mud gets on it, you basically have to wash it with some simple green, because it really sticks. I usually just sprayed it onto the wet truck, and scrubbed with a soapy sponge. I'm sure the dipwash stuff works best, but I haven't tried it yet. Occasionally I apply some of the Turtle Wax Ice.

If the truck doesn't have any stuck on mud, I can get away with washing it with regular turtle wax soap, which is what I do mostly.

Basically I have had zero issues with the dip. There are some places that have started coming up (namely the areas around the door handles) but I haven't addressed them with paint thinner yet and it's not getting any worse so it's not a high priority. Basically the prep work and laying thinner down on more immediate areas from exacto slicing detailed areas was the biggest pain, but I haven't had a problem since. The only reason I had to lay down thinner over the exacto'd areas was because the knife did slightly pull up the dip where I was cutting. Thinner corrected the problem.

I would suggest keeping some extra dip left over in a jar so that if you're really OCD, you can paintbrush rock chipped areas down by the rocker panels. I have some left over for this reason and for other touch ups, but I've only one touch up work on one occasion and that was over the summer.

Anyways, I'm sure the response was a little long but hopefully I eased any of your concerns.

One thing I've yet to figure out is if the dip will hold up when tree branches and thorns scrape it.

 

Badass truck.

 

Love the color ! How many miles on her?

 

about 15 miles away from 160k

 

Right on, curious. same year - just rolled 171K

 

Finally got new tires.

 

I'm diggin your truck. Looks good.

 

Are you happy with the ride of the new tires?

 

I am! I told the tire shop to just do a "static" balance with sticky weights on the inside of the wheel and it rides surprisingly smooth! And they're pretty quiet too. I'm sure they'll get louder as time goes on. Not that it's a problem

 

Need a new set, love those tires, but kind of spoiled with michelins

 

Michelen's are hard to beat for ride quality. But I'm a sucker for the classic BFG white lettering

 

Sprayed the living crap out of the frame with 4 cans of Fluid Film. Then proceeded to play out in the snow and help poor souls stuck in their Mazda Miatas and Mustangs


Tires did an awesome job in the snow. I had to really TRY to get the tires to break loose.