Captain Ameritruck build and BS thread

Ok, what to talk about first? How about the Toyota mudflaps. They could not be any simpler to install. They even come with 4 extra screws that tap into the plugs that hold the wheel wells in. Unscrew the existing screws, add mudflap, put the screws (+1) back in. Repeat 3 times. Done.

 

I want DCSB TRDOR w/ 6spd MT in Quicksand ... damn you Cap.

 

The weatherstripping was "fun." First I installed the cab rail seals. You need a T30 torx and some wrist muscle. Good thing I trained hard in my teens for the latter, and I just happened to have the former.

Removed the cab rail (5 T30 torx) and cleaned it all. You can make out the gap at the far left.


I cleaned everything with a mixture of Dawn and water, with about 20% alcohol thrown in for good measure.


Carefully peel the backer off. It doesn't want to come - 3M adhesives work well. It's simply a thick foam sticker.


I put th cab rail back on, and using that historic wrist strength got those torx back in. Toyota must torque those things within an inch of their lives - the instructions said 67 pounds. Holy hell!


I cleaned everything back up, repositioned the cover, and tightened it down. From inside, you can see clearly that it's sealed.


Cab rail done!

 

Looking great Cap! Does that cover fold up against the cab for use of the bed for tall items when necessary?

 

The tailgate seal was also easy. I cleaned all surfaces, test fit the weatherstripping dry so I knew where my best close points were, and down it went.




It's hard to notice, but the round edge of the weatherstripping is resting perfectly between the bed and the tailgate. Nothing is pinched.

I did it in three pieces, which fir how the bed is laid out. The YouTube videos I saw were all for Chevys and Fords, and Homey don't play that.

Starting with a clean area, I dry fit and measured the seals. Once I'd figured out where the best place to have the bulbous end rest, I put it down.




When the tailgate closes the weatherstripping fills the gap.


Time to break out the pressure washer. Tomorrow!

 

Props on the sandal/Jean mashup

 

I can't talk you into getting a truck you don't want. Don't flick that booger on me!

With the Extang SolidFold, only the first two sections flip back - the cab section is still held in place. Y brother's BakFlip on his F-150 does stand up against his cab for tall, full-bed items.

However, unlike the BakFlip, the Extang takes all of 30 seconds to remove the entire cover. Unlatch the clips holding that first section in and "boom" - she's out. It is also easy to put back in place after you're done. The Extang also doesn't have drip rails and drain lines, and the BakFlip does.

The BackFlip is flush though, and the Extang is about 7/8".

My suggestion is to go with the one you like. I've seen the factory one (on short beds only) and it has the benefit of being cheaper than both the BakFlip and Extang. It has to be unscrewed to be removed, though, and sometimes it doesn't seal perfectly at the gate - there's definitely a knack for closing it.

 

I didn't feel like wearing knee pads when putting the mud flaps on. I'm sure I looked like shit. When Lucy (queen puppy) and I ran out to Lowes a little while ago, I dropped back to shorts.

The real WTF is 80 degrees at the end of January. Holy global warming, Batman, we need to take this El Niño kid out!

 

You're telling me, we just got back from kayaking.
Last week went from cold and windy to non stop rain, now 85 degrees tomorrow with a low of half that at 40.

Texas weather.

 

Not flicking boogers ... but I'm coming around to the look. Probably a couple years out in all reality, unless I lose my patience. I've got time to do research.

Thanks for the cover info.

 

IMOP the Gen 2 mud flaps with the "4X4" embossed on them are much nicer than the plain black ones on my Gen 3.

 

So many suspicious characters around here!

Are you suggesting that my pavement princess get (*gasp!*) dirty?

 

Jenn

 

Ewww not dirty!!!!

 

Hiya sweets!

 

Worse!! That's like dirty's evil big brother that gives wedgies!!

 

Sounds fun either way...