PennSilverTaco's "Perfect 5-Lug Regular Cab" Build, Aspergers, and General BS MegaThread!

Best part of this story is prolific amounts of aged booze.

 

Wait a minute...is this another drunk Gramps story?

 

I hated stupid start button on my X3. thet thing was soooo damn quiet, that I just exited the car and walked away a bunch of times not realizing its still running. One time i went to the dog beach, just to come back 2 hours later and to find my car still running. Yes, I am a space cadet and yes, someone like me needs a good old key.

 

Each successive copy (of a copy etc) degrades in accuracy/quality. Moreover, the original keys and tumblers themselves degrade with normal use.

I've had good luck getting keys cut via VIN/code. This is done by your local dealer. If you have the original key code, they should cut a new key with few (if any questions). If they have to use your VIN to get the code from Toyota, you'll need ID and proof of ownership.

 

Problem one is common if you normally only use one key.

Wife's minivan will only work with the key she's always used. The second, original key will no longer work as the key and tumblers have worn together. It will work in the passenger door lock though because that lock has hardly ever seen a key.

Problem two is because the ac is bringing in fresh air from outside. Your door seals are probably working really well and the air has to go somewhere. It would be interesting to see whether or not it still does it when set to recirc.

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6yRI-khqmqY

 

I actually like to rotate my keys, truck came with 2 so I switch every year or so to prevent any issues in the future.

 

No, it's something that's going on right now.

 

Where would I get the key code? I don't think a base model Taco with rollup windows and manual locks has coded keys?

 

It comes on a small tag with the keys when the vehicle is delivered.

Like I said, if you don't have it, the dealer can use your VIN to get it from Toyota. You'll need ID and proof of ownership for this process. (In addition to having them cut you a new key, make sure you GET THE CODE from them. You can use it to skip the step involving your VIN, ID, and proof of ownership in the future.)

 

Nothing is ever simple is it.

 

I have a key taped to the hitch with black electrical tape. I live in fear of after backpacking for a few days/weeks I'll come back to the truck and have lost my keys. Unless you know exactly where to look you won't find it. Blends in beautifully.

 

I have my driver's license, but would that mean I'd have to bring the title? Or is registration and proof of insurance good enough?

 

My dealer wanted ID and registration. I recommend asking yours what they require.

 

You're not the only one with the locks-but-won't unlock key issue. I too had the same problem with a two year old key that had worked perfectly for a year and 11 months - I started using the second key I had cut the exact same time, and problems solved. Not really any significant wear on the key having issues either.

 

More than three years ago, I replaced my entire sound system. I bought the head unit and speakers on Crutchfield. The head unit is a Pioneer DEH-X6500BT. It has Bluetooth, USB, AUX, and CD/MP3 capability, etc. The speakers were the only Pioneer component speakers that would fit in my truck without extensive modifications. I paid $240 total for everything. Just about everybody on Tacoma World knows about my run-in with a career alcoholic in a Mercedes-Benz in October 2015. Well, after that bastard lied to his insurance company despite getting a DUI and put me through the ringer when I was getting my truck fixed, justice was still served.

The drunk driver was ordered by the court to pay me $500. I decided to put the money to good use and buy a dashboard camera, so nobody can hit my truck and lie about it again. It would be the ultimate way to stay safe on the road and symbolically give Sir Drinks-A-Lot the middle finger.

Also, I have had my driver's license for almost 6 years as of this post, and I have a virtually flawless driving record. I've never gotten a ticket (aside from a parking ticket in 2013) and have never even been pulled over! I rear-ended a Mustang in August 2015. Other than that I am squeaky clean. However, I haven't always been the greatest at backing up. I decided to go all-out with my restitution money and get myself a backup camera too!

The need for a backup camera is why I have chosen to replaced my otherwise problem-free Pioneer head unit. My speakers are awesome and I have no plans to replace them, though I may add a subwoofer and an external amp in the future.

I wanted another Pioneer head unit in the worst kind of way, but Pioneer does not make an double-DIN head units with front USB and AUX ports. Getting a Pioneer head unit would have meant plugging cords into the back and running them around to the front. Simplicity is what I am going for here. As of right now, I plug my iPod into the front of my head unit and Velcro it to my dash under the A/C vent so I can use it without taking my eyes of the road. I narrowed my options down to Jensen and Sony. The only reason I would have gotten the Jensen is because it offered built-in navigation for a ridiculously low price compared to other brands with GPS. I ultimately decided not to get built-in GPS (I have a Garmin portable GPS), and the tech support guy recommended Sony over Jensen. My first game console was a PlayStation (Christmas present in 1999), and I grew up with a 32-inch Trinitron TV in my family room, so I've always loved Sony products.

Also, instead of selling my Pioneer head unit, I have decided to just give it to my best friend's younger sister, who plans on installing it in her 2004 Isuzu Rodeo.

Anyway, here are the items I purchased last night:

Head unit:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_158XAV650B/Sony-XAV-W650BT.html?tp=20217

Backup camera:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_020CC520/Clarion-CC520.html

Backup camera mount:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_020CAU002/Clarion-CAU002.html

Dashcam:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_079CDR835/Cobra-CDR835.html

 

My only recommendation is that if you have a smart phone & run your maps off that (vs a garmin standalone), look at a unit that has carplay or android auto, depending on your phone. Either will give you nav on the center console, powered by your phone, and anything that supports that will also support backup cameras. Pioneer makes several models that support both, other manufacturers as well.

Downside is it'll be a bit more expensive, probably.

 

Looks like an interesting system. I recently upgraded my setup (from a Panasonic) because I was looking for something clean(er) in the dash. Actually, the thing that bugged me the most was the background on displa of the Panasonic - there was no way to turn off all the crazy graphics and just make it black.

I ended up going with a head unit that runs Android (JOYING JY-UL135), and it's been pretty great (and was a lot cheaper). It's nice being able to install apps, sound is good, connects to phones easily, supports backup/dash cams, etc.

I posted about it here if you're interested: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/joying-android-5-1-1-double-din-thread.444640/

 

X2, Android Auto and Apple Car play are great. Sync's up without any trouble everytime on my Pioneer SPH-DA120

 

Backup camera/touch-screen head unit install!

My neighbor did all of the hard work like running the wire for the backup camera, and all I really did was take everything apart and put it back together again. He insisted that all I have to do is buy him a new package of plastic shrink clamps at Home Depot (roughly $3 to $4) and pretty much did the work pro bono, but I bought him a 12-pack of his favorite beer anyway.

This is my "old" stereo, installed by my friend in April 2013. It gave me 3½ years of trouble-free service. Yes, my dash bezel is being held in place with electrical tape. This was a recent addition (like two days prior to replacing the stereo). I had to slam on the brakes and my friend's dog hit the dashboard. Tully was fine, but the whole stereo assembly was knocked out of alignment and I lost one of the plastic clips while trying to fix it...




My iPod is held in place with a piece of Velcro...




New stereo, still in the wrapper...





With the dash bezel removed...





With the whole stereo removed...




The A/C controls, hanging by a clump of wires but still fully operational. I actually drove around the corner to my house with the radio removed and the A/C controls hanging (and the A/C on) to get some snacks because I got hungry.




IMPORTANT: Avoid disconnecting the digital clock/passenger airbag/seatbelt warning display. Doing so will cause the airbag warning light to come on. My neighbor and I couldn't figure out how to shut it off and wound up having to totally disconnect the battery to reset the entire truck...





My neighbor splicing the wiring harness together...









Running the wire for the backup camera...




Running the wiring to the backup camera was much easier than I thought. Ryan did all of the hard work while I watched and learned...




There was a hole in the floorpan where various electrical guts went through, and it had a rubber grommet. This meant we did not have to drill a new hole in the floor to run the camera wire...




Using the Greenlee snake to pull the wire through the stereo opening...




IT LIVES!!!




Installing the mounting bracket...






Closer look at backup camera:



Almost done:




And DONE:




Blasting my favorite song:




And I was under the impression that the backup camera would not work until it was wired into the computer (which my neighbor will be doing this Thursday). Imagine my surprise when just out of curiosity I pressed "Camera" on the head unit's touch screen and the thing actually turned on! That's my parents' driveway and my dad's Pilot: