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

Like what's in my 2009 Tacoma under dash hand operated turn & twist.

 

Buy it back and build a lemon racer or chumpcar.

 

Sounds like you live with your parents, you might want to go a little easier on your dad... He's your dad after all. Learn to just roll with it! It's your truck, if you let someone else drive it, remember to put things back the way you like it, and move on with life. It's a short life anyway! Your dad is doing the right thing anyway, you should always use the parking brake! No brainer if you drive a manual trans, but setting the parking brake on an automatic will prolong the life of your transmission - otherwise, you're letting the parking pall hold the weight of the truck. Yes, it's not critical on level ground, but it's still smart. If the brake is adjusted right and set right, the truck shouldn't move. The only exception IMO is when temps are well below freezing, you may risk freezing up the parking brake.

I have both - my F150 is an automatic with foot brake, pull release. I use it, it is a little harder to remember to release it, but the truck won't go until I do. My Tacoma is a manual with the traditional t-handle dash lever. I like it, I use it, and it's easy to use off road, which was the reason for the design. All said, I do like the center console lever but it takes up some valuable real estate, which I understand... But I still like it there.

 

The pull and turn has been a favorite since my first truck(1988 Toyota)was equipped with such. It worked flawlessly for me even as a young driver. I dislike the foot pedal that requires a second push to release. The center console hand brake takes up valuable room that could be better utilized IMO. I do like the location of it there though.

Electronic parking brakes...no thanks. I do not require more electronic fuckery in my vehicles just for the sake of having more electronic fuckery in my vehicle. If my body isn't capable of manually operating a parking brake I probably shouldn't be driving anyways. It's bad enough my transmission shifts gears for me.

 

My bestop has been nothing but great to me. I've taken it down and put it back up countless times. I actually take the whole thing off the truck minus the rail system. From hooking up the poles to the rail system to the final window being on and tailgate up it takes me roughly 20 min total.

It really does come down to whether you want windows or not. I've not had a single issue with my Bestop since purchasing it a few years ago, including the windows. People advise against putting the windows on during winter due to potential to crack, so either leave it on the truck for winter or take it off and stow it in the garage.

It has held up sturdy to hitting 90mph with crosswinds. I've never been in hurricane weather or mountainous gusts, can't comment on that.

Honestly if you want a dedicated camping topper I'd go with a hardtop, otherwise to me the biggest plus for the Softopper/Bestop is being able to put it on or off whenever you want without a buddy or pull-up system. It's not going to be as waterproofed as a hardtop.

And really if you want to buy one used I'd say just pickup whichever you can get for the best deal. Both softoppers and bestops sell for chump change used. Softoppers cost more brand new, and have a couple other color choices than black. I bought my Bestop off eBay with a best offer $100+ lower than retail and got a great deal.

Otherwise the whole Softopper vs Bestop noise is a one-sided "my buddy said" circle jerk for the most part, they both have their relative pros/cons.

 

LOL, I told my friend he should enter a demolition derby!

 

Unfortunately yep it should be totaled .year miles etc...also unfortunately the insurance company will likely not payout much if it is totaled .
I think if it is totaled your friend can ask to buy it back ??? Sucks as suby's are great cars and last forever when maintained !

 

Another vote here for softopper.. i got mine a few weeks ago and its been great. After putting on the seam sealer they sent me with it, its been dry as a bone. The only downfall i have noticed about it is less visibility when changing lanes or backing up, but its not bad at all if you adjust your mirrors and if you have a backup camera on your truck

 

deer; the most dangerous animal in the 48 U.S. States based on injuries and damage.

 

Like I said sucks

 

Speaking of " sucks " my ducks are getting ready to play!!!

 

more kills than sharks around the world.

Yea liability is just that...liable in case of accident. Act of God or no....it's only for the other guy.

I've lost a few over the years like this (usually favorites) but it's just life. If I wreck my tacoma it's a write off. Wasn't such a big deal back when beater cars were only 500 bux.

If you could get a roof patch panel, it is a fixable car though as long as he didn't mind paint looking like hell. cut top of A pillars and right across the front of the sunroof. spot weld and bondo all the while checking a new windshield for fit.

I wouldn't do it but I'm not 25 any more.

 

Nothing planned

 

I ordered a new shift knob for my Taco. Should be here before October 1st!

 

I bought the Softopper in December for $700. They usually have a sale the whole month of December... I've had mine for three years on my 2012 TRD and have had no problems with it.. It great for covering tools or lowering for carrying large items.. I'll try and post a picture...

 

@Plain Jane Taco
What year was the stick shift regular cab you had, that looked a lot like mine? 2012?

That was my favorite of all your trucks, just because it was like mine and had a 5-speed handshaker...

 

It was a '13.





I owned an '09 as well.

 

Was the '09 a stick shift? If my 2010 Tacoma were to get totaled, I'd buy an '09 or '10 just like mine but with a manual transmission, and simply swap all of the stuff from the wrecked truck to the new truck. I prefer pre-2012 because the 2009-2011 models came with the same stereo as mine. All 2012 and newer models got the redesigned center dash with a full touch-screen, plus Bluetooth and a USB input in addition to the AUX input, but unfortunately anything lower than an SR5 didn't get a backup camera.

I prefer the more basic stereos in the 2009-2011 models because it is easiest to just rip out the factory crap and put in a setup like I have now.

 

Yes...they were both truly base models. The only option either had was sliding rear glass. Having owned both....I have a preference for the '12+. I like the front end a little better. And I definitely like the white gauges a lot better than the red.

I got used to the touch screen pretty quick. Kinda liked it too. My Sport as Entune and it spoils you, for sure

 

Prior to 2011, A/C was about a $1,000 option on the regular cab models! Even automatic transmission models! I've only ever seen one 2nd Gen with factory A/C delete, and it was a dark red 2005-2008 regular cab 2WD 5-speed that I saw in a parking lot in Kennebunkport, Maine. It had Maine license plates too, and A/C in cars wasn't considered as much of a necessity in New England once upon a time...