What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

Ohh snap! Kinda hard too see but 999kms, and canopy on

 

Sadly this happened to my hood while driving on the highway today. Don't know what it was but it mad me sad haha

 

I installed a Bedrug mat and my kids immediately wanted to sleep in the bed for the night. I think they might still be out there.

 

I've been really well served by my Nissan Frontier 4x4 for the past 10+ years. It's been super. All my needs met and many of my wants.


Every year this time of year, I'll see the local car dealers run their sales on remaining inventory and I'll wonder if it's time for me to update.

After test-driving many new trucks this week I realized that it was time to make a move.

I wanted more room....but not the tank-like feel of some of the full sized trucks. My dad recently bought a new 4-Runner that I have been very impressed by.






Well.....looks like yesterday was Taco Tuesday for me.










SR5 Double Cab 4x4 3.5L w/ automatic transmission









At the Toyota dealer's lot:












Later on....in my driveway. Hoping this one is another 10+ year happy relationship.











My Frontier was the SE V6 Double Cab but had a 6-speed manual transmission. I loved the stick shift and it made for fun driving......but a shot out left knee that my ortho surgeon says is overdue for replacement.....was begging for a vehicle that has a larger door well and doesn't have to get bent so much to get in/out nor work a clutch. The extra legroom afforded in the Tacoma had my left knee feeling some great relief.

6'4" and I'm very comfortable driving this truck.

It's so dang smooth. I was wanting to go with either Firestone Destination AT's or maybe even their MT's.....but dangitman, the smooth ride in it has me spoiled already.

 

That's hilarious.....and mighty timely, too.



Got my new Tacoma home yesterday afternoon......and my 18 year old was being a goof....

















He'd likely appreciate a padded bed rug at this point, lol.

 

Should've gotten the long bed.

 

LOL. Bigtime long bed needed for him.

Kid is 6'7" tall.

He hopped in the passenger seat and seemed to be comfortable and have good room. He's likely gonna be cramped in the backseat if we road trip in this vehicle with the family.

I was looking at the backseat room in the Titans, Tundra and Ram1500 and thinking how much more comfortable he'd be.

Thing is, though.....as a daily driver, I am normally solo and it's rare that we take my truck on family road trips. I'd hate to drive a tank around everyday just to cover the special occasion needs.

Car shopping for him two years ago was funny.

I'd got to a lot on my own and scout out what was currently on the market....I'd fit fine.....then I'd bring him along on followup trips and we'd redefine what "ample legroom & headroom" means, lol.

 

Finally Pulled the trigger on...

King Coil Overs
OME Dakar Leaf pack
Rear King Shocks
17" Method Double Standard Black
KO2s 285/70R17
Baja Stealth Bumper from RWR
New Custom "TACO" Grill

All going into my baby 2017 TRD OR MGM

Next up...

Rock Sliders
Regear to 4.56 with a front locker
Rear Bumper


TDS 18' in sight. Ill also be in San Diego for a few months after march! Lets go Wheeling! Also will be up in Tahoe going boarding February!

 

Thanks. I love this truck

 

Am I the only one who thinks the snorkel looks like a factory roof top exhaust pipe?
No ill intended to those who want/put snorkels on their ride whether it's for form or function. To me it just looks funny.
.

 

285/70/17

 

Would love to see pics ;-)

 

First nicks, dents and scrapes suck..

 

Know the feeling! Sold my manual, '91 Ranger back in 2007. I tore my left knee up working on the M/V American Beauty during the winter of 1993. I still have not had my knee replacement done, to bull headed. It does not bother me near as bad since I quit driving manuals.

On my way to hand wash/dry my black beauty on this 40 degree morning. You gotta love black!!

 

So I finally lifted the truck (ARB Old Man Emu 2'' heavy kit) and got some new LT285/70R17 Duratrac tires w/ Fuel Off-Road Matte black wheels. Hmmm, now I have to offload my OME Off-Road wheels and tires/suspension. Oh, and added the Yakima rack ... wish I had gotten the Rhino rails and rack to start with though.

 

My daughter wanted to do the same thing! lol. She loves hanging out back there while I work on the truck.

 

Pretty much finished up the wiring for my accent LEDs and bed LEDs. Switches are totally done. I only need to solder and install the bed LEDs, but waiting for more heat shrink tubing and some free time of all things. I'll post pics of the bed when complete. Hopefully, the tonneau cover arrives soon too.

Completed switches:


Accent Lights:

The accent LEDs are just bright enough that I can see my feet, but not bright enough to add a glow to the overall cab.

I used the switch plate provided by @forty2 on shapeways.com and the switches are from ch4x4.com. Check Amazon also for the switches as they are sometimes cheaper if it is a common switch layout (ie: bed lights and bumper bar lights).

https://www.shapeways.com/product/C...-switch-plate-for-16-tacoma?optionId=59283471
http://www.ch4x4.com/product/ch4x4-custom-laser-etched-toyota-push-switches/

$22 CH4X4 Push Switch for Toyota Tacoma 12V 3Amp - Bumper Light Bar Symbol - White Led

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H5UDEWS

$24 CH4X4 Push Switch for Toyota Tacoma 12V 3Amp - Bed Lights Symbol - White LED

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y4GDZX4

ALITOVE16.4ft Orange LED Flexible Strip Light lamp 3528 SMD 5M 600 LEDs Waterproof IP65 12V DC for Home Hotels Clubs Shopping malls Cars Lighting

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HPYJH5W

WenTop Waterproof Led Strip Lights SMD 3528 16.4 Ft (5M) 300leds 60leds/m White Flexible Tape Lighting Tape Lights in DC Jack for Boats, Bathroom, Mirror, Ceiling - Not Include Power Supply

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GJ3O0J8

 

Hey, what do you use the accent lights for? In any case, it looks cool!!

 

I really just wanted to be able to see anything that was on the floor while driving at night while giving it some more color and style. They are only on when the headlights are on (not DRL). Since I have the auto headlights, this was exactly what I had in mind. I can also turn them off with the switch if I don't want them on (ie: haters).

 

They look huge, I could've sworn they were 295's if not 305's