geekhouse23's "LIFE'S WAITING TO BEGIN" Overland & Home build and all the Adventures in between!

Appreciate it brother!

Problem is, they want all the accessories (lights, Pax) and I don't blame them; one stop shop for them. The other problem is that if I mod either to incorporate cutouts, that's a weak spot in the PC. There's already a lot of pitting in the bumper from the previous owner not knowing how to Line-X properly and everything was pretty crusty. I don't want issues like that again if I can avoid them.

I think the best route is remove the swingout for a few weeks and then make the call.

 

Yeah, I agree with you on that one! I doubt you'll miss it, judging by your experience. Plus having a cap makes the swing out a bigger inconvenience. then you can always sell the swingout!

 

Lazy AF Civilian!

 

I use my bed to take trash to the dump every 5th or 6th week. I fill it sometimes over the roof line of the cab. A tire would just be in the way. I know the first time I remove it to make room just to run to the dump I will run over something there and need it.

All I know is, where it's at ain't cool.

 

What to do with the spare has me concerned too. Test run will be good I feel.

Received my DeWalt bit set and my Dremel bit set to shave down the front recovery points for soft shackles. Thanks again @EatSleepTacos

 

And he's starting to look homeless! He needs to shave that shit off his face!

I like how that set says "User Friendly Case". I have a Dewalt bit set and it the hardest fucking thing in the world to get those damn bits back into. I've actually started to cut the little black plastic retainers half way off. Eventually I am gonna just pull them all out and put them in a old sock!

 

Hooray for birthdays, Amazon gift cards and "bad" decisions!

After a LOT of research, looking at different brands, reading reviews, I made up my mind! I have been wanting to replace all my Craftsman garbage (still works fine, just lacks POWER) for a while now and this is the last piece!! With all the mods coming up, this just made sense. The rig is one big ol' crusty bitch of bolts; @Snowy can tell you.



Went to lunch at work and there were 20 available. Came back, only 2 and the price increased a smidge. Amazon scheme no doubt, but it gave me a kick in the d!ck that I needed!

Notable features include:

- 1,000 ft-lbs of fastening torque and 1400 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque
- 4-Mode DRIVE CONTROL with Bolt Removal mode gives users the most control over their fasteners.
- Bolt Removal mode gives the user more control when removing fasteners by slowing to 750rpm once the fastener has been busted loose

Can't wait for the delivery person to arrive!

 

Sexy Bitch!

 

I know

 

Keeping track for my sanity

Wife is at an after-hours work function for someone's last day. Was able to get the above, in red, done.

Also found that if I park in the garage and close the door, I can throw the truck in neutral and move it towards the door to access my workshop room of tools etc. Pretty neat that I can work in the garage, contained, without having to start it up and possibly run into the door.

We have a friend visiting the new house after work tomorrow. My plan for Saturday is the gym, then come home and get the swing out done before the shit weather is supposed to hit. Then, test the tailgate shock mod by installing it the way shown below (photo courtesy of @ovrlndkull)



I just don't know how much that shock can hold with the steel reinforcement plate I have already. If it works, then I will move to the rivnut into the tailgate method.

Checked the weather app and they're predicting 3"-7" this weekend. Last Sunday (Easter) it was 75* and sunny all day. Gotta hate the Midwest!!

 

I was able to have a successful weekend and got a few things done on the rig (in red above). Few notes to follow:

Swingout Removal - Loving the look of the bare rear bumper!! Wife loves it to boot! Ran into some issues along the way, however, I was able to get everything done. Misplaced the rear camera bracket. Luckily, I was able to locate it. Definitely felt like I have someone watching over me to get me through it. Broke the pop&lock plastic tabs that the tailgate handle rods sit into. Used some zipties to make it functional. Not sure how long it will last, however, I trust zipties (closed mounting solution) than some cheap plastic tabs.

Tailgate shock - Ran into an issue with the stock bolt on the driver's side. Couldn't get it off. I sprayed some penetrating oil on the bolt. We will see if I can get it loose, but there was also about an inch gap between the end of the shock and the tailgate where the shock would mount. Not sure if this is by design or not. I am wondering if @ovrlndkull had the same issue. I think I need to run it though the reinforcement plate like I was initially planning. However, mounting it using the kit as intended was a test. Might have to suck it up and just drill the stuck bolt out. Like a boi.

Door lock/window control - I misplaced my sound deadening in the move. I picked up some 3/8" felt pieces for coasters (like felt for chairs so the floors don't get scratched; these are smaller than those obviously. Popped up the panel, stuck 6 pieces where I could and placed it back. I think this should work great, but I will repot back as I go. Weird that it is the driver's side only (wife never complains about it.

Spindles - Waiting to see what Randall thinks about the paint he mentioned in his thread. I didn't make it to Lowe's this weekend and it slipped my mind to look while I was at Home Depot.

Raptor lights - I sent the owner of Running4Tacos my home address earlier in the week and the tracking sat stale for 3 days. I reached out Friday and he overnighted a harness to me. Cool. Too bad he used my work address and they're closed Saturdays and I am not there on weekends. PITMFA!!!

I also picked up a dry erase board to have a central location for my list of to-do's for the truck. I just hope I got a big enough board :roftl:

All in all, got a lot done and it felt great getting out in the garage and work on the truck! Can't beat that!

 

PICS!!!!


Started from the bottom


Progress


Now we're here....



Wrap your shit up!!!



DIY fix



When she tells you you need another inch...



Bed setup



Chasing rattles..



Workshop door appreciates the new setup!



Meant to be!!

 

I’ve read that tailgate bolt is tack welded on on some trucks. Give it a real close look and see.

 

I didn't see anything. The instructions that came with the kit said to ain't unbolt it. I'll give it another go, but otherwise I'll pick up the rivnut tool.

Mornin' Randall

 

I guess it's a good thing you don't have a long bed

You were definitely a lot more productive than I was this weekend. I have two vehicles to do service on (30k mile). I'm not looking forward to either.

 

Felt good to be out in the garage for sure. Gotta do an oil change on both my truck and my bike. Bike is still at the mother-in-law's and I hope to bring it to the house Saturday then do maintenance on it.

 

Yea, what really sux is, I just put all my skids on the truck and I should have done a front axle and transfer case drain and fill before hand. I'm pretty sure @boogie3478 said 30k miles is a good time to do those.

I'm a dumb ass!

 

Toyota recommends every 30k for front/rear diff and tcase. I do mine every 25k.