What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

Been working on my continuing saga to make this expensive factory JBL work. (Can’t tune in HD stations well, and has generally bad reception on FM overall).

I have literally replace every component, including the head, removed the total crap XM receiver, and tried 4 different antennas, each tuned for different frequencies. Nothing improved the reception. My friends (yes actual other people) who don’t have Toyota’s rave about the high def in my driveway...frankly they love shoveling the shit on me.)

Today I tried a new antenna adapter (this is the second one I’ve tried, but of all the components I’ve replaced this has hidden connections I can’t proof, so I’m trying another. I reinstalled my traditional auto antenna, fully isolating it from body ground on two different approaches to minimize ground looping and sure enough I’m at least able to lock on to HD for the first time in 3 years. I need to test in new locations and under travel conditions, but at least my “High End JBL factory radio” does indeed pull in HD. And yes Toyota replaced the original radio under warranty to no avail. Most likely cause is two problems...1) the shark fin is not a legit substitution for a true antenna-this is obvious- and 2) the factory wiring is flakey, as is very likely since they use shit ass coax and micro connections I wouldn’t use on a kids crystal radio.

Traditional extension antenna so I can set its length to match the bandwidth of my frequency: 100.7Mhz = ~27.88 inches for my test.

An actual lock on HD!:

 

Slowly adding stuff here and there. First thing I did was a complete debadge/sticker removal. The tailgate looks cleaner this way but I am sort of on the fence about my removal of the side Tacoma emblems. Added some cheap TAC step rails (actually fit perfectly) until I can get some real sliders on it. Wheels and tires came next. Added that little storage tray that fits into the armrest/console area, that should really come with the truck IMHO. Put in a bedmat and the front bed utilitrack. Threw on a new bike rack. I got the taco to replace my old Tundra, so far it is a great little truck.

 

Need to see finalised pictures of this!!!

 

Turned out great!!

 

Welcome!!!!

 

Welcome!!!!

 

What’s the consensus for fog light upgrades? I have these replacing my headlights

HIKARI Ultra LED Headlight Bulbs Conversion Kit -H11(H8,H9), Prime LED 12000lm 6K Cool White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077BT6M6Z/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_em2oEbJ4FHCH5

 

Link?

 

First post and first bolt on upgrade for my 2016 DCSB. I put on the Toyota Gen2 running boards. Love the black accent against the blue exterior.

 

Just installed switches for lights!
Making some brackets in the shop to mount the slimline light bar under the grill. Duel fog/floodlights bar.

 

Welcome to TW Scott!

 

Gen 2 boards bolt on with no issues on 3rd gen?

 

Finally got my Toyota Freaks hitch cap!

I think I ordered them about a month and a half ago.

It's a pretty good size and all metal.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/9-Inch-And...ta-Corolla-2017-2018-DSP-Canbus-/163648354161

 

Wish I could upload a video. It twinkles like real stars, kids think it is rad

 

Ordered a 5gal pale of Rust Veto 342 (cosmoline), and spray gun kit to undercoat my soon-to-arrive AG Pro 6MT.

Should have me covered for the next 10 years or so.

 

Im not sure. The previous owner didn't know the part number or name of them but did remember the Toyota labels inside the plastic of the new rails. They were given to her by a friend. I can add a close up photo of them if you need that.

 

Thank you Sir

 

Lots of great ideas on TW (endless actually)

 

This past June I was running a lightbar on a backroad, hoping any deer would either see me or I'd see them before coming for a bumper bite. OPP sitting with his lights off on an adjacent road pulled me over and it cost me over $240 in a ticket as there is a law here that says you can't have a light bar on your vehicle, regardless of whether you run it or not. I wasn't one of those knuckleheads who runs the lights with any, and I mean any, traffic on the road, but it didn't matter, $240 bucks. Light bar is gone now.