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

The quest for cruise control continues...

I got the blankout panel on the side of the steering wheel off easily!

 

But how does the airbag assembly come off? This is the part I really don’t feel comfortable doing...

 

Also popped the other panel off; Still not finding anything particularly straightforward about putting cruise control in my truck...

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-audio-controls-on-my-08.316944/#post-8236420

 

I’ve got an aftermarket stereo with Bluetooth; I’m wondering if the steering wheel audio controls would work with that...?

 

I think it is safe to say that I am now officially addicted to these bourbon-scented tree fresheners!

 

Thompson Toyota sells them for $1.29 apiece!

 

Once you remove the two screws the airbag lifts right off.

 

Try this video.

https://youtu.be/waz57sUB4wE

 

So, a few months ago I just happened to look at the back bumper a few months ago and realize that the center (largest) hitch hole filler thingy was just gone; From what I can tell, it disappeared sometime over the weekend when I was in Carlisle for the Truck Nationals in August 2020. I believe that someone stole it; Why...? Why do people steel anything. At the big city auto shows they have every year, they remove things like gearshift knobs, radio dials, and even fuel filler caps to keep people from swiping them. Some asshole with a 2nd Gen Taco likely lost theirs (or possibly got it stolen as well) saw an unattended Taco in the hotel parking lot, the Sheetz parking lot, or just sitting by itself on the fairgrounds, and took their opportunity; I'm finding out the hard way that inserts are almost ten bucks apiece!



I've had my truck for over eleven years as of this post, and the bumper has been replaced three times (In May 2015 when I got rear-ended, in December 2015 when I got hit by a drunk driver - BAD LUCK IN 2015 - , and early this year when I backed into a fence post); Over a decade and I've never once removed one of the inserts or had a problem with them coming out. As for the other two smaller ones, I popped them out to ziptie the little skeletons to the bumper, I misplaced one and can't find it now...



So, I've got the big one and one little one on order from the dealer because I got sick of looking at those gaping holes; Also, my mechanic Pete is the most awesome guy in the world. He owns a 2017 or 2018 (I forget) DCLB TRD Sport 4x4 (with TRD PRO wheels) and when I discovered that my center insert was missing, he told me to just take the one from his truck because it didn't bother him if it was gone; Unfortunately, 2nd Gens and 3rd Gens have a totally different setup, and there's no way in hell his would have fit!

 

I was told that base model Tacos and models with cruise control have different clocksprings (with the possible exception of ACs and DCs); I am starting a new thread so it doesn’t get lost in the jumble...

I was also told that an OEM clock spring is about $200, but that “aftermarket” clocksprings could be had for around $100. What’s the best source to buy one from? Amazon?

Thanks!

 

The ones on Amazon I think are like 30 bucks and they are junk. Better off getting a used one of eBay honestly. Only issue I have had is me personally breaking them after disonnecting something steering related and not recentering them. I’ve read plenty of reviews of the aftermarket ones just straight failing after months.

 

I’m in the process of gathering parts to install cruise control in my truck; I already have the cruise control stalk that goes on the right side of the steering wheel. I saw a thread about someone adding OEM audio and Bluetooth controls to their base model truck and having to add a “Sport” airbag as a result...

Will my truck’s original airbag work with a “cruise control” clockspring? Or do I have to buy a new airbag too?

 

Oh and as far as I know there are only two versions of clocksprings. Ones with steering wheel controls and ones without for the second gens.

 

Maybe I’ll just buy a new one from the dealer, like I did with the cruise control stalk...

98% of the time I try to avoid the dealer, but I’ve bought a few OEM bits from them. I bought my intermittent wiper control from them in late 2016 because while I knew that I could buy one online from a totaled truck, I didn’t know where that truck had been; Who knows if a window or two (or three) was busted out and the electrics of the truck were exposed to the elements for heaven knows how long?

 

Fair enough

 

My buddy @ABA180 has pretty much the same truck as me, and is thinking it won’t be worth it to install cruise control if he has to buy a new clockspring...

 

Only b/c my use of the truck is minimal presently though..my spring is 3 years old (recall)

 

Was I part of that recall? I vaguely remember getting something like that done...

 

I'd suspect you were since we have the same truck but run your VIN..