What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

These were done last week!

Finally received the rear leaf springs and shocks from @AccuTune Offroad just a few days before my Colorado trip. Install took me around 6 hours by myself on my driveway.

Before w/ stock leaf springs, shocks and 3" spacer


After w/ Deaver Stage 2 leaf springs, Fox 2.5" DSC Shocks & Archive Garage U-Bolt Flip Kit w/ 2.7" Super Bumps.


Also took the truck in for its 10K mile service after owning for a little over 8 months and then did a full clean before I loaded up everything for my 7 day trip to Colorado. It has not been this clean since March, after my Big Bend Trip.





And finally received and installed my Rago Fabrications antenna mount after a few weeks of delays. Went to a CB shop in Houston to get a 4' Firestik antenna installed and tuned.

 

i tried to get that done today but the damn high temps and heat index said otherwise. Any tips you have to get these done relatively easier? Did you remove the entire bumper?

 

The front sides are 18 percent. They are hybrid and just barely darker than the rears that have super light ceramic. Sorry I don't know a percentage on those. If I could do it again I would have gone just a shade lighter on the fronts for perfection.

It came with the TRD Lift Kit. It looks like there's a camera but it's a dummy. My truck didn't have the front camera option. I can't have a fake camera up there so now I need to buy one of the camera mods.

$528. Kind of crazy. That included hybrid tint on the front windows and ceramic on every single other window including the moonroof. I usually put a sunshade in the front window but today I didn't and I left the moonroof cover open just to see if I could tell a difference. Took the truck out and parked it while I went to get a haircut. Truck baked in 97 degree sunlight and when I got back the truck I could defiantly feel the difference. The truck cooled of way faster and life was great.

 

It's easier than videos and other people make it out to be. I only loosened the bumper enough to pull it down at the headlight to get to the lower screw on the trim plate. I didnt even fully remove the grill, left all the wires connected.
Removed the 2 bolts and 2 snaps on the top of the grill and pulled it out/forward to disengage it from the bumper. Just left in sitting on top of the bumper loose. Once you loosen the grill remove the 2 snaps holding the bumper in place, one on each side of the grill located by the headlight assembly. After that remove the lowest snap and bolt in the wheel well. That was enough for me to fit my hand in behind the wheel well cover and push the fender flare clips out from the inside, didnt want to just pull on it and break the clips. The bumper is kinda clipped onto the wheel well at that bolt location, separate the bumper there. Once you get the that all done unsnap the bumper where it meets the fender, the seam by the fender flare. Repeat on other side. After that it was loose enough to pull it down at the headlight to get to the lower screw. Seems obvious but dont let the bumper rub the screwdriver when removing the screw, keep your finger between the screwdriver and the bumper. I rubbed a little paint off the edge of the bumper with the screwdriver on the first plate and was punching myself because I know better. One of those things thats really only noticeable to me but will bother me every time I look at it.
I hope this all makes sense. Only takes about 30mins. I was kinda disappointed with how easy it was because I like spending time working on my truck.

 

Congrats!!

 

Would like to know more about the toyos. Load rating, how you like them, pictures with a hand across tread for scale if you're feeling generous

 

Vehicle regulations requires that the tread portion of the tire that makes contact with the driving surface does not protrude beyond the fender of the vehicle. Mud flap are required for rear tires the provide coverage beyond the mid point of the tire.

 

Thanks Sir!

It still hasnt sank in yet. Now i dont have any money left for major mods. HaHa

 

Could of been/likely first batch that was painted in house versus the later batches being contracted out to a professional spray. I have mgm and although the color match is dead on I know what you mean about the clear. The 1st batch I got is a duller/flat look while the 2nd batch I got has a nice clear coat shine to it and again with mgm being a subtle change I can tell a difference. I’m actually getting my headlights warranted out (due to the clear peeling at the top of the lens) tomorrow so I’ll ask to see the lights first to replace with the 2nd set I bought and never replaced yet. Can’t fault meso for the attempt, he’s an inventor just not so much a painter

I’d suggest just getting the newer versions that are subd out for the painting

 

Finally finished my DIY fuse box and relay panel for my accessory lights and future addons. I don't know jack shit about electronics so it took a lot of reading through forums and watching videos on youtube.

Sure, I could've bought a Switch Pros or any other switch panel for $$$ but where's the fun and experience in that? I'll save the $$$ for a front bumper and camper.

 

now I can’t wait to do this. Leaving here shortly for about a week to attend and shop the world longest yardsale. I appreciate the info and the write up!

 

Placed an order for the power stop brake pads and rotors. Should arrive Sunday.

 

Thanks for the heads up man! I was thinking about that as I was putting them on yesterday that there really wasn’t anything from keeping from rattling loose and falling off haha

 

RRW Rock sliders installed

 

Good Morning all. I have a question. As most of you have seen I have had katzkin leather installed. Well upon looking in my local area I can't find Mother's as the suggest. I know I can order it online. But at 17+ bucks. I just was wondering if anyone uses chemical guys or Adams or any other brand leather conditioner?

 

I’ve used Meguiars.

 

That's what I was figuring. Guess (at least in Mississippi) vehicle inspections are a thing of the past. Our governor/legislature did away with them in 2013 or 14. It was a joke at best.

They checked wipers, signals, brake lights, hi/low beams, and cracks in a windshield. And it was done by the local "Bubba" mechanic shop for the state sanctioned price of $5. And if you knew the right Bubba, he'd pass you on inspection (especially if your vehicle wasn't up to par). A few extra bucks in his pocket and you were good. I know this cause I had to cheat once or twice (bad windshield).

Had a Crack in front windshield on my old Tracker I was driving at the time. And it wouldn't pass inspection. About $50 later, I was "legal" for another year. Cheaper than a new windshield.

 

My father always started me into using Lexol cleaner and conditioner on all the leather seats we’ve had in our family, with good results. Nowadays I see it regularly even at Walmart.

 

Sounds good I will have to give the stuff a go I like McGuire stuff maybe i will hit ol wally world and see what they have

 

Battery. Always double check that your terminals are tight as well.

If you have any doubt, just hook a voltmeter up to the terminals and try to start it.