What Have You Done To Your 2nd Gen Tacoma Today?

Took a chance on this Amazon offering.​

High Mount LED 3rd Brake Light Third Light Brake CHMSL Center Light for 1995-2015 Toyota Tacoma (Black Cover Smoke Lens)

$28 High Mount LED 3rd Brake Light Center Light for 1995-2015 Toyota Tacoma (Black Cover Smoke Lens)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GYJ73LG?_encoding=UTF8

The biggest job is the clean up of the old seal material and adhesive left behind on the paint.

One thing I can recommend in perpetration is to find and purchase a black or appropriate colored replacement torques head screw about a 1/4” to 3/8” longer than the factory.

This is really the only thing I don’t like about the light kit. It comes with generic wood Phillips head screw or a machine screw with backing thread that looks very plain compared to the design and color of the light itself. I will be replacing mine first stop at a fastener store next week.

The only thing other than that that I can offer that might be considered an improvement of value would be the use of the foam backing gasket center punch out that would normally be discarded. Here I used it to wrap around the extra wire to act as a possible preventative buffer in case there might be vibration and or tapping sound from the extra wire laying in the mounting relief.



Before

The punch out of the foam gasket is being used as an insulator.


forgive the poor quality of the shot it got dark on me.

 

Finally tied in my more functional rock lights other than the ones in the wheel wells. These light up the rear of the front tire and the front of the rear tire much better.

Just taking care of the little things until this URD clutch kit arrives at some point. Still haven’t heard anything back from them.

 

Maintenance days are the best days. I love doing maintenance, it's a rewarding feeling to take care of your stuff. Makes me wanna do some stuff to my truck tomorrow.

 

Lies. Builds are never complete.

Something new will come out or you’ll change your mind about something eventually.

you running stock gears? I was super on the fence between 285/70r17 and 285/75r17 when I got tires last year. Still kinda wish I had gone 75 but figured I was killing gas mileage enough on 285/70s.

looks awesome!

 

I saw a post somewhere on here after asking you saying that it will fit sideways

 

I am. I'm planning on 4.88s, but I couldn't just not install these. And honestly I don't notice much difference at all from the 33s

 

Installed some air quick disconnects front and rear. Planned on using the same setup in the rear but ended up over torquing it and snapping the fitting. I’ll have a replacement shortly.

 

2012 AC 42k in Iowa
Browsed forum yesterday to see what owners are doing to fix the tailgate slam. Decided to try something with materials I had on hand. Used 30" long x 1" strips of heavy equipment inner tube and strap clips from a car seat to make. Got the used inner tube from a tire supply dealer. Drilled holes in clips so I could use existing bolt and tailgate screws. Took some testing to get the tension right.

90% of time I drop the tailgate to remove my fishing gear. This is going to work! Near soft landing without much bounce. Nice assist to lift and latch. I use this inner tube for many other purposes, tie-downs, storage box straps, material straps. Heat and cold resistant but not UV resistant for very long. Free! Straps fold up nice and I can still access tonneau cover release lever. Shot a phone video, maybe it will go on YT.

 

What did you go with? Any experience with BluePit bearings?

 

We skipped camping the first night. Fuck that. Doppler showed a couple hours of heavy thunderstorms rolling through where we were going to camp. Rain sure. Big thunderstorms no.

And man was the trail a mess. Hell even the tent got muddy.


Tent was great last night though. Super fast set up. Spacious. We love it. Wife’s over the moon with it.

 

What spindles are those? Is that a 6” lift?

 

That looks like a good time!

 

Nice job Todd! They are super bright! What brand lights did you use?

 

I really appreciate it. They are actually just some Amazon white rock lights that I tied into the original wiring I had done. I’d use Baja for these as well but they just take too much abuse to justify them under there.

$26 SUNPIE 6 Pods White Rock Lights 6000K Pure White Underglow Light Wheel Wheel Well Lights for Trucks Sedans Car ATV UTV SUV Golf Cart Trailer Motorcycles

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B019ODAK26?ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

Hauled the splitter up to my brother-law. He is now indebted to me

 

Finally got the new grille and rear bumper installed. Color matched and new insert. Grille swap was easy, bumper had a couple snags, but overall not bad. Blackout badges, steps bars, and wheels are next.

 

Finally installed the BPF skid that I bought from @loyaltothetaco. Bought the BPF recovery point as the ones I had previously installed didn't line up with the access holes.



Also changed the oil/filter and lubricated the u-joints. Lubed the joints a couple of months ago but I hadn't pushed enough old grease out so decided to hit 'em again.

And lastly, gave it a bath. Been using Optimum No-Rinse Wash & Shine after a quick power wash and it's working well for me. Good enough for a truck I'm going to go get scratched up, in any case.

 

Where'd you get the bumper? Thinking about swapping mine out.

 

It's the Evans Fischer step bumper from Amazon. It came powder coat black, but had it painted to match.

$206 Evan Fischer Step Bumper for Toyota Tacoma Base Pre Runner 2005-2015 Face Bar Powdercoated Black Steel For Models Without SR5 Package or Limited Package Replaces # 5215104051, TO1102241

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009DJOJVA?_encoding=UTF8

I reused all the supports and plastic pieces. Only issue was for the three little plastic screw things in the center of the middle plastic piece. The holes in the bumper were too big, but happened to find some small black nuts and bolts in my scrap bin that fit.

 

Removed my front skids to remove my sway bar. After a test drive I didn't notice enough roll to justify replacing it. I'll drive it for a couple days and if I like it, reinstall my skids and bury the sway bar. Also swapped in my temporary air cleaner while I clean and oil my reusable.