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

I've been looking for a way to add rear spotlights. I've ruled out a new bumper with cutouts for them at this time. (maybe later). I didn't want to cut holes in my factory bumper. Addons like this

$35 Nilight 2 Pcs 4" 60W Led Pods with 2" Tow Hitch Mounting Brackets Backup Reverse Lights Rear Light Bar for Pickup ATV SUV Truck Trailer Boat

Tow Hitch Lights Addon just didn't appeal to me at all. I found a post on tacomaworld ( sorry can't find the link atm ) that lead me to something I can live with for now.

I got some brackets from cali raised and added my rough country light pods to them. I was running them as ditch lights but switched them out for another set of auxbeams mainly so the rear lights would have removable covers. They do stick out some and I am not sure if I will end up liking the look or not. However I do like the result of rear lighting.





Parts I used:

• $41 Cali Raised LED Bed Accessory Mount Fits 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma (Driver Side)
  Cali Raised Antenna/LED Pod Brackets (driver and passenger side)
• $70 Rough Country 2" Black Series Square LED Cube Lights | White DRL - 70903BLKDRL
  Rough Country 2" Black Series Square LED Cube Lights

 

'Nuf said

 

Had a coworker dent their car door by opening their door hard and fast right into my side steps. I felt bad but it was his fault.

 

I picked up a Firestik CB Antenna for 15.00 new in package. Need to get a CB Antenna cable. Is 12 ft long enough?

 

Ordered this today. Other brands I've used resulted in hazing a few months after doing it.

 

Joined the 2nd gen crew today. $1700 beater. Will document as I go through, likely not a keeper for me. But should be fun.

frames toast. I happen to have a collision damage (just a bent control arm mount) 2021 Tacoma frame, confirmed measurements line up. We’ll see what all ends up being needed to make it fit.
Here she is though
And this is the frame I have.

 

it will be getting 3rd gen suspension. It’ll be a nice little truck. Losing the brush guard, getting a proper grill and ditching the lights in favor for oem style

 

It was quick and affective, recovered the cut off in the illumination pattern. @4WDTrout had the opportunity to see them up close today.

 

Took her out for opening weekend of bird season today.

Changed the oil, filter, air filter and cabin filter when I got back.

 

done quite a few things this year to the truck.

new complete drum brakes
new front brake calipers
new driveshaft
new rack and pinion
new lower control arms
new steering column
transmission drain and refill
new brake master cylinder

switched from mud tires to falcon wildpeak at/3s
added alpha rexx pro headlights and luxx tailights
mbrp 2.5 turn down exhaust
aem brute force intake
android stereo with apple car play.

this year has been eventful to say the least!!

 

ECGS bushing swap and steering knuckle swap to Total Chaos gusseted knuckles with double shear Heims(courtesy of RC Fabrication).

This is the most mechanic-ing I’ve ever did to a vehicle. I want to have this truck a long time so I’m trying to take the initiative to do my own work for now, outside of the engine anyway. What a regular mechanic probably could’ve knocked out in a few hours took me the better part of Friday evening and Saturday, but I did it myself and learned a lot in the process.

Getting the CV axle out for the Bushing swap whipped my ass Friday night, so restarted Saturday and found a better chisel that let me get a straighter line on those points.

What took me forever on the driver half took me a few hours maybe on the passenger half. A test drive up to 60 mph had nothing feeling wrong on the front end outside of the steering wheel being off center, but I needed an alignment anyway. I did apparently bugger up one of the ABS sensors though, started the test drive out fine but it came on in the 3 mile or so round trip.

Those horrible rusty brakes will be gone soon, Power Stop kit is sitting on the bench and I had hoped to get it done in this too, but oh well. Also need to swap the LCA’s as the driver side has a bushing failing. It’s a start though.

Edit: forgot I also installed new wheel bearing kits from @05Taco4x4

 

Yesterday I reinstall my Relentess Fab hilift and axe/shovel mounts after repainting then a couple of weeks ago. Also pulled off the pop and lock to paint it. Used 2 coats of Krylon Fusion satin black. Not sure if it's necessarily better but it certainly isn't any worse. We'll see how well it holds up.
Before
After

 

I've heard a heat gun will bring faded plastic back to black. Not sure about this type of application though.

 

Yep, those headlights were crystal clear

 

Little bit late of some of this stuff.

8/1/2022: New wheel bearings



9/2/2022: New reman Toyota alternator



9/17/2022: Dirt King LCAs and fresh oem LCA cam bolts and hardware

 

Finished the install of 200 mile old 2022 3rd gen struts and coils on the 2008. Added the 1/4" driver lean spacer that evened it out. Ended up, after driving and settling, with 1-3/8" lift gain on the front from my tired 84,975 mile stock struts. Picture is from before driving and settling.

After it settled 3/8"

Then had to swap trucks for the oil change and 5k service on the 2012.

 

Can someone please take a measurement of their bed near the tailgate where those two metal humps are on the sides.

Just need that measurement between the two metal supports. My truck is 53"

 

DO NOT heat gun Pop&Lock. It’s burns it. Not the right plastic. Ask me how I know

 

can’t comprehend where you’re talking about. Photo with arrows will do the trick