Oldie2007 - The Little Big Red Readers Digest Renovation, Revival, and Restoration Thread.

Thank you kindly, John!

 

Oh yeah. Best advice I have, is to cut a LITTLE, then a LITTLE more.....
With a sharp carpet razor and some chalk.

 

Phase 59; Deck The Old Bed - Slide In A New One! - OR - Everyone's Short Staffed!

Lookit that! Miles come so slow these days. But at least LBR is still looking intact! Must be time for something new....




Mybe I was too sore to take pics of the piles of cypress mulch I had to toss up on to the Decked at Lowe's this year, or I just put them somewhere I can't find them. Three trips, a dozen bags stacked up on top of the deck - no help. "we don't have anyone to help load, we're short". Yeah, not on profit I bet. But it was annoying, and there is all this stuff in the drawers I never use. Time for something different - give my back a break. But first - the Decked must go!





Sold this unused high lift too!



Strip and clean as I go. Sold to a new home! Some of the install took 2 people, but I got it out by myself.




Oh yea - my Auxiliary panel. Was I smart enough to put on connectors when I moved it? I was. That mess will go back into the cubby.




And out comes the main frame. I left it assembled, and it went into it's new home easily; saving a bunch of work.




Only one piece of hardware left. Required two people to install. Can't reach the bolt the way it went in. But I took out the taillight, and found another hole. Can't reach. But I have a Sawzall can opener, and a hammer to beat it back in place!





And that was that. For the first time in a couple years, I have a dirty, empty bed. Some holes needed a little filling, so some of the many friction plugs from the cabinet jumped out and stuck themselves right in those holes!




And, during the week that I waited, I put the little wiring back in the cubby. I wasn't ordering until the Decked was gone.




And so, what I wanted was "in stock" on the website, "one week delivery" on the order, then "three weeks" on the computer reply! But, by the time the following Monday came around, I got confirmation that it was shipping, and I would have a semi truck delivery! Then, tracking improved, and I called for delivery confirmation, and Wednesday it was here from Oregon! A BOX! ON A PALLET!






That's right kids - I got a BedSlide! How many of you know anyone else with one? Not many, I'll bed! Not too much hardware, and pretty good instructions. It's drizzly and raining a little, but off we go!




And you KNOW, that I have to get one where they forgot to cut the headrail. But, I have a saw. And a beer.




A little damp, but part 1 is done. Part 2 takes place in the bed.



Umm; not by myself. But I know Joe. Joe Leverage.




And there are tools in the bed, but I am waiting out a shower....



And there are two of the four big ass RivNuts installed, but I am waiting out a shower.....



But they are finally installed, and I have bolts in place. Jostle it around to as straight as I can make it, and tighten it down.




And there we have it! I put a 12 oz. test weight on it to be sure, then checked the locking positions (full out, tailgate, all in).







1 1/2" off the front bed wall. AND, the gate closes!




Sorry, it's spoken for (you know you wanted it....)



A quick test load!



Shined up the back, and put my net back on the front wall. Oh, yeah, remembered to check my little devices!






And you know what? From now on, there will be someone to help me load. But you know what else? My back says I can unload much easier now, thank you very much!

And, as always, BUT WAIT! There's More!

 

Too Fast to be a Phase - A Combination of Circumstances

Wednesday I was filling up, and the gas cap tether popped out (again). Pushed it back in, and it popped right back out. So, I put the cap on the tonneau, and it rolled to the other side! At least not under the truck (again). I get home, and while on FB, another annoying pop up for:

ISSYAUTO Gas Cap Holder Compatible with 2005-2015 Tacoma 2nd Gen Fuel Cap Holder, Only Fits Short Bed

Amazon.com: ISSYAUTO Gas Cap Holder Compatible with 2005-2015 Tacoma 2nd Gen Fuel Cap Holder, Only Fits Short Bed : Automotive

Now, I've ignored the GasHole for a long time, but I could not go wrong with the Amazon price - except my version is the highest cost. If it's crap, it goes back. Arrive on Thursday - more instructions than things I've paid hundreds for. And something that took 2 minutes, can't really be a phase.



It'll cover my sticker, but I know what it says. Also, took a soldering iron to the tether tip, and made it melty before I stuffed it back in there. Seems better, naturally.




And the cap sits in there nice as can be.



I judge this one to be worth it's small cost and effort. But, wait! There's more!

And I knew I could not leave well enough alone!

 

Just read five years of mods and repairs this afternoon. Good stuff. After you purchased your Tacoma and started with the paint and some items that had been neglected for the previous ten years, it seemed you would drive and enjoy. Way more to the story for sure. Also, I can tell you like the technical side of things. At some point will you use wingnuts around the front end? :lol3

Thanks for the read.

 

Wow! Dedicated you are to put up with all that! Wingnuts? Something close could be on the agenda, because....
But Wait, There's More!
It goes everywhere, does pickup stuff, and gets shined to park at shows. Seldom gets the attention of special stuff, but for a 16 yrs old truck, she's pretty well behaved.

 

How's the tailgate repair going? Still working it?

Seeing a red tail gate in ebay.

 

Primered gate on the way from Amazon. Everything will be resprayed together in a few weeks. Will be one color for the first time in my time with her.

 

Ok, a whole paint job sounds good. Looking forward to seeing it. How long until the next show entry?

 

I bought one of these off Amazon a while back and it never fit, so I looked back online at the order and now they updated the part description to fit 2016 - current

Not sure how I missed that

 

Well, it is pretty easy to knock it out, or not put it in right, but now my tether holds! So, I am still happy!