What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

Finally got around to sticking some H9s in place of the H11 low beams. Very noticeable difference in light output. Should have done it years ago. Next up is door speakers I got for X-mas.

 

H9's are brighter?

 

Replaced all my bulbs in the cab with DD LED’s.

Well almost…dropped the dome bulb and my taco swallowed it. Literally gone! Have to order another.

 

You might have something there, I am not sure.

I fully understand that when boring cylinders, the torque of the cylinder head bolts distorts the cylinders, so for racing applications, or blue printed engine builders, they use a torque plate and properly torqued head bolts, then bore the cylinders round while torqued up. This effect is measurable and documented. So, for me, this is proof enough that bolt tightening distorts things, and certainly could put rotors under unintended stress; though I admit that I have no proof that over-tightened lugs have caused me warped rotors.

 

Yes they are. And being the same size dimensionally as an H11, the light pattern will not blind oncoming traffic.

 

Got to do a couple of post Christmas upgrades.

Tacoma Lifestyle 3rd brake light.
Probably the longest and most aggravating install ever for 2 bolts. Had to do this twice as I was not happy with the first install light setting and weather sealing.




DS18 ST Pro tweeters. This was the easiest install ever. Direct plug and play and can notice a distinct upgrade. The previous owner installed some KENWOOD Excelon mids and I can already notice a difference. Can’t imagine how these compare to stock.


Also added eBay seat jackers to the passenger side. No pics on this one. Not as nice as the 1st set I bought for the drivers side but easy bolt in.

 

It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Tacoma World.

 

Battery replacement from WM. Orig lasted 54 months, 43k miles. This 1 has a 3yr warranty, hope it lasts.

 

A little preventative maintenance. I routinely bash the front of my right leg against the plastic below the AC switch getting into the cab.

The Damage.


The Culprit


So I ordered a Pad off Amazon

$5 KITUREK Arm Rest Elbow Pads for Car, Car Elbow Memory Foam Rest Pads, Removable Elbow Support Pad, Universal Car Center Console Armrest Cushion for Relieve Elbow Pain (1PC)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D1QNXC4J?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

and attached it with automotive tape.

The Pad in Place

 

A friend and his wife were in France doing a movie for a casual night (as early as things close there!) and the movie was MadMadMadMadWorld. When the old man kicked the bucket down the hill they were the only ones ROARED laughing. They had to explain to their fellow French movie-goers.

 

Lol, I have a cut on my shin too from jumping in and hitting that thing yesterday

 

Changed plugs tonight. 70071 miles. 3 hour job. Old plugs still gapped correctly, I was happy with their performance and visual condition. All new plugs came pregapped, all spot on. Thank you TW, for if you had not told me it was possible to replace these thangs, Per the vid below, I probably would have given up on the drivers side. Yeesh.

Oh, while I was in there, I finally found my coolant crossover pipe connector, and found no coolant seepage. Using the Teslong, snaked it back there and then switched to side camera and all was good.


https://youtu.be/tc9FYrD7vUw?si=Z_SRAnjr3boTv851

 

I have always thought different amounts of lug torque contributed to rotor warp, the lug wrench makes them all equal, as well as the correct amount of torque.

 

Heat compounded by the over tightening of the lug nut causes stress in the grain structure of the metal. Heat created by braking subsequently allows the stress to be relieved, this can often cause the rotor to "warp" which can then be felt in the brake pedal. That's why it often takes a day or two before you feel it since it requires the repeated heated and cooling of the effected rotor for it to manifest itself. It's science not magic, see photo of cast iron below.

 

THIS! So much this. Great idea!

 

Paintless dent repair. They are generally mobile repair guys who will come to you for the job. I had a PDR guy repair my tailgate..

 

Should be able to look up local paintless dent repair near me and it'll spit something back.

 

no........paintless dent repair

 

Yes exactly. The H9 has same external dimensions on connector with a different tab pattern. Essentially you cut a tab off the H9 and it will plug right in. However an H9 bulb had a much shorter life span than an H11. But I just have a spare in the clove box with a pre cut tab and it will fit either bright or either low beam. The highs are also H9 bulbs but are directed differently.

 

Remove the green insert from the harness ... easier than cutting anything.