What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

An update this morning: coolant level does show now at just above the “low” line on the reservoir after letting the engine cool. Going to try to track some down in the mountains on the 4th.

It was not overly hot actually, 85 degrees or so. And the needle did go back to the normal spot after moving.

Edit: Also checked the radiator and it does not appear all that dirty.

 

That’s a cool panel. Details?

 

Just 1/8” aluminum sheet cut to fit and covered in EVA foam boat flooring I got off Amazon. Cup holders are from Amazon too

 

installed anytime front and rear camera and finally fixed my dual voltage gauge to read both batteries (it wasn't working before and would only read one, I think I had a faulty meter)

 

Wait, we need more info on this mod.

 

Does it give you Waffle Butt?

 

Bought a big sheet of aluminum and trimmed out a replacement panel. Used a big hole saw to sink the cup holders in. Covered the whole thing with this material

$43 OCEANBROAD Self-Adhesive 96''x15'' Diamond Pattern Boat Flooring EVA Foam Marine Boat Decking Sheet Non-Slip Mat for Jon Motor Boats Yacht Helm Pad RV Floor, Dark Gray with Black Seam Lines

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9H3CYVS

Nice and comfy on the knees in combination with the Bedrug

 

Good looking tailgate cover!

I've been searching and searching, best I can find on Amazon is a 48"x96" 1/8" sheet of aluminum, is that the one you got? That tailgate piece is ~55" wide...

 

I found a piece locally, 48"x66" for $110. Aluminum ain't cheap! I'll cut a couple more out and sell them to make my money back.

 

Sourcing metal sucks on Amazon, look for a local metal supply company. Most places will have no problem selling to the public, you will get a better selection, and it will be cheaper too.
If you have a Grainger near by they are good too, it is a little more expensive than a metal company but it is easier ordering through them.

My aluminum tailgate panel is 1/8" and while I don't know the alloy number (I bought it from Mobtown Offroad years ago) I would guess it would be 3000 or 5000 series aluminum which is easier to work with than 6000.


Or if you don't want the hassle of sourcing and cutting, you can buy a premade one -

https://pakrax.com/collections/toyota-tacoma/products/pakrax-05-current-tacoma-tailgate-panel

https://snailarmor.com/products/snailarmor-tacoma-tailgate-flat-panel

https://www.relentlessfabrication.com/products/2016-tacoma-tail-gate-reinforcement

And I am sure there are others out there as it is pretty easy to make, these are just the ones I found on a quick google search.

 

I see. Yeah and great idea on the surplus, nice mindset to help smooth out costs and help a brother out at the same time.

 

Exactly, even if I sell them for $100 each and undercut the competition lol

 

Good info. Yup, I've seen all these before too. I've been interested in these tailgate panel updates for over 5 years now. I've been waiting to see if the price comes down to closer to $100.00 - I think I would pull the trigger at that $100 point. It doesn't seem any easier now, than it did 5 years ago, to drop $200.00+ on an update that I've really gone just fine without. Hehe.

 

Not today but yesterday...Added some Diode Dynamics SS3 Ditch lights.
Even better though...put in my retirement notice. 13 days left.

 

Yeah $200 for just a sheet of aluminum is a bit hard to justify. My justification was that the Mobtown on I have on my truck has reinforcing ribs pressed into it and wraps around the top so it increases the strength of the tailgate.
I use my truck for construction work and it has been holding up fine for 5 years now of daily abuse at work.

 

Looks good too. You've got a much better reason for that item than I do.

Actually thinking about it, when i do use my tailgate for a project, normally I have to hunt around for a level spot that I can set my tools, For example, my drill driver so that it won't fall over. Lol

 

Congrats on the retirement! Hopefully that will give you extra time to enjoy the truck, it looks great.

 

If it were me, I'd hook up a scanner and watch live data to see what the ECT senser shows the coolant temp at with the engine at idle or as close to duplicating the in traffic engine rpms when the gauge needle raised up a little, maybe even put the nose of the truck up close to a wall to mimic being close behind a vehicle in traffic...

 

Just don’t try cutting bait on it.