Cheap/Free Mods

that's a great idea!

 

yet here i am trying to make the bulky side rail ones work.

 

Cheap.
Bug season is upon us. To save my radiator, I hang a piece of screen-door nylon screen in front of it to catch the bugs. The screen is glued to two pieces of yardstick. It fits between the back of the grill and the front of the radiator (right up against the radiator).
The bottom yardstick just hangs free, is enough weight to keep the screen stretched, but light enough to not put a strain on anything.
The top stick is long enough (side to side) to rest on some trim pieces at the top of the radiator. I do have two spring clips there for extra peace of mind, but they aren't really needed.

Screen has been in place since 2019 and my radiator still looks brand new.

 

I did the same years ago with my 13. Rad looks new. I used black metal gutter screens. With all the pounding, the black is off and looks silver. Not a bad look IMO. Went on one trip and turned out to be a Monarch hunt. The front of the truck was literally yellow. Not one hit the rad.

 

Will do. Will have to wait until Tuesday though. I'm out of state right now.

 

sub'd

 

That's a really great idea

 

Just installed 2 from Amazon. Worked great for a load from Philly to Boston over the weekend. $14.99 for 4 D rings. Just needed to drill the mounting holes out to 1/2".

 

+++ Tool Source: http://wilmarcorp.com/item.aspx?cid=271&iid=10181 Installed Trail Gear (All Pro Off Road) bed stiffeners recently: Wilmar Products' Performance Tool Star Socket Set ($8.99 at North 40 farm supply, also available from auto parts stores) includes sizes to T55 and using a 3/8 ratchet on one side and a box end wrench on the other side of the hex bit twisted out a stuck T55 bed bolt easily. Newly added: Milwaukee 3/8 metric flat sockets (flats will accept a box end wrench and prevent rolling), and a 1/2 to 3/8 socket adapter for the 24" 1/2" drive breaker bar/lug wrench or 1/2" drive ratchet (Justin Case) from Home Depot (P'Blaster penetrant works well, too).

 

For those who have an after-market hitch on the truck (rear or front):

If that hitch is made from 2" square tubing...
The square caps sold to cover the receiver tube - also fit the left & right side cross tube openings.
I attached a length of bungee cord (via a hole in each cap) to keep the caps pulled in tight, since I store things (length of chain, extra straps, etc.) in that cross tube. I didn't want the forces from cornering to push the caps off and spill the contents.

 

Added a bit of protection at the end of the hood support rod. A piece of split hose:
(obviously not a concern for those with gas struts... until the struts fail or very cold weather)

 

I posted this in Wheels and Tires yesterday but it's either a bad idea or nobody cares to read the long post. Since this is the modders haunt maybe somebody will be interested.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...nal-automatic-deflation-and-inflation.771825/

 

Pretty cool idea. I’m following your thread to see results.

 

If you ever need to hold a cable...

These are made from the threaded tops found on sparkplugs.
These spares were made in the garage; but the first time I made one was out on the trail and wasn't as pretty. But it functioned and that's what counts.
Remove the top from the sparkplug; file down enough to expose the hollow center core & to a large enough opening for the broken cable end to be inserted through (repeat on other side); and insert a screw down the center core to pinch the cable and hold it in place.


The drill-bit in the garage works best. Obviously.
These WILL fit in the recess found in brake & clutch levers from bikes & motorcycles (for example).

 

Did the "anytime fog" mod on both trucks, super easy, thanks OP

 

This is single-handedly the greatest post of all time.

 

love this very helpful