Dick's Dank Yank Wank Tank

for the record, i eat rice (and potatoes/ Quinoa/ pasta) but I don't beat people up.

I used to own and drive a '76, then a '78 Datsun 280Z, lowered, Koni adjustable shocks all around, new springs, larger sway bars, suspension bushings upgraded, and fuel injected engine rebuilt, balanced, with an upgraded cam, and some better breathing intake. Oh, and Cibie headlights with 55/100W bulbs. All low tech stuff these days, but man that car was fun. Parked it during the winters, and one winter ended up with an '84 Toyota pickup 4x4 as my winter vehicle. Eventually sold the car, kept the truck.

 

re: reverse bulbs, Camera should be happy - Color Rendering Index(CRI) is still decent, and cameras generally work better with more light.
Just don't expect miracles, ultimately a pair of 18W rated 6 LED small light bars will be the ticket to a better view overall. The limiting factor is the size and shape of the stock reflector. It's just not that big.

 

This is in the future, wired to a 3-way cab switch so the can be off/on/reverse on (default). This is likely a long way out, considering that (1) I haven't even found time to install my Redline hood struts yet, (2) Installing Salex organizers is giving me a sense of accomplishment (yay! participant ribbon!), and (3), the big, chrome rear bumper...ewwww...what to do. I may buy a new OEM black one and cut holes into it for lights, or just hope that someone rear ends me soon so I can get a Pelfry or Relentless on insurance.

So, the VLEDs are my interim improvement.

 

Unless I find a way to fab up some attachment points on the hitch, or even further forward under the frame like I did on my 01 to keep them out of departure angle damage.

 

Could mount them on the canopy, inside or outside

 

It's apart. After my 250 mile off-road Death Valley adventure I cleaned the truck out.

I used a leaf blower, and then compressed air. No matter how long I blew air into the tailgate, dust would keep coming out every time I closed it. Frustrated, I grabbed my new impact gun, and zipped the screws out and removed the inner composite skin. Six and a half years of dust was in there. It took me a solid 45 minutes to clean it out. I also noticed some bent and detached supports. It seems to be a common problem from the comments I got in the thread I made. I am going to repair and rebond them to the skin. You can see pics in this post here. Solving complete dust intrusion into the tailgate itself, is a challenge beyond my will power. However, I know the entry and exit points and I an reasonably certain I can take some action to help mitigate the issue.

I am using the Lund tailgate seal product, it works, but I have a hard time recommending it. It's a universal seal, and larger than it needs to be for the Tacoma. I think a better approach is to simply measure with modeling clay and a depth gauge and buying appropriate EPDM seal from a home store, or specialty seal product like the trim-lok stuff.

Once I internally repair the tailgate, I'll focus on sealing between the tailgate and the cap. Mine has a bowed surface and it's a pain.

 

Wow, yeah, that dust is insidious. Yeah, there are so many good weather seal shapes, materials, and sizes available out there know, I like your approach of the clay and depth gauge to assess effective material. I know I read that before, great tip!
Have you considered a relentless aluminum tailgate reinforcement plate? If you are constantly shifting lots of gear in and out, and kids jumping up and down...plus, IT GIVES YOU A STRAIGHT SEALING EDGE TO MATE WITH THE CAP DOOR

 

Yes. It would be a good idea, no reason not to at this point. Thanks.

 

Not a huge fan of drilling even more holes in the canopy. Plus I always try to minimize drag whenever possible. For example, I have the Thule cross bars, but they stay stowed in the bed against the front wall unless needed. If I were to get a Prinsu or other rack, I might mount them there at the rear.

That said, this I think is ideal VVV

I've thought about that.

EDIT: Looks like the VLEDS should arrive today! Perfect for all this dark and stormy night business we are finally getting after 5 years of drought.

 

For before and after pics, particularly through the back up camera display.

 

It's as if you've forgotten that my primary duty is drool and poop management and negotiating personal sanitation and fueling priorities with my better half. Actually, Bennett started day care Monday, he is doing great, and I think we may have emerged from 4-month sleep regression pandemonium, but I'm not counting on that yet until I have substantial data to quantify a demonstrable and consistent trend.

I'll do my best. My garage is in a back alley that is nice and dark if my motion sensors are off. Closest I can simulate to dark campground trailer backing. If I'm efficient and it isn't raining hippos and wildebeests at night anytime soon, I'll give it a go. Maybe I can at least get before pics tonight when I get home.

 

I'll take what I can get.

All the damn "check out my new back up lights" threads never show the view through the display, drives me nuts. I never know if the visibility is increased or if it's so bright it just washes out the camera view.

These first world problems make my balls sore.

How's mama doing these days?

 

Yeah, like check out my new tires, post pic, do not provide size, do not provide pic where sidewall can be read. Fucking hacks.
:bearscratchingballs:

She is doing better. The stress of Christmas prep and travel to Chicago and familial drama is over. And we are speaking of planning camping trips. I want to pick something cool, yet achievable (close and easy) for our initial shakedown of camping with bambino. For August and the Perseid meteor shower, which occurs just before Bennett's birthday, I want to do a trip every year from now on. J and I went and watched it as a "due date date" from the bed of the truck on August 12, when he was due, but apparently had other plans until he came out the 16th.

We also worked out schedules around day care runs where she is going to the gym for a 6:30 am class every day now, which is key for her stress reduction. I'll be going to 5:30 pm classes once I get my shit together. Then maybe I can get back to running in a few months. That always makes me feel better, at least when it is over.

How about you guys?

 

That schedule! Is that what adulthood is like?!

We're good. She's gotta start finding a new job or I have to win the lottery that I've never played. No sign of PPD, and the baby is happy as can be. Another month and we'll be into solid foods territory.

 

Could put the lights on the inside of the canopy looking out against the rear canopy window. Lights are protected, and stay clean. Yes you'll loose a bunch of light through the tinting, but if you need more light for some tricky maneuvers, could just raise up the canopy back window. Its an interim idea till you get the bumper you want.

 

VLED backup bulbs arrived.

 

I need to lose 15 lb to get back to my wedding weight. I was running 9 to 8.5 minute miles (3 miles) a few years ago and when doing stairs and prepping for backpacking trips and when we were doing Sierra dayhikes every other weekend. I also used to take the stairs, 5 floors, religiously at the office. All this wedding and house fixing and selling and buying and fixing and truck searching and buying and selling and spawn development and maintenance has taken its toll on me, as has the job, and I feel like crap. Now that a lot of big business is settled and the holidays are over, this is the year of taking better care of myself. Building it into the schedule.

 

Don't mind me. Just adding this thread to my lurk list. Carry on.