Grill Surround Deformity

This is off topic but can you link me to the dash cam you have and how you have it set up?

 

Warranty!

 

Nice to see the dealership coming through, and I'm glad you're getting that taken care of.

As for the trolls...that was the nicest "fuck you" I have ever read. Bravo! Has anyone explained the operation of the "ignore" button? It can be occasionally useful.


Pending outcome from the dealership. Very curious to see what they diagnose root cause as.

 

I have the ThinkWare F770 Dash Cam, front and rear. It's hard wired to my truck for continuous recording. When my truck is off, it will record motion and tampering, the sensitivity is adjustable. It will even record an incident if someone is merely walking by without touching the truck. Upon entering the truck and turning it on, it will notify you of incidents via voice. It has lots of cool features like Lane Departure / Forward Collision Warning, Safety Camera Alert Warning System including Red Light, Speed Cameras, Average Speed and Mobile Zone. I have the lane departure and forward collision warning off, somewhat annoying. I purchased it off of Amazon. Regarding the setup, the wires are well hidden, barely noticeable. A technician from my Toyota dealer installed the dash cam for me at the same time of installing the TRD Pro grill, the TRD Pro RIGID LED fog lights and the black Tacoma emblem overlays. Here's a video of the dash cam as well as a link to Amazon:

THINKWARE F770 2-Channel Dash Cam | Front and Rear | 1080P HD Dash Cam with Sony Exmor Sensor + Built-in WiFi + Super Night Vision - 32GB SD Card | Hardwiring Kit Included

AMAZON LINK

 

Thanks CaptAmerica! I'll surely update here as to the dealerships findings regarding the cause, that's is if they are able to determine. From my meeting with the service adviser and service manager, they did not seem to be concerned with determining the cause but be assured I'll surely inquire. Thanks again for you great comment and support. I appreciate it!

 

Here are a couple of photos of the front and rear cams installed in my truck.

 

As requested. Here are a few photos of damage from the front view and a couple side view.

 

I now have dash cam envy. My little 1080p 5 fps 10$ Wal Mart special (clearance special) simply records when the truck is on, and stops recording when the truck is off. Nothing else.

That's a nice cam.

 

Based on the pictures you posted, and the video showing where you park, there is more than enough daylight to reflect off of another vehicle's window to focus light onto your grill to melt your grille like that. My neighbors house is 45 feet away and the bubbling/melting of my siding was focused to the point of being the size of a golf ball.

Glad your dealer is taking care of you! good on them.

 

I'm going to go with reflected sunlight, definitely a chance by the looks of the one picture.

 

I understand the whys of so much plastic on these trucks but I wonder if they replace this and it was caused by focused sunlight what will stop it from happening again. Sorry for your trouble, please keep us posted.

 

I have been meaning to look into some sort of dash camera for my truck, seems like a good investment

 

My thoughts and concerns exactly. I am concerned about if and when it will happen again. If it does, will it be replaced under warranty as easily as this time. I'm also wondering, since it is a possibility of sun light effecting the grill surround, why is it not happening to more 3rd gen Tacoma's. Don't get me wrong, I'm not wanting this damage to happen to anyone else but one would assume that many Tacoma owners park in direct sunlight as well as some Tacoma owners do not park in a garage.

 

I'll never own another vehicle without a dash cam especially in this era we live in where so many drivers DO NOT know or even care to know how to drive correctly/courteously i.e. sharing the road while on their mobile devices. It drives me crazy that so many drivers are preoccupied with focusing on their mobile device instead of paying attention to the road and focusing on driving.

 

Please don't take this the wrong way, but after reading this thread I don't think it was light reflection. I think it was aliens...


jk! Hope you get it worked out and it sounds like the dealer is first rate. Post pics when you get it fixed.

 

Oregon just enacted a law that fines you $260 if you touch a mobile device including a stick on GPS. So many people drive distracted now days it just amazes me that you don't see more accidents. Dash cam is a great idea.

 

If the conscious is direct sunlight based on me backing in when parking is a major disappointment.

#1. It's bound to happen again.
#2. Based on the configuration of the parking garage and the limited space, back in parking is the best option for trucks when entering and exiting parking spaces.
#3. I am able to park with the passenger side of the truck very close to the right side wall which helps in preventing door dings on the drivers side of my truck. I absolutely hate door dings.
#4. The front of my truck looks cool! I love seeing it every morning when approaching. It greets me with an aggressive yet cool smile - the 4th item was my attempt at levity

 

No worries. I didn't take your comment the wrong way, on the contrary, I appreciate the levity and your genuine concern. I'll surely post photos after the repair. Regarding the aliens, now you've got me thinking...

 

Texas recently enacted a law against the use of mobile devices when driving as well. The problem is, it is very difficult to enforce said law.

 

Oh yeah, I have hours of footage of that crap. Some of it in school zones.