Joining the Imperials Build Thread

So I got the flange cut and welded together which quieted down the exhaust quite a bit. It is now at a level where it sounds nice but it isn't screaming for attention, which is what I wanted.

The check engine was also an 02 Sensor, so it got replaced with a denso, everything is great now!


My blinker light saga is continuing as camelback toyota has my relay and lights backordered....said 2-3 days on Wednesday so I am hoping to have it in hand before the end of next week and have this truck 100%

 

Which relay you need from Toyota? I have a bag of relays that I've built up over the years but Toyota/Denso relays rarely fail. If I have one you need, I'll toss it in the mail to you. Just cover shipping

 

The relay for the flashers/blinkers. I might even have it in my basement if I do a hard look. If I have trouble getting a hold of it after this week I will take you up on that offer. Thank you!

 

Yeah man, for sure

 

Have to prep the bed and waiting on the adhesion promoter which is supposed to be here by Sunday.

hate drop in bed liners, mines on the side of the road labeled “free” right now.

will have the wife tape up some straight lines and give it a go. Going to use spray gun that comes with kit instead of rolling. I’ve only spray painted with gun a few times so hopefully goes well...

 

FINALLY after two months? Maybe a little more, I fixed my blinkers. We live in really rural area (700 in town) and so its NBD, but I am going to CT on the highway to help a buddy build a stair case soon and I didn't want to cruise the highway and cities with no blinkers.

Bed is sanded, and primed with self-etching primer. I ordered the raptor tint kit, thinking it would be black and now need to wait on the black tint, I think will show up tomorrow?

One coat of adhesion promoter for the tight spots and a quick double check to make sure I have all the bare metal covered, and I'll spray. I think either tomorrow or Friday most likely.

Picked up a little makita compressor for the job, nice to have one around for a few different projects so why not I guess. Does 6.5 CFM on a 5 gallon tank, plenty of PSI for anything I'd want to use a portable for.

 

The next couple things I want to do and would consider the truck "done"

1) Replace front passenger headlight. Is cloudy, not gonna fuck around with buffing, just swap it with a new OEM

2) Get all my window trim 100%. It's close but there are a few little areas that bother me.

3) Pull spare tire, and get a nice rust free one going.

4) Pull tow hitch and clean and respray.

There are probably a couple other things i will find, but thats the majority of the list at this point and I would consider this thing preetttttty nice at that point!

Goal would be to get this all done by winter in time for a woolwax/FF spray before the salt.

 

Alright did some downhill in the morning and finished spraying this afternoon. Used 3 bottles, maybe could have done 4 but I think 3 did the trick.


Safety first!


prime it good guys! (I already sanded degreased etc... at that point)

1st coat. I went light, if I were to use 4 bottles I think going a little heavier on first coat would be where it would come in handy most.


2nd coat. Did two bottles


Overall a couple small areas where I would have liked to tape a hair lower or whatever. But I’m satisfied and think the truck is in a better situation without the plastic liner and the little bits of rust I removed and primed that were hiding underneath.

 

Mmmmm I'm gonna guess the vehicle parked next to the Tacoma in the last pic is an FJ Cruiser. Final answer.
Are we right on that?

 

4Runner!!

has some fox on them and some ko2s. I hate ko2 performance but wife loves the look and that 4Runner is a mall crawler 4lyfe

 

4Runner?!?! I was waaaaay off!

Those 4Runners are nice rides