Norsmanvike's Budget Build Escape to Freedom With Azure...

I gave up and pulled the stock plate off after screwing around with it for a half hour

 

How thick is the steel?

Looks great!

 

3/16 thick, which I think is their standard for steel.

 

I ordered a Moyishi "Top" Leather Breathable Steering Wheel cover from Amazon and used a free Prime Trial account to order it ( it's a Prime Member only item ). I know these things are kinda out of style for most folks, but the top of my steering wheel started feeling "slick" and it started to get worn from use. So I opted to get this cover to alleviate any chance of the steering wheel unexpectedly slipping. I have to admit, I've never put on a cover that didn't need to be sewn on and this took some effort to stretch it to put on ( thank goodness I heated up the inside with a blow dryer first ), but it's a nice tight fit and it actually feels good. The manufacturer shows it with the braids on the sides, but I preferred to have them top and bottom. I believe that it's a great improvement on the grip!

$16 Moyishi Top Leather Steering Wheel Cover Universal Fit Soft Breathable Steering Wheel Wrap (Black)

https://www.amazon.com/Moyishi-Leather-Steering-Universal-Breathable/dp/B01GFNZK4Q/

 

This is what I did to get it on...

1) Loosened the rear bolts to help hold up the back to of the skid to help with leverage.

2) I loosened the factory passenger bolt, but left it intact, to keep the front lined up correctly.

3) Removed the driver's factory bolt, then put in the BPF spacer and bolt. It went in MUCH easier after just a minute to find the right angle for the screw to grip. I got it in finger tight enough that it didn't slip when I reached for my impact drill.

4) Getting the passenger factory bolt out now was a bit of a challenge since you have to slowly work it out with your fingers which took some time because of the weird angle I was at, but then the BPF spacer and bolt went right in.

5) Tightened all 4 bolts nice and snug. 15-20 minutes this time vs 90 minutes on my first try.

 

Finally got a video done from the trip to Ocotillo Wells. Truck Mudd'n and Pumpkin Patch Trail.

 

It was warm enough today to finally start some plastidip projects. First on the list, dipping the TSS garnish to get rid of the sun glare for photos. I'll be able to test it on the way to work tomorrow morning.

 

20APR, 2019 - Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve

 

How’s that new radio working out?

 

I need someone to test with! MaryAnn doesn't want to. LOL

I'll try tapping into Escondido's PD.

 

Haha. Don’t let to many people know about that

 

On 27APR, I had my in-cab ham radio installed. The radio is a BTEC ( Baofeng ), antenna is a Motorola TW-7500 ( no tuning required ), and the tailgate mount is from CaliRaisedLED. The install required the initial hole on the mount to be drilled out to 3/4" and left marks on the top side, so I used PlastiDip to recover the whole thing along with part of the actual antenna mount to minimize the chrome and in doing so, I unintentionally created a weather proof seal between the bed mount and antenna mount ( which is a good thing ). Unfortunately, I can't leave the antenna on 24/7 because it won't fit in the garage if I do, so it will only go on the truck when being used.

Radio

$220 BTECH UV-50X2 (Second Gen.) Mobile 50 Watt Dual Band Base, Mobile Radio: VHF, UHF Amateur (Ham)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XK83VRV/

Antenna

$46 Anteenna TW-7500 Ham Mobile Antenna with UHF Male Connector 144/440MHz VHF/UHF 2m/70cm Max Powr 150W 1 PC Free White Color of Adaptor Connector NMO to UHF Female (SO-239)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077TXL6VQ/

Tailgate Mount
https://caliraisedled.com/collectio...lle/products/05-15-tacoma-bed-accessory-mount

 

Odd as it may seem to some, I got the bed front header rail for Azure yesterday for my birthday. YES! My wife called it "the truck's bed thingy."

 

From the dealer?

 

Yeah. She could've gotten it much cheaper if she had our salesman get us the 20% discount, but she didn't care, so she paid the $42. Junk yards wanted $50 ( firm ), and after shipping was factored in for online places ( including eBay ), you're close to $40 anyway. So, it's not a big deal for the little bit extra.

 

Sweet. Thanks randy. Cause I’ll be picking one up as well

 

Picked up a set of used Runnin4Tacos raptor lights from another TW member at 50% off retail. My wife, MaryAnn, even loves them.

Raptors BABY!

 

Do they turn on with your windshield wipers? If not you wired them wrong

 

The horn actually. It was like screaming angry truck with pissed off eyes, but I finally figured it out.

 

I knew you would figure it out.