Second Generation Irrelevance

I paid:

1. For one set of 2.0's to replace stock which were too stiff
2. A replacement set of 2.5's with DSC and remote reservoir from AccuTune along with a coil swap and shock tune. This may have been the second bonehead move. I got the truck weighed at their request to confirm 550's were the right choice
3. A local shop to bolt them up, assuming preload was in a good ballpark and could be adjusted (this may have been a 3rd bonehead move)
4. Now I'm paying a 2nd shop to deal with it b/c it's just not safe to drive as is and I really made a mess by doing step 3

Pretty impressive meltdown for a cheapo truck. I'll be happy when it's all over.

 

Hey Dave,
If you don’t have the proper tools then you have very little choice in getting work done. But sadly BOTH should have known to use anti-seize on the collar/s! Aluminum on Aluminum is a must have!!

I don’t know crap about the stuff you do and I absolutely hate wiring as I could tell you about the times I have screwed up. Like bad soldering joints, pulling a fuse to find it blown just to go to the toolbox to get a fuse and put it back in the wrong location! The truck now in limp mode just to spend about $500 to tell me the fuse was in the wrong spot… Yes it’s a true story…

 

Installed an OEM bed mat since @mysubiewasalemon found someone who could make use of the bed rug which was starting to grow mold.

 

Just ticked over 130k today.

 

Paid to get her soundproofed yesterday/today. Headliner and floor. A really poor use of capital vs DIY given how labor intensive it is but, at the same time, one of the things that's nearly dead last on my list of mods and not something I would really enjoy in any way.

I feel about soundproofing the way I feel about painting rooms. I don't like it and I'm not great at it. Sure I can do it but there are dozens of things I'd rather do to save money. So, f it, it's one and done for the life of the truck as I see it. Stupidity, yes. But it's quieter now, more refined and that makes me happier.

Gotta figure out the bluetooth on the '15 head unit so I can get the phone going. That or just go aftermarket head unit. But I'm really trying to leave this one as the rig that I don't have to stress about breakins.

 

Did you only do headliner and floor? Or did you end up doing some of the firewall, rear wall, and doors?

 

Hopefully all but I haven’t inspected yet.

 

Threw on the demello today. Dunno how I feel about it. Kind of aggressive which is how I pictured it. I might prefer the stock bumper.

 

Might be nice with a black base model bumper or a lo pro bumper insert w/bull bar.
Ideas:
I haven’t seen floor mats mentioned unless I missed it and if you have a dome light you have 12v always hot. Heated seats are a welcome to my lower back and made simpler having seat covers.

 

I tried weathertech mats but they got in the way of the clutch when starting, had to mash it to get it going. Tinkered with the idea of a pad/spacer on the end of the clutch pedal where it hits the switch to engage for starting. I really need to get going on the clutch start cancel, the pigtail and switch are sitting there and I have the pinout from Jeff Lange ready to go, just need to get it done. Somehow all those easy mods add up and it's tough to prioritize. I had help today so I opted for the heavy stuff, also got bulk off the garage floor which was nice.

Currently rocking OEM all weather mats. Just had the hooks added when I had sound deadening done. They aren't perfect but they keep the mat from moving which is really nice. The all weather mats aren't all that though.

The fog pods on the stock bumper do really suck on these 2.0 gen Tacos. The location is definitely way better (higher up) with the demello. That's one big positive. And the light bar cutout isn't a complete waste.

I did clazzios in napa leather and skipped seat heaters in this truck. I kinda wanted to be super minimalist on switches at one point. Admittedly, the clutch start cancel and swapping to a fog enabled stalk mess with that plan (though not tremendously). The idea is that this truck will be what my kids learn on so I want to avoid distractions while they learn. Right now the '15 radio doesn't connect to a phone b/c the BT mic isn't recognized, probably need to figure out how to feed it power.

Oh yeah, also did a headlight harness, though I foolishly didn't stuff in my osram 100w's but transfered over the stock wattage bulbs. Also swapped headlight assemblies though my old ones weren't bad at all. Probably gift them to my dad for his '06. So, still need to swap the bulbs over and do a legit aiming session. Should be pretty good light output from these reflectors.

My '16 has seat heat and I like it there but the DC takes a while to heat up whereas this RC is damn quick to get warm. I have heat pads in the '02 Tundra too but haven't yet wired up switches and controllers.

Mirror heat is probably another thing to think about. In the meantime, keeping it light and simple is the sort-of goal.

I'm keeping an eye out for a black or grey rear bumper to rid myself of the chromey one.

 

Mine’s a base model w/convenience package as it’s a work truck and I wanted to choose which goodies to add so I get your motivation. I did the mirrors and recommend the Spottermirror version for it’s built in blind spot feature. Also added 2 Hellas to the weak oem horns(base model even had only one of those). I carry loads so I added Firestone air bags for their light weight and adjustability. I thought about tires and wheels but neither would add any increase to the performance of the truck as I use it and just cost more to replace. Fogs we’re a good addition but switching to auxbeam led reverse bulbs was a great one, they increased illumination to the point the added backup camera functions at night(poor visibility with a cap and tools). I most recently added a hud that sits on the column as I’ve never been happy with the bar graph engine temp instead of an actual number. Tuning the speedo to local radar speed traps was icing. One of my console spots holds a real voltmeter for the same reason. About the only gratuitous cosmetic was the shift knob I made from a piece of Bay burl. I did a diy satoshi grill but convinced myself that was to reduce the size of rocks that could hit the radiator.

 

Yeah, for sure you’ve done heaps of nice work.

I dunno if I can do spotter mirrors. I deliberately want my kids to learn how to drive without tech to assist. The RC has really good visibility so I kind of don’t even want them to have a backup camera. Mirror heat seems like an acceptable addition. Cruise too, super nice for long drives. And fog lights are reasonable.

I’m waiting patiently for homer taco to call my number for a nice grille.

voltmeter might be nice. Usb charging port too, got that stuff sitting and waiting. I really need to hook up power to the Gentex mirror soon, it has temp and should be color matched. I’m a cold wimp so I like knowing how much of an idiot I am when I’m in shorts and flip flops at 35 degrees.

running hir reverse bulbs on ‘15 tails.

I could see throwing a shell or w diamondback on this. I am not overly fond of the bakflip

what was the thinking about the dome light?

 

Spottermirror is just a heated(or I heated) version of the stock mirror panel with an independent section that’s more convex. It’s just the mirror, no motor.
“what was the thinking about the dome light?”
Weren’t you asking about access to 12v in the roof console?

 

Dave,
Just an FYI WeatherTech makes a NON molded rubber floor mat/s. They are far superior than the molded ones and the OE all weather mat/s.
I totally agree, go back to the Stock front bumper!
As for lights Driving and or Fog in the OE fog location you just need good lights! Factory Fog lights suck even when you upgrade the bulbs. As much as I don’t care for DD customer service they do make a good driving lights but if you want clear lenses you need to purchase their yellow lights then swap the lenses to clear. There clear lights are way to Blue! Reminds me of AutoZone or Walmart bulbs! And if you upgraded the headlight harness you really need to upgrade the bulbs.
The OEM chrome rear bumper, the factory chrome bumper will flex and bend so it’s very easy to get powered coated! When removing the plastic covers on the end caps there will be two 10mm flanged nuts. Just a warning they are installed from the factory w/ lock tight. So you need to hold the T bolt with a small set of long nose Vice-grips or use a little heat to loosen the lock tight.

 

Yeah, it was an oops moment to swap assemblies and install a harness then forget to swap the bulbs to the 100w’ers. Fortunately the fix won’t be too hard. It’s got some Sylvania bulbs right now that my supplier really liked but the osram is a no brainer.

I don’t know that I can buy a third set of mats, hah. Gonna pawn the WT off on my dad first.

If I paint the rear bumper I’ll color match I think. Just haven’t found a shop I like here. And it seems silly to spend money on paint.

Ironically, I think I’d have really liked an aluminum rear bumper in this color. The front is just more intense than the truck.

 

Got the clutch start cancel switch installed yesterday, stealing power from the inverter connector and ground from Auto LSD.

 

I don't know what head unit you have in the '15, but for this truck, a Bluetooth radio transmitter might be nice for when you're driving it. I've had

Anker Roav SmartCharge F0 Bluetooth FM Transmitter for Car, Audio Adapter and Receiver, Hands-Free Calling, MP3 Car Charger with 2 USB Ports, PowerIQ, and AUX Output (No Dedicated App)

this one from Roav for five years in three different vehicles and it still works great. Plug it in, set the frequency on it and your radio to an unused frequency, pair your phone, and you're good to go. I will say though, it doesn't do hands free calling very well.

 

Thanks. I’ve currently got a stock 2015 non nav Toyota unit in. The touchscreen is nicer than the stock ‘05 unit and the weather app is nice too but my kids mostly expect to see the audio track on the screen. I’m not a big fan of FM modulation, I’d go joying if I just want to solve on the cheap. It's a decent option for rentals or highly integrated radios but for these double din Tacoma setups, swapping out the radio is so easy.

Thinking ahead to teenage drivers, trying to plan for the "safest" learning experience possible.

 

Bookmarking new smoked 2.0 gen headlight part numbers thanks to @YF_Ryan

81150-04173

81110-04173

 

Doing truck stuff today. Yay.