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Support and general outdoor activity vehicle, with other cameos..

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Builds (2016-2023)' started by Draco-REX, Dec 12, 2020.

  1. Dec 12, 2020 at 4:22 PM
    #1
    Draco-REX

    Draco-REX [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Member:
    #348186
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    70
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    Male
    OH
    Vehicle:
    White 2019 TRD Pro MT
    Too many mods and I haven't even started yet..
    Well, here's where I will keep a list of what I do to this truck:

    [​IMG]

    My dirty little MR2 will be making appearances as well as it's an ongoing project too.

    My ultimate goal will be a truck that both tows and supports my car at events, and hauls the wife's and mine bikes and other active stuff between events. This will be fun! :)
     
    doublethebass likes this.
  2. Dec 12, 2020 at 4:50 PM
    #2
    doublethebass

    doublethebass aspiring well-known member

    Joined:
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    Antoin
    Minneapolis MN
    Vehicle:
    ’17 6MT Pro
    Welcome

    nice truck :thumbsup:
     
    Draco-REX[OP] likes this.
  3. Dec 13, 2020 at 3:27 PM
    #3
    Draco-REX

    Draco-REX [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    Member:
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    Messages:
    70
    Gender:
    Male
    OH
    Vehicle:
    White 2019 TRD Pro MT
    Too many mods and I haven't even started yet..
    Some pics to get this thread started. I know everyone here has seen a stock 3rd gen before, but it's new to me. :)

    By the statue of Leather Lips.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Rock Lobster likes this.
  4. Dec 13, 2020 at 3:31 PM
    #4
    Draco-REX

    Draco-REX [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    Member:
    #348186
    Messages:
    70
    Gender:
    Male
    OH
    Vehicle:
    White 2019 TRD Pro MT
    Too many mods and I haven't even started yet..
    Completed my first mod the same day I brought the truck home.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    WC Lathe Werks titanium shift knob. I really didn't like the big clunky TRD Pro shift knob, and I much prefer a spherical one in general. Every time I get a manual car I put one of their shift knobs on it. This time I had one left over from a previous car. Turns out the Taco has the same knob thread (M12x1.25) as the Subaru STI/WRX/BRZ, Toyota FRS/GT86/MR2/Celica, etc. Just had to pop off the console and snip the zip tie holding the chrome ring to the boot. Unfortunately, in just 3k miles that ring had already scratched the shifter. But I am considering the Core Shifter for the shorter lever so I can add a bent extenstion from WC to bring the knob closer to me.

    Here's to the first of many mods to come.
     
    doublethebass likes this.
  5. Dec 13, 2020 at 4:40 PM
    #5
    Draco-REX

    Draco-REX [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Member:
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    Messages:
    70
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    Male
    OH
    Vehicle:
    White 2019 TRD Pro MT
    Too many mods and I haven't even started yet..
    So the MR2 has been in the shop. But first a little background.

    I have been competing in SCCA RallyCross since 2008. Up until this year, I focused solely on the AWD classes driving mostly Subarus and eventually an Evo X. With that Evo I accomplished pretty much what I wanted to, so I decided to start over again in the RWD classes. The Miata is the pretty much the go-to car for RWD, even in the dirt. So naturally, I didn't want to drive a Miata. After doing some research I settled on the MR2 Spyder. It has roughly the same weight and power as a Miata, but with the engine over the drive wheels. I found a well used one for a good price and brought this home for the 2020 season:
    [​IMG]

    And this is what I do with it:
    https://youtu.be/6VtTZVIZY-E

    Unfortunately, at the event after the one above, the air box allowed a ton of silt past the filter. The engine started drinking oil; to the tune of 1qt every 30 miles. I couldn't get a replacement in time for the championship, and I wasn't going to miss it. So I drove it, 16 hours, from Columbus OH to Topeka KS, and then back again. I tried to get a tow vehicle and trailer together for the trip but couldn't secure one.

    Hence the Taco.

    But in the interim, I've been getting a replacement engine built and now it's being put in at a shop owned by a friend of mine.

    Bumper, lights, and exhaust removed:
    [​IMG]

    Old engine and trans out:
    [​IMG]

    Rebuilt engine and new trans in:
    [​IMG]

    Hopefully it'll be up and running again soon. I can't wait to drive it again.
     
    9mmMike and doublethebass like this.
  6. Dec 13, 2020 at 5:02 PM
    #6
    doublethebass

    doublethebass aspiring well-known member

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    Wow that looks like a ton of fun. I could feel your teeth rattling haha.

    Great reason to get a Tacoma too
     
    Draco-REX[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  7. Dec 13, 2020 at 5:07 PM
    #7
    Draco-REX

    Draco-REX [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    Member:
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    Messages:
    70
    Gender:
    Male
    OH
    Vehicle:
    White 2019 TRD Pro MT
    Too many mods and I haven't even started yet..
    Yeah. After 12+ years, it's far beyond time to get a towing rig. I just put it off because I like the idea of competing with a street car against stripped out trailered cars and beating them. :)
     
  8. Dec 15, 2020 at 1:54 PM
    #8
    Draco-REX

    Draco-REX [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    Member:
    #348186
    Messages:
    70
    Gender:
    Male
    OH
    Vehicle:
    White 2019 TRD Pro MT
    Too many mods and I haven't even started yet..
    Got a few small things coming from MESO for the Taco. Gotta hold myself back though. The budget's taken a bit of a hit.

    But in the interim, more progress on the MR2.

    It's about 90% done. All the small stuff is hooked up and the exhaust is in.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    If anyone's curious, it's a Monkeywrench Racing header and catted mid pipe with a PPE Catback.

    Just the radiator and the nightmare coolant burping process and it should be ready to go! Soon!
     
    doublethebass likes this.
  9. Dec 30, 2020 at 1:26 PM
    #9
    9mmMike

    9mmMike Well-Known Member

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    Michael
    SE PA
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    2019 TRD OR 4x4 DCLB - Cement
    Cool. I used to arrive and drive my VW bug to Solo II events. DSP. Then I built a GT4 Bug to run EP and then GT4 in Solo I, Hillclimbs (paved) in the North East. After a bunch of championships (small pond), that car lives on a trailer outside for rodents to live in for the last decade. Sad.
    Never saw a Rallycross like your video before. That looks pretty fun and there is no way to drive off a mountain doing it! :)
    pida.gif
     
  10. Dec 30, 2020 at 1:39 PM
    #10
    Draco-REX

    Draco-REX [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    Member:
    #348186
    Messages:
    70
    Gender:
    Male
    OH
    Vehicle:
    White 2019 TRD Pro MT
    Too many mods and I haven't even started yet..
    That bug looks like a lot of fun. I'd love to get into Hillclimb, but there's nowhere near me that has events like that. RallyCross and the occasional AutoCross feeds my addiction well enough.
     
    9mmMike[QUOTED] likes this.
  11. Dec 30, 2020 at 2:46 PM
    #11
    Draco-REX

    Draco-REX [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    Member:
    #348186
    Messages:
    70
    Gender:
    Male
    OH
    Vehicle:
    White 2019 TRD Pro MT
    Too many mods and I haven't even started yet..
    Finally got my MESO items I ordered a couple weeks ago. USPS were a bit overloaded for the season apparently.

    First thing done:
    [​IMG]

    I decided to do the conversion because I don't like having a key chain on my key so I wanted something more pocket-friendly than the OE key.

    It took a lot of filing of the buttons to make them work smoothly and to keep the panic alarm from going off constantly. I also broke the little snap tabs inside off trying to re-open the case to adjust the buttons (as shown in the video). Not sure why those tabs were so flimsy if you're supposed to open/close the fob multiple times. The transponder chip was a PITA also.... Either way, got it all together and cut, and I'm pretty happy with it.

    Still have the Stage 1 tails and Gashole to do. I may wait for warmer weather for the tail lights though.
     
    9mmMike likes this.
  12. Jan 3, 2021 at 6:35 AM
    #12
    Draco-REX

    Draco-REX [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    Member:
    #348186
    Messages:
    70
    Gender:
    Male
    OH
    Vehicle:
    White 2019 TRD Pro MT
    Too many mods and I haven't even started yet..
    Finished my MESO order the other day...

    First was the Gasshole.
    [​IMG]

    I know it's technically unnecessary because you can stretch the tether through the clip or relocate it to the next hole over. But I hadn't actually filled the tank yet before ordering, so I figured I might as well put it in. Why not?

    And next was the Stage 1 tails.
    [​IMG]

    This is a mod I really wanted to do. The stock design of the tail lights isn't the way I'd prefer them to operate. I like an amber turn and making the whole C of the tail like the brake light just make sense. I didn't get the load resistors in my kit like most people, but I don't seem to need them. So far. It's cold out and in my experience LED drivers are pretty temperature sensitive, so we'll see if I start hyperflashing in the summer when the load changes. But for now, they're working great. Last night I made the mistake of looking at the back of my truck when I locked it. Damn those turn signals are bright! Love it.
     
  13. Jan 9, 2021 at 7:58 AM
    #13
    Draco-REX

    Draco-REX [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    Member:
    #348186
    Messages:
    70
    Gender:
    Male
    OH
    Vehicle:
    White 2019 TRD Pro MT
    Too many mods and I haven't even started yet..
    Installed a couple more simple mods on the truck.

    SaBellCo tailgate lock:
    [​IMG]
    I packed it with dielectric grease to hopefully keep long term corrosion down. Of course the sticker doesn't stick. If it becomes an issue, I'll come up with a solution later.

    And the Rigid amber fog light covers:
    [​IMG]
    Had to use a trim tool to pop the bezels off, but surprisingly none of the clips broke; a couple only bent.

    I'd like a more powerful set of amber fogs, but I'm holding off on major mods until next year. The 2020+ models have some features I really want. I know I can add most of them to my 2019, but with the state of the truck market, both new and used, I might be able to trade into a 2021 next year for the same price as doing the mods myself. We'll see. If I do decide to keep my 2019, then I'll dive in and do more permanent mods.
     
  14. Jan 9, 2021 at 8:01 AM
    #14
    doublethebass

    doublethebass aspiring well-known member

    Joined:
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    Antoin
    Minneapolis MN
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    ’17 6MT Pro
    Didn’t know Rigid made an amber fog cover. Looks sweet.

    What do the 2020+ trucks have that you want? I’ve got the LED headlights on my list but I think that’s it...
     
    Draco-REX[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  15. Jan 9, 2021 at 8:40 AM
    #15
    Draco-REX

    Draco-REX [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    Member:
    #348186
    Messages:
    70
    Gender:
    Male
    OH
    Vehicle:
    White 2019 TRD Pro MT
    Too many mods and I haven't even started yet..
    Picked them up from Amazon.
    Rigid Industries SR-M Series Light Cover

    There are a few things. LED headlights, better sound deadening in the rear of the cab, power driver's seat that sits lower, and front/side cameras. There are also a few colors I'd like more than white.
     
    doublethebass[QUOTED] likes this.
  16. Jan 9, 2021 at 12:20 PM
    #16
    doublethebass

    doublethebass aspiring well-known member

    Joined:
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    #206252
    Messages:
    3,409
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Antoin
    Minneapolis MN
    Vehicle:
    ’17 6MT Pro
    Draco-REX[QUOTED][OP] likes this.

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