Tampa Bay Area Tacomas BS Thread

2nd and 3rd gens

 

Per @Trd sport tacoma 's request, his update video of my truck with a little foretaste of his cab light install.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9QyrIqAp60&t=1s

 

Anyone local interested in a Diamondback SE cover (short bed) with 70” Yakima aero loadbars? If so, please PM me.

 

Oi, any of you guys within driving distance of Tampa have a set of A/C gauges and the knowledge to use them? I suspect I might have been sabotaged. Either that or my evaporator is packed full of crap, but my A/C was blowing cold before I took it for the alignment and it wasn't when I left and the tech did drive it around the corner out of my sight and was gone for a suspiciously long time. I'm suspecting he let the refrigerant out so they could sell me some supposedly leaking very expensive part. Since pretty much my entire A/C system is about 2 or 3 years old with very few miles on it, I'm seriously thinking sabotage.

 

That sucks if true...

 

That it does. I just compared The OGT with Natty. The OGT stabilized at about 53.3*, getting warmer when the compressor cycled and then cooling back down, but it never went below 53.3*. The 3rd Gen T4R got down to 41* and was still dropping when I shut it down due to my fingers holding the thermometer getting cold. Both were stilling still with only the fan pulling air through the condenser.

It is possible than there's a bunch of crap in my evaporator from wheeling, but the fact that it was blowing cold when I got to the alignment shop and it wasn't when I left is pretty suspicious.

 

Hey everybody, I'm new to being an avid tacomaworld user (long time lurker). Wondering if anybody is having any mod days planned? I got some fogs i want to install on my SR but i don't have the knowledge of taking of my steering wheel to put in the light switch stalk.

 

Welcome a board what part of FL

 

Temple Terrace, USF area

 

Gotcha maybe some of the guys that are closer could possibly lend a helping hand

 

I'm pretty close to you in the Forest Hills area, but I can tell you right now I don't know crap about 3rd Gens, haha. Sorry. That, and wiring is one of the things I would politely decline to help with...sort of like @allenfab and welding body sheet metal and exhaust pipes.

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As an update to my particular issue, my A/C low pressure cap did look a little cleaner than the rest of the crap under the hood. I unscrewed it and it had pressure behind it indicating a leaking valve core, which was in fact a little loose when I checked it with my valve core tool. I also dumped an entire can of refrigerant (1.25 lbs) into the system that I'm guessing (going by the sticker in the T4R since mine seems to be missing) is supposed to hold a max of 1.53 lbs...and it only went halfway into the green "filled" range on the gauge. It is blowing colder now but it's still not as cold as the T4R. However, it did dip into the high 40s on my thermometer so I'm going to ride with it for a while and see how it feels. I definitely think that tech tried to screw me. Both the guys I normally deal with would have known better.

Of course, now I'm not sure what to do about it. I've had both my vehicles in there several times and always dealt with the same counter guy and the same tech. They've taken good care of me even though they were a little frustrated with my truck being difficult to align. The tech this time was a different guy. I don't know if he was also the A/C tech and was trying to set me up for A/C work to make himself some easy money on his own, or if it was in collusion with management. If it was just the tech being shady, I'd keep bringing them my business as long as that guy never touched my truck again, but it it was in collusion, none of them would get my business again. I can't be certain though so I'm not sure what course I should take. Should I let the one bad experience dictate my decision, or should I consider it an aberration and give them another shot...as long as that tech doesn't get near my truck?

 

^^^ time for a hidden cam under the hood....

 

I’d probably still use them barring that tech never touched your truck again and you’ve had a good repore with the shop till recently!

 

Big thanks to @Taco No Baka for helping me out with the install of these replica F-series cab lights!!

 

No problem Rick. Here's the video you took the other morning where we can see them a lot better. They really look good on the 2nd Gens.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bamjshzxn1w

 

Thanks lee and yes I agree

 

Camping??? Don’t mind if I do.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2018-citrus-fall-camp-ride.557134/

 

Any recommendations on window tinting locations in Hillsborough/Pinellas? I’m looking to have the fronts tinted to match the rear privacy windows. Thanks in advance.

 

I’ve had great results from this place. It’s in Largo.
https://www.windowkotelargo.com/

 

I've used Bay Area Detailing in Clearwater for both tint and ceramic coatings. Highly recommended. . .speak with Adam Bowles:

http://bayareadetailing.com/contact-us/