TheNatural's 2012 Totally Expo Trail Limo Build

Funny that you were just warning me about UPS. I just spent an hour trying to find out why I hadn't received a package yet. Turns out UPS is useless, lost it a week ago, and is also impossible to deal with. Lesson learned.

 

UPS sucks

 

I hear that. I -was- planning on doing a bunch of electrical work on my truck this afternoon because it's supposed to be freakishly warm, but thanks to UPS I'll be waiting for spring. *grumble*

Or I might just try to come up with another way to crimp 4GA connectors without a proper crimper. I tried the vice previously and wasn't happy with the results.. maybe I'll do the crappy vice crimp then solder the hell out of it?

 

I like this bumper. incognito keep it up, looks good!

 

Got a couple things done today! Finally installed my 4x Innovations mid skid. Still need to get new Y pipe to get the rear skid installed.



Decided I could wire my fuse block without the crimper tool UPS lost. Used the vice to crimp as best I could, then soldered and heatshrunk the 4 gauge. The connections seem pretty solid. Also put the winch on a breaker.



Also got the heated seat pads wired... although not correctly I got them factory direct from China so the accompanying documentation didn't help me out much and I guessed on the wiring. I was close! Seat heaters have power even when truck is off (weren't supposed to) and the lighting circuit is on when ignition is on (again not quite right), but at least they keep my butt warm. Now that I've identified all the wires it'll be a quick fix next time I get a chance to tinker with the truck.

I really hope the 2016 has a heated steering wheel I can swap in! Heated things are great!

 

what day are you looking to start the kokopelli trail leading into Rock Therapy?

 

Monday! I heard you were full so I hopped in with ebbs15's group.

 

yea depending on how things work out, we may end up joining the two if the total isn't too large...may just have to shuffle some things around when we get over to the TOTW area...

but fish ford and roberts bottom should be big enough to fit both groups...

but TOTW would not be good having everyone go at once...but if we do our group tuesday evening and another wed morning, that will also stagger heading down rose garden hill...but both groups will be figuring that out as we get closer to it...

anyway...glad to hear you're making the trip down and we'll be seeing each other on the trails before too long..

 

Sounds good to me. I'm just going along with everyone elses plans and following you guys around

I got my freshly renewed passport in the mail today so I can actually get across the border for Moab. They do them for 10 years now!

My tail lights came today too.. but it's friggin' cold out, so I probably wont put them in until this weekend when I can borrow a little shop space.

 

This bumper... I fucking like! I am sub'd.

It is definitely now on my list for my 'work truck' build. Thanks for the info!

Do you know if an Avid light bar and TRD skid plate are compatible with this?

You should be here too:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/canada/357024-canadian-build-thread.html

 

The TRD skid plate should be fine. The bumper didn't get in the way of or remove any of the stock mounting points. I'm not sure about the light bar.. how does it mount?

 

You finally get your Prinsu rack ?

 

It's still hanging out at customs. I did call and ask about it and it will cost me an extra $160 in taxes and brokerage if it ever arrives. Here's hoping they don't lose it.

 

Fucking UPS

 

Yup. I should mention that they found my crimper tool package. But it was somewhere very far from here and they wanted me to pay a "redirect fee" to have it brought to the address on the damn shipping label. Sooo I told them they could keep it.

Edit: I also gave them some other friendly advice about where they may be able to put it

 

How much of the $160 is brokerage ? I'm guessing $90

 

I just asked for the total on the phone. I'm not sure what the shipper marked as the value of it, but I'd guess the taxable amount should be about 700CAD, so a little over half would have been HST ... err, GST and PST.

 

Makes sense , $84 in GST / PST and the rest is brokerage

 

Couple quick things done today!

Installed the LED license plate light bulbs. Took all of 30 seconds.

Installed my new Depo tail lights. Much less embarrassing to drive around now. Here's a pic of one in and one stock one (I did both, of course )


And close ups of the stock one and the replacement:




I got all my wiring accessories for the VHF radio a while ago too. I'm just waiting on my BAMF antenna mount to get it all installed. It will be mounted in the center console out of sight, with a remote speaker in the little cubby thing to the left of the 4wd switch. I got a mic extension too, so it will plug in next to the speaker when in use and be stowed in the center console the rest of the time. Other than the antenna on the outside, you shouldn't be able to tell I have a radio.

 

Sigh. The new passenger side signal bulb is no good. Will have to take light back out to change it.
EDIT: Went back out and replaced it. Gotta get outside and take advantage of these days that are only -15.

Forgot to mention I ordered a mob armor mount for my phone a couple days ago. Looking forward to that!