What Have You Done To Your 2nd Gen Tacoma Today?

Just how big of a PITA was it!

 

Honestly wasn’t that bad but one of the flare nuts on the top brake line started to round out. Had to use vice grips to break the torque on it.

 

Maintenance day.

 

Nice trail limo!

 

I came home to some bits that need to be mounted.

 

What system?

 

Changed out my wiper switch with an intermittent version.

Next up is a backup cam

 

Trying out smoked headlights

 

Taillight had a considerable crack and turns into a fish bowl after it rains. Replaced with a set from eBay for $102.





Took a break and finally installed my SPC upper control arms. Bought new bolts in case I had to cut them, but was able to bend the liner back (huge pain in the ass) and finesse the bolt out. Thanks again @Wheeler's Off-Road Inc for hooking it up!



Arm removed. It was harder to bend the liner on the driver side for some reason.



Pushing the bolt back in on the factory side was pretty hard. I got my anger out on the fender liner again and persevered. Got really excited at this point!







Took just about 3 hours and 5 really hurt knuckles to do both sides, torquing every down to spec. Shout out to the TW community for the incredibly detailed DIY guides for pretty much every modification

Excited to get it aligned and onto the trails!

 

It gets the girls

 

Nice! I see a familiar plate!

 

Thanks to @glorifiedwelder for getting my rear suspension hooked up today.
I CAN NOT recommend Jason enough. He does TOP NOTCH work.

BAMF Shock Relocation Towers
King 2.0x12 Smoothies with Resi and Adjusters.

Would have also had a Wheelers Flip Kit and Superbumps but UPS missed their delivery yesterday.

 

I wired up my cb radio today and while running the cable to the antenna I could see I need to replace my rear leaf springs they are level with no load in the bed.

 

Skittles

 

Thanks. Its been in there for almost 2 years now with no issues. I just vent it roughly once a week in the summer. I never fill it completely full, so theres room for expansion. At first, I was worried about it in there with the heat, but it hasnt been an issue. Its completely sealed so theres no fumes.

Ive slept in the bed probably twice a month since I mounted the Rotapax and havent noticed any gas smell.

I installed it right after the last oil change, so almost 5k miles.

 

Gas light came on at 29x miles today, which is awesome.

The last fill up, I got over 17 mpg. The truck hasnt seen 17+ mpg since I bought the truck. I didnt calculate the mileage when I got gas today (didnt fill up) but its gotta be over 17+ mpg again (the gas light came on at 28x miles at the last fill up) which makes me happy.

Ive been lucky to get mid 16 mpg since I started modifying this truck.

Ditching the Bestop and replacing it with a Leer shell is the only major change Ive done to the truck over the past few months (other than changing diff fluid).

Apparently the Bestop isnt very aerodynamic.....

Also, yesterday, I installed my shell rack/track and started sorted out how Im gonna build my basket for the shell.

 

Got around to installing a Chinese android stereo along with doing the OEM camera mod.

Stereo: Eonon GA-2168
Also running a usb CarPlay dongle. Steering wheel controls work while using the stereo. Only time I am not able to use the next and previous is while using the CarPlay app, however volume still functions.

 

Just got back from 5 days around Northern AZ, and Southern UT. Unloaded all the camping gear and drank beers.

 

Hit a lightnin bug tonight, it splattered and glowed on my windshield for about half a minute lol
I should have gotten a picture but I'm a responsible person and don't take pictures while driving