What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

Installed my SDHQ behind grille twin lightbar mount and two Diode Dynamics 30” lightbars. About 60 mins start to finish. Super easy &/stealthy af.

I’d originally planned on Baja Designs lights, but the S8 & OnX6 bars I settled on for this project increased about $100 per(to $1100 & $850 respectively) and they are already super pricey anyway, so Diode Dynamics seemed a very reasonable compromise w/ great reviews & customer service. It was difficult to justify what would have been a $3000 lighting project when the DD setup will likely even far surpass my needs at 1/2 the cost. Hell, I can add another lightbar below the grille if need be & I’m still reasonably priced.

Switch Pro 9100 8 switch pod w/ OEM trim piece to follow soon.

Oh, and random thought: I dig the 2020 grille much more than the Pro grille. Maybe it’s the satin anthracite color, maybe it’s the design, maybe it’s both. Maybe it’s that the black grille to me just doesn’t seem to integrate as well w/ the silver truck. Swapping my ‘19 grille to the ‘20 was a great choice.

 

I compared limes and washed my taco.

 

Blacked out the front more.

 

I put my Pro Grill on! This was a fun little upgrade to DIY. Took about a 45 minutes total. Fairly easy once you realize how to pop all the tabs off quickly.

 

The Diode Dynamics 30” bars are only $350 each so that’s more like 1/4 of the cost compared to the Onx6/S8 combo. Any pics of the output?

 

$800 after taxes for the two bars, plus $130 for the twin mount, then another $750 for the Switch Pro kit from SDHQ(includes engine bay mount, OEM trim piece switch mount). So roughly 1/2 the cost when all the extras are considered.

Negative on light output photos for the time being. I’ll post again when things are complete.

 

That looks amazing bro! Well done. Your truck looks amazing !

 

FOCO!

 

I can confirm the customer service is great. Had the fob for a few months now and I've reached out to Meso Customs twice about sending replacement springs after trying to load it back in with no success and they immediately mailed it both times. The first time was because I screwed up the install and the second time was because I delayed tightening the screw clamping the key to the fob. They do suggest periodically tightening the screw clamping the key to the fob every so often as it will otherwise come loose over time. All you need is a small allen wrench which comes with the fob. I'll add that I have a MT and I'm not sure if that holds true for AT.

 

I dunno... Got my spare from NAPA. I'll check the part number tomorrow.

 

My buddy has a diamondback on his F150. It's really nice. He mounted 1UP bike racks on top, which work well. You could definitely work out some FrontRunner or similar bar system to add cargo capacity above the bed.

 

I thought about doing my tails with the extra tint I have but really I want a different style altogether so probably not worth the time. What are you getting next?

 

Utilizing space. Also got some free carhartt seat covers for the front from a traded in tacoma. They're camo but it'll due for trips.

 

Thank you brotha!

 

Is that bolted in? Do you have to remove in order to remove the mat?

 

Yes, I'm getting wing nuts today. Easy breezy

 

I looked at other options and realized most were either just flashy and overly futuristic, junk, or over $500 and I couldn't justify the expense. If I do it in the future I'll do it as a two piece application using 3M vinyl cutting tape to hide the seams.

Probably either a motorcycle (possibly electric) or a Miata. 3 years later I should be back in the continental US and I'll probably buy another Taco. It's a long story that I don't want to clutter up this thread with a third time.

 

Sweet!

 

A week ago it was plans for a bicycle - now it's a motorcycle. Did you get a warning of the elevated terrain in HI? lol

I just sold my wife's Miata a couple of months ago. I miss it already. That sucker stuck to the roads in corners like it had vacuum! Not kidding when I say it would take corners with a recommend speed of 35 mph at 70 mph! This was on CO mountain roads with sweet curves, views, and no other traffic. Scared the hell out of my wife but I was smiling so big my face hurt for two days!

 

Lol, I may have said "bike" but "bicycle" was never the intended mode of transportation

and yeah, even my Mazda3 (RIP) handled amazingly well, so I know I'll enjoy a Miata. If I do get a Miata, after a few years and building a decent workshop I'd like to do an LS3 conversion and make an absolutely epic roadster.