What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

lol

 

How did you like the graphene coating I got some for my MGM Limited Nightshade but haven't had a chance to apply it yet, your looks great!

 

I like the blue wheels on the MGM. It's unique.

 

Victory 4x4

 

Yikes. People suck. Hopefully the frame isn’t bent since the hitch took a direct hit

 

Got the parts all picked up today. Gotta start by saying BAMF is a class act! The quality of the parts is amazing. I know we all read about it, but seeing them in person, you appreciate the effort put in to the manufacturing. I’m so glad TacomaWorld member posts convinced me to go with BAMF! Thank you!

The pickup went without a hitch. I got there and they knew exactly who I was and what I was picking up. Icing was the fact that I got everything in one trip. Skids in the back seat and sliders and bumper in the bed ratcheted down.

Now is the long wait to find time to install everything and get my exhaust rerouted. As you may know from my last post, we closed on our new home so I got some things to handle before I get to work on the Tacoma.

 

Yeah I looked at viofo also but honestly I just love the slickness and quality of the blackvue. How much was it total to get everything setup if you don’t mind me asking? Under a 1k?

 

Sounds like a big headache if you want to use it for Parker feature which I thought is why most people got a dash cam. Proof of hit n runs, smash n grab etc while you are away

 

Yep I saw the reviews and got husky

 

Installed them fancy spotter mirrors because I wanted the BSM tech package but now I never trust it.

 

K

To be fair, any Dashcam will have the same problem. It runs down your battery given enough time in a parking mode. You can always buy a backup battery or two, they are expandable. Without the extra battery, at least these have built in voltage monitoring you can set for cutoffs, most don’t. In other words once it has drained it enough it will shut off. Personally I don’t like draining my battery down frequently and what if it forgets or malfunctions? Then you’re F’d.

The problem with these specifically is no on/off button that makes it easy to shut the stupid thing off when in a nice secure location (your garage, etc.) for extended periods. Yes you can use the app but it’s cumbersome and take FAR TOO MUCH TIME to open the app, connect to the Dashcam which sometimes takes 2-3 tries, get to the shutoff. In this one area of a physical easy button they are idiots.

 

I had made a harness a while back to relocate the front camera "view" button from the left driver switch panel to my MESO stealth shift knob. Unfortunately the connector I had sourced was not the one I needed and I didn't learn this until a few weeks ago when I took the dash apart for some installs from this post.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...3rd-gen-today.399305/page-12139#post-27720478

It would have been possible to splice or t-tap but I wanted a nice clean plug and play (and easily reversible) solution.

Spent some time on the internet one night and was able to source the proper connector which arrived last week. Remade the harness Wednesday night and got around to installing it this morning. Works like a charm. I really like it on the shift knob. Now my shift knob has ECT on the left and Front Camera on the right.

Here are some pics and the part number for anyone interested.

The connector next to the factory "View" button. Measured them with a micrometer and they are nearly identical in fit.


Comparison shot


Wired up


Installation

 

Well, I haven't added it, yet, but it's on order:
https://parts.germaintoyotaofnaples...lNqbBQk_wpq8W5lE6GhvO9ipRdemEnfxoCVHkQAvD_BwE

I've been waiting for a sale on a bed mat and this is the best one I've found, plus...free shipping! That was a massive savings. It should arrive in 2-ish weeks.

 

I have 285/70/17 I’m thinking about doing the same for my next sets what are the specs on your wheels?

 

I'm looking into getting a quality sunshade, and it looks like the options are Husky and Covercraft. However, the Husky website (and Amazon) say that the cover will not fit my 2020 Tacoma.

https://www.huskyliners.com/custom-fit-sunshades/2020/toyota/tacoma

$70 Husky Liners - Custom Fit Sunshade | 2016 - 2021 Toyota Tacoma, Black | 97009

https://www.amazon.com/Husky-Liners-97009-Sunshade-2016-18/dp/B07Q4ZDV9X/

Weird to me that nobody can seem to make a high quality folding sun shade that perfectly fits a 3rd gen. There sure seems to be a market for it...

 

I'm not sure you're going to find a perfect one, but this could be an option:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tacoma-sun-shade-toyota-trucks-logo-or-plain-silver.396790/

 

Since I ran out of sun light last night, I finished dialing in my new Fas-Top soft topper.

 

WeatherTech makes an excellent sun shade set I cannot recommend it enough. They "laser measure" or whatever and those bad boys fit incredibly well.

You can get just the front window or a full set for every single window. The full set provides excellent coverage from the sun as well as security from prying eyes.

https://www.weathertech.com/toyota/2021/tacoma/sunshade/

 

Installed the Running-4-Tacos (R4T) tailgate lock. Super easy project.

Followed this video from YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf5Mr-6PbVU

 

Based on the photos, I don't really consider that sunshade "Premium" quality, nor does it fold up like the the Husky/Covercraft does. You see those "spin-fold" style shades everywhere, and paying $35 for something that I could get at AutoZone for under $10 just because it has a large Toyota advertisement does not interest me.

Again, doesn't have that high-quality look in my opinion, doesn't fold, and costs the same as the two I mentioned. You could probably convince me that it fits perfectly and provides the best cooling, though.

Maybe it's just impossible for the folding style sunshade to perfectly fit a windshield due to mirror/visor placement?