What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

I think you will only get 18-19 while towing.

 

Dash cluster read about 15ish and by the radio thing what ever you call it read 14. Ouchies

 

Installed some Total Chaos Bed Stiffeners

 

Then it's probably still "reading" your throttle pattern.

 

Do you plan on painting the bolt heads?

 

I honestly hadn't even thought about it. Probably not unless there is a good reason too. The supplied bolts do not look like they are prone to rust or anything. I'm not worried about the cosmetic aspect because they are in the bed - out of sight, out of mind.

 

Push in the tabs on the back side and it pops out. A little tough but it comes right out.

 

They don't look bad now because the yellow Zinc Chromate coating is still intact. I give it 3 months of being exposed to the elements without paint before you see surface rust. Zinc Chromate is the best looking coating for bolts, but the absolute WORST for any applications outdoors.

If you feel like it, take one of the bolts out, and go to the Fastenal in Temple. It's out on Airport Road. Get either stainless or galvanized bolts to replace what Total Chaos sent you. You'll be glad you did.

 

Sounds like you know a lot more about these bolts than I do, so I'll take that advise haha. Good looking out!

 

Stainless! Whenever I use nuts, bolts, washers, ect. I go with stainless whenever possible. A hair more expensive than zinc or black oxide but it's one and done......., no maintenance! Time is better spent other than painting, cleaning or replacing hardware. Just my 2 cents but I think it makes quite a bit of sense.

 

Got a wash, then loaded up the Waverunner for a day on the lake.

Post lake day clean up/maintenance.

 

There are 4 little clips holding it in place around the lip. I used needle nose pliers. I grabbed one side and wiggled that side then the left and top and bottom and slowly worked it out.

DO NOT use a flat head to pry at it. The plastic that it’s sitting in is super weak and will get marred up.

I first attempted to push it out from behind like the other switches but you have to work at it from the front. Just keep pulling and wiggling.

Here are some photos of the stock lighter. You can see the small clips and even the bite marks from my pliers. The second image is the male connectors. Toyota uses a proprietary female conenctor. That’s why you have to cut it off and crimp on new females

Purple is +
White with black stripe is -

 

I do actually. I work for Fastenal and they work very hard at training us about fasteners.

 

Exactly! And Black Oxide is even worse at corrosion resistance than Zinc.

 

Looks awesome!

 

Thanks!

 

It looks good in there. So now I need need one for car wash quarters!

 

Yup! For the minimal difference in price stainless is the way to go. If you don't like the color of stainless a small bottle of Testors Model Paint and brush takes care of that. With all the other things that you need to do in life there's no reason to take time cleaning or replacing hardware. Less time on maintenance means more time for recreation. It's a no brainer.

 

I've done a lot business with Fastenal over the years and if you can't find it elsewhere they usually have it! Great company!