What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

I have cousins in South Texas where I'm from. Trust me, they are doing that exact thing right now, while reevaluating how cool of an idea those windmills were...

 

Yea, I've heard that joke.

 

Although renewable energy sources did partially fail, they only contributed to 13 percent of the power outages, while providing about a quarter of the state’s energy in winter. Thermal sources, including coal, gas and nuclear, lost almost twice as many gigawatts of power because of the cold, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the state’s electric grid operator. Critics have also noted that wind turbines can operate in climates as cold as Greenland if they’re properly prepared for the weather.

The grid in Texas was asked to deal with something greater than the max power normally used to cool from 105F to 75F, but a 60F adjustment because it's so cold was just too much.

I feel bad for what's happening down there. Hope the weather turns soon. It's a part of normal winter life up here. These GY Ultraterrains did pretty good today.

I got this email message too!

The following items have shipped via UPS. Your tracking number(s):

Part Number PT946-35200-02

Part Name Toyota Tacoma 16" TRD PRO Matte Black Alloy Wheel PT946-35200-02 OEM

 

I called the Service department to explain to them what took place and maybe some training needs to happen. The service person apologized and the service dept manager would be calling back to 'Make This Right'. Just got off the phone with dept manager. Just so happened, he was a salesperson back in '11 who sold me my Gen 2. He said to come by and they would replace the screws/ or give me the screws. My choice. He also stated that he would bring a new PRO skid plate to the back and show them the correct way to install the access plate to the oil filter.

 

As did I....

 

Today I popped off a bed rail cap, wanting to seal for future camper shell, anyway, noticed these threaded mounts. Three sets on each side. What’s the use/function of these, I’m sure someone knows.

 

All good points on what is going on in Texas right now. Incredible that people are blaming wind turbines. I mean look at the Nordic countries. They work perfectly fine there. And they are putting in a massive wind farm in Nunavut ... where it may be the coldest place on earth. When it comes to energy I favor an all of the above strategy until we get to green energy. I just hope that Texas warms up ... worried about the folks down there ! Stay safe everyone!

Question for you on those rims. What size tires do you have? I upgraded my tires to Nitto Ridge Grapplers but kept the size the same. I wonder if those rims will work with the tires that I have? Did you look at other options as well or were you focused on the TRD only?

 

Probably for oem tonnue cover.

 

These are 265 75 R16 SLs. The main difference between the TRD OR and TRD Pro is offset (+25 for TRD OR vs +13 TRD Pro), they're both 16X7. I have 5100s set on 3rd notch and no rubbing. I expect no rub even with the increased track, but I'll be watching for the mud flaps (a must if you like your paint). Best price with shipping was BAM (thank you!).

I looked at other wheels, but aftermarket can be a mixed bag of quality in finish/construction/tastes. As a daily driver I'm not modifying for extreme offroad yet, so I am just making the truck look like I would have liked it from the factory. TRD Pros fit that approach. I was going to order the 2016-2019, but the satin finish matches the overfenders better and these are 4.1lbs lighter each. I also looked at some other wheels, but I wanted the 106mm centerbore so that limits my choices a bit (almost ordered RR5-S, but they only had bronze/black in 16X8). I almost wish I waited to buy the tires as I really like the TRD Pro 4runner 17s, but these tires only have a few thousand miles on them, so I'll stick with them.

Nunavut, heck that's up there. I almost had to go to Rankin Inlet area to investigate an incident last month. One good thing about COVID travel restrictions! I think people are looking for something to blame so wind power is a good scapegoat.

 

I'm about 25 miles from Katy. This morning they suggest boil water.

Here is the status on outage:
CenterPoint Energy Outage Tracker

 

Thanks for this. Great explanation !

I have a 2020 TRD OR now and upgraded the tires but kept the same size. I don't need to do it but I do like the TRD wheels. My wife recently said to me, I remember when the truck had all black wheels ... can't you do that with this truck? So the research begins. I think I will probably just get the TRD wheels in black. Seems like the best solution.

I haven't been to Nunavut ... but I so want to go ... I am in NY (with family in Quebec). The border is closed, of course, so I will have to wait. But Rankin Inlet ... that is beyond! One day, my goal is to drive all the way around the bay ... but not in the winter.

 

Yes, we're close (well, NY is a big state comparatively). I would go to Nunavut in the summer, but they had to build a shelter to work last month. Screw that, it was -40C up there - and windy. I love Canada, just not in the winter as I like summer activities. And I don't think I'd ever take a DHC Beaver flight up there, seen too many unsuccessful flights.

I've been snowmobiling at GSL/Speculator area in -10F weather and had fun (as long as you don't expose any skin, duct tape helps). One of my riding buddies still feels the frostbite he got 10 years ago wiping his sled's windshield with snow in his bare hand.

Sounds like you have permission for new rims!

 

Those are the mounting points for the OEM Tonneau Cover's brackets.

I wonder if anyone has made aftermarket accessories that make use of those points. They seem pretty sturdy.

 

Thanks!

You would need a harness made by Mike/Xrunnerdude67 to give you a plug and play install. Sadly, he has been banned from TW, but you can find his email floating around.

 

Not sure that she would be saying anything....

 

Installed taco tunes plug and play tweeter replacements. Sound better than stock but its almost imperceptible. If anything just gave me something to "wrench" on for only $50 and not be bored for an hour.

 

Rig looks really nice! I like the wheel/paint combo.

That's the cleanest under-carriage I've ever seen on a 3 year old Taco.

 

It's pretty easy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNnLDeDn1QI

 

Rolling blackouts because 1°F ?...can't imagine what would happen if they got a -40°F...or more.