New Truck Time - 2020 Tundra.

[Java230]

My OCD kicked in..... I have done everything I can to keep height down. I realized I could have mounted the awning mounts to the bottom of my cross bars.... That drops me 1.25"




Now the hard part, I had to get the awning mounts lined up perfectly, the lower bolt goes inside the crossbar.... Them slide the 4 tabs into the sots, and tighten with a 1/4" box wrench on a allen driver because that was all that would fit between the roof and cross bars..... But its done.




Too many floppy bits to line up....

Structural angle has a radius on the inside edge, oh well. Its beefy.

Tighter to the body, but still clears. Done.

Next up, bumper and cab flex enough to rub on each other.... Not ideal. Pull it all back apart.... Not as much vertical adjustment as I had hoped.... Its a little lower, but not much. May need some felt/clear bra in the corners.

Also tried relocating the TSS sensor. No luck. I think it can just see the top face of the bumper... It has a 20 degree downward vision angle. Ugh. Its epoxied in place now

Looking for a "pro" grill as it relocates the sensor up from where mine is, but down from the original location so it should miss the hoop.

 

[Java230]

Tested out the tent section. Nice heavy canvas. A little PITA to put up, but not bad. Supposed to be 26 and snowing.... Should be entertaining

 

[Java230]

Great NYE, almost flipped the truck, but otherwise it was awesome!

Turning left and steep downhill, front end slide ~2' sideways, pass front tire was just a few inches from the edge heading into a ravine. Friend winched me backwards and all was good.
Just about to the top of the hill.

This one got a little hairier.....

We were able to anchor him to a rock, and the back corner of his bumper. HiLift winch to add some tension and pivot the front of the truck back down hill off the anchor.... It was entertaining.... A lot of work since he was at the top of a big ass hill.

 

[Java230]

Well after reading through the fog light thread (after ordering my BD fogs....) I decided to get some SS3's. Much more road friendly than the BD, and way brighter.

Now the C4 bumper is not designed for the SS3's so it took a bit of doing.

First the mount will need to be modified to sit further towards the front of the light to hit the hole in the mount on the bumper.

Original plan, bracket that would go UNDER the C4 tab, bolt to the light bracket and tab. No dice. Holes are too close together, hits tab on bumper.

Plan B, weld that bitch together. Just use front hole. (its TIGHT, but still has adjustment on light)

In the powder coat oven now....

Toaster oven works great for little brackets getting powder coated.

And adapter harnesses made, get a weatherpack crimper if you don't have one, WAY better than needle nose etc. Even if they are the cheap ones.

And here we are SS3's in the C4 bumper. They fit the holes fine IMO

Brackets from the back.

And the money shot! DD right BD left (yes they are on, you can kinda see the yellow around the tire print)

DD is aimed a little lower, and has much tighter pattern. Ill get night shots at some point.

These are freaking laser beams! That is 8am, overcast but light out.....

 

[rockota]

These are freaking laser beams! That is 8am, overcast but light out.....

You should probably call Toyota about all of that paint fade....

 

[Java230]

Swapped out the grill insert for a Pro knock off. Just to relocate the TSS sensor.

I had glued it into the bottom of the surround, but it didn't like that spot. With the 20 degree down bean it was catching the edge of the bumper. Luckily the epoxy did not stick that well to the chrome, so a good tug popped it loose.

New Grill

Center in, TSS sensor.

 

[rockmup]

I did the same grill and used the cheap cover off ebay, works perfect for me. Wish the knock off grill would have been around then

 

[Java230]

I did the same grill and used the cheap cover off ebay, works perfect for me. Wish the knock off grill would have been around then

Garnish cover should be better once its dirty... but man its not good. The OE one isnt that good either tho IMO. I hope this works for the sensor, its supposed to. Radar cruise is kinda nice

 

[rockmup]

Garnish cover should be better once its dirty... but man its not good. The OE one isnt that good either tho IMO. I hope this works for the sensor, its supposed to. Radar cruise is kinda nice

If your radar cruz is inop, you can hold the button in for 5 seconds and it will operate like regular cruz.

 

[Java230]

If your radar cruz is inop, you can hold the button in for 5 seconds and it will operate like regular cruz.

Oh yeah, I know radar hasn't worked since bumper went on.

 

[Java230]

Out exploring, still a fair bit of snow to be found. Didn't go too far into is being solo and now feeling like shovel and winch fest.

Need to fix and put chainsaw in truck....

But we found a great camp spot, right on the convergence of two creeks. And saw a total of two trucks. Just lovely.

 

[Java230]

I am man child.

Debated doing an exhaust, but grown up me like quiet on freeways, mornings etc. Might be a tad loud, but it gives me the loud exhaust when wanted.... Nice units from ECS, all stainless, vacuum actuated to avoid electric stepper motor issues.

 

[WoodburyZuk]

I have a 2010 Rock Warrior. 190k and zero issues. They have a “diesel” clicky valvetrain and I recently swapped over to 5w-30 amsoil signature series (vs 5w-20) and it quieted it down significantly. Also got bilstein 5100s on the highest setting, OME leafs, and 35” duratracs. It’s a sweet truck.

idk if the newer tailgates are better. But my older generation seems to have some rusting issues, so take off the plastic tailgate cover and dump some fluid film inside the tailgate.

 

[Java230]

I have a 2010 Rock Warrior. 190k and zero issues. They have a “diesel” clicky valvetrain and I recently swapped over to 5w-30 amsoil signature series (vs 5w-20) and it quieted it down significantly. Also got bilstein 5100s on the highest setting, OME leafs, and 35” duratracs. It’s a sweet truck.

idk if the newer tailgates are better. But my older generation seems to have some rusting issues, so take off the plastic tailgate cover and dump some fluid film inside the tailgate.

Good to know! I have been meaning to add electric lock to the tailgate, but have not done it as the canopy locks it decently.... Maybe I should do it and fluid film the inside real good.

IIRC They went to 0w spec on mine. I don't remember exactly tho.

I had duratracs on my 4runner, I liked them a lot for the first 25-20% of life, then they got hard!

 

[WoodburyZuk]

They spec 0w for a microtad percentage of better fuel economy due to EPA standards. The general consensus is that 5w-30 is totally acceptable.

Also, something noteworthy. You should fluid film or something woolwax the frame. Just to keep it alive.

 

[Java230]

They spec 0w for a microtad percentage of better fuel economy due to EPA standards. The general consensus is that 5w-30 is totally acceptable.

Also, something noteworthy. You should fluid film or something woolwax the frame. Just to keep it alive.

I was told to pull all the plugs in the rockers too.... I have like 8 can sitting here, just need to find the time!

 

[rockota]

Next up, bumper and cab flex enough to rub on each other.... Not ideal. Pull it all back apart.... Not as much vertical adjustment as I had hoped.... Its a little lower, but not much. May need some felt/clear bra in the corners.

IMHO, this is partially a function of the frame design...

But I'd be curious if Poly body mounts might be helpful. I finally installed them on my tacoma after 4 years on the shelf and there seems to be much less "body float" than with the stock rubber.... Might be worth looking into?

 

[Java230]

IMHO, this is partially a function of the frame design...

But I'd be curious if Poly body mounts might be helpful. I finally installed them on my tacoma after 4 years on the shelf and there seems to be much less "body float" than with the stock rubber.... Might be worth looking into?

Definitely could help. They are flex/floppy things. The rubbing does seem to have stopped, or is much less after lowering it that little bit.

 

[Java230]

Cut outs went easy. Luckily there was a bolt on flange 4" from one, and 18" or so from the other. Made it WAY easier to get them slipped into place.

Marked and cut.

Grind the hanger off and weld onto the cutout. Forget the shield gas.... on stainless.....

Hit with black paint since your mig is really set up for mild steel.

Tucked in, no its not as close as it looks to the DS.

Wires run along the brake line, but all vac lines are mostly tucked under the factory cover.

Drive soon

 

[rockota]

not going to lie... this is one thing I never thought I'd see on a 4x4 site...

Had the TRD exhaust on my 15. Loud AF. Can't imagine what cutouts will sound like.

 

[WoodburyZuk]

FWIW I have a flowmaster 10 on my 5.7 tundra. Dual in/dual out. It sounds like a fucking race truck. It pops and gurgles cold starts. Down hills I can blip the throttle just right so back pressure equalizes and it sounds sick. When our first son was born my wife said we’d need to quiet it down. But he’s 4 now and it’s always put both boys to sleep.

 

[WoodburyZuk]

 

[Java230]

not going to lie... this is one thing I never thought I'd see on a 4x4 site...

Had the TRD exhaust on my 15. Loud AF. Can't imagine what cutouts will sound like.

I did preface with I'm a man child.


Annnndddd.... It's WAY quieter than expected

 

[Aisin]

They spec 0w for a microtad percentage of better fuel economy due to EPA standards. The general consensus is that 5w-30 is totally acceptable.

Also, something noteworthy. You should fluid film or something woolwax the frame. Just to keep it alive.

I run 20w-50. Over seas owners manual says it’s totally acceptable in hot climates.

 

[Java230]

Ok 30-60 WOT windows down. Its not that loud.... Id say less than TRD almost?

 

[rockmup]

Ok 30-60 WOT windows down. Its not that loud.... Id say less than TRD almost?

Nice. Its louder than a TRD.

I have a Dirty Deeds 8" with the dump over the axle and its similar to a TRD

 

[Java230]

Nice. Its louder than a TRD.

I have a Dirty Deeds 8" with the dump over the axle and its similar to a TRD

Maybe it's just in the cab video versus outside. I am getting really shity gas mileage this tank

 

[rockmup]

Maybe it's just in the cab video versus outside. I am getting really shity gas mileage this tank

37's and 5:29's I'm at an un corrected 12mpg they way I drive. We are on a long road trip and the best I've gotten in 15 but I was doing 70 the entire tank.

MPG is not this trucks strong suit.

 

[WoodburyZuk]

37's and 5:29's I'm at an un corrected 12mpg they way I drive. We are on a long road trip and the best I've gotten in 15 but I was doing 70 the entire tank.

MPG is not this trucks strong suit.

That’s honestly not awful. I’m leveled with 5100’s and 35” duratracs on RW wheels and stock gears. Best I do is around 12.6.

 

[Java230]

Truck played base camp for foot powered excursions this weekend.

The bed setup works pretty well, my only complaint is if your using the tailgate for cooking etc, you have to move stuff to open the drawer or fridge. Good news is I can reach the fridge not slid out :D

Slept well, woke up early to beat the heat. Beat bush up to a awesome lake. Its steep, and bushwhacking is tiring. Took 2.5 hours to go 1.75 miles.... But this is worth is.



Not a soul.


And FINALLY got around to the body mount chop. I think this kit has been sitting here for 10-11 months??

cut

Weld. It was hard to get all the point off, so I have a bit of porosity in the welds. No biggie, nothing structural really.

Paint.

Then took a blow torch to the mud flap, bent it back to the new shape, and drilled and tapped the BMC plate. May get some pan had allen screws if it still rubs on the bolt head.