New 2021 Cement DC Limited

On today’s menu……Delicious TRD Dual Exhaust. Now that was a Fun mod. My first time playing around with the exhaust and very much to my surprise it was super easy.

First thing I did was spray paint the pipe ends so it’s all black on the part of the pipe that shows.

Everything came apart easily since the truck is brand new. No soapy water for the hangers, they all easily pulled apart and the new parts went back in no problems.

Although the new bracket and hanger on the drivers side was a pain to fit my hands into since I didn’t lower the spare. Very tight area so I just took my time.

Install took around 2 hours. I did one step, stopped to read the next step and then the next. So I’m sure if I ever did it again it would take half the time. I used a tie down strap, one of those thumb release jobs, so as soon as the muffler was unbolted it didn’t drop whatsoever. Then with the press of my thumb it slowly came down to the ground. Worked great and better than coming down on my head!

Definitely recommend another person tho, after I was done I did notice that the passenger side is a little lower. So next time I have a helper around I’ll loosen up one side, have them hold the exhaust tip in the correct position and then while they hold it I’ll retighten it up. Shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes.

I really enjoyed doing this mod. Easy peasy……even a girl can do it. Hahahahahehehehe

 

Oh for got to say that I don’t think the ramps are even necessary. Plenty of room and because of the ramps I had to use an 18” extension to reach the heat shield bolts.

Tomorrow widow tinting! Also stop by the tire shop and talk to them about tires. Tires……manly stuff….

Today the Tundra drove a total of……approximately 30 feet.

 

The Windows are now Tinted. I stayed within the legal limits. Didn’t want to chance getting rejected for my Inspection Sticker. Did the Driver/Passenger and Windshield Eyebrow. Guys did a Great job so I’m very pleased.

First drive with the newly installed Dual Performance Exhaust. It sounds fabulous! Actually it was louder than I thought it would be but it’s not too loud/annoying. So the truck now has a mighty 68 miles on the odometer!

Got home and installed the Emblem Overlays! Took like a whole 5-10 minutes. Spent more time making sure the Emblems were clean and dry. Really like the Dark Gray color.

After looking at the overlays now I’m leaning even more towards doing the stainless steel area on the steps. Stainless looks too light in color and I think the dark gray might look better.

 

Wasting no time!! Congrats and awesome progress so far.

 

Thanks. Slowly but surely I’m making it my own. Stopped by the tire shop and can’t get either of the tires I wanted……Out of Stock.

Disappointing for sure. BFGoodrich emailed me and said the KO2s won’t be available until the end of October. So I looked into the Toyo Open Country A/T III and same thing……currently unavailable. I thought the Toyos looked really and supposedly are quiet. Quiet is a big plus for me.

Still waiting to get my registration and inspection sticker. Probably Monday and I have another part that just came in. So next week will be busy as well.

So far……So good.

 

On the agenda for today: Install the Remote Tailgate Lock (PK3B6-34JSO)

Adjust the Passenger Side Exhaust Tip Height (New Dual Performance Exhaust System)

Possibly Dip the Brushed Stainless Steel Steps

Dip the Exterior Chrome Mirror Covers Dark Gray. Note: When I go Tuesday to the paint shop to see about get’n my fender flares color matched I’ll ask if he can color match the covers over the dip. Not sure if he can or how long it would last……but if it’s say $50 or less than I’ll do. Worth it just for the experimental purposes. Who knows it might last and if not if can always be peeled off.

Not sure how much of the above list will actually get accomplished but it’s today’s goal!!!

 

Ok here we go!

You ever had one of those days where EVERYTHING ON YOUR “HONEY DO LIST” actually gets accomplished?

Ya me neither……. Boy I had all the enthusiasm and get up and go…..but next thing you know I got to go and pick up a prescription at cvs then since it’s right next to the supermarket I might as well do the grocery shopping and then…… on and on.

So I’m like WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED TO MY DAY. Dang that flew by and NOW It’s get’n Dark. So
I didn’t even come close to getting to the remote tailgate lock. Really didn’t even get the steps reinstalled.

Oh well…… I did my best under the circumstances. Dipped the mirror covers and then taped plastic over the back of the mirrors since it will be a few days before I get to put them back on. Tuesday I’ll know if they can be painted over the dip. If the price is right they’ll get painted otherwise they go back on dipped Dark Gray.

Also removed the steps and spent what seems like half the time taping and prepping them for the gray dip. Decided to try the Gunmetal Gray instead of the Dark Gray. I thought the Dark Gray wouldn’t have enough contrast with the Black plastic step pads. Plus I can easily dip them Dark Gray right over the Gunmetal if I change my mind.

A couple pics of what turned out to be not a whole lot accomplished. Hard to see the contrast since I still have all the paper wrapped around it but I want to get them into the sun first thing tomorrow to let the dip harden a little more before I reinstall.

 

Oh and forgot to mention the very first thing I did today. Loosened up the passenger side exhaust of the dual exhaust I installed the other day. Then with an assistant for the very first time, they held the exhaust tip in the correct height/position to match the drivers side.

Tightened it up and voila’ it’s now Even Steven just like the other side. I guess it all balanced out in the end

Tomorrow I need to head to the dealership and get my registration then get my State Inspection Sticker. From there over to parts to pick up my Color Matched Grille Surround. So the day won’t be big on get’n mods done.

 

So this morning I put the steps out in the driveway so the sun will beat on them all day for the purpose of hardening/curing the dip.

Then I unwrapped them to get a close up look and just temporarily mounted the drivers side (only 2 screws) and step back to have a good look.

So the verdict is Nope……the Gunmetal Gray isn’t the one. I’m going to stick to the Dark Gray.

I initially thought the Dark Gray woulda been too dark next to the Black step pads. But after seeing it on the truck I’m pretty sure Dark Gray is the way to go.

Tomorrow I will stop by Lowe’s and get another can. I used the 1/4 can I had leftover on the mirror covers so when it came time to spray the steps all I had was a can of Gunmetal Gray.

Let me know what you all think. A couple pictures below.

 

Installed my AVS window deflectors today and they look ok.

It’s official: My Tundra is Officially a “TEXAS EDITION”

Still haven’t come up with a name yet……Yes I name my vehicles.

I’m thinking probably “The Devil’s Backbone”

Why not……I did once have land there in the Texas Hill Country so it seems to fit. I also had one of my Muscle Cars that was named: “The Devil’s Nightmare” so I sorta like the theme.

 

I'm going thru this now. Where did you get the update from? My dealer is poor with communication. Appears that Toyota does not have any tracking information on truck shipments. Amazing.

 

Dealership has a gal working there who looks for a vehicle a buyer wants, whether be a swap or something in the works to be built.

Mine was 2+ weeks out when I put my deposit so it took about 6 weeks from there. So ask the dealership who keeps track of the inbounds and they should be able to update you.

 

Paint shop said they can’t paint over the dip so I’m going with the Dark Gray for the mirror covers. Decided to use a Rust-Oleum Dark Gray Automotive Primer. I might even clear coat them in a few days.

The thinking is all the bugs that will splatter against the mirror cover and the dip not being able to take the scrubbing required to remove the gunk. So I’m putting several coats of the primer. Watched a YouTube video where they painted over the dip and days later showed how it held up and then tried to peel it off. They were still able to peel it off but with the paint on top it snapped and cracked and wasn’t nearly as pliable and was very rigid.

So the paint really hardened the dip and it should be way more durable. Only cost $5 for the primer so it’s worth a shot.

Next week I’ll drop off the flares for Color Matching. I’ll probably wait a week before installing so the paint gets to really harden and cure. A couple coats of wax before I install and hopefully that goes well.

 

Thx. I called the dealer and spoke with a helpful person. Got the official VIN and told its getting ready to be offloaded in the rail yard. ETA w/o 10/4.

 

Excellent. You must be excited.

 

Yes, can hardly wait. Was a initial tough decision parting with my 2016, but once the decision was made, I was ready to move forward. Luckily I had several weeks to really think it over while my deposit held the allocation.

 

What did you get?

 

Almost the same truck. 2021 Limited DC 4x4 in MGM w/black leather, spray-on bedliner, TRD Off-road pkg., and some other accessories that were in there. My other one was silver. I like the DC. The bed size is prefect for holding my quad with the tailgate closed.
Never had one issue with my 2016.
In the past I had to initiate the lemon law for a POS Chevy Trailblazer, and my Dodge Ram 1500 blew a wheel bearing at 30k miles and the parking brake shoes became unattached locking up the rear axle. Luckily happened on my driveway and not at highway speed.
Tundra is the only "domestic" brand I trust.

 

Stopped by the dealership this afternoon and picked up my Registration! Still need to get my State Inspection Sticker. Probably wait until Friday……why get it now for 2 days left so October it is!

Also stopped by the Parts Department and picked up my Cement TRD Pro Old Style Grille. Plan on swapping out the grille and keeping my stock with the new Cement surround.

I’ll see what the truck looks like with the Pro grille temporarily mounted just for fun. Who knows we might like it better than the stock. Of course I’ll have to buy the aftermarket bracket for the radar gizmo.

oh and finally went over the 100 mile mark.

 

Picked up my new Color Matched Mirror Covers this morning! Compared the back side/fasteners to the chrome covers and it looked identical except for one flat tab on the center bottom of the covers. I’m guessing that the tab was only used for alignment purposes. It serves no other purpose as far as I can see. It does not fasten/lock to the housing so other than that it’s a perfect fit.

First thing I did was put 2 coats of wax on them prior to the install. Figured easier now without all that Black trim around them and Black Trim does not go well with wax. No bigger pain in the butt than waxing your vehicle and accidentally getting wax on the Black Trim. Ouch that hurts…


$40 each so $80 plus Mass Tax. Here’s the part numbers for anyone interested.


Part Number 87945-0C0040-B3 & 87915-0C060-B3

 

All those add ons must have cost much $$$!
All I did was box spray on liner, extender and hard tonneau. TRD air box and T/A KO2’s. I’ve got some Weather Tech matts coming this week for the winter.

 

Best part is doing all the installs myself. It’s FUN! The dual exhaust was so simple and the dealerships wanted between $250 - $500. That’s CRAZY expensive for something anyone can do in their driveway without a lift or ramps. I used ramps but they definitely were not needed.

My first tire choice was the KO2s but they will not be available until mid November. Then I tried to get the wrangler dura tracs and same thing - temporary out of stock. So now I’m eyeing the Toyo Open Country A/T III. They have a nice bulky look like the KO2s. And they’re supposed to be Quiet. Definitely don’t want those crazy loud annoying tires.

I was looking at the TRD air intake box. What’s your opinion? A little more Pep? I would think it might increase the horsepower 5-10

 

$3 can of Rust Oleum “Troy Bilt Red” for the tow hooks. Sprayed the back side and tomorrow I’ll flip them over to spray the fronts then reinstall Monday.

Also gave one shot over the 3rd brake light/bed light and then I’ll tape over the bed light area and darken the “red” with a “smoke” Plasti-Dip. If I don’t like how it turns out I can easily peel it off back to stock.

 

The air box is supposed to be good for 5hp. Dual exhaust 1 and the noise. Wasn’t worth the $$ to me. At 65, no crawling under vehicles anymore.

 

I hear ya, exhaust was 1K and I’ll see if anyone wants the stock for $500 so if it sells I’ll get half my money back.

Tuesday I get my fender flares painted and I’ll probably wait 4-5 days before I install just to let the paint harden/cure. Then a few coats of wax and install. I’ve always loved the look with fender flares.

Next will be the Grille, got the color matched surround just need to swap them out. First tho I’ll dip/paint the satin chrome bars that go across the stock grille probably a dark gray. As well as those chrome bumper caps/ends. Dark gray for those too I’m thinking and maybe part of the plastic front fascia in between.

On the “to do” list I still have the Remote Tailgate Lock to install. That one involves plenty of crawling around under the truck. Cable runs pretty much the length of the truck. Watched a few YouTube videos and it looks easy just time consuming. Maybe like an hour and a half. But it’s something I’ve never done before so I’m looking forward to learning something new!

I enjoy keeping busy and doing new stuff. Plus I really like putting my own touch/style on the truck.

I did name the truck “The Devil’s Backbone” after all. So some skinned knuckles are fitting.

 

Rain…Rain…Rain…
Not much happening other than RAIN next few days.

Put a 2nd coat of red on the bottom side of the tow hooks and a couple coats on the fronts. Now I’ll let them harden/cure for a couple days and then reinstall.

Here’s a picture of my attempt (had old dip leftover) at the mirror covers. Toyota seems to have 3 choices, Black, Chrome, or Color Matched. I ran out of the dip I got back in 2013 and it’s no longer available tho it is my favorite by far. Anyway I’m not using these since I bought the Color Matched covers but thought I’d post a pic just so you can see how they look. Plus the Red Tow Hooks

 

Dropped off my Fender Flares at the Paint Shop today since I was going to stop by the tire shop. Paint scheduled for tomorrow so I’m pretty excited to see how they look.

Ordered my Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac 275/65/18s and scheduled install date mid next week. Hope they aren’t too Noisy/Loud. Loved the KO2s on my trade and they were very quiet.

 

I have 275/60r20 duratracs that I scored for a song with like 100 miles on them. I’ve had ko’s, ko2’s and wildpeaks in addition to these, I can’t stand them. They are loud, awful in rain and worse in snow than the wildpeaks. I wouldn’t buy them ever again.

 

So you are happy with the duratracs.

 

I wouldn’t buy duratracs ever again