WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO YOUR 3RD GEN TUNDRA TODAY?

apparently it is real walnut veneer laid over the plastic, you can see it on the edges of some parts.

 

What do you mean relief?

 

I get that. I kind of like the look, but to each their own. Either way, I hate the gloss black that doesn't really fit the scheme. The plastic matte black look fits much better. I'd hoped to do the wood grain, but I don't want it to look weird.

 

Hell yeah!! I have the same color and ordered the Bumpershellz. Glad to see it looks great!!

 

Can you post the link to order?

 

Installed cellular router in truck today. I'll keep this post short, if you have questions ask away..

Cellular router: Peplink CAT-7, 4G LTE (not 5G, no need for 5G in rural & outback, 4G LTE has better coverage anyway)
Antennas: magnetic mount Abracon brand cellular
Battery pack: 6000 mAh Lithium (keeps the router on for short engine stops and overnight usage)
5v USB to 12 v converter: USB to 12v booster cable from Amazon (plugged into rear seat USB jack and charges the Lithium battery when engine is on)
WiFi antennas: typical home router 2.4GHz WiFi antennas, used ones that are "proper" dipole design to get best range for the WiFi. This is very much overkill for use in the truck itself, but want to have WiFi coverage into camper being towed or parked nearby.

Design goals: 1) Functional / works well for use in ID, NV outback; 2) Doesn't look too hillbilly; 3) Easy to remove leaving no trace.

The only custom made part is a steel L bracket that is screwed into the edge of the front section of BAK MX4 tonneau cover. The mag mount antennas attach to those. The bracket is painted black. The hardest part was getting the two coax cables into the truck cab. Ran them through the vent in the back of the cab, the one between the cab and bed, with plastic flaps on the outside that flip open when a door is closed. (Someone on this forum suggested to NOT use that entrance, but I figured that only one flap is partly open due to the cables, so I did it anyways). The cellular router and battery are Velcro'd to the shelf below the right rear seat. Don't know why there is that plastic shelf there, but it came in handy and is just about the right size for this usage.

I think most pictures are self explanatory, with the last one showing the two coax cables going through above mentioned cab vent...look in the middle of the picture to see the cables.

Concerns:
1) Will the stick on cable clamps hold long term.
2) Will the coax cable vibrate and/or wear through on some friction point.
3) The magnet on the Abracon cellular antennas is not as strong as I'm used to having for Ham magnetic antennas...hoping they don't blow off at 80mph when a semi passes. Might put bead of black Silicone around their base to more or less glue them down. But these cell antennas are pretty small by Ham standards, so it's probably OK as is.

So how well does it work? In an outback location where we frequently go, hand held cell phones are useless and the Tundra built in cell/WiFi was quite marginal to the point of useless, this Peplink setup has consistent cell connection good enough to surf the web and upload pictures to Facebook with no problem.



Caution techie: Being an RF antenna guy (40 years in that business) I struggled with what type of antennas and where to put them as getting good cellular signal is paramount in the outback. I went for an antenna that has good published radiation pattern and "efficiency", both of which are important. Ignore "gain" as that's a marketing number and is measured in only one direction. Put them outside of vehicle of course. Originally I tried to put them on the roof of cab, but routing the coax cable and risk of scratching the cab roof couldn't be overcome. In practice height above ground for such a mobile installation is not very important, with THE most important aspects being efficiency and secondarily a decent radiation pattern.

A bit about the Peplink router: having never used one I was not sure what to expect. But wow, the Peplink software and hardware is fantastic and works very well. The only downside is that it literally takes 4 minutes to boot up and get a cell signal. Thus having it run on battery power to not turn off when the engine is off is very helpful.

 

Got the windows, bed cover and taillights done this week.
Man I love this truck.

 

Wow, is that legal, pulled over every 5 mins here , lol

 

Here's my two trucks, we'll one is, the tundra mine and the other I gave to my better half.

 

I've had it that way on my Chevy since day one, 8 years now and zero issues with inspections or the po po.
I don't drink or drug so I really do give a shit if I get pulled over.
Ya gotta admit thou she's sexy as hell!

 

Boy, she must have really teed you off - a chevy!

 

Almost pulled the trigger on going to a 2023 Limited. Local dealer has 3 Limiteds on the lot. Trying to justify spending the money when my 18 is perfectly fine.

I have noticed, however, that the trade value on the 2.5 gens has gone down significantly

 

They were all also artificially high mid 2022 until about March 2023 because of supply on the new ones. It caused new ones to be sold way over MSRP and used ones to sell higher as well.

 

Just got mine on Thursday I'm in love. Went from a 21 Hyundai sonata lol what a POS that was. I got myself a 23 limited crew cab in Blueprint.

 

What running boards are those?

 

i know everyone has the same question: What is your MPG with those 40's? Any handling issues over 80 MPH?

 

Front windows tinted to match the back.

 

Finally installed the Wildpeak 35x12.5r18s today . Can confirm that on 2023 TRD Pro no rub at all and still plenty of space . Truck looks much better . I removed mud flap before install so can’t say if it works with it . But have seen a 22 TRD Pro still have the metal bracket behind the liner, however on mine the 23 pro does not have that metal bracket behind the liner . Just a heads up

 

So I put new wheels on my truck. They said they were not able to use the tpms sensors on the new wheels. But they could not program the new sensors to the truck. Something about their software only going to 2020. Thoughts/ suggestions?

 

who is they?

discount tire does this stuff like clockwork if you have one near

 

Drivers edge. It's a tire place we go to near us. Yeah there is a discount. I will call them and see. It just sucks cause I'm assuming they will charge me. Not sure why they couldn't use the sensors that were in there.

 

Ya give discount a call, even if it’s a couple bucks , do it once, do it right and roll on

 

Lol I'm not sure they were on the truck from the factory. I'll see what the window sticker says when I have a chance

 

I really like it. It wasn't one of my top choices, but when I saw it in person I couldn't pass it up.

 

Yeah agreed. Thanks. Any clue why they would not have been able to use the OEM sensors? They said something about the valve stem in the new wheels was just a rubber one. Maybe they were just lazy and didn't want to take the wheel apart and get them out?

 

They really should just let you get these wheels with the 1794, or let you get the interior on the platinum.

 

Gave it a bath! Then it rained on it about 2 hours later.

 

I’d get a 2023 if you can swing it.
I was hesitant like you last June when I had my perfectly fine 2017 SR5 TRD with 85,000 miles and paid off. My friend wanted my 2017 because his Tacoma struggled to pull his camper. I’m glad I pulled the trigger on a 2022 Limited. This truck is completely different than the 2.5 generation. It’s quicker, handles superbly on tight curves, lots of safety features and way better mpg. I’m going in for my 15,000 Mile service on Monday and on the highway at 72-75 mph I’m averaging 20 mpg. On my 2017 I was getting 17 at best.

 

I got my go rhino rb30 boards mounted up. I also got my RC 1.75" front and cornfed 1" rear spacer installed.

This is a temporary setup until I pull the trigger on dobinsons.

 

I got the plain black matte cover, it matches really well with the surrounding black matte plastic. I thought about getting this but it would look tacky in my opinion.