YZed's 2017 MGM SR5 Build

Don't think I did anything to the truck since the dash cam. Just finished installing the Valhalla shields front and rear cat plate this week, replaced RCI trans skid. Used his nut plate on top of the frame rail for easier installation, also Barnes 4X4 head protectors (PN B4WBHP76) to keep the bolt heads safe from damage (RCI used carriage bolts with obviously smooth heads, the Valhalla shields use normal bolt/nut combo).

I'm glad Tyler does include the extra washers, I did need to put them in to get the correct spacing on the Z bracket. I put everything on loosely and trying to adjust everything the passenger side bracket was perfect but the drivers side needed the 2 extra washers, everything else seems square so I'm happy. It was a bit of a pain reaching the front (slotted) nuts on top to get those tightened back down though. Anyone ordering the security bolts I think is overkill, if there were nuts welded on the frame to where you didn't need to hold the nuts on top I would say they'd be worth it, but having to do that I don't think any crackhead is going to spend the time to figure it out, but that's just my opinion (I'm kind of dreading having to take these off for any maintenance).

Also kind of wished I went for the 3/16" instead of 1/8" steel, just to be more of a skid than just cover. They are a bit tinny sounding when you hit it, I might put some gasket material between the front and rear plates when I check the bolts. Overall very happy!

Bunch of random photos of the state of the undercarriage and RCI skid removed, has been on since July of 2017.

 

Nice Build!! Also have a Diaz receiver (TEQ) and the red anodized lock faded past pink long ago It did also save my bumper from being rear ended...#solid...Thanx @Andres !!

 

Been a while since I updated this. Pretty much what I've posted in the 'what have you done today' thread, but I like to log everything here as well.

Best mod so far was paying it off and getting the title last month!

Glad I got to capture this important milestone back in May:



Made a harness for the GM diode install to bump the voltage up for my AGM battery, thanks to @F0X672 for the idea (https://www.tundras.com/threads/agm-battery-charging.97564/page-2#post-2530214). Used the following parts:

Diode:

$11 General Motors, DIODE, 12135037

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008Y8XCDW?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Fuse holders:

MUYI 2 Set Mini Blade Fuse Holder 14 Gauge Waterproof Pigtail Inline Fuse Holder with 15A ATM Fuses

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DHMHN4W?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Mini blade connector *WARNING*:

Specialized ECU Repair Car Fuse Holder Connector - Low Profile Mini Blade Type, Heavy Duty Wire Extension for Hard-To-Reach Vehicle Fuse Box Panel - Easy Tap & Test Accessories for Automotive Circuit

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09G7C37JL?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Cut each and spliced the fuse holders inline and looped back to the other post. It worked, but I say warning for the mini blade connector because I do not get a very good lock in on it. I put some tape over the connector in the fuse box because I did not feel very confident in it's connection. Also the fuse holders are NOT mini, so you can't just take the 5A fuse out and put it in your new harness, luckily we had a fuse kit with the larger size to use. Last thing, the dust cap for the fuse holder did not securely fit over the diode, it fit over but was too tall to snap shut, I wrapped some electrical tape around it.

It however is working correctly, showed 14.6 max, and min was 13.8 right after I put it into park when driving.








Finally realized why the mini fuse plug wouldn't stay in, it was too wide to fit in. Just yesterday filed the edges down and now it fits nice and snug as it should. Here's a before and after photo comparing the plug to a normal fuse.








In July I added some gasket material between the cat plates to help stop the clanging noise. Also put a piece between the plate and the case. Was able to just loosen the rear bolts and gave me enough room to slide it in. The thin option just has so much flex, it did help with the sound though. Can see what the Barnes dome washers look like now too.






I was able to find just a front bed rail, I wanted one to put a mtb fork mount on to have a more secure way of transporting my 29er. Installed a locking skewer from etrailer:
https://www.etrailer.com/p-RKY1097.html

Used it once already and works really good. Unfortunately I can't keep the tonneau rolled up with a bike on it though, the dropouts hit it. I keep the main bracket on all the time but just remove the skewer and keep it in my center console.



Speaking of the center console, finally put an organizer in, here's a before and after.





Had one of my front bumpershellz rip halfway off and start dragging on the freeway. Was missing a bolt from breaking it installing my chrome ends back on when I put the shellz on, and the tape finally let go. So I fixed it the right way and bought a replacement end (I still kept the other side when the passenger side got cracked), had it painted by the Toyota body shop and finally back to colormatched front corners. Had about 7 broken bolts in total though. These two were a pain to get out, the far one has a bolt in it (GM replacement from Home Depot) I was test fitting after running a tap through it.


This photo you can see all the replacement bolts that broke in the bracket on top. Mix of regular M6 and GM M6.3 (the black ones). I didn't realize they were M6.3 and not M6.0 when I bought them, but it worked out because a few of the holes I drilled when extracting the broken bolts weren't exactly centered.


All is right again!



Yesterday also sprayed out the bed to get it a little cleaner, and installed a tailgate gap guard. Was using bricks to weight it down some after installing. Will see how it holds up.





So that should bring everything up to speed. I'll update the first post. Also bought the SR black vents and center radio surround, along with a FRAC harness and camera for the grill. Will need to install those at the same time to only tear the dash apart once.

 

I also want to find time to actually hand wash and wax it, then take some current photos. The newer tires and wheel spacers make it look a lot better than the beauty photos I have in the first post with the old setup .

 

FRAC and SR vents and radio surround all installed. Didn't use the VIM switch just the OEM style camera selector.



Camera:

210° FOV Front/Backup Camera, Adjustable Lens OEM Mini Style, Screw-Free Easy Install, Side/Rear View Camera, Certified IP69 Waterproof, 0.005Lux Low Light, 12/24V SUV/Pickup Truck/RV/Van/Camper/Bus

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QQPC2KP?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details
Camera extended stud: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2251832626341528.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.0.0.21ef1802e9HkQv
Camera spacer (cut to 45mm): https://www.mcmaster.com/8438T1/

 

Haven't updated this in a whie. Not much new since last time, got new Road America license plates, hit 100K miles just within the past 2 weeks, and placed an insurance claim in March because it was hit parked at night by a drunk driver (just needed a rear bumper end replaced & new color-matched overcap thankfully, was still out the truck for about a month though).




Took a couple glamor shots after a wash and wax, realized I never had any good recent photos.