Dad bod, dad rod - 2019 Platinum 4x4

Found some time to start my Rough Country DIY off-road bumper build because my AMAZING wife watched my son while my father and I started the fitment and welding today. What a great start to Father's day weekend! Started with removing the bumper and a million pieces on the ground. Ended with what looks pretty good for day 1.

 

Did you finish the bumper?

 

Can't believe it's been since June that I posted! It's been a few crazy weeks with no progress but this weekend made major progress and Monday taking it to get Line-X'd. On top of that the Diode Dynamics fog lights were 5 weeks on backorder so I couldn't finish until I got them and figured out how to mount them.

Should be done in next 2 weeks and on! Pictures to come soon....

 

Finally done! I noticed the sides diverge slightly but I chose not to change it to give some room for flex as Rough Country calls for minimum of 0.5" anyway.

 

I appreciate it. It's called Smoked Mesquite. I considered doing the washer method after the fact since I didn't realize the divergence until it was all tightened up. I was too focused on making sure gaps on both left and right were even. But it really doesn't bother me too much so I may just leave it.

As for the DD lights, I did similar to you. (thanks for the idea) I used the supplied brackets and extended them with weld tabs (one side longer with 2 holes and one side shorter with one hole). It's not perfectly straight on the road but from all I can see from testing and messing with it, its very similar to stock fogs (in direction) but brighter and no blockage from the opening. I mounted only on the single (middle/front) hole and between the knurls on the diode dynamics side, the Line-X friction and the lock washer, it doesn't budge. Time will tell once I get more miles. Thanks to you and Sumo for all the help.

 

You’re welcome and nice work! I used a long 3/8” steel plate spacer and clamped as I went on the truck while tack welding everything so I think the seam welding off the truck is what spread the gap and twisted just a bit. I was sure I had it perfect before the major welding but nobody has even noticed and the bumper is great. Enjoy

 

Before it was off the truck I premeasured and tack welded a 1/2” tubing end to end (left to right) to keep the width constant as it was welded up. Not sure when the twist occurred but if you look at my previous tack welding post you’ll see it looked fine.

 

Looks great! Love how you moved the sensors as well!

 

Thank you, yes I wanted to keep all the same functions.

 

Latest mod, tri-color emblem, using it as an opportunity to post pics.

 

I just love the muscular looks of the 2.5 generation!

 

Finally fun to drive again with the 35s. City +1 setting feels like when it was stock. City +4 feels like TowHaul mode. Sport plus +4 feels scary.

 

love this build.

 

Hey man, thanks I appreciate it! I’ve modded my last 7 cars/trucks and my style has always been subtle and clean (i.e. not over the top graphics, bling or showy parts). Most of the time I’ve spent just as much $ as other similar modded vehicles or even more but you can’t tell because it doesn’t stand out as much. It's just what I prefer.

I bought a 350z that I still have 16 years later. It never stood out in 2005 along my 350z friends with deep dish chrome lip wheels and wild body kits, but I think now at almost 17 years old, it’s aged well.

 

Ive kept one of my trucks stock (97 Tacoma 5 lug)... my other was a 2009 Tacoma that was a giant rabbit hole of mods and money. Now that I have my Tundra, im trying to keep it low key and not super flashy.

I just ordered some Land Cruiser Heritage Edition wheels that should be showing up today and then some 275/70 Toyo RTs coming next week... That's about as "flashy" as itll be.

You have good taste in vehicles/mods. Keep it up and keep em clean