What have you done to your 2.5 gen Tundra today?

Good luck sir, and congrats!!

 

HotTails and Anzo Tailgate Cap Install!



I posted about the HotTails install previously, and if you’ve read my previous thread about the angry elf who centerpunched the lip on my tailgate, the Anzo cap is my current remedy for that (cover up versus full-on repair).
There is no reason not to do the HotTails upgrade guys, and every reason to execute on it. I’ve been following VLEDs since they’ve been recommended by @Tundra234 and it is a supreme quality product. @memario1214 has harness add-ons that make it a complete no-brainer… hell, even I did it.
@Jim LE 1301 and @Taco-Spike followed me on a previous thread about the Anzo tailgate cap product. I happened to be in the right place at the right time and plucked one used off Amazon for $76 instead of the usual $220 retail. I’ve gotten previous used items off Amazon in the past and, it has been everything from missing parts to something used once and returned due to a defect of one kind or another. I’m reaching out to the manufacturer to see if some things were missing from what I got. If so, cool, I’ll edit my post here, but I think it is what it is at this point. So, now… my observations:
Anzo instructions were a 6/10 for me. I was not clear on which openings in the tailgate to use and the way the wiring harness fits into it seems unclear. I did my best, but I’ll probably redo it and will document better for you in pictures.
Product quality I’d give a 9/10 for a $220 product. I’d pay full MSRP for this knowing what I know today.
Now, the funny part. Once installed, I tested the turn signals first and their harness had yellow and green reversed. This means left was right and right was left for those of you fortunate enough not to have to deal with trailer harnesses. Easy enough fix and I literally LOL’d, looked up to the sky, did my my best “Why me?” and climbed under and swapped them. I am still chuckling today at the thought of leaving it that way. Ultimately, this may explain the return and my Wedding Singer/Jon Lovitz moment snagging that deal on Amazon.
Given all this, things I didn’t like were:
(1) The body of this cap seem 1/16” -1/8” too small all the way around to me. I get that it has to be tight, but just a smidge on tolerance would have made it perfect.
(2) I would have liked them to specify which tailgate openings to use and provide grommets for the harness. The harness has a full length friction sleeve, but I like wires more secured through metal openings.
(3) Lose the 4-pin trailer plug and include Scotch-loks or Posi-taps for a tighter install. This makes the product less appealing on a finished install basis as well as when you want to use that 4-pin slot. And, I’m annoyed that it puts continual tension on the spring that closes the weather flap on the plug-in. I am waiting for Posi-taps to hook up reverse (Yes, it has reverse!) and I’ll cut the 4-pin and wire these into the trailer harness when I get those.

 

So decided to troubleshoot my jbl system. It sounds like crap. Only the door and hu speakers worked. Toyota spent 4 days and they said the door speakers didn’t work because of the sub. I got it back and still had no sound to the tweeter and I couldn’t hear anything from the sub. Decided to check the amp and saw this rats nest. Disappointed that the techs didn’t notice the broken wire or the crappy crimps. Gonna try and order a new harness. Not sure if I want to solder. I did a temporary repair and recrimped what I could with what slack they left. Everything works as of now.

 

That's something I'd take to the service manager. Not to get it fixed by them or to complain, but to show them they need to train their people better. How the hell did that mess get missed?

 

Small upgrade to the exhaust. OEM black exhaust tip looks good.

 

some high temp black on the spacers really makes it look seemless.

now your ocd will kick in and this will bother you

 

Paint the pipe from the muffler to the tip.

 

Looks good! Got any pics standing up from the side?

 

Here is mine...

 

I did. Crazy to watch the 2 houses get washed away. The northern beaches are much wider than some of the ones down south. Theres plenty of evidence of houses that are no longer there though. I guess its to be expected on a barrier island.

 

Did your switches come like that with just the little dash mark to light up? On the site they all say auto. Not a deal breaker, but I like the look of yours better.

 

Last night and this AM, I installed some sound deadening materials on the doors. Nothing insane, but a few sheets were used. Doors close with more of a solid thud.

 

Wrapped up last weekends project of installing Fox 2.5 c/o, Dirt King Uca’s and the rear Fox 2.0s. Got it aligned and washed, wheels and tires are next. Anyone running 295/70/17s did you need a bmc?

 

I’m running 295/70/17. No BMC. With +7 offset I did have to lose the mudflaps and mold the wheel liner some. With +25 offset I only lost the little front flap.

 

The parts accumulation continues!

 

I changed them out from the stock ones. I got the one with just the driver auto. Don’t have a need for all auto

 

After having mine on for a month, I have noticed a creaking/squeaking noise over bumps. Think I need to use some dry lube or something. Can only hear it in parking garages with the windows down. Let me know if you experience the same.

 

I have heard good things about snug and Jason. I've always had ARE but the last few didn't look quite right on my Ram and Chevy.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

I will keep you posted

 

Just says auto on the one

 

Second attempt at wrapping the rear bumper ends in the matte black went much better than the first go-round. Learned that you have to stretch the vinyl in the right directions to make it work around bends and shapes like these.

 

Main benefit or benefits of the RAS? Able to tow heavier loads? Thanks.

 

Where did you get those from?

 

wow !!!

 

which one is that ?

 

what are they?

 

Magnets

 

For what?