Kotrin 3rd Gen...Adventure

[Kotrin]

To try to remember everything..

With all the new medicine i'm on I can sometimes forget even if I locked my truck after litterally hitting my key fob 5 minutes before hand. I'm documenting this for idea's on changing my truck bed latching handle to a locking style for my cover to just keep stuff 'more' secure. I will also be installing another kill switch inside somewhere, In the last few weeks during my relocation I think i've had 5 or 10 people want pictures and such. While I appreciate it and it makes my depressing day's smile and lift me up a step out of the quicksand, it also has me incredibly nervous.

I'm also thinking of doing a wheel lock besides my steering wheel lock inside, when I'm not driving it for more than a day or two. I'm researching lo-jack systems and will probably just go that way, I wouldn't be as concerned if Icould actually pursue someone that moved faster than 1.2 mph walking (my top speed after meds, before meds is like .8). My other concern is because I'm usually out hard and couldn't hear a dynamite go off next to me I just wanted to take a level of security up =) Besides my 6yr old son, its my 2nd love and it's my grasp to life and not being locked inside a house due to my condition, even if I pay for every outing.

You only live once and I would like to have some experience even if I can't remember it (pictures for the win!!).

So that saying I'll be documenting for my own information and others on what I decide to go forward on. Thanks! =D

 

[Kotrin]

LED outside conversion & More..

So I was sitting at a turn to my apartment complex when a sweet looking s4 pulls up beside me and says, "Hey you know your brake light is out on the drive side?". I reply, "Nope, but I do know now thank you very much. I like your s4." He replies,"Thanks Yours is totally awesome looking, nice one of a kind." He drives off and I do my u-turn. Shortly after this I'm online and buying LED replacements...next thing I know i'm at 365.41. This will be documenting everything I purchased and Install (possibly with pictures).

So my first thing is to replace the brake lights of course and everything I come across say's I don't need a load resister. I also decide I would like LED turn signals also, so I replace those and tie on my load resisters. I check them with-out turning on the vehicle and they work great. I go out to get my perscription and I click right turn and its blicking 10000000 times a second. I sigh and realize I should have used my crimps versus the cheap little blue tap's they came with. I take it back apart and can pull the wire out of the tap. I carry about 6 of these rubber splicing caps with me and quickly splice them all the way. Re-installing for the 5th time I get back in and they work now with the vehicle running, YAY. I notice that my right turn is a little slower, but looking at them I can't see it notically slower than the left and 4way's are perfectly fine. When I depress the brakes the right turn signal matches my left(Left being the same speed with brake on and off with engine running). So I will be taking them apart and doing some measurements, I'm sure its a grounding issue. I know they did a great job on the bed conversion but wiring is a different story, been fixing those since the day I got it, but I understand it and love doing wiring even if its a body numbing experience.

I also picked up some programmable led light I'll be replacing my 4runner brake through above my hitch(need to find a picture to show you..), along with led lights underneath to tie into my led flag for the sand. I decided as my last vacation before I'm completely broke was to head out with some friends for a Dunefest trip with no kids. I know i'll miss my son, but I need some me time to get myself back together and understand everything...

I'll post pictures of how it turns out. I had something like t his on my old 2014 Toyota Tacoma and it was so cool (i'll upload a picture after I get my pc back online).

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

 

[UnderFire]

Hey man, I saw your runner parked at the Cornelius pass McMenimans a few weeks ago, the pictures don't even do this thing justice, whoever did the chop and bob was a true perfectionist, if you didn't know any better you could swear it came that way.

 

[Kotrin]

Hey man, I saw your runner parked at the Cornelius pass McMenimans a few weeks ago, the pictures don't even do this thing justice, whoever did the chop and bob was a true perfectionist, if you didn't know any better you could swear it came that way.

Thanks! You should have messaged me on here and I would have had a round with ya!

The guy who I bought it from did the work and I talked to him about it for awhile. Essentially the long/short story is it came in on the verge of being a salvage had a ton of rear damage (Frame still okay..). He purchased it for insurance price and did the work over a span of about a year or so. I'm cleaning up some of the stuff that i've seen, but I couldn't have asked for it to be better. I've had people ask how do they order one, I say 25k and you can have it but eventually this will bite me I know it.

He admitted he knew body work but electrical wasn't his forte, which is my area so I am slowly fixing wiring things as I can. But your correct, if you look at the top I need to sand/bondo a seam that he didn't finish just haven't gotten around to it and unless you know where it is, you can't see it =(


So what did you think of the custom cover?

 

[UnderFire]

Thanks! You should have messaged me on here and I would have had a round with ya!

The guy who I bought it from did the work and I talked to him about it for awhile. Essentially the long/short story is it came in on the verge of being a salvage had a ton of rear damage (Frame still okay..). He purchased it for insurance price and did the work over a span of about a year or so. I'm cleaning up some of the stuff that i've seen, but I couldn't have asked for it to be better. I've had people ask how do they order one, I say 25k and you can have it but eventually this will bite me I know it.

He admitted he knew body work but electrical wasn't his forte, which is my area so I am slowly fixing wiring things as I can. But your correct, if you look at the top I need to sand/bondo a seam that he didn't finish just haven't gotten around to it and unless you know where it is, you can't see it =(


So what did you think of the custom cover?

I didn't know you were a member till I stumbled across your thread last night. I don't remember seeing the cover on it, so it may have been just before you got it. Yours is the first I'd seen that used a tacoma tailgate, I like that little touch, very clean.

 

[Kyle Reese]

That thing is awesome, can you post pictures of the back

 

[Chim]

I saw you heading out towards Newberg a week or so ago.. I was in my white 3rd gen and waved at you while following a little bit.. You have such a cool runner!

 

[Kotrin]

I saw you heading out towards Newberg a week or so ago.. I was in my white 3rd gen and waved at you while following a little bit.. You have such a cool runner!

I saw you too, i really liked yours also!

Thanks for the compliments. I really enjoy it and helps me emotionally a lot in this time. And my son loves it also.

 

[Kotrin]

That thing is awesome, can you post pictures of the back

Umm, I don't really have one, lol. I will make sure I get plenty of pictures of this next week during my trip. Any particular pictures you want of it, or just one of the rear?

 

[Kotrin]

Trip in 2 days!!!

Well gathered up my totes and went shopping. Tomorrow my dad and I will load both of our rigs and leave bright and early on Sunday morning. I am very eager to get out of the city and do this overland trip again. I couldn't express the amount of peace and enjoyment from the trip. You have little to no cell phone service. You only see a person every few days when you head to the gas station to get fuel and top off your fuel cans.

It's very enjoyable and dusty at times, but I will take the dust for the drive alone.. It's very invigorating. I'm concerned that I will have a lot of problems after the loading and first day with my condition. I think I'm getting better and I seem to try to do something simple and its not good. But we shall see and I will take enough pills and beer to MAKEITDAMNIT!!!

So, if I happen to get service I will upload pictures....

 

[Kyle Reese]

Umm, I don't really have one, lol. I will make sure I get plenty of pictures of this next week during my trip. Any particular pictures you want of it, or just one of the rear?

Yeah just the rear that's fine haha

 

[Kotrin]

So packed and waiting for my co pilot. ..already hurting but tools my father that I'll do the entire thing even if I can't walk at the end! Frustrating with limitations. .
Here is a picture fully loaded,expect more when I have service.

 

[Mr. Pink]

who makes your side steps? i know once i lift my T4R, i'll be looking at either retaining the factory steps or going aftermarket steel.

 

[psraff]

Love the truck, buddy.... I love the look of unique, but still could be looked at as a factory concept vehicle.

May I ask on some of the other things you've posted? What happened to put you in the hospital? You said being sued as well... Are they related? Sorry for prying, but when I hear people like you able to still trying to have a life, I look at myself and really wonder if I'm man enough to handle all of that....

Again, congrats and love the truck!

 

[Kotrin]

Day 4..actually have 4G. About 15 miles east of Mt Bachelor.

I give up till I get home, rotated it twice.

 

[Kotrin]

who makes your side steps? i know once i lift my T4R, i'll be looking at either retaining the factory steps or going aftermarket steel.

4x4 Enumclaw WA | Fabrication Enumclaw | Welding Services Enumclaw

And I bought the welder style for about 130.00. Half a day install.

 

[Kotrin]

Love the truck, buddy.... I love the look of unique, but still could be looked at as a factory concept vehicle.

May I ask on some of the other things you've posted? What happened to put you in the hospital? You said being sued as well... Are they related? Sorry for prying, but when I hear people like you able to still trying to have a life, I look at myself and really wonder if I'm man enough to handle all of that....

Again, congrats and love the truck!

PS- I can't spell and no auto correct on the phone out in the middle of no where while we relax..

So its a really long story and i'll try to do the quick of it. About 6 years ago I was having some leg pain and issues. I went through physical therapy and wasnt resolving it and so my Family Care doctor gave me a referral to a specialist. He did some tests and determined what was wrong. I went in for a lumbar discotomy. Did the work on December 23rd, 2009. I went back to work 2 months later and was still having some problems. He determined the disc needed removed so I had a Lumbar Fusion. I was laid up for 3 months and did PT and went back to work in August 2010 (surgery was April 2010). I felt like I've never felt before, I didn't hurt, I could bend and I could feel my legs and they worked correct. In November of 2010 I was in a 4 car collision because a lady was digging through her purse and rear ended me in stopped traffic. Her fault, but I could tell it messed me up. I took some time off and went back to work a few weeks later, not 100% but at least 90%. Working continously I was feeling great after awhile, never had nerve issues or pain, muscle anything. In 2012 I went to tie my shoe and I couldn't move. Somehow I hemoraged a disc above my fusion. I took it easy, went through PT (a lot), and went to a different specialist. Over the next 3 years I never got better and continued to slide down hill. I was having more issues and more issues.

In 2014 I was driving home after picking up my son and as I merged onto the freeway a car in front of another car I couldnt see slowed down to merge onto the freeway. Needless to say it was the result of me flipping my Tacoma 4 times with my son in the car. We walked away (that's my suing suit atm).

In 2015 I made a point I would do what I could to get this fixed this year. I went to a specialist who I think did a great job and I would recommend anyone to him. We did a spinal cord simulator trial period and all I can say was, OMG. I could sit, walk, lay down and feel no pain or limitations. I said lets get this done. My father had arranged to take me to my 'same day appointment'. We went in and I went back, I came back and my dad was next to me. I had some crackers and pain medicine. I wasn't comfortable so I went to move and didn't move. I thought this was weird and continued pain. I tried to bend my knee's and I couldn't. I couldn't move anythign below my T5. I paniced and so did my dad, I was crying as my pain was climbing through the roof. I was paralyzed for about 8 hours till I had surgery again. As the result my spinal cord was crushed. I can't pee, along with some other functions of that region dont' work. I have pain from a 3 to a 10 depending on how things are going, if i miss a time period of medicine, its a train wreck till I get it caught up. So over the last 9 month's i've been trying to recover and have reached a plateau of not getting passed. This trip was and may be my last trip in this category of things. Its really hard on my body, and i'm taking medicine to get by this trip. I can tell I overdid it today and tomorrow I will be having trouble walking, but I've been house locked for so long I have to get out occasionally. Luckily I have a great friend who will get out, get the winch and dig me out. Ontop of a father who does the same. I can tell you ever case is different, some are harder some are easier. I over due it a lot, but I wont be able to walk when i'm 50, could I if i took it easy? Maybe, but my son is 6, I have limited time and I'll break myself so Ican enjoy it with him and enjoy life to the best I can.

This is one reason my OLD kick ass 3rd gen got sold and I had to get the automatic. I can't do work on it due to when I lay on my back my legs go instantly numb and I can't move them. Pain radiates up and escaltes past 10 in just minutes. Learning as time goes on and my life has changed, You life once. It's up to you on how YOU want to live it. I may be doing the worse things and causing my life to be shorter. But I have the family, friends who WILL help me now, don't know about later..

I know this may be long winded, but it was done on my phone at a camp =)

 

[StreetCreeper]

PS- I can't spell and no auto correct on the phone out in the middle of no where while we relax..

So its a really long story and i'll try to do the quick of it. About 6 years ago I was having some leg pain and issues. I went through physical therapy and wasnt resolving it and so my Family Care doctor gave me a referral to a specialist. He did some tests and determined what was wrong. I went in for a lumbar discotomy. Did the work on December 23rd, 2009. I went back to work 2 months later and was still having some problems. He determined the disc needed removed so I had a Lumbar Fusion. I was laid up for 3 months and did PT and went back to work in August 2010 (surgery was April 2010). I felt like I've never felt before, I didn't hurt, I could bend and I could feel my legs and they worked correct. In November of 2010 I was in a 4 car collision because a lady was digging through her purse and rear ended me in stopped traffic. Her fault, but I could tell it messed me up. I took some time off and went back to work a few weeks later, not 100% but at least 90%. Working continously I was feeling great after awhile, never had nerve issues or pain, muscle anything. In 2012 I went to tie my shoe and I couldn't move. Somehow I hemoraged a disc above my fusion. I took it easy, went through PT (a lot), and went to a different specialist. Over the next 3 years I never got better and continued to slide down hill. I was having more issues and more issues.

In 2014 I was driving home after picking up my son and as I merged onto the freeway a car in front of another car I couldnt see slowed down to merge onto the freeway. Needless to say it was the result of me flipping my Tacoma 4 times with my son in the car. We walked away (that's my suing suit atm).

In 2015 I made a point I would do what I could to get this fixed this year. I went to a specialist who I think did a great job and I would recommend anyone to him. We did a spinal cord simulator trial period and all I can say was, OMG. I could sit, walk, lay down and feel no pain or limitations. I said lets get this done. My father had arranged to take me to my 'same day appointment'. We went in and I went back, I came back and my dad was next to me. I had some crackers and pain medicine. I wasn't comfortable so I went to move and didn't move. I thought this was weird and continued pain. I tried to bend my knee's and I couldn't. I couldn't move anythign below my T5. I paniced and so did my dad, I was crying as my pain was climbing through the roof. I was paralyzed for about 8 hours till I had surgery again. As the result my spinal cord was crushed. I can't pee, along with some other functions of that region dont' work. I have pain from a 3 to a 10 depending on how things are going, if i miss a time period of medicine, its a train wreck till I get it caught up. So over the last 9 month's i've been trying to recover and have reached a plateau of not getting passed. This trip was and may be my last trip in this category of things. Its really hard on my body, and i'm taking medicine to get by this trip. I can tell I overdid it today and tomorrow I will be having trouble walking, but I've been house locked for so long I have to get out occasionally. Luckily I have a great friend who will get out, get the winch and dig me out. Ontop of a father who does the same. I can tell you ever case is different, some are harder some are easier. I over due it a lot, but I wont be able to walk when i'm 50, could I if i took it easy? Maybe, but my son is 6, I have limited time and I'll break myself so Ican enjoy it with him and enjoy life to the best I can.

This is one reason my OLD kick ass 3rd gen got sold and I had to get the automatic. I can't do work on it due to when I lay on my back my legs go instantly numb and I can't move them. Pain radiates up and escaltes past 10 in just minutes. Learning as time goes on and my life has changed, You life once. It's up to you on how YOU want to live it. I may be doing the worse things and causing my life to be shorter. But I have the family, friends who WILL help me now, don't know about later..

I know this may be long winded, but it was done on my phone at a camp =)

Wow! My hat is off to you.

 

[Unner]

PS- I can't spell and no auto correct on the phone out in the middle of no where while we relax..

So its a really long story and i'll try to do the quick of it. About 6 years ago I was having some leg pain and issues. I went through physical therapy and wasnt resolving it and so my Family Care doctor gave me a referral to a specialist. He did some tests and determined what was wrong. I went in for a lumbar discotomy. Did the work on December 23rd, 2009. I went back to work 2 months later and was still having some problems. He determined the disc needed removed so I had a Lumbar Fusion. I was laid up for 3 months and did PT and went back to work in August 2010 (surgery was April 2010). I felt like I've never felt before, I didn't hurt, I could bend and I could feel my legs and they worked correct. In November of 2010 I was in a 4 car collision because a lady was digging through her purse and rear ended me in stopped traffic. Her fault, but I could tell it messed me up. I took some time off and went back to work a few weeks later, not 100% but at least 90%. Working continously I was feeling great after awhile, never had nerve issues or pain, muscle anything. In 2012 I went to tie my shoe and I couldn't move. Somehow I hemoraged a disc above my fusion. I took it easy, went through PT (a lot), and went to a different specialist. Over the next 3 years I never got better and continued to slide down hill. I was having more issues and more issues.

In 2014 I was driving home after picking up my son and as I merged onto the freeway a car in front of another car I couldnt see slowed down to merge onto the freeway. Needless to say it was the result of me flipping my Tacoma 4 times with my son in the car. We walked away (that's my suing suit atm).

In 2015 I made a point I would do what I could to get this fixed this year. I went to a specialist who I think did a great job and I would recommend anyone to him. We did a spinal cord simulator trial period and all I can say was, OMG. I could sit, walk, lay down and feel no pain or limitations. I said lets get this done. My father had arranged to take me to my 'same day appointment'. We went in and I went back, I came back and my dad was next to me. I had some crackers and pain medicine. I wasn't comfortable so I went to move and didn't move. I thought this was weird and continued pain. I tried to bend my knee's and I couldn't. I couldn't move anythign below my T5. I paniced and so did my dad, I was crying as my pain was climbing through the roof. I was paralyzed for about 8 hours till I had surgery again. As the result my spinal cord was crushed. I can't pee, along with some other functions of that region dont' work. I have pain from a 3 to a 10 depending on how things are going, if i miss a time period of medicine, its a train wreck till I get it caught up. So over the last 9 month's i've been trying to recover and have reached a plateau of not getting passed. This trip was and may be my last trip in this category of things. Its really hard on my body, and i'm taking medicine to get by this trip. I can tell I overdid it today and tomorrow I will be having trouble walking, but I've been house locked for so long I have to get out occasionally. Luckily I have a great friend who will get out, get the winch and dig me out. Ontop of a father who does the same. I can tell you ever case is different, some are harder some are easier. I over due it a lot, but I wont be able to walk when i'm 50, could I if i took it easy? Maybe, but my son is 6, I have limited time and I'll break myself so Ican enjoy it with him and enjoy life to the best I can.

This is one reason my OLD kick ass 3rd gen got sold and I had to get the automatic. I can't do work on it due to when I lay on my back my legs go instantly numb and I can't move them. Pain radiates up and escaltes past 10 in just minutes. Learning as time goes on and my life has changed, You life once. It's up to you on how YOU want to live it. I may be doing the worse things and causing my life to be shorter. But I have the family, friends who WILL help me now, don't know about later..

I know this may be long winded, but it was done on my phone at a camp =)

I'm sorry to hear that you're going through all of this. It's amazing that you put up with the pain to enjoy the time with your son, he may not realize it or appreciate it now being only 6, but when he's older he will definitely know what kind of a man you are.

If you ever need anything know that the T4R community is here for you.

 

[MyHigh]

Hey I know we shared a couple PM's about trying to live life to the best while dealing with these issues. I'm happy to see you out on a trip with your farther, it may suck at times cause of pain but at least your doing it and making the best of it. I too just been able to take a couple road trips down to San Diego and after 4 years of being house bound it was wonderful to get out and see the world. Best of luck man, like I try and tell my Dr. ( I don't care if my meds will shorten my life, cause without them I haven't a life to live) I know it's bad but without the pain meds I can hardly walk without what I call " glitches" basically drop to your knees spasms. Anyways

Remember, this too shall pass....

Enjoy your trip! Keep up the fight:boxer: