T-man's '05 Sport Build Thread

[t-man]

How has the rust converter been holding up this year? I only ask, because like you i'm in the rust belt and I try washing it at least once a week to be preventative, but also was looking into this.

From what I can see on the frame it is holding up well, do need to clean it though. On my hitch I see rust coming through, but I really didn't do that part properly. I need to pull the bumper cover off, sand it all down good and then put the rust converter on.
I've been scared to wash my truck this last week because it has been between 5 and -35 degrees! I'm scared the hot water will break a window and also that the water would freeze somewhere and cause issue's. Supposed to warm up a little soon though. lol

 

[wadle5]

From what I can see on the frame it is holding up well, do need to clean it though. On my hitch I see rust coming through, but I really didn't do that part properly. I need to pull the bumper cover off, sand it all down good and then put the rust converter on.
I've been scared to wash my truck this last week because it has been between 5 and -35 degrees! I'm scared the hot water will break a window and also that the water would freeze somewhere and cause issue's. Supposed to warm up a little soon though. lol

I hear you on that. I haven't had an issue with glass. The only thing I had to do was to make sure I wiped down the suspension and the wheels. It may have messed with my brakes and the literally froze up. But that was just one time. Which product did you use for the rust?

 

[t-man]

I hear you on that. I haven't had an issue with glass. The only thing I had to do was to make sure I wiped down the suspension and the wheels. It may have messed with my brakes and the literally froze up. But that was just one time. Which product did you use for the rust?

I bought it from lowes, but I can't seem to find it on the website. I'm not sure what it was, but will see if I can find it again.

 

[t-man]

It's 52 degrees out today, sunshine, loving it! Been pretty restless so I decided to get some stuff done.Don't know if it's a good idea or not, but I took out the nozzle intake for the airbox so that it is not pulling directly from the fenderwell. I know I will get more heat from the engine bay, but I'm hoping it will help any potential water splattering in there for this offroading season.
Before:


After:


Then I finally pulled the front tires off and hammered my pinch welds flat. Heated them up a little with my torch then used my BFH to pound them flat. I hit the surrounding area after they were flat and pushed the whole sheet back about another 1/2 inch. I should have not more rubbing issues now! I didn't have any paint or rust converter around so I used the last of my can of Plastidip to cover everything. I know it's not ideal, it's just to get me by until it gets warmer and I can buy some good rust converter and bedliner to coat all of my fenderwell.

 

[t-man]

I'm tall...too tall! I got the idea from a forum over on the Toyota 120 about getting rid of the sunroof. One guy was talking about how he pulled the bottom seat cushion and trimmed the bottom of it so that he sits lower now. So today I went out and tackled that. Was pretty simple once I figured out how to get it apart. The seat cover has little tabs around the perimeter that hold it on. Take those off and then if you have the manual seat like mine there is a clip that holds on the turn nob. I then used a razor knife to cut the foam down. I can actually move the seat in an upright position now instead of having the gangsta lean! :fro:

 

[t-man]

and, my fiance and I had our first ultrasound yesterday!

 

[t-man]

Map Light Mod

Completed the map light mod today. Was easier than I thought it was going to be.




Ran it down the A-pillar

Scothlok style crimp to patch into the feed wire.

I left enough room that it can hang down in case I have to do some work up there. I was thinking of putting some connectors there so that it could be disconnected but I didn't have any.

Viola!

 

[having fun]

Congratulations for the expecting parents.

And another thing, if you have a electric carving knife for Turkeys, they work great on cutting foam. Used them to make seat cushions from big blocks.

 

[t-man]

Congratulations for the expecting parents.

And another thing, if you have a electric carving knife for Turkeys, they work great on cutting foam. Used them to make seat cushions from big blocks.

Thanks!
Good info! If I do something like this again I will have to find one!

 

[t-man]

Bought my fiance, mama to be, a new car that has 3rd row seating for all of our family.
2011 Mazda CX-9 Touring, AWD, Leather, all the bells and whistles!



She seems to be excited...

 

[having fun]

Was finally able to park next to a stock 4runner today. I'm only a "little" bigger..

That's what I said when I parked next to [MENTION=25740]awdjunkies[/MENTION], all he could say was yours is a beast. LOL.

 

[t-man]

That's what I said when I parked next to [MENTION=25740]awdjunkies[/MENTION], all he could say was yours is a beast. LOL.

Lol, I keep telling him he needs to get a little lift on that beast! I'd love to come help install everything too, just need to win the lotto so I can afford to drive out there... lol

 

[having fun]

I offered up my services in the past before I meet the MAN, other obligation interfered.
He knows when he decides/can do these up grades, he's got my number.

 

[t-man]

Pulled out the Gibson yesterday evening and had a muffler shop make me a straight pipe to replace it. Damn muffler was a real ***** to get out! Pretty much welded itself in there. The inside of those mufflers look like a glasspack! Never would've thought that.
Anyways, I'll get a pic in a little bit here but the sound...It is deep and throaty! At idle there's not a difference in sound, it has more growl if you are accelerating lightly like a normal human being, but get on it and she SCREAMS!! I freakin love it!!! It's a little louder in the cabin but does not drone as there isn't a muffler to vibrate the tubing and create the harmonics. It kind of sounds like glass packs but it doesn't have that popping and high pitched sounds associated with glass packs. I will be driving it for a 2 hour drive today and then a bunch of us are going to the offroad park tomorrow for the day so I will report how it is on longer drives.

 

[t-man]

Twisted Trails Offroad Park

Took the kids and went offroading today!! We had a blast! I had people all over telling me how awesome my truck looked and that it was a tank the way it went through everything. I was climbing hills that Jeeps were having a very hard time on, or not able to make up, with ease! It was great!! My favorite part was a flock of Chevy's on swampers trying to climb this big hill. I watched them one by one take several attempts and finally make it up the easy spot. As they were jumping out and celebrating I promptly drove up and down all 3 of the hard, off-camber, and washed out lines, without spinning. I stopped at the top because they were all watching me and pointing and asked them where the hard hills were? One told me the only thing I had left to do was drive up backwords. I wish I could've taken more pics but I was to busy bombing around. My son took some video's which I need to look at and upload, if they aren't to bad. lol
Here's some pics of the RTI ramp and random vehicles in peril. :guitar3:

 

[t-man]

Here's a video of a dumbass jumping his Jeep and destroying the rear end!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/v1tlnc8xkpfq4c5/2015-03-21%2022.11.08.mp4?dl=0

 

[awdjunkies]

Lol, I keep telling him he needs to get a little lift on that beast! I'd love to come help install everything too, just need to win the lotto so I can afford to drive out there... lol

I offered up my services in the past before I meet the MAN, other obligation interfered.
He knows when he decides/can do these up grades, he's got my number.

You guys are AWESOME!! Thank you for being Exceptional, and compassionate Human beings!! :hatsoff::hail::tea:

 

[t-man]

You guys are AWESOME!! Thank you for being Exceptional, and compassionate Human beings!! :hatsoff::hail::tea:

It's our pleasure my friend!

 

[t-man]

Here's some pics my oldest son took.

 

[t-man]

Here's some video's my son took. Disclaimer: CAUTION!!! He CAN'T seem to hold the camera still! I am not responsible for motion sickness, blurred vision, seizures, etc caused by watching this shaky-as-hell video!!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ozuee34yjis07yf/VIDEO0004.mp4?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/9fbf8orsz7wu5dt/VIDEO0005.mp4?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/wmopwmhvvqvn7go/VIDEO0006.mp4?dl=0