Lights look good, i'm looking forward to meeting you and RBx tomorrow.

 

so for the pictures (as if i don't have enough)

i got a nice switch off of ebay. i think it's a defroster switch (same plug, same internal workings), but with a different symbol and lense


and it looks factory, so i was stoked about that


my dash for most of wednesday


when i wired the lights up, i wanted to be sure that i didn't leave them on to drain the battery (again). so i wired them up to a relay controlled by both the switch and the light reminder relay. here is where i tapped it. (green is +12v when the running lights are on)


now for some test shots. all of these were shot at the same exposure and about the same angle

low beams


high beams


hellas


i angled them lower than the high beams, yet a bit higher than the lows. it works out nicely, and doesn't blind people. i have noticed that there are fewer people trying to cut me off







in the words of the great porky pig:
abalee abalee abalee that's all, folks!

 

Looks great Ian!

 

nice! i might have to get a couple of those when my bumper gets here. they look good man!

 

thanks! i'm really happy how well they turned out. now to find a roof bar and put some up top

as if you don't have enough already! haha, just kidding...
thanks. i like how you have those two that face backward

 

haha thanks man. oh and those seats look real good man

 

yay. 10 pages!

went up to bal'more to meet up with rb and brian. had a great time, got the yellow 4runner's lights all hooked up, and checked out some cool rides. a repeat is definitely a must

next up is the thermostat. it's still stuck open (or partly open). i'm just going to drain a little bit, but i need to get it done. i'll do a full flush whenever my garden hose un-freezes

 

Man, I missed a lot!!!!!!!! GREAT WORK, MAN! Love the seats! Dang, you really got me itching for some new rump-cushions! lol. Love the lights, too.

Really lookin good, man!

Mark

 

It looks like you do some very clean work ! great job!

 

hey guys! thanks mark. yeah, the seats are really nice. i just need to find some more seat rails to put in the passenger seat, but the driver's seat is über comfy. i'm planning on getting either a light bar or (my first choice) a yakima/thule rack system with a cargo basket. then i'd put lights on the front of that

thanks 82. i do try to make everything look close to factory. it's the reason i got the fog light switch. every time i go to the junk yard, i try to find as many switches, knobs, plugs, and other stuff to add on. that way, if i add something, it looks like it came that way from the dealer

 

Thanks again for the help with the lights Ian!

 

thermostat is in! the truck used to get warm in 10+ minutes. now: less than 4 to operating temperature

before:

after:

it's sooooooo nice having heat almost as soon as i start it up

now for the pics:

the new t-stat and gasket


some "before" shots for refference




looks like i need a new radiator. not until it gets warmer, though


hoses out of the way, clear shot to the t-stat housing


old t-stat. notice the lovely gasket


and for comparison. the old t-stat's valve seal smeared. and yep, it was stuck open




new t-stat in. much better!


and 5 minutes later, a sight i had't seen in a loooong time


compared to what it used to be
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ianrab/5225175859/
wooo

 

and i might as well show you all what i gave (made) my family for christmas.

bicycle headlights!




beam shot! it's much brighter in person, and with fresh batteries

 

Woot! ....on the Cooling system update. AWESOME, and it probably runs better too, eh? I see that's a Dealer Stat, .....good choice!

What's next on the plans, other than the apparatus in the bed you're doing?

 

Awesome!! Nearly instant heat is definitly good, especially when its down right cold out.

 

i had heard good things about the dual stage t-stat. so far, so good. i'll see how it is after a hundred mile commute tomorrow

next up will probably be a new laptop followed closely by a new radiator and villager electric fan
yeah. 10+ minutes of ff-ff--f-f----fu--fffuu--ffu--fu-reezing cold cab is a thing of the past. and i'm sure it'll be better for the engine, too (oh yeah, that thing )

 

lets make it 11 pages

 

not quite yet... still need to post more pictures and stuff.

side note: i was going to get a rad from radiator barn. i've read good stuff on here about them. 3 rows all metal sounds good to me

 

shout out to irab for helping my get my inclinometer, by finding it, driving out to pick it up, shipping it with blind faith and me receiving it on the other side of the country all in less than a week. A real stand up guy.

 

hey, thanks. and it was not a problem. i drive by that yard twice a day, and there are post offices everywhere.

so, yesterday...

yesterday i ran out of gas
i got a ride to the gas station and had no issues after putting 3 gallons in and filling up. actually, it started up on the first crank after being run out. in case anyone is wondering, extended wheelbase gas tank stats:
capacity: 19.2 us gal
usable: 19.1 us gal
so now it's time for a jerry can. i'll eventually have a new rear bumper, but till then i'll just store it in the cap. anyone know of a good source?