What have you done to your 200 Series this week? (32 Viewers)

[Dan Higgins]

I added a Ram Mount for my iPad mini based on others here - thanks @Romer, @TJsTACOMA, @Dan Higgins, @Willy beamin, among several others for their variants which served as a baseline for this. My first test drive to work this morning made me wish I had done this sooner - great mapping software combined with a nice viewing angle means this will be very handy on the trail, perhaps other applications as well.

: iPad mini w/ LifeProof case - Gen2 from Verizon but no active data plan, just a working GPS antenna
: Tablet X-Grip - RAM-HOL-UN8BCU
: Medium length arm - RAM-201U
: 1.5" ball mount - RAM-238U
(note - be sure to select Ram components that all match, i.e. 1.5" or size 'C')
: 3M double sided mounting tape to fill in minor gaps between ball mount and plastic trim cut to fit using an x-acto knife
: Pan head bolts with fender washers and nylocks (like those shown on post #79 of Romer's Build)
: Black rattle can paint to top off the zinc pan heads and make it match (I know this won't be permanent but 'good enough for who it's for')

Viewing angle is great, and it does not block any of the console controls, and there is no physical interference for the passenger. Others have used the long arm vs. the medium arm I purchased - either should work based on your preference.

The photos show the 3M tape as grey when it really is black and blends in very well - just an FYI since my phone's camera using LED interior lights and parking garage fluorescents seem to muck up the photo. When I was doing a dry fit of all the components, I didn't like how there were micro gaps between the ball mount base and the plastic trim next to the knee pad; also, the double sided tape seemed like it would give additional support although it probably is not needed.

So, not as glamorous as a custom bumper build or other bada$$ mods happening recently (a lot of great options seem to be growing exponentially!) but sometimes the simple mods are rewarding in their own regard.

One banana mod

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Well done, Kevin! It may not seem as sexy as a new bumper but I'll bet you will get more use out of it than just about any other mod. I thought I would just use it for off road exploring but I find it very handy for lots of things. So many apps. And with "Hey, Siri" I can use my iPad to send and reply to text messages hand/eyes-free, tell it to play/shuffle specific music, find directions to a location and more. And you are spot on with the navigation/gps apps. I will often have Earthmate (I have an inReach) open even while making road trips on pavement as the contour lines and location labels help me identify landmarks and geological formations I can see from the road and the elevation info gives me a quick look at how high we are. Of course there are others as well.

My setup is not as stable as I expect your is (I went with the floor mount) but I over time I have grown accustomed to it. I just bob my head in sync with the iPad.

 

[mcgaskins]

I did a ton of stuff to get the truck ready for Moab, and I haven't had time to post about it. I installed Slee's LED fog light conversion kit with Rigid midnight edition d series lights (blacked out looking lense, hardware, brackets, etc.) and the ARB LED turn signals. It came out really nice and looks great in person. It really sharpens and modernizes the look of the bull bar. A couple pics from the install and before and after. I took some time to clean up additional wiring while I was in there, and it came out really nice.

 

[TonyP]

Shiny yellow things and a ram mount. While doing the front I found a CV boot looking haggard with a pinhole so ordered new PS/DS boots. Plus I dislodged the CV bearings anyways and had to pull the boots off. Word of advice, don't yank your spindle too hard with the uca unbolted, the CV bearings will pop out of the housing. I've done a ton of suspension work before, just a dumb move on my part. Guess I'll pull the CVs off tomorrow and park it for a week.

 

[Swampmonger]

Removed the dealer tramp stamp.

 

[Markuson]

Removed the dealer tramp stamp.

Man I hate when dealers stick those on...! Seems like they should have to pay to put those on there...

 

[mark71]

Found a this on Amazon and it turned out to have every plastic clip that I've seen (and broke) on the 200. Definitely was Toyota specific.

Amazon.com: AFA [166 Pcs] Toyota Trim Clips Set - Most Popular Sizes & Applications - Free Fastener Remover: Automotive

So I was finally able to put the apron back on that fits right in front of the radiator (the one the hood latch fits through). Also had the correct clips for the DS air guide that has to be removed when you replace the radiator. Even appears to have the right clips to replace the ones you bust when you remove the fender liner to install aftermarket bumper (didn't get to that one yet). Saw several interior clips that I recognized from installing my battery monitor, but somehow didn't break those. Comes with a pretty cool removal tool that appears perfect for the job. Best of all, the inside lid is labeled with exactly what each fastener is so that you know exactly what to reorder when you run out. Totally recommend this.

 

[Markuson]

Found a this on Amazon and it turned out to have every plastic clip that I've seen (and broke) on the 200. Definitely was Toyota specific.

Amazon.com: AFA [166 Pcs] Toyota Trim Clips Set - Most Popular Sizes & Applications - Free Fastener Remover: Automotive

So I was finally able to put the apron back on that fits right in front of the radiator (the one the hood latch fits through). Also had the correct clips for the DS air guide that has to be removed when you replace the radiator. Even appears to have the right clips to replace the ones you bust when you remove the fender liner to install aftermarket bumper (didn't get to that one yet). Saw several interior clips that I recognized from installing my battery monitor, but somehow didn't break those. Comes with a pretty cool removal tool that appears perfect for the job. Best of all, the inside lid is labeled with exactly what each fastener is so that you know exactly what to reorder when you run out. Totally recommend this.

Ordered. Thanks!

 

[RET2]

Me too !! Hey thanks for the heads up

 

[SQRRRL]

I liked all the TUNDRA/ TRAIL TAILOR recovery points P/C'd red. I'm not going to use my LC for the gnar but liked the look so I P/C'd all 4 OEM corners. Looks good.

 

[Swampmonger]

Set up my Driver 1 and Driver 2 info screens and turned off the Eco light. I really liked it in my 4Runner, but not so much in the LC.

 

[BennyGP]

Finally got my plate i just ordered the license plate frame.

 

[wtmtnterror]

Started my TJM front bumper install, @Markuson I got one of the remaining from Slee. Ordered Monday got it Thursday. @Archtaan thanks for the write up with details! Should be done tomorrow 10 hrs is definitely a good estimate...

 

[wtmtnterror]

Finished up today, well mostly. As @Archtaan mentioned the weather pack connections are not the same so I don't have the lights wired up yet.

 

[TRD Burglar]

Took a pretty good hit on my skid plates on Fins-n-Things in Moab

 

[mcgaskins]

Took a pretty good hit on my skid plates on Fins-n-Things in Moab

Ouch! Where on the trail did that happen? I ran it 3 times a couple weeks ago and didn't hit much besides dragging my rear bumper of course.

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

Took a pretty good hit on my skid plates on Fins-n-Things in Moab

That doesn't surprise me, ARB skids are only 3mm thick. That's 1/8" steel, and weaker than a 1/4" aluminum.

I know, I know, yes I'm going to mention BudBuilt again, but that is why his skids are 3/16" or 4.8 mm thick.
Before and after hard hit on skids on rock course.

Just knocked off the spray paint, that's all.

He offers 1/8", but that is only for people who don't plan to play in rocks, and just need something stronger than stock, and to save the drivetrain, but the skids won't last past one hit, as just shown from those ARB skids.

 

[TRD Burglar]

Ouch! Where on the trail did that happen? I ran it 3 times a couple weeks ago and didn't hit much besides dragging my rear bumper of course.

On the northern section of Fins-n-Things there's a cattle gaurd for some reason with a bit of a drop off on the far side. I didn't realize how big the drop was and I landed pretty hard. The skids did there JOB I guess, but I would expect them to hold up a bit better than this. At some point, I'll replace both the ARB skids and "sliders" with a set from Budbuilt. I had them on my FJ, they are hard to beat.

 

[Brett19648]

1) blacked out the chrome on my grill. I took it out, did the disassembly, and prep. My neighbor who owns a antique car restoration business sprayed it for me.

2) modified some super white H9 bulbs and swapped them. Light output seems a little better and temp is more to my liking.

3) swapped out the differential and transfer case oil for amsoil severe gear 75w90, greased the driveshafts and thunk appears to be gone. lets see how long it lasts.

Next week off to Mainline Overland to get the suspension installed.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Found a this on Amazon and it turned out to have every plastic clip that I've seen (and broke) on the 200. Definitely was Toyota specific.

Amazon.com: AFA [166 Pcs] Toyota Trim Clips Set - Most Popular Sizes & Applications - Free Fastener Remover: Automotive

So I was finally able to put the apron back on that fits right in front of the radiator (the one the hood latch fits through). Also had the correct clips for the DS air guide that has to be removed when you replace the radiator. Even appears to have the right clips to replace the ones you bust when you remove the fender liner to install aftermarket bumper (didn't get to that one yet). Saw several interior clips that I recognized from installing my battery monitor, but somehow didn't break those. Comes with a pretty cool removal tool that appears perfect for the job. Best of all, the inside lid is labeled with exactly what each fastener is so that you know exactly what to reorder when you run out. Totally recommend this.

We have a kit like that and use it a ton on any of the newer Toyota bumper/snorkel installs. That is a great price too!

 

[NLScooby]

I upgraded all my flexible brake lines with extended-length, stainless braided lines from Crown Performance. I also flushed the brake system with fresh fluid. My brakes feel a bit more responsive/firm.
Now to go CRV hunting....(like @TonyP).....
This was a P6 on the Use of Profanities Scale.