I'm a car geek and always looking to fix up my rides but on a budget. I could never find the info I needed so I decided to Blog then later do YouTube videos.
Being a father of 3 I have to be mindful with the toys I want and the toys my kids want.
Join me for information about my stuff and thoughts about making them nicer. I've introduced my kids when I can as my helpers.
www.youtube.com/RobDaman
Instagram: @_robdaman
I've been trying to get a few videos out before year end.
It's been hectic with the kids and work to get my vids out. Even a 3 minute video takes me a couple hours to edit at a time. I'm trying to get out some quality content when possible.
I've gotten 8 videos out this month and 5 of them have been consecutive. My goal is to get out at least 4 more this month.
I truly appreciate all the positive feedback I've gotten on TacomaWorld, YouTube, Instagram, Reddit and Facebook.
Also I've met some of guys locally and it's been a pleasure.
Please comment on any of my social media on anything in particular you would like me to discuss.
I just set up a Wasserstein Solar Panel almost 2 weeks ago. So far it's doing great! I'll have an update to it shorty. I've read the Netgear version has been a failure.
Not only I'm working on my "Subscriber Showcase" episodes, I'm doing "Taco Talk."
This week's Taco Talk are about the changes Toyota has done to them. Production is starting to begin in Texas and Mexico so there should be some allocation by December.
Check out my quick 3 minute video about it and also about my 2018 inspired taillights
I've been busy so busy with the family that I've been behind on my product reviews so I've decided to do an almost daily blast of videos to get things out of the way.
It's been a big learning curve for me to get the good clean video for people. I have to say thanks so much for your support! I even put myself more in the vids because of that.
Here are just a weeks' work of videos and I still have more down the pipe! Haha!
Yes folks. After 10,000 miles my clutch pedal developed an annoying creak. It happens after some time driving and when it's warm indicating the lubricants could be failing at a certain viscosity.
It gets really stiff when it does this as well.
I took it to the dealer and they couldn't duplicate the issue and lubed up all the joints. Well I drove it the next day and boom! Creaking is back. Now it's not as loud as I documented in the video but it's there.
There isn't a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) or recall on this year. There is one for the 2005-2015 second generations which they replace the entire pedal assembly. I'm curious which parts have been carried over to the third gen.
It's a good truck overall but this sure is annoying. Nobody can get everything perfect but they do need to strive just a tad more. I wanted to add too that I'm not the only person with this issue so it's not an 'bitter owner' syndrome.
Check out my videos and please post if you're a victim as well.
So I plan on taking it to service soon but I wanted to do a video to demo the noise and also see how many others are having this issue. I'm at 10k miles and it's bugging me.
I had a YouTube subscriber inquire on what caused my starting/driving/idling issues.
The symptoms were that the car would stall and buckle while driving. I'd lose power at times and it would come back. Sometimes I could start it again and drive off for a few miles without issue.
It came to a point that I couldn't start it. It would crank but that's it. Then sometimes it was nice and start but then die. This was totally frustrating.
I looked at the basic stuff first. The fuses! I didn't see anything wrong. I read about relays. Again I tracked them what I thought could be the culprit but no go. Maybe it was a fuel issue so I thought since the inline pump was really loud that was it. Or perhaps the fuel filter got clogged.
I changed both and thought it was the issue but nope! I did even did a video on it.
Well to say the least I was frustrated! I gave up and decided to take it to a specialist.
They spent several hours and figured it out! It was a fusible link! Basically it's a wafer that's inline with the wire that blows like a fuse but isn't replaceable.
It was located under the rear seat and it ran from the battery in the trunk all the way to the ECU by the glove compartment. I had no clue the car had one.
Well $350 later it's running without issue! I hope you guys can find your problem on the cheap.
I was excited to hear the great news that my Taco did so well on this safety test. I think it should have gotten top rating though and I've talked about it on my YouTube channel. I even put my face on it! haha!
I love to blog but Vlogging is fun as well.
Let me know if you would like me to do more write ups or vids up.
I appreciate all your likes and comments on my YouTube and Instagram accounts.
I ended up picking up a Pedal Commander for my Taco. It's a doohickey that adds more voltage to the drive-by-wire gas pedals that many newish cars (2000+) have versus the old fashion cable throttle.
I loved it in my Golf R and did a video on it. It's actually my highest viewing video ever by a landslide!
My theory...and I say mine is manufacturers wanted to get the highest EPA MPG ratings they can so if a driver can't make their car go fast or they feel it won't go, they'll put less efforts and accelerating which in turns saves gas. Little did they know drivers decided to punch it all the time at full WOT (Wide Open Throttle) or simply mashed the gas!
This has actually helped people get better mpg.
Check out my video on YouTube and see for yourself. Thanks for reading!
This time I went with friends but didn't take the easy way. In fact I went up partially what they call Jeep Hill and chickened out. I'm a noob and literally just figured out 4LO engaged properly. Yea I know..I should read the manual...or how about just the card on the visor?
Anyhow here's a few pics but the best highlights are on my video.
I've been eyeing SCS Ray10 wheels for some time and had an opportunity to get a set. I like them. They have an aggressive offset of -12 for a 16x8 wheel but I think they look great. It's the maximum amount of poke I'd want to add. Any more and it's overBRO.
Now I need to do a new video with all my mods...stay tuned...
A friend of mine just picked up a Jeep Wrangler and added a lift. He called me and invited me out to Cleghorn along with a few others to have some off-road fun. You may have seen my Holy Jim post which was my first off-road outing. It's rated "easy" at Holy Jim. Now Cleghorn can go from mild to wild depending on the path you choose. I've seen 2wd trucks taking some paths so if you ever want to go, just go...but be sure you take someone who knows where they're going unless you're okay backtracking.
I learned a few things with my Taco. I should have run 4LO with traction control off when I tried going up the steep hill. I literally had no power and I smelled my clutch smoke. Now I know. lol
So the order of driving was the TRD Pro 4runner because he's been here the most. 2nd was the Sport 4x4 Taco with Kings suspension. 3rd was my buddy's lifted Jeep and me with stock suspension.
My boys were excited to go on this outing and you can see it in the end.
TacomaWorld set up a meet in Signal Hill California which was fortunately close to me. My boys like their food and so do I.
We arrived at a little after 5pm and tacos were already there.
There were all generations but the majority was 2nd gens. I love all the gens and was actually looking for a 1st gen but there weren't any good deals to be had which held true for 2nd gens so I went with my 3rd gen which I really like.
Check out my video and this cool rig that has $100k in mods!!! no kidding!
Jason Payne bought his BBP Tacoma just 6 weeks ago and he was surfing the web for mods.
He found my YouTube Channel and started looking at all the mods I did. Jason was so interested he posted several questions on each of my videos. His first mod was the TRD Pro grill. He then focused on getting some wheels. He's become a BRO PRO / PRO BRO!
He lives out in Nevada but was visiting family here in SoCal as well as doing a few mods. This is when I did my mini photoshoot and decided to do my first Subscriber Showcase.
I've had my YouTube channel for a few years posting up DIY and reviews on my car mods but since getting the Taco I've been posting more frequently and getting lots of positive feedback and actually doubling my subscribers in just under 2 months.
As thanks for getting 500 subscribers on my YouTube channel. I'm doing a free giveaway of a set of MostPlus H11 LEDs or a Wasserstein Anywhere mount for a Arlo Pro that I reviewed a few months ago.
The rules are... to check out my YouTube video, subscribe if you haven't, LIKE and comment.
After 100 likes I will have a website that scans for comments to pick the winner. Thanks all for all the support!
So from my earlier post I mentioned what a huge pain it was to work on the BHLM without a true oven. Not only was that part just awful but working on scraping out the hard sealant. I just gave up instead and bought a set that was done with Lexus RX350 projectors. I gotta say this mod isn't cheap weather you do it or pay for them.
I received the package and went to work on my Taco. I should have seen that since I wasn't feeling that great that I should put it off for another day but I was too excited. I didn't follow my gut.
I had problems just taking the fender flares and bumper off. It still wasn't too bad UNTIL I popped the new headlights on. I cracked them!💔
It's not too bad but I know it's there. Such a noob move.
I can tell you that I won't ever mess with headlights again besides changing the bulbs.
Check out my video on the performance. I have to admit they do look good!
I decided to do some drone video as well as handheld stabilizer videos of my Bimmer after cleaning her up today.
I was told that it looked like a GTA video game style excerpt which is cool to hear. 😆 I'm a noob at videography so I'm constantly trying to improve my skills.
I hadn't driven it for so long I forgot how fun and nimble it is. I plan on doing more videos in the near future.
Busy toggling the Tacoma and the kids so it's a struggle but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Today I swapped out the oem halogen fog lights and installed LEDs. It's 6000k and matches my DRL and lowbeams.
Overall it's a good product except for a screw that protrudes enough to prevent an easy install to the headlights but works fine but a tad snug to the fog light housing.
If you guys don't know what BLHM means...it's a acronym for Black Head Light Mod. The parts inside the headlights are usually a chrome so to be different or sleeker, you open them up to black them out or perhaps paint them body color. Other retrofits can happen like HID projectors, angel eyes, demon eyes, etc...
Well the first thing to do is to open them up. Normally you'll need an oven but yours truly doesn't have one [LONG STORY] so I had to ghetto rig one using my electric roasting oven (works great for cooking moist turkey) and a cardbox box plus aluminum foil. I had tried a heatgun the the darn black housing would melt before the sealant got gooey. That sealant is a biggest PITA mofo in the world. I've done a retrofit with my Evo X headlights and these are just horrible to open up.
ghetto oven
First attempt with my "oven" failed miserably. I couldn't get anything even slightly apart and it got really ugly. I kept on raising the heat more and more. I gave up after 3 hours of sweating and cursing. This was a few nights ago.
Tonight I decided to give it another go. After 2 hours of heat and reheat I was able to crack them open. I decided to give the other light a try. Well I got it apart in 1 hour!!! That took 3 reheats total to get them open. The issue is the you need to get a good amount of heat on it so the inside sealant gives way but not to melt the black housing or 'bucket' as some call it.
At least I'm improving. My fingers are sore though. I still need to take them apart for black out and think of maybe doing other stuff to them.
Stay tuned!
serious it took a lot of work.
So far I've disassembled them and did a hyperlapse video of that.
Next thing was painting. The reflectors were actually tinted with Rustoleum tint spray so I'm hoping it would still reflect vs just regular black paint.
Took the Taco on it's maiden voyage on getting it's feed dirty.
It was an easy ride overall on the trail as I was even behind a Honda Civic and a Fit later so if you avid hikers who don't down a truck or suv wanted to go on a hike to Holy Jim you would be fine...If you watched out for big dips. If you get car sick easily I recommend not to go.
There offshoots that can get hairy which I tried then backed out. I didn't have 4LO engaged properly and it was beeping at me! I should have read the instructions but oh well. lol
Jonah had a blast and got really dirty but hey it is an offroad adventure.
My video footage is a little lengthy as I wanted to show the noobs like myself what to expect when driving there. I had no clue and just kept going till I hit the hiking trail entrance.
I bought a Arlo Pro camera system to help watch my house and record anyone who wants to trespass. I see you!!!!
So I've had a few reviews about some Wasserstein products. I thought I would recap the goodies that I got and also post up a few pics that will help answer questions of my YouTube viewers.
I will update this post as needed. Thanks for checking out my blog, Youtube and Instagram @photos_by_rob
So there were 2 questions regarding the 20 feet usb cables and if they would fit the magnetic dome mount and the screw mount.
For the magnetic mount the angle cannot be too steep if the camera is upright. However if flipped upside-down it works. The arlo website or mobile app has a camera setting to flip the image. I have had zero problems with this.
max angle when upright
Little bit more when flipped upside down
Screw mount goes 90 degrees with no issue.
This is how I have one of my cameras attached using the screw mount which addresses the other question. The cable works with the screw mount in either orientation.
Just tested a few other products that mount the Arlo. I really like them and have a great hold. (see first 2 videos below)
Here are the products I've reviewed so far.
Anywhere mount: http://amzn.to/2s7q0ia
Silicone skin covers: : http://amzn.to/2iyBCaR
20 foot usb cables: http://amzn.to/2s2LEp5
magnetic / ceiling mount review: http://amzn.to/2eS94rV
suction mount : http://amzn.to/2v2QT9x
This weekend I decided to wash my wife's car then after get into cleaning up my Bimmer. It's been sitting for weeks collecting dirt. I have plantar fasciitis in my left foot so I've been avoiding the heavy clutch. My Taco is stick but it's just way too easy and painless but that's another story.
So this Wolfgang sealant does not clean up the paint in any manner. It's a straight sealant that lasts longer than a wax but gives that deep shine. You can in fact put wax over it.
The key is curing time. You need to let the car sit as long as you can up to 14 hours to really cure and away from moisture. My cars are outside so I have no choice to be less time. My Taco has a coat of that stuff and it's been 3 weeks. It's still super slick.
I put it on the windows and if you have any chrome put it there too. I also added them to the wheels. Just a fyi, Ronal LS or other BBS mesh style suck to clean. Major PITA to get all areas free of brake dust.
Check out my video and some unaltered pics of the shiny beast!
So after getting my TRD "BRO" Pro grill I decided to fiddle with accentuating the letters.
I had extra cans of red so here I went...
Yesterday I decided to shoot my Quicksand basecoat on the letters and tone it down. I even used Plastidip Glossifier on top and it's holding fine.
Give the stuff a try if you want to see what a color looks like before you make it permanent. It helps protect it from the elements too. Just be sure to put plenty and I mean PLENTY of coats of you'll be hating life trying to pick up small remnants of the stuff.
So I caved in got me a grill. I got it used so it helped with the cost. The cheapest new one so far is $393 from ebay. I just can't pay that much for one. They are nice but damn it's still $$$$. The metal grills out there are even more. I've seen some up to $800! Yikes, no thanks.
Picked up a 75 inch TV the other night. Guess who won?
Taco!!!!
I could have loaded it flat but I didn't want the tailgate flapping around. If I had a tailgate extender that locks down the gate I would have done it. It was a 25+ mile trip all freeway and I didn't trust my luck.
So if you guys are pondering if a Tacoma short bed can take a TV...here's the proof it can!!!!
My recently acquired Samsung S8 plus has a 'pro' mode where you can save pics in in RAW form. For all the non-photographers out there it is an uncompressed picture file. What that does is not to shrink the shot into a jpeg with some algorithms to make the pic look nice. RAW sounds what it means. It's literally a raw file for someone to tweak the way they want. A typical jpeg file size on this phone is around 2-3 megabytes. A RAW file is around 24 megabytes so you can tell there's a lot more info to work with.
So yesterday I took a few shots and I used a sideshot which came out decent. I wanted to remove a few things to reduce clutter and distractions.
If you look at my before and after you can see the trailer on the right is gone and so is the light post. A few other things were removed too. I'm pretty slow at it so this took me an hour and while I could have done more I didn't since it's not going to be for distribution.
Today I found a deal on a set of TRD Pro wheels from a 17 Tacoma with BFG KO2s. The price was too good to avoid. The current wheel tire set up has some sort of vibration coming on and off at around 65-70 mph so I thought I may as well try another set of wheels just to make sure it's not something on the truck. I mean make an excuse to get more wheels and tires that is. haha.
The Goodyear Duratrac tires do look really good and aggressive but there's a hum that unless you turn up the music it's there and you can feel the tires wind down to a stop.
No freeway tests on the Kbro yet but I'll post some youtube feedback on it soon.
Kbros
duratracs
got dark quick so the pick isn't that clear but you get the jist.
So since I was getting my sliders put on the Taco, I asked Ryan from Shmellfab to hook up his Hi-Lift jack using this custom adapter to lift up the side of my truck. Everybody who sells sliders like to do this to show how strong their sliders are and how it can support the weight of the truck so why not me, right?
I recently decided in case my mall crawler ever hits dirt I should have protection. After doing research and seeing the costs of shipping a set to me I decided to see if there were any local fabricators.
I found one on the forum I've frequented a lot Tacoma World in the 2nd gen forums. Ryan of Shmellfab only has 1 thread posting about his work. The good thing is the mounting points of a 3rd (2016-2017) gen Tacoma are exactly the same as a 2nd generation (2005-2015) Tacoma. He does have to make an adjustment to the front of the slider when he builds it but that's about it. Another reason I wanted to go local is that he would install it. I'm a DIY guy as you know but certain things I leave it to the professionals especially when it comes to something heavy above my head.
I stopped by his home where he builds the sliders and we did a video to showcase his work and install.
I have to say his work is clean and they are solid on the Taco.
If you're local I'd recommend buying his products.
