So, I did a thing

[Soup DeVille]

steelies and balloon tires now

Patience.

First thing is getting the running boards off.

[CaminoRacer]

You didn't even get to that step with the first one, huh?

[68_427]

I like the running boards.  You just need the rear spoiler to balance it out.

[FoMoJo]

Patience.

First thing is getting the running boards off.

Why would you do that?  They look good, imo.

[Soup DeVille]

Why would you do that?  They look good, imo.

They look shitty, and they actually do the opposite of what they're supposed to do. They're too small to make a good step, but enough of a hindrance to make sure to wipe some road grime off on my pant leg almost every time.

[Eye of the Tiger]

They look shitty, and they actually do the opposite of what they're supposed to do. They're too small to make a good step, but enough of a hindrance to make sure to wipe some road grime off on my pant leg almost every time.

I agree 9000%
Running boards are the dumbest thing ever, especially when you need to put it on a two post lift.

[FoMoJo]

They look shitty, and they actually do the opposite of what they're supposed to do. They're too small to make a good step, but enough of a hindrance to make sure to wipe some road grime off on my pant leg almost every time.

I had the same problem with the '01 Escape I had.  I never used the running boards whenever I got in or out and it did usually smear the bottom of my pant legs when it had picked up some road grime, but my wife and daughter always used the passenger side running board when getting in or out.  I guess it just depends on the length of your legs as to whether they are an advantage or a disadvantage.

[Soup DeVille]

I had the same problem with the '01 Escape I had.  I never used the running boards whenever I got in or out and it did usually smear the bottom of my pant legs when it had picked up some road grime, but my wife and daughter always used the passenger side running board when getting in or out.  I guess it just depends on the length of your legs as to whether they are an advantage or a disadvantage.

It's ok. My daughter can jump.

[mzziaz]

When did you roast the old one?

[Soup DeVille]

When did you roast the old one?

Jan 22.

[mzziaz]

Jan 22.

Oh, missed that. Fuel related?

[Soup DeVille]

Oh, missed that. Fuel related?

Apparently a known but rare failure involving the starter relay, or at least that's what I suspect.

[CALL_911]

I like the first one more, but I still really dig this one. Congrats man

[Soup DeVille]

I like the first one more, but I still really dig this one. Congrats man

I did like the green better, but it seems like that's a relatively rare color.

[shp4man]

Soup, may the car gods smile upon your vehicle, and may it live long, and prosper.    Yoitabiwo!

[AutobahnSHO]

SHWEET WAGON D00D


Plus the 'Yota looks great!

[MX793]

Should wrap the sides with wood-pattern vinyl.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Should wrap the sides with wood-pattern vinyl.

Or wrap it in bacon and wait for it to catch fire.

[Raza]

Your first one caught fire!?

[Soup DeVille]

Your first one caught fire!?

Yes.

[Raza]

Yes.

Did you fall asleep while blowtorching something?

[Soup DeVille]

Did you fall asleep while blowtorching something?

Oh man, if I had a dollar for everytime I did that...

No, spontaneous  vehicular combustion. The details are in the Mall Crawler thread.

[Raza]

Oh man, if I had a dollar for everytime I did that...

No, spontaneous  vehicular combustion. The details are in the Mall Crawler thread.

Not that it's any comfort to you, but every single vehicle I've ever seen on fire on the side of the road has been Japanese (mostly Nissans, but one Civic Si).  I think it's a cultural thing.   

Good luck with this new one.  Is there anything you can do as preventative maintenance, or do you just have to worry about it all the time and park it outside rather than in the garage?

[Soup DeVille]

Not that it's any comfort to you, but every single vehicle I've ever seen on fire on the side of the road has been Japanese (mostly Nissans, but one Civic Si).  I think it's a cultural thing.   

Good luck with this new one.  Is there anything you can do as preventative maintenance, or do you just have to worry about it all the time and park it outside rather than in the garage?

The suspect part traces back to a specific number of starter relays. I've already ordered a "safe" replacement, even though the chances of this one being one of the suspect ones is infinitesimal.

And I've also removed the stupid plastic cover Toyota puts over these engines, which some suspect may contribute to flammable material like leaves getting trapped under there. Once I got it off, I wonder why it was there: the intake manifold is one of the prettier ones I've seen stock.

[Eye of the Tiger]

The suspect part traces back to a specific number of starter relays. I've already ordered a "safe" replacement, even though the chances of this one being one of the suspect ones is infinitesimal.

And I've also removed the stupid plastic cover Toyota puts over these engines, which some suspect may contribute to flammable material like leaves getting trapped under there. Once I got it off, I wonder why it was there: the intake manifold is one of the prettier ones I've seen stock.

Mall runners don't want intake noise to interrupt their teeny bopper pop.

[Soup DeVille]

Mall runners don't want intake noise to interrupt their teeny bopper pop.

It's literally just a plastic pan. No sound deadening material at all.

[MrH]

They look shitty, and they actually do the opposite of what they're supposed to do. They're too small to make a good step, but enough of a hindrance to make sure to wipe some road grime off on my pant leg almost every time.

Yep.  I had the exact same problem with the 4runner.  I just rubbed salt onto my pants every time getting out of the thing.

[Eye of the Tiger]

It's literally just a plastic pan. No sound deadening material at all.

Fast fact: Nissan did not put the plastic engine cover, or the plastic under engine panel on the Versa S for sport. You should have looked for a Land Cruiser S.

[BimmerM3]

Not that it's any comfort to you, but every single vehicle I've ever seen on fire on the side of the road has been Japanese (mostly Nissans, but one Civic Si).  I think it's a cultural thing.   

My parents burned up a Mazda, but it was a Tribute so I'm gonna count it as American.

[SVT_Power]

My parents burned up a Mazda, but it was a Tribute so I'm gonna count it as American.

If there's a car that's got a name suited to going up in flames...