Todd @tltech sent me rev2 of my 93 perf tune, which I loaded today. Truck runs great and Todd really did some awesome improvements to the transmission tune this time. I drove 50+ miles, varying roads, speeds, stop-n-go and high speed tollways too. I really like the shift strategies he’s given me. And the engine tune rocks!

 

Well, square, painted exhaust tips don’t stay looking nice very long. I’ve done this twice and decide “no more painting exhaust tips!”.
So I had one ceramic coated at a local powder coating shop. $25 to ceramic coat the chrome tip. I’ll put in on as soon as the exhaust cools down.

 

Put the ceramic coated tip on today. Not as shiny black as I really wanted but it is supposed to be durable considering the exhaust heat. Let’s hope it lasts…!

 

Less maintenance if it’s not as shiny typically… looks great though. More on par with the black trim and tire, I think is more fitting.

 

Less maintenance if it’s not as shiny typically… looks great though. More on par with the black trim and tire, I think is more fitting.

Thank you!

 

Agreed. I rather like the appearance that ceramic coating gives. The whole exhaust should look that way even if nobody gets to see it but you. 😁

 

Agreed. I rather like the appearance that ceramic coating gives. The whole exhaust should look that way even if nobody gets to see it but you. 😁

Thanks!

 

Looks good!

 

Today I replaced my stock B&O door speakers (front and rear) with Kicker DSC6930 (front) and DSC670 (rear). Many thanks to @Roushracing1 for the great deal on those speakers.

Im liking the sound on the driveway - will hit the road soon to see what they’re like while driving around. 🎶

 

Today - I relocated the DM button on my shift handle to the vacant upper right side. Why? Just to see if it was easier to use. I contort my wrist trying to press the lower left DM button, the upper right side of the shift lever is blank, so…
I bought a new shift lever to do this experiment.
Do this at your own risk.

1 - remove shift handle from console.
2 - Remove the lower chrome trim, then pop off the existing DM button.
3 - remove the chrome trim from the blank right side - carefully pry it up along all edges.
4 - remove the blank panel on the right side.
5 - drill small pilot hole in very center of blank panel removed in step 4. Step up to 9/32”.
6 - carefully remove the DM button and green circuit board from the original DM button.
7 - cut DM button wires and splice in sufficient lenght of wire to reach from blank panel to beyond the white connector - insure some slack. Fish wires from blank panel opening down to shift handle base.
8 - pop DM button into the 9/32” hole in the blank panel. Press circuit board down gently but completely. I added a small piece of electrical tape to help hold button in the hole.
9 - pop blank label on. Note inside it does say “top” to help with orientation.
10 - pop chrome trim back around new DM button panel.
Pop old DM button back onto shifter base.
11 - reinstall lower chrome trim.
12 - reinstall shift handle in truck and enjoy cycling through Drive Modes with a slight press of the palm of your hand on the little button.

Edit - pictures:

 

I miss the Driver mode button on the shifter.
The dial on the centerstack is far less efficient.

 

Final few photos:

 

And installed; works just fine!

 

Nitrous...

 

Update: Today I made a change to add back on the original DM button, so now I can hit either that or the new nitrous button. Both work to advance the drive mode.
I did this as I didn’t like having the original DM button be a dummy switch.
To do this, I bought a preowned shifter off eBay and swapped in the DM button, then just spliced the wires.
Viola!

 

I upgraded my Console Vault 4-digit combination lock today. Console Vault sells a newer version - numbers larger and easier to read, and the tumbler has a free-spin feature until the combination is entered and a little plunger pushed. Helps prevent break ins by over rotating the lock assembly. Supposedly.
Anyway - having easier to read and use number pad helps me to not just rotate one number away.

 

Today I finally installed my pre-built Bilstein 5100’s. Project went well. I learned a lot on the passenger side. Also replaced the IWE on both sides. Driver side took only an hour, including new IWE.

 

Very nice, Big Guy!

 

I gotta thank my Guardian Gearhead @GearHead_1 for being on-call and helping me through a couple of steps I was unsure of today. Your depth of experience and knowledge is only eclipsed by your patience and calmness.
Thank you!

 

You're too kind. You had it all the way.

 

Wish I could have made it to the wrenching party, but it sounds like you nailed it! I'll be happy to test drive your truck for you for a couple of years just to make sure everything's OK, no charge!

 

You're the Best! Let me get the oil change, tire r&b and alignment done, and I'll drop her off for you to shake it down.
PS - I'll fill it up (93 preferred). Be sure to bring it back full, ok?

 

I found a new high-back booster seat for the kiddo that fits my interior color scheme to a T!

 

That's pretty awesome.

 

How you been???? We were at Tulum the other night. Pretty good eats. Have you been there? Not as lively as Don Mario’s but good food.

 

I haven’t been to Tulum yet. I actually haven’t even been to Don Mario’s in quite awhile either. Work has been a little hectic with me having to let go of my 2 contractors, and now I’m handling the field and the engineering until I replace them. Besides that, I’ve been pulling my travel trailer all over the place. We recently went to Fayetteville, AR for Thanksgiving and then Stone Mountain, GA for New Years.

 

Give @stereotype one and me a holler when you're in town for a lunch or happy hour!