Squeaky Penguin's (Trip Reports) Build Thread

Thanks man. And it was great meeting you and wheelin with you.

I guess I never posted this either. Had a lot of fun last weekend at Chinaman's Gultch. Probably about the hardest trail I've tackled with my rig. Report starts about here:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/south-west/250254-colorado-trip-reports-22.html#post7720292

Not too many pics of my rig, but I stole a couple from Eric (teamhypoxia).





And my kickout sliders saved me, rusted up real quick on the drive home in the snow though:

 

Winter wheels/tires



Little tires look a little goofy, but man are they amazing on snow and ice!

 

Well, I just did in and bought a used set of 255/85 KM2s. I'll be drooling over them all winter until I put them on in the spring.

I've got some plans for the winter, so we'll see how big of a pile of parts I can accumulate

 

Winter wheels look good! Also, nice job getting some 33s.

 

Great looking build Brett!
Looks very similar to what I have in mind.

 

Thanks man, its getting there. I'll be interested to see your rig with that addicted offroad bumper. I really like that one, and probably would've got it over the Apex had it been available at the time. Could have saved a bunch in shipping.

Oh, and I guess I have to update my future plans in this build, being I already have a winch and the 255/85s. I really don't know what's next on the list though.... I don't have a ton to spend and it seems like the mods keep getting more expensive.

We'll see how it handles the 33s with 4.10s, otherwise I'll be looking into a set of 4.56s. I would love a rear bumper with a swingout too, but at this point that's way down the road.

 

The bumper is being built at this very moment, there was a small "snag" due to the flat front end of the 96 but the guys at Addicted are making changes as needed and should be done in a day or two.

255's are a TALL 33" tire. 4.10's will pull it but where you live there will be a noticeable lack of hp, especially pulling the hills. It might be liveable, depends on how big a hurry you're in
4.56 would be about right, 4.88 will be better and then you can go to 35's later

 

I'm use to going slow. I don't think road driving too much of an issue.

I'm more worried about going slow enough off-road and not stalling all the time. That'll be the real test.

 

I'll be interested to know how it does, I have the same gears. Running modest 265/75 16 and no problems. It's gonna look awesome regardless, If I were you, I'd throw 'em on just to see what they look like...

 

The tires got delivered, and are in storage in Fort Collins, and will stay there till spring.

If I find myself with a free day and some nice weather down there, we may try them out. I don't know if they'll fit my truck how it is though, hence the plans for this winter.

 

Oh, and I ran 265/75s all year with lots of wheeling and had no issues.

 

eh you'll be fine on stock gears and 33s.

Just takes adjusting of the driving style a bit. but does just fine. I have been on 33x12.5r15s and 4.10s plus weigh like 5500-6000lbs when wheeling for 2 years now and do just fine.

 

My turck made a few funny noises firing up at -20* this morning, but did all right. I was laughing at my ultragauge reading an intake temperature of -15. Cold air intake I guess

Oh, and change of plan 255/85s are on their way up here tonight. If it ever warms up I'll grab a BFH, finish off my pinch welds, and give 'em a try just for fun.

 

Yes it was friggen cold today!
And sorry for being a bad influence about the tires

 

You're gonna need a lot of popcorn. Between trying to finish up the semester, and the cold weather, they probably won't go on until next weekend at the earliest.

While they're on though I need to find a place to do some snow bashing to test them out. Problem will be finding a place without too much snow.

 

They'll only be on for a bit. Probably not enough to generate a great opinion on them. There's a reason I bought winter tires.

 

It was -10 this morning, but I still got you guys a few pictures.

255/85s compared to my 245/75s





265/75s got donated to my Montero:



And compared to the 265/75s:

 

Well taking a quick break from hacking up my fender and pinch weld. I've got one side down. I probably did more than I had to, but that's less clearancing I'll have to do later.

Decided to cut off the majority of the pinch weld, versus just hammering it:



After finishing it off with a BFH:


Quick coat of paint:


Replaced the flare screws with these so they sit more flush:




Its a tight fit:


Finished the side off by taking out the corner of my flare and a bit of the fender behind it:




Should be able to finish it up this afternoon, so be prepared for pics

 

actually..probably not enough haha


good thing they self clear as time goes...sorta..haha

 

Lookin good