How to build a T Rex

You are gana like the tires

 

Nice! Do you find that you need chains very often?

 

Never actually had to chain up .

 

Got some custom decals for the AK tacomas

 

I guess there's no point in springing for the tungsten-titanium chains if I will never need them.

 

wouldn't hurt to have them but i find 4wd and good tires go a long way!

 

Sub'd on an awesome build! Some awesome pics and ideas for when I get the money to really start my mods...

 

Couple of shots from our snow wheelin trip last weekend

 

Gah just got back from the tire shop for the third time. Love the traction of the Duratracs but not loving that off-balance shake I get on the highway that started when I got them.... Pretty reputable shop and they seem like good guys and that know what they are doing....

Said they put 12.5 oz on one of the tires to try to get it in balance this time They are thinking I might have a bad tire or two.... If it isn't better now, looks like I am going to try to find somewhere with a road force balancing system to verify the bad tires... and then take advantage of that manufacture defect warranty in the near future...

 

So after the 4th attempt to balance my tires it now shakes even worse. At least it is the tires causing the problem and not something else and I can get the bad ones replaced under warranty. Bad news is the Duratracs are on back order in town with no definitive date for them to be available... At least it will be taken care of in the forseeable future

 

Bent my stock antenna on some trees while wheeling I was worried that it might snap since the metal had been weakened to I got an aftermarket. I was looking for one that was stock length but didn't see any. I like the "clearance gauge" feature since i am lifted. I have to get out to fold down my 4' CB antenna anyway though so I guess I can just check when I am doing that.

anyway, I got a 15" antenna. (from here) Reception seems a little less on some stations when out of town. (it's alaska so I don't expect much though) Overall, pretty good reception. Not so sure about the claim of "spring stainless" but I guess I will find out at some point when I mob through some trees

 

Finally got my warranty replacement duratracs on Much better. Still a slight vibe around 50 mph that i dont remember though... gonna take a look at the driveshaft/u joints/etc this weekend when i do my oil and radiator flush.

Oh, and I hit 100k

 

NICE! I'm at about 50K in 2 years… not quite there yet.

 

Snowwww






Went for a drive. Hadn't plowed yet

 

I was so happy to see that shit over the last few days! Hopefully there will be plenty for us on Sunday

 

I sure hope so

 

Took two days since I fucked up a new U joint at about 11 pm the first day and the parts store was not open anymore... but got three new U joints on the rear drive shaft. The middle one had a fair bit of play in it. When we removed it, the bearings were definitely in bad shape. The front and rear were still in good shape but for $20 each, I figured I would just replace them while the drive shaft was out and not mess with them again for a lonnnnggggg time.

Never done U joints before so it was a good learning experience.

Dragging the drive shaft out from under the truck. Took about an hour of banging on it to get the front and rear to separate



All the shit that fell out of the middle one when we took it apart.


Using the press. This made it way easier than using a hammer.


Pretty new u joint

 

Nice build! I am super jelly of these pics. I love Alaska. Last time I was there I didnt want to leave. When I go back I fear I may become a resident.

 

this was our first snow storm after our month and a half of all the snow melting and 40-50 degree weather... it was like spring came in January. Really put a damper on all the fun winter activities.

 

I know how that goes. I havent had to plow at all this year. Lame.