Newb w/97' Taco

Hi all. West side WA State resident here. Bought my first taco a few months ago. 1997. Been trying to take it out every weekend. This is also my first truck. It is a character to drive.



The truck came with a 8k lb mile marker winch. Used it once so far but not for myself, friends fuel pump died while stuck 3/4ths up a gravel hill. Never thought the first time i'd use it would be to pull some one down.

Been trying to collect enough stuff for a basic recovery kit. So far: 20k lb rugged ridge snatch block, 2x 3/4" 9.5k smittybilt d-rings. 3x6 30k lb rugged ridge tree saver. Thinking about the 4x30 40k rugged ridge recovery strap & a hi-lift jack. I'd like to have another snatch block & tree saver too.

2nd gear in 4low seems to be my friend for climbing lately but i have a question regarding 4hi. For some reason 4hi just seems weak, and possibly missing a little clutch. I've burned it a bit a couple times. Is that kinda normal? 4hi is fine for smashing through a puddle here and there and maybe some spirited gravel but seems at times useless. 4low feels like 5x the clutch.

I had another question but i'm forgetting it at the moment. Anyways, i've enjoyed browsing the pictures/threads so far!

 

sharp looking ride
welcome to the group
love your riding buddies in back of truck too
very cool