The Getaway...Crom's build and adventures

I would also like to add my experience on this trip. Thank you guys so much for a very memorable time. As it was my first time in Mojave, I was mostly silent over radio comms and was trying to take in all the information you guys were sharing. Definitely a fine group to experience the land with. It was very eye opening to show up and see how well outfitted everyone's truck was for camping/overland in relation to mine. I felt slightly outgunned, but luckily had thought ahead enough and was able to keep up with everyone.
Thank you all again. Can't wait for the next one!

 

Now you know who James May is...

 

That'd be me...Capt. Slow

 

Great stuff Crom! I wish I had more patience to memorialize trips. You do an amazing job! Thanks everyone.!

 

... and by no means did I mean to change plans when I picked the dark corner of the campground.

 

Lava tubes:

 

Regarding hanging back, my pleasure.

 

I have 2 tiny holes (water drain holes I'm guessing) towards the cab. Did you plug these? Was looking for a method. Might just silicone a penny or something

 

I question your theory on the bent antenna. More likely snagged by a low-flying F18 from China Lake, and intentionally bent over with precision, not leaving a mark on the truck, nor on the plane, either. At Mach1.5+, of course, so you didn't hear the plane until it was past.

 

Crom, im curious now. I went digging through some old threads the other day an noticed you have posts in them, but i cant recall seeing the name "Crom" until just recently.... did you run another name in the past or am i losing my mind?

 

Yes they are drain holes. There are actually three, there is one in the middle too. I used medium strength duck tape over them. Still holding great.

That's a good one!

You know... a jet airplane is pretty fast... But that black Tacoma and driver are something else. Not entirely sure a jet could catch it.

Maybe I suppose!

And just for fun...

Yes. In 2010 I think I changed my screen name to Crom. I forget when exactly. Searching back historically by date is not possible when the forum software was last upgraded. I requested @tcBob check into it. I am he succeeds.

 

@Crom You went with the 11inch stoke rear shocks. I was told that it starts to limit your up travel. Also I would be on a stock rear with no shell or supplies and brand new dakars with no AAL. Im curious your opinion on these shocks after some use?

 

I see they are 11" stroke now, 27.28"-16.34" = 10.94" They are model: Bilstein RCD/BE5-B110-T5 Shock <--See this post for pics and measurements.

They work absolutely wonderful on my truck and I am extremely pleased with them. It was a huge upgrade over the OME I was running. I gained 3" of wheel travel by switching to them. The shocks control vibration and keep the wheels on the ground. I have nothing but praise for them. I'll run them for 5 years or whatever, and buy them again.

My up-travel is not limited by the shocks. In your case, you must measure to know for sure. Measuring is really important, because your bumps should do their jobs, or risk the shock destroying the seals. The devil is in the details, and in my case I busted out the measuring tape and did the work necessary to know. See this crucial post about How I checked for proper bump stop height.

Any stiffness you feel in your rear suspension will be more of a function of the Dakars running unloaded like that. The Bilstein B110 would still be a very good match IMO.

I also think they are priced

 

ya i understand the measuring and what not which i will do, but my questions is the limit on uptravel with a longer shock body which the extended ones have then you need a taller bumpstop. So you get more droop but less up. Im wondering if it has limited you in any way or noticeable? I think im going with the bilstein 5125 in the 11inch stroke. yours are the 5100 with a stroke of 10.94 so basically the same but u have the AAL and carry more stuff regularly so its hard to really compare.

 

Bottom line first, I think you will be fine with what your proposing.

But I will expand a little bit more on your post.

Measuring should be fundamental, and is most crucial thing you can do in order to setup your rig right. IMO.

It is not universally correct to say that. You can buy shocks that have more extended length and not sacrifice up travel, is it was in my case. Explained below...

The longer B110 shock did not limit compression / up travel. The reason I know is because I measured.

If I was forced to add a shim on the bump to protect the longer shock, then yes, I would have sacrificed some up travel. But it was not required in my case, hence there was no downside.

I have a 3* axle shim and the AAL in, but pulled out second overload of my leaf pack. I believe that the combined height of my modified leaf pack is about what a stock Dakar pack is.

Generally speaking, the additional weight carried in my rig will not affect the geometry of what is possible. But certainly affects comfort and handling.

Yes I agree, hard to compare, but I'm sure your tape measure will tell you what you need to know. I think at worst you may have to run a small shim under the bump, like a 1/4" or 3/8". Wheelers sells those if your plan is to run Super bumps which I highly recommend.

 

Your the man. Thanks for the explanation. I am going with the 5125 11inch stroke. I will measure it all out. Thanks!

 

You're welcome! Good luck, and have fun with it.

And speaking of bumps and shims. I need some shims in the front! lol

After performing a post-trip inspection on my rig, none of my bolts or alignment cam tabs moved. All good.

One thing is clear though. I am going to have to beat the pinch weld flat.

I started this thread: "Beating your pinch weld flat with a sledge hammer. --Let's discuss!" and got some really good feedback. I am not sure when I am going to do it, but it will be the next thing I do as well as adding a shim the front bumps.

My tires rub the pinch weld pretty bad under compression (no pic) and even the tops of the wheel well!

The 255/85/R16 Toyos by my account, have been as much work to fit as the 285 version of 33" tires, with the exception of the cab mount. That has stayed out of the way.

 

Ya i have 255/70/17 cooper stmax on 5100 with 886 (prep for a bumper also have a IFS skid) I dont rub the top due to the stiffness of my coil but i had to trim some fender int he front and back, I do run mudflaps though that are kind of gutted but i dont rub under stuff. I also have LR UCA and that helped center the tire so it doesnt rub at all. Funny how every truck is different, but those toyos are a tad bigger than the coopers

 

I have heard a lot about how stiff the 886 coil is. For a while I thought my 885 coils were pretty stiff. I honestly think they may have softened up after a year of wheeling, or maybe I wheel the truck a little harder now? I did go a little bit fast in one or two wide open sections of trail in the Mojave. lol

 

i had 885 and after 4500 miles i was getting 1 inch of lift on 5100 at 0 with my IFS skid plate thats basically the same as all the vendors in weight and design. My 886 put me at 3 inch on the dot so when i get the bumper and winch they should be perfect. They really dont feel that stiff with a 5100.