MARYLAND TACOMAS

I've considered armor before. Front/Rear steel bumpers + sliders.

However, I asked a question about the upgrades needed to do such mods on this forum before and I was suggested a better suspension. Don't want to upgrade that or even get a lift...

Kind of interesting because a coworker of mine has an '08 Off-Road and never upgraded his suspension with his 200lb + Road Armor bumper.

 

I'm sitting here laughing at the imagery you just put in my head.

 

Its not a great idea. Surely his truck rides like a garbage can

 

Shitty pictures, but its all i have on hand


Before:


After:

 

that's what I'm here for . Seriously though, I backed my van out of the driveway and smashed a little honda fit's rear quarter panel. Set the girl up with a paintless dent puller place. Cost like $600 but the way the car was made there was no way to replace the panel and the "dent" was fucking massive.

 

A garbage can though? Haha! Agreed.

I've sent an email to Fab Fours about the need to upgrade. They responded saying that upgrades aren't necessary to "support" the weight.

Obviously support and handle being two different things.

Here's the coworker's truck sitting level... but tilting forward when braking.

If I could keep stock height, I'd be happy.

 

Lost my mind driving to work today, the rattling sound in my dashboard has gotten so loud the radio can no longer drown it out. I'm sure it's a loose wire harness but it sounds like a bag of marbles got loose in there.

Anyone have any experience taking apart the dash? I'm assuming the problem is behind the radio, but it could be echoing from somewhere else...

 

Not big deal, it is very easy. I can help, I mean the radio removal

 

Step 1: Remove all the bolts.

Step 2: Wrestle with it for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Get pissed off because this was supposed to be easy.

Step 4: Check for the 10th time that you removed all the bolts.

Step 5: Yank on it until it comes out, breaking all but 2 of the plastic clips.

Step 6: Realize that it would have been super easy if you knew one piece of critical information that was left out of the crappy DIY instructions.

Step 7: Fix original problem.

Step 8: Reassemble using duct tape if necessary.

Step 9: Throw away the extra bolt. You are more efficient at reattaching parts than Toyota.

Step 10: Drink a beer and revel in the fact that you are amazing at this type of thing.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ This is how pretty much all of my projects go.

 

Got my exhaust re-routed to sit above cross member today

 

Might need your help Tony, I'm going to give it a shot by myself first though. Joe, I'm fine with breaking the clips because I have a replacement bag... I also think I'm going to put some gasket washers on the tabs to prevent them from squeaking in the future.

 

Where did you get it done?

 

Tony's Custom exhaust in Glen Burnie. Cost $150 took a little over an hour

 

I do the same haha!

 

Tony's has been doin work for me for many years. very good werk

 

I found them with a google search and couldn't find anyone with something bad to say about them. $150 seemed fair too. i've seen other threads where people have paid from $50-$250 to have exhaust done so I'm happy with price and the work looked real good too. they' re a M-F 8-5 hours tho so I had to go into work a little late but I'm alright with that.

 

If i were you and going to run a bumper like that, because your truck is a DC, i'd get 5100s with OME 884 coils set on 0", then you'd ride better than stock and the truck would sit level with the bumper on it

 

I too must decline I have an inspection to do that day

 

That's the one weekend a month I need to work, so I'll be out as well.

 

200# bumper must ride like crap on stock. My truck did pretty good on stock with my 110# Pelfrey bumper. I wouldn't add more than a few lights on stock though as I could tell a difference in handling. It was be no means a garbage truck but braking and cornering took a slight hit. Mind you I drive like I stole it and kept it on the road. Definitely an improved response once I did 5100s all around with 886 OME springs. But tbh stock did fine as far as safety and handling. Not much drop either in the front had a nice aggressive look to it. I did get some rubbing with the +1 Duratracs though so something to keep in mind.