TheNatural's 2012 Totally Expo Trail Limo Build

I got a Viper 5806V remote start/alarm last week! It was a (late) Christmas present from my better half (they shipped her the wrong one and it took a while to correct it). I'm planning on doing the install myself and I'll need a bypass module. Any recommendations?

 

Truck looks great Seth. Looking forward to your trip to AK. I've done that drive (from Tok to Dawson Creek) 5 times... never been to Prudhoe bay though... That's a dream trip, Prudhoe and Inuvik. the Top of the World Hwy is awesome... love that trip.

 

One of the only threads that I went through every page. Nice build. So I'll just buy a whole bunch of stuff and come up and let you help me install it all. Haha.

 

Well guys, I finally finished my uniball replacement project. Corrosion sucks. First, I couldn't get the taper pin adapter out of the uniball (seized), so I ordered a new one direct from icon. They aren't exactly cheap! Then I couldn't get the spirolox retaining ring out... also totally rusted in place. I eventually caved and got the dremel. I ground the whole thing away with a dremel cutoff wheel. Then the uniball itself had some supernatural attachment to the UCA... I tried to press it out with my vice and ripped the vice off the workbench tightening it with so much gumption. A few phone calls and a small after hours call out fee and a shop pressed it out for me. Strange that the passenger side was this bad after the drivers went fairly smoothly. It was kinda stuck, but nothing some grunting couldn't fix. I reassembled with plenty of antiseize.

Thanks! I could lend a hand, but you might be better off visiting @loco . Bring your own ratcheting breaker bar though.

 

Thanks man! I'm pretty pumped for some trips this summer. If the Canadian dollar doesn't rebound a bit before then we're considering staying in Canada for our summer expo.. but it'll be glorious either way.

 

Have they paved the Trans Lab hwy yet? I still really want to do that.

 

Pretty sure it's only 1/2 paved. I want to check out the bridge to PEI while I'm out that way.. I like bridges. I haven't done much research on things to do out east, but Sarah is from Ontario and lived in newfoundland for a while so she has some ideas.

 

I installed some Redline hood struts today. Parents had ordered them for me for Christmas but they were backordered or lost or something, so they were an early birthday present instead. Honestly I'm underwhelmed so far. They don't really pick the hood up like I expected. I cycled them a few times as per instructions, but hopefully they will improve as they are cycled more.

 

hey man for the 12v plugs in the rear, what factory inverter did you tap? do you remember where its located?

 

The factory 400W inverter on the TRD models is under the center console. I followed a write up on here to find the correct wires. I did a quick search and couldn't find it.. I'm sure you could dig it up with a little effort though. I used plastic wire taps and one of my outlets has stopped working.. I recommend just doing it right the first time and soldering. I'll be redoing my connections one day.

 

huh, I like mine... I mean they don't JUMP open... but there's no indication they're struggling to open the hood. but your hood does weigh more than mine does... What was it you were expecting/disappointed about?

 

I love my red lines too

Although i wasn't expecting them to lift the hood themselves. once my hood gets about 1/3 of the way up they grab and push it up with very little effort

 

I was just expecting them to take over and push it up after the 1/2 way mark. They hold it fine once it's up there, but I have to push it the whole way up.

 

ahh yeah they should push it all the way up... mine grabs before it's even 1/4 the way up and goes up... wonder if they sent you the wrong struts...

 

Hmm. I'll cycle them a bunch tomorrow and see if they improve.

 

So I (Jeremiah) stumbled upon your thread here while looking at switch panels, and found it really interesting so I read the whole thing. I just so happen to live in Anchorage AK, and work in Prudhoe Bay, and my girlfriend and I are also wanting to drive the Dalton Hwy this summer! My friend Ben and I put together a TW group a few years back, and you should definitely hop over here and chat before your trip up. I'm sure that a few of us would love to hang out, grab some drinks, food, go wheelin, or even drive the Dalton.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/alaska-bs-thread.247302/

 

Sounds awesome Jeremiah! I've skimmed a bit of that thread before actually. I'll hop over once our plan comes together a little more, but it'd be great to meet some locals along the way.

 

I had an interesting weekend! Sarah and I went and did a little exploring on our sunny Saturday afternoon. I was breaking trail through the snow when suddenly a wild rock appeared and slashed the sidewalls on both passenger side tires! I only had one spare with me, but Sarah's FJ has the same bolt pattern so no problem, right? Wrong. Previous owner put a locking lug nut on her spare and she doesn't have the key... so it was completely useless. We loaded 6 of us and 2 dogs in the FJ and headed ~4 hours home, leaving the Taco on a solo camping trip .



We went on a rescue mission early Sunday morning armed with my summer set of tires. It was snowing like crazy so it was not nearly as enjoyable. Once we made it back to the Taco, a quick tire change had us on our way. Until... I got stuck in a creek. Having crossed it easily a couple times that weekend I didn't think much of it, but I guess we had broken off enough of the ice on either side that I was now the perfect length to be wedged in there. Back bumper sitting on the ice on one side, front bumper on the ice on the other side . Rear bumper flexed enough to break my tail light too. Some shoveling, 4 maxtrax and a doubled up winch line later I was out of the creek with some very wet, cold feet. A Smittybilt snatch block also exploded - I guess there's a reason they're cheaper than the competition. Taco is now safely back in my driveway with 3 different tires and a missing tail light.



Taking recommendations on studable tires available in 315/70r17 that have real sidewalls. These Hercules Avalanche Xtremes (265/70r17) have amazing traction, but that's 3 sidewalls in 2 years so I'll be switching to a D or E rated winter. Might as well go for big ones too

 

Well, I've been MIA nearly all summer and the truck hasn't seen any lovin'. Buuuutt... Dragging the stock bumper through everything has it messed up to the point of being embarrassing. So I ordered a HC rear bumper the other day. 8 weeks from now I'll be ditching this mangled stock one.

 

What'd you get?