Lord Humongous Gigahorse Tow-coma Build

It's just funny how little a lifted tacoma looks next to a couple of lifted full size trucks. Ironically I'd bet the taco has done more pulling than the duramax

 

No doubt

 

Both of those trucks pretty low to the ground as far as clearance. The Chevy has an air dam still. I get to looking at the full sized sometimes for the extra muscle and space. But the Tacoma just keeps doing everything I ask of her. Once you throw on the tires you will have the same vertical stance and better proportional symmetry.

 

God fu!&ing damnit. I just broke my unbreakable antenna. It didn't like being guillotined between the roof truss and garage door.

Back to the radio shop....

 

Yeah about that, I'm now actually leaning towards 265 75r16s in a mud terrain. Realistically the stock tires have taken me everywhere I've needed to go. The only 2 reasons I'd need bigger tires is for looks and the extra sidewall would be nice to soak up some bumps. Now with the awesome OBA system I can easily run my tires at 12-15 psi to help smooth out the rough roads. Ill also be swapping the Nfabs for real sliders further satisfying a decision to run a smaller tire with less clearance.

This picture shows a 265 255 and 285 next to each other. There is definatly some difference but just not enough there for me to justify $2500 for the regear I'd probably need for towing the camper with a 33". I may still regear but I just can't justify buying the inflated nitro parts. I'll wait and see G2s offering before making that decision.

Im actually looking pretty hard at the genral x3 in 265 75r16. The red walls might look pretty bad ass with the inferno color and a mudder might make things a little easier for my muddy monsoon adventures in the white mountains.

Anybody that's followed my build thread must be thinking to themselves for Christ sakes just buy a tire and live with it lol

**on another note I may be coming into a 78 bronco in a couple of years. If that happens the Bronco will become a pavement princess with ridiculously large tires.

 

$95 Derale 16105 5" Diameter H.O. Extreme Electric Fan , Black

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004...motive+fan&dpPl=1&dpID=41iDlqy2wRL&ref=plSrch
Thinking about slapping this fan on the OEM trans cooler. I haven't had any temp problems even while towing in the dead of summer but still figure a little overkill is a good thing.

Any thoughts opinions or concerns? I ask
because I haven't seen anybody else bother to do anything similar?

 

I couldn't see myself spending the money on a regear either. Treat yoself. Get the generals. That red would be a nice touch.

As far as the fan, you want it , you get it. Would you even notice any difference? Maybe get a transmission temperature gauge also.

 

I definatley have a scangauge to monitor actual tranny temps in the cross hairs this spring. I was hoping somebody would figure out the correct parameter ID for the torque app but im not gonna hold my breath for that.
I'd love to hook the trailer up and run the same hill a few times with no fan and a few more with a fan and see if there are any real differences in temps but unfortunately just thinking of that has made me incredibly bored.....so I guess I'd love for somebody else to do that lol. I may just put the fan on to simply make myself feel better when I'm heading uphill when it's 120 degrees out.

 

The hill experiment does sound a little old mannish... And the time and gas money spent would probably cover the cost of the fan anyway.

120° is pretty toasty. About 15 years ago, I spent around a month out in Bullhead City and Lake Havasu during the early summer and enjoyed the 100° to 105° temps. Florida heat sucks with the high humidity around 90° and up. You feel like you're wearing a wet wool blanket.

 

Yeah im probably exaggerating a little but I will say it was 116 out last June when I was sitting in the driveway putting the suspension on . I have some family back East in PA and when it gets hot there it's absolutely miserable!!! Last time I was back during a heatwave my uncles milk cows were dropping like flies and it wasn't much over a 100.
Speaking of heat I have been doing some research during my downtime at work today. I've discovered it's relatively easy to check and top off the trans fluid at home. I really thought it had to be done at the dealer but turns out just the Forums making a big to do over nothing . It's not as easy as pulling dipstick out and a scangauge is necessary but still only about a 10-15 minute job. With that said I think I'm gonna ditch the small fan on the OEM cooler idea and just upgrade to the this little beast!

$246 Derale 13950 Atomic-Cool Remote Cooler , Black

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004XONS9Y/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

How do you like the airbags for off-road?

 

Actually with the Daystar cradles I don't even notice them offroad which is great! The bags can really limit suspension travel but now they just stay tucked out of the way until I need them.
I do absolutely love them for towing and heavy loads. Combined with the weight distribution hitch it's actually one of the more stable and controllable truck/trailer combos I've driven.

 

Huh,
I've been considering that setup, how much did the system cost you?
I have a shell and and bed droor thing now, and I'm getting some sag

 

Well the bags and cradles ran a little over 350 but you will want some kind of onboard air system to fill them up. I went with an ARB compressor for its versatility but both firestone and airlift sell compressors that can adjust the pressure remotely from the cab. These are convenient but aren't useful for anything except the airbags. This system works great for me because I go from driving on trails with no payload to pushing the upper limits of taco payload while towing a trailer and having a bed full of coolers, generator ect.

You may want to upgrade your rear leaf springs to match the increased weight you are now carrying. I think you'd get better ride and performance this way. I'd ask @JerryTaco. I think he is planning on something similar and he knows shit loads about these trucks.

 

That's what I kind of gathered from other research, just wanted to hear another opinion on it. I have a add a leaf and the old crappy leaf pack with some after market shocks, thanks for the info!

 

Not a problem!

 

Hey @Lord Humongous I thought you may be interested that instead of spending 3 or 4 hundred on an in cab air control system: I used a VIAIR compressor and solenoid valves from Amazon, gauges / check valves and a momentary toggle switch from McMaster and fittings / tubing from Supplyhouse.com to do an in cab airbag fill and deflate on my 4Runner. It works great. Switch one way to inflate, switch the other way to let air out.

My new Tacoma is due in next week and I'm going to do something similar, except better. I'm using all refrigeration copper tubing vice plastic and I'm gong to use a small $40 VIAIR Compressor to use as vaccum pump for retracting the airbags from the cradles, because hopefully that will work. I'll keep track of the parts and document on my build once i create it, but who knows when that is.

The in cab convenience is great. When i pull my enclosed trailer with different loads I've found that I dont often know the best airbag setting until driving, this way i can play with how it feels to get the stability perfect.

Anyway great truck and great build forum. Let me know if you want more details before i get around to posting my install.

 

Wow that is really awesome! I'm looking forward to your build thread so make sure you tag me when you start it so I can follow along!! Luckily I have my preferred bag PSI written down for the camper with and without water so I haven't needed the in cab adjustment (although I'd love to have it).

Congrats on the new truck BTW!!!

 

While I'm here.... I ordered a scangauge through Amazon today and took the bumper cover back off to measure for a remote transmission oil cooler! The transmission cooler might be a ways out since my fab skill are non existent and I need time to think it out. I do have a good hillbilly idea though.
Also 700lb springs will be happening soon