Intro for new member and recent upgrades

Hey All,

Decided it was finally time to join TacomaWorld to share my recent build, upgrades and issues I'm experiencing in hopes of providing insight to the community and hopefully solving some of the problems that have come up.

I will try to keep this short and sweet. I'll save the details for specific threads focused on the install or issues I have experienced.

Been running a 2013 Gen2 TRD OffRoad taco for the last 3 years. Love my truck and decided to start making small upgrades myself, while working towards larger ones both in knowledge and experience. After having an out of state fab shop do the major install at the end of april, I have experienced nothing but problems which are slowly being worked through by some local shops.

My basic first upgrades consisted of:
Bed Stiffeners, Leer 180 topper, Seat Covers, Front DS&PS Tint, Raising my rear Differential breather, changing out cabin and some exterior lights for LEDs, Hood Rock Deflector and Wind Deflector for the windows.

The major upgrades all in one shot, consisted of:
Icon Stage 3 Lift @ 2"
Old Man Emu Dakar Leafs @ 2"
Prinsu Design AccessRac
ARB Safari Snorkel
CBI Front Aluminum Moab Bumper with Grill Loop
CBI Rear Dual Swing Gate Bumper with Rotopax and Hi-Jack Mounts
CBI Aluminum front skid
Nitto Grappler II 265/75/16s

While I still love my truck, the problems I experienced have made me consider selling it more then a few times. But given my love for the truck and its rarity of being a manual 6 speed, I wanted to resolve the issues and get back to feeling safe and comfortable in my rig.

My drive type is typically remote backcountry roads in high desert conditions. I am not rock crawling or getting into serious wheeling. Just trying to get deep into the backcountry for canyoneering, climbing and camping. It is my daily driver and go to for adventure. Low to High 4x4 is required at times as is airing down. Load weight changes depending on duration and party size but is typically only 200-300lbs of camping and climbing gear.

I am new to this type of forum from a posting standpoint, so please help me or advise me if I step out of line, mis post or misplace any content on here. I want to be a productive and positive member of this community. I also want to share my recent experience with the community to help them avoid some of the issues I have experienced working with certain companies.

I look forward to meeting you all digitally and potentially in person some day out in the backcountry.

Cheers

 

Looks good, nice truck

 

@Specalt Thanks!

 

Welcome! Great looking truck! I love your leer 180. I have a 100R and always wished I was able to find a used high top. How you liking the 6 speed so far?

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome! Nice truck

 

@nDub & @NAAC3TACO & @rjbiii - THANKS!

@rjbiii - The 180 is great, I wanted specifically for the added headroom since I sleep in the back of my truck on some adventures. Keeps it from being to claustrophobic when bad weather keeps you seeking shelter.

As for the 6speed, I love it. I spent months tracking down a Access Cab TRD Offload 6 speed manual. Its my unicorn. Although after my recent install, I have a pulsing vibration between 35-45mph...specifically at 40 in 4th. From what I have read the most likely culprit seems to be the needle bearing. Would love to hear from the community if this is something they have experienced and what the outcome was.

 

Nice! I also sleep in my shell frequently and wish I had the extra head room since im 6'1". I also recently bought a 6spd but mine is a Double cab short bed sport. Took me about 8 months to find one close to what I wanted, but boy was it worth it!

The needle bearing vibes/groaning is a very common problem around here. easiest way to see if it's affecting you is to flip the 4high switch and see if the noise goes away. That should tell you if that's what your problem is. My 6spd makes a rattling noise whenever I'm coasting in neutral/slowing down and going over bumpy roads above 25-35mph. Havent been able to figure out my problem, (from what I've read it's caused from the play/slap in the driveline of a manual trans) but I'm sure the good folks on here would be able to help you figure it out!

 

That sounds exactly like the needle bearing. Cheap and easy fix.

Don't sell it. Welcome to hotrodding/modding. Every upgrade needs a little extra love. Welcome to TW.

 

Oh man, thanks.

I had forgotten about the 4x4 high test to check the needle bearing. Will do that this afternoon. Had a local shop install a driveline carrier bearing from ARB as the place that did the install was sure that would solve it. It didn't

 

No problem! Good luck, keep us posted on whether or not that fixes the issue.

 

@angrysam Thanks man! Yeah I'm going to stick with it and keep massaging the installs and upgrades. Nothing is plug and play despite what people may say. Everything I have read is leaning towards the Needle Bearing. Did you install a ECGS or the recent OEM upgraded one?

 

Thanks @rjbiii - Will def keep everyone posted on the fix for this issue.

My other issue is a sagging swing gate that is only a month old. Hoping to hear back from the manufacture but in the mean time does anyone out there have this similar problem or is this standard for most dual swing gates?

 

Nice Rig!

 

Hey All,

Update on my vibrations, as my gut feelings and online review suggested it was my needle bearing causing the pulsing vibrations. We removed the old needle bearing and found that more then a few pins where either sheared off or frozen in place. Since replacing it, I have had no more vibrations from 35-45mph.