Desertjunkie760's 2011 Not So Basic but Never a Bad Bitch Build Thread

GoPro footage and different angle of video #3.

 

Some short videos of Gold Mt. trail in Big Bear during the San G. trip.

 

@tcBob I know that I've asked this once before, but I am having issues loading multiple pics at one time again. Last time it was due to the browser I was using so moved to Chrome and it worked fine. Now, Chrome is not working. Has there been an update that I need to be aware of?

 

What are those!?!? @Prayn4surf

 

Why is your camber so negative ?? Lca's bent ?

 

Because race truck...

Seriously though, the damage from the accident pushed the LCA mount back a bit on the passenger side and I can't get the full camber agdjustmwnt out of it. At least I'm assuming that's what it is. I've replaced everything else.

 

I have negative 1.8 on one side too lol

 

I have to look at the numbers but it's just barley out of spec. I'm good with toe and caster though so that's all that matters. Haha

Oh, and tomorrow is the day!!!

 

Those are an example of poor choice in footwear

 

Exciting! Prepare for crazy lol

 

You mean "proper trail footwear."

 

Thought about you while getting oil over the weekend at wally world.

 

So yesterday was a decently productive day. Spent the morning sleeping in as a week of the new sleep schedule caught up to me. This "dog dad" life has its perks and I don't mind early mornings, I'm just not wired for them. I have always been one to stay up through the night. Not wake up at 4:30AM every morning. The pup is doing well though.

I finally did a small portion of my much needed maintenance. New plugs, new air filter, new cabin air filter, cleaned the MAF sensor. The process did not take very long and was much easier than previous plugs I have replaced. My Ranger was at the top of that list as far as difficulty. The location of the plugs were garbage plus the driver's rear was seized. We had to go through the bottom of the wheel well with a 1/2" ratchet and lifted ourselves off the ground trying to get it to break. This process was much easier.

I ran NGK G-Power Platinum plugs as that's all that O'Reilly's had in stock that met OEM requirements. I wouldn't run any other manufacture other than the Denso or NGK plugs. I've always had good luck with NGK so I have faith in them. It's surprising to me that these trucks use a standard copper core plug, but 30,000 miles is good enough for me. I don't think these have ever been changed out and I'm about to hit 100K.

The most difficult plugs to replace were the two driver side rear. I removed the top bolt of the bracket supporting the air box and loosened the bottom bolt to move it out of the way enough to get the COP out. For the rear I just took off the hose that blocks the COP from coming out. It was easy to remove by hand. I believe its just a vacuum line for the manifold pressure.

I believe I was overdue for a cabin air filter...

 

Thanks! He just turned 10 weeks on Thursday so we are still very early in the puppy stage. He's been great so far though!

 

I am also in need of doing a transmission flush, however I am hearing mixed reviews on the process. I have read the DIY sticky thread and it is a straight forward process. I grabbed a new pan gasket to clean the magnets and such but I'm concerned of why I'm getting mixed reviews.

Depending on who you talk to at Toyota, they say that it's on recommended that you drain/refill the tranny or that a machine is utilized for the exchange. A drain/refill is only 4 qts of fluid out of 12. If I were going to do it that way, I would have started the process 30K miles ago and done it 2 or 3 times by now. I'm just under 100K and I know the fluid needs to be swapped. I talked to a gentleman at the dealership that mentioned that Toyota has done tests that show putting new fluid in makes the tranny fail sooner. That makes absolutely no sense to me as the fluid breaks down whether it's synthetic or not.

I did some reading and it seems that the exchange can cause loose sediment already in the system to run through the valve body causing issues. Now that makes a little more sense, especially if you are using a machine that puts any type of suction on the system. The DIY does not utilize any vacuum, it's simply a drain/refill first, followed by pushing old fluid out a few qts at a time. I don't see that causing any issues. Repeat the process a few times and make sure the magnets and screen are clean. Does anyone have any additional input or experience with this either from these trucks or others? @Speed Freek you probably have seen or performed one or both and have heard feedback. Thoughts?

 

My opinion is to start doing a drain and refill every 30k (maybe even sooner when it’s brand new due to flashing floating around in the fluid)
If at 100k I would still do the drain and refill at a higher frequency, and it should be fine.
In my experience if you do a full flush after 150k or more you are asking for trouble!

 

Just got back from Baja for the 1000. Took the truck all the way down the Pacific side to San Quintín and then further south to Bay of LA. Had the opportunity to participate in Pit #3 for Rob MaCcachren with the Baja Fools group. Unfortunately, he didn't finish the race due to engine failure but it was still a great time. Came back up the Gulf side with our last stop in San Felipe. Roughly 800 miles in 4.5 days. Glad to be home, pics coming soon.

Did the Energy Suspension body mount kit before leaving. Going to do a drain/refill on the tranny this week and see what the fluid looks like. Also have some concerning noises coming from the front that I need to dig into and my A/C stopped working right before the trip.

 

Just because one of our friends helped us take Axel out during the day while I was gone and she decided to make a photo shoot with the pup. #notevenmadaboutit