Wishbone Runner's Build

Its just like being there..... and trying to figure out what Leo is doing.

 

Did you guys camp at the same spot on lockhart?
Pics look familiar.

 

Yes. Drove right by it the first time and had to back track a few hundred yards.

Don't think anyone had used the firepit since we were there in 2015.

 

There was a really cool spot on a spur that was much closer to the Needles end that would have been pretty epic, but we wanted to get a bit further down the trail before calling it quits for the day. One day . . .

 

I took a photo of one of those bathroom signs too, I had to have it explained to me. Looks fucking ridiculous to us but apparently for folks from certain parts in Asia, seeing toilet seats mess their world up and can't figure out how to use them.

 

Haha, exactly. I had seen them before in Yellowstone, but had to get a pic this time.

 

I think I am ready for an Instagram account now.

 

Just finished a 3000 mile and probably around 7-800 miles of dirt extravaganza around the Grand Canyon and into the Flagstaff/Sedona area.




But before that, I was all packed up and ready to roll out in a few hours, and I when I was topping off the tires I see a puddle of gear oil in the wheel . I assumed the worst, figuring the seal was shot and had destroyed the bearing and I might not be making the trip, fuck. Headed to the dealer right away and grabbed the seal and was going to get the bearing too just in case (a $600 part at the dealer btw), but ran into my favorite Toyota whisperer @lotsoftoys and he convinced me to just do the seal for now and make the trip. Got home and ripped the thing apart to find this, the seal had shredded and the spring popping out.



Did some measuring to find the seal depth and found that the seal was in crooked and the side that ripped was further in, impressed that it made it that long. Per Jace's instructions I put the new one in not quite as far so the seal would sit on a different section on the axle that wasn't worn, and didn't loose another drop for the rest of the trip, success. I will probably leave it as is until it starts leaking again or making noise instead of swapping the bearing as I had originally intended, the bearing felt quite smooth and only a tiny amount of play. I dp plan to have a seal on hand in the truck though in case this one goes out or the other side does. Once I had the parts the job only took an hour or so, most of that was messing with the parking brake assembly and putting new pads in as they were doused in oil.

 

I should also add that the new Kartek straps still look brand new, the strap destruction was a Trail Gear issue, would not recommend them to anyone. Holding them both, the TGs are woven much looser, and most significantly the stitching at the buckle is not tight enough allowing the strap to shift in the buckle and side load it as I previously mentioned. Glad I sorted that out as it was getting really annoying (and expensive) replacing them every trip.

 

And . . . .

 

Do you have 200k miles on the factory wheel bearing?

 

Why not? mine are at 250k

 

Just curious, mine were toast at 155k. Thats impressive with 250K!

 

We're talking about rear wheel bearings.

My stock ones made it about 260k IIRC.

 

Ahh, makes more since now. I see it in the picture now

 

What do you typically see for life span on 4th gen 4R/2nd gen tacos?

 

Usually life ends around the same time seal failure occurs. Depends on how much grease was washed out by the gear oil.

I'm going to likely do the fronts soon, just because.

 

Right on James! Good work too doing it right so it lasted the trip!

 

Thanks Jace!