GA Tacoma Owners BS Thread

Just saw that Lexus in person- even sexier. Was dropping their kid off at preschool

 

On an unrelated note, has anyone ever had to get a cylinder head re-surfaced near ATL? Asking for a Civic I might potentially buy (not my Taco or F-150 thankfully). Buddy of mine has an older 5-speed that he'd let go of pretty cheap to me, but that's the catch, is that the head gasket is toast. 99% sure the head itself is warped from what he's been telling me. The gaskets (plus water pump/timing belt) I could probably handle, but a new head might not be worth it on an '02 Civic, even with me doing the labor.

Really I just want the car to re-learn and practice how to work a clutch, and didn't want to ruin a nicer car on that.

 

Seeing it's a civic couldn't you just find a new engine for it and swap it in. Pretty sure those things are everywhere

 

That's a good point. Probably cheaper to go that route too.

 

Is it really? I have zero clue about that sorta thing. I know it has the D17A1 engine in it, but I don’t know what it takes to swap one. Everything else minus the head is ~$100-$150, I think a reman head is $400-$450 (w/$100 core charge). Are used engines really that cheap for that thing?

 

Go to a pull a part and find one with the motor still in it and just pull the head of it and pay for it there. you don't need the whole engine. I'd look for ones with damage b/c they were wrecked and mostly like why the where totaled. Ones with no damage might have been totaled b/c of blown head gaskets etc...

 

I'm selling my Honda Element for pretty cheap right now, 5sp manual 2005 with 209k miles. Needs literally nothing. AWD, Red, has Hankook Dynapro ATMs and full-size spare. KBB was $4200. Asking $3800?

 

I'd actually just do this, probably easier and quicker than a whole engine swap

Damn even has a swingout #ExpoAF

 

I used to wheel it before the Taco! Open diffs front/rear with AWD can still be capable enough if you're willing to use the skinny pedal a lot.

The seats also all fold down mostly flat, so you can camp in it. It's actually a really cool little "truck."







Camping...



I think it's my dog's favorite, the interior is all easy to clean, just open the suicide doors and huge rear hatch, take out the rear seats, and use a damn leafblower (I'm not even kidding), then wipe down after with a cloth. It has rubber floors, super durable nylon seats, plastic or rubber doors and dash, plus the doggo can do this and see everything:



It even can do creek crossings:




People WAY under-estimate the capability of a lot of rigs. I got so much shit for offroading my toaster, didn't care, I was having fun. People are way too judgemental of other folks trucks. Bottom line is, with good lines and AT tires, you can take a Pilot or CRV or Ridgeline... Or damn near any Subaru on most "overland" trails.

I would have kept it forever and just wheeled it instead of buying the Taco... But two young kids plus cargo on family trips does NOT fit in the Element with the way my wife packs. 209k miles is young for these, it'll go to 500k+ on the little inline 4 with a manual. They're bulletproof.

 

Might any of you be in or know of someone that can set me up with a Utility Patent. I am going full tilt with the SlingPot!

My mom and I just finished sewing the first propotype.
I have friends in the industry that will put them up in their outdoor stores. So here we go!

 

I've commented the same on several occasions here on TW about my old man's Ridgeline. Theres a ton of naive hate around here for most anything non-Tacoma, especially a uni-body Honda truck wannabe. I think we can all agree that the Tacoma is one the better looking vehicles on the road, and undoubtedly capable. It gets a little annoying when some folks can't get their head out of their own ass.

 

The ridgeline is based on the odyssey....

....maybe trading the 4Runner on an odyssey isn't so bad. (Googles Ridgeline lift kit)

 

Dang-impressive! And a good sales pitch, almost makes me want it if I needed another vehicle!

 

I think the Pilot shares the same / similar unibody general design too. The Odyssey actually has the same payload capacity as the Ridgeline, but the Ridgeline does have a higher towing capacity. In any case, nothing's wrong with either, important thing is you're getting out there and enjoying the outdoors.

Now, let's get serious about overlanding minivans. If you want a lifted van, don't go Honda -- you gotta go Toyota. The Toyota Sienna can actually come in an awd package. Can you imagine the heads rolling if you drove up to some fancy yuppie Expo rally in a lifted Sienna? Fuck, I wish I was a millionaire so I could make that happen.

 

We used to wheel the shit out of my buddies convertible Labaron!

 

Behold...

http://www.yotaimports.com/listings/2656/

 

And let’s not forget about the Delicas!
A guy down the street that drools over my yota collection has one.
Pretty damn cool I must say. The approach angle on these things is nuts.
He said off-roading it is pretty wild, feels like your on top of the world when your on a ledge.

 

@Mad T step your game up son! You have 2 Expo rigs

 

Y'all got me all hot and bothered now. Those are sexy AF. I'd rock that in a heartbeat.

 

So would I. I slept out of a westfalia for about a year. That was crazy fun...sort of.