J. Boogies... Kinda slow but super exciting... Build Thread

My Expedition Essentials 2TPAM has finally arrived!

 

So after my last trip, it was obvious that we needed some serious wire and device management in the vehicle. The location of the 12V power outlets aligns over the passengers' cup holder making access near impossible when in use. Not to mention the general wiring mess that is strewn everywhere.

Enter the Expedition Essentials 2TPAM. With the addition of this item, I’ll be able to mount and view my iPad for navigation. I will also be able to relocate my cell phone on to the same bracket. And lastly, I’ll be able to hang the mic for my CB in a visible and easily accessible area.

I currently plan to use a full-size iPad for ease of visibility when using GiaGPS and have ordered the appropriate RAM mount to accommodate. I already have my phone mounted to the a-pillar but may try to relocate to the 2TPAM to see how I like it.

Funny thing is, I have RAM mounting ballz in several different places in the truck. It’s nice because now that I have a GoPro, it gives lots of different mounting options.

 

Day #2 of new toys:



My power tray parts arrived and I quickly assembled them while sitting on the couch watching The Handmaids Tale last night...

 

The weather seems perfect to leave work early and have a beer somewhere outside...

 

Saturday was super productive. I started the day by volunteering some time up at our kindergarten/1st Grade building helping move mulch to have it ready for the kids next week. This was huge for my wife (a kindergarten teacher) since in years past, the playground was never ready on the first week of school. This was the first year a coordinated effort was used to bring out the community... and WOW! What a turn out!

So... once we finished up there, I started into my Power Trays install. The installation was straight forward. At the same time, I went ahead and swapped out the OEM battery connections with the SDHQ versions I purchased earlier this summer.

 

Well... I made a trip out to Tar Hollow State Park yesterday with a couple of friends. We happened to run into a local looking for a group to run with. It turns out there are way more un-paved "roads" in Vinton County than I had realized and he was explaining how to get maps and who to talk to get them. He led us on about 3 hours worth of trails we hadn't ever been on before and then claimed that was only about 10% of what was available in the area.



I was able to get some trail video, but the damn GoPro batteries don't last very long. In addition, the really cool trails happened after our encounter with a new friend, and after the 2nd GoPro camera battery had died. I will go back through the footage and see if I can clip out anything interesting and add it here...

Here we are at the end of the day airing back up and grabbing a snack for the 2-hour treck back home.



And here we are today stopping for my morning coffee!

 

I think I surprised all of the Jeep guys at just how capable the Tacoma is. I was able to navigate every single trail, hill or decent they could. In some cases making it look easier for me than them...

I did determine that I need a bunch more cutting on the front fender flares. I had the front tires buried on several occasions resulting in loud clicking and clacking from the interference with the flares.

Also, I am totally stoked about my bumper order and can hardly wait for them to arrive!

 

Is anyone interested in meeting up for the Overland Expo East over in Arlington VA on October happening between 10/11 ~10/13? I think me and a friend are headed that way with the wives. I'd be cool to have a Tacoma turnout since I have resigned to offroad with mainly Jeeps to date.

@geekhouse23 @beertimecontinuum @MarX @mightym @dirty deeds @presta24 @Bluegrass Taco @tacofort (this is just a sample of names that have been in my build thread... everyone is welcome to join in!)

 

Maybe. 6.5 hour drive, though.
Trekking more than 3-4 hours had better provide great wheeling and not waiting in line to trade patches or for someone on street tires to get through a mud hole they shouldn't be in. Not trying to sound like a badass, because I'm far from it, just impatient af! lol

 

Overland Expo would mostly be camping and walking in vendor booths to find more ways to spend money you don't have...

 

Considering it.... Got a couple friends from Northern Indiana maybe going too. Will be a last minute decision.

 

So... just thinking out loud here.

After wheeling this weekend with the tent on, I'm wondering just exactly how to set up my truck suspension. I like the relatively soft spring rates I'm currently running, as the truck articulated extremely well on the trail and rides extremely smooth on the street. I don't speed through off-road terrain so that has no bearing on my suspension setup.

I did notice a few things on the trail. I rubbed the front flares quite a bit, but that's only because I've been extremely conservative with the trimming I have done to date. This is an easy fix from what I can tell. So, I had traversed some pretty difficult terrain and was able to cross everything we encountered pretty much with ease. This included severe off-camber entry and departures, a rock ledge almost as tall as the hood of the truck, and a small amount of soupy terrain. The truck did great. My buddy Jason in the fully prepped JK sitting on 37's was extremely impressed. He mentioned that I only lifted a rear tire once or twice.

My concern is that I have several things currently in flux. I have plate bumpers on order, the rear with dual swing outs. I'll be hanging a winch on the front so my weight will be jumping up again. Right now I'm running a Fox setup meant for 3" of lift, as well and OME medium rear leaf springs. I believe I am going to need to up the spring rates in the front suspension to compensate for the future weight hanging out in front of the wheels (aluminum bumper and winch), as well as compensate for the added weight of the rear bumper, swingouts, relocation of spare, and full roto pax (and then the 100-150 lbs of gear when doing extended camping trips). I didn't mention the tent because it's currently installed and the truck has done perfectly fine on the Dakar medium-duty leaf springs.

So... I have already bought Deaver Stage 3 Expedition leaf packs in anticipation of the added weight, but now I'm growing concerned I went too aggressive with the spring rate. I believe this may have two undesirable consequences. 1) the truck will ride like a dump truck when empty (this is my daily driver), and 2) the added spring rate will negatively impact my articulation resulting in more 3-wheeling.

Here's what I need to figure our next:

What length and force spring should I use upfront on the Fox 2.5 extended length shocks?

Do I have the correct stage Deavers for the rear and my setup, or should I step them back a little?

Will the rear suspension setup (shock length and location) be adequate for my needs, or should I be going the same route as @geekhouse23 with relocated 12" rear shocks?

Decisions... decisions...

I think I am going to give @AccuTune Offroad a call here soon to discuss.

That is all.

 

Have you every visited this certain moderator's thread that actually drives a Tacoma? LOTS of good information here with regards to rear suspension setup. Jason is running 1300lb custom Deavers and they flex ALOT. I sifted through his thread and gathered as much information as I could and put the cliff notes version in my thread. That read is here:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-overland-build.302427/page-238#post-20880716

The tomfuckery of his thread starts here:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...oma-but-definitely-not-a-build-thread.455075/

You have to remember that the rear bumper will affect your daily weight driving around and soften the rear end up while on the road. My Dakars are currently maxed out with a topper, high clearance swing out and an empty bed, making the rear end feel loose. The BAMF hangers and crossbrace helped a bit, but I know the leaf packs are worn out.

My unprofessional recommendation is to install the rear bumper, load up and test. My guess is that you will settle a good bit, sag in the rear and bottom out. Install the S3's, load up and test again. I would call Deaver and see if you can remove a leaf like the Dakars so the ride is not as harsh unloaded and so you can find that sweet spot.

To maximize the droop, I highly recommend a shock relocation. With my RTT on my topper, I wanted to have maximum articulation to keep the truck planted in off camber situations.

For the front, 700lb coils should do the trick. You don't want to crank the preload up too much or you will ride harsh AF in the front too.

 

I've read and reread this portion of your thread numerous times. I have also been reviewing the Accutune website which has some decent info on spring rates and preload. I am wanting to make sure that I'm not doing things that are going to make me wish I had a different daily driver. While making sure I have a balance of capability off-road. I do long road trips... use Maine for example, that require a comfortable truck on road for 20+ hours. However, I want to be capable of offroading technical trails without the constant fear of getting stuck or broken.

I've looked over @jberry813 build thread a few times. It just seems like he may have a higher budget than me... just sayin. In addition, once you go long travel in the front you are in a whole different ballpark in my opinion. Maybe that's what I need! Long Travel! Kidding... I don't want to fall down that rabbit hole.

 

Oh... and don't forget the supercharger!

 

Well... BAMF HD shackle hangers and had shackles are now on order.

It seems like that is almost a requirement knowing the weight I am/will be carrying along with the stress a Deaver Stg 3 spring will put on the OEM versions.

Totally stoked. I am going to have some serious mod days coming in the next couple of months!

 

Dang I'd love to but that's probably around 16hr drive. Plus no money camper got broken into last month so it's dried up. I hate adulting lol

 

Camper got broken into? That sucks... did you lose much?

 

Last night was a bit of a rough night.. Somehow I ended up getting drunk and passed out at 7:00 PM. Well, since I got so much sleep, I ended up waking up fairly early. The wife and I did our normal Sunday routine of errands and such, as well as met up with @tacofort to hand off my OEM suspension for him to swap back on to his wrecked rig… glad we got to meet, but sucks about the conditions it had to be under!

Once home, I checked the mail to find that my assortment of Quick Fist had arrived. I plan to use them to mount a fire extinguisher (yet to be purchased), my shovel and a future axe. Originally, I had planned to hang the shovel under the tent using the cross members of the bed rack. However, the rack is currently spaced too far apart to allow this. So without fabricating or purchasing brackets,I started to look for other places to place the shovel. I ended up with it on the side of my roof rack. I’m not convinced this is the final location for the shovel, but will do for now.



After the installation of the tent, I realized that the location of the hi-lift jack was no longer convenient. It was mounted at the front of the bed and required that I climb in and under the tent to get it out when needed. Add in the gear that will more than likely be in the bed during a camping or off-road adventure and then access to the jack is a downright inconvenient. So.. Utilizing existing holes in the Mobtown LP bed rack supports, I installed (2) 1/2-13 x 2” BHCS, backed up by a flange nut, and standard hex nut to allow the jack to be mounted up high just over the bed side. This is much more accessible and actually frees up some space in the bed!



Lastly, I dug in and installed my expedition essentials 2TPAM. They were right, this is somewhat of a technical install. I have pictures below showing some of the major steps. I will say, I opted not to cut as much of the dash trim as they recommended in their video and was able to get the dash back together and still maintain the locking characteristic between the dash to vent bezels. No I just need the last part for my iPad RAM mount to arrive so that I can test fit everything together!

 

Extensive damage to door and frame. Could care less about the stuff. Have to get a whole new door and wait for it too.