Squeaky Penguin's (Trip Reports) Build Thread

It's not so bad. Only 7k when it's all said and done done haha

 

I kept asking that question on the Colorado adventure. Is this rockcrawling? For some reason, the answer was always NO!

There sure was a lot of fucking rocks. Maybe it's because we were going too fast to be considered 'crawling'

 

If we'd don't holy Cross or China man's gultch then we'd been crawling.

 

I see. So a trail has to have a very hard rating to be considered rockcrawling?

 

Has to have big rocks and hard lines yes haha we didn't do anything with large rocks.

 

Let's hit holy Cross next time you're down, then I'll say you did some actual wheeling.

 

On a 1-10 scale I'd maybe say 5 and up rock crawling?

 

I wanna so bad!

 

There's a photo of rock crawling for you Mike!


Also, I feel like for this job, the Redhead needs to start a build thread. I mean, you could do it here in Brett's but...

You could call it: "Redhead's Back-from-the-Dead Build Thread"

I think the key for rock crawling is consistent large rocks, not just an obstacle here and there.

 

After extensive searching I came to the same conclusion as well. I plan on running those gussets with Icon's.

@austinmtb is running them with camburg's

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/austins-supercharged-mid-travel-build.514868/

Though he's the only first gen I could dig up without TC UCA's. Guess everybody loves that grey and blue.

 

This is what I figured. Without paint and decals on them, it is difficult to see any difference between TC and Camburg UCAs

 

So, I found myself thinking about these gussets/double shear kit last night. Originally I was thinking that it might be a good idea to get the kit myself, just to try and prevent what might be inevitable.

But then, I came to a contrary conclusion. So, this being the internet, I thought I'd share .

You guys have been wheeling for years - since what, 2012? And, when you started, your trucks were already ~10 years old. Granted, those first 10 years were the easy years for our trucks, but they were 10 years of wear nonetheless.

OK, so in the last 7 years, there have been a lot of rough and tough miles. And yet still, how many of these coil bucket failures have there been, and when did they occur? I think the answer is 2 or maybe 3 failures, all occurring in the last couple years.

So then, when we're all looking to reduce weight on our trucks, are these the right thing to install? Sure, it's easier now than it'd be later, but that doesn't mean it's the right call.

If new coil buckets alone last 7 years, isn't that probably enough for the Redhead? I know that in previous conversations with her owner, that may be about all that's expected...



PS - I agree that all the tubular aftermarket UCAs would likely work. I think they're really just saying that OEM arms don't have the right shape to fit between the gussets.

 

So you're saying that because you are expecting 7 years of life more or less why bother with the gussets to save weight?








That just sounds dumb typing that

I don't know about you. But I certainly don't want to replace a coil bucket ever. 7 years or not. Id much rather prevent it as much as possible. The 10lbs you'll add from the gussets are worth it in that case.



The real question is, by reinforcing parts of the truck where does the energy get transferred to now? And how will those parts react to the additional energy.







Also...lol Brett your build is so popular now

 

Yeah, 'cause those 1/8" plate coil bucket gussets are really going to make or break your weight savings plan.

Plus, Mike's going to have to pull his engine, and do tons of fab work to get that new bucket in the right place. It would be shortsighted to not take the time to strengthen it at the same time IMO.

Also, how many of those 7 years have been at the weight he's at now with 700lb coils driving like he is? I wouldn't want to go through all that work to leave it as is.

 

Sorry, yeah, I realize that it reads as just weight savings. Not my point; poor writing.

What I'm really saying is that I'm not sure it needs more than 7 years. I think the Redhead has always been pretty heavy. I'm saying, why bother because in the next 7 years, the likelihood of other (20 year old) stuff failing (besides the new buckets) is probably higher.

 

If we keep BSing in here, I might reclaim my lead.

I still don't understand that logic. In the grand scheme of the project he is about to need to do, the coil bucket gussets will add almost no additional effort. So why not bother?

 

well with that logic.





buy a 3rd gen haha

aaaaaaawwwwww sheeeeeeettt

 

Just a matter of time for all of us buddy. I'm just the only one who admits it

Plus, it might actually be a 4th gen.

LOL. You guys.

I agree - and said as much - it's not the largest part of the project. Shoot, I've done things for that same reason. But if it's not necessary, being "easy" doesn't make it "right."



EDIT: I should add. I hope he gets them and installs them. Because I'm super curious and hope to have the opportunity to help or at least watch. I love seeing and learning this stuff, and figuring out if it's right for me. I just think it's good to go into it having thought through fully.

 

Good mid travel suspension increases driving speed on rough terrain, increased speed leads to more abuse. I think that there is nothing wrong with beefing all the things. And with the motor out it's the best time to do motor mounts as well as being able to get a bead behind those gussets.

I have been on a basic coilover for a long time and it's really made me dial back the way I want to drive because it literally sounds and feels like I am destroying the truck. But you bet your ass that once I get something decent I am going to push it faster and harder than before. And I am sure every once in a while when you are pushing it you take those surprising hard hits too.

 

IMO, this is the correct way to look at it. Besides, someday, when I grow up, I may want to become a true rock crawler.

I am sure it will not all be smooth sailing. There will be surprises compromises that will be encountered along this path.

It was only a matter of time before my drivers side would have failed. All the signs were there.