allenfab's 95 Tacoma build

While this isn't the exact video I used, it's made by the same guy (Bleepinjeep), and it looks like the same winch in the video as you have.

https://youtu.be/siY2m7xAcKM

 

Perfect! Thanks! See you hooked me up and didn't even have to touch a wire, haha. Honestly, What they did with the pin out is just what I was planning on doing. I didn't realize I would have to take so much crap apart though, lol.

 

What's funny is I just went out to the garage to do a parts and tools inventory in the Tacoma toolbox and while I was at it, I wanted to see if my winch would work since it hasn't been touched in a while. I hit the in/out switch in the cab and nothing but a click..... tapped the winch motor with a hammer and it started working again lol. I then went to inspect the plug on the solenoid box and one of the pins inside broke off again . So the point is, I am glad I have the in-cab controller so I won't have to worry too much about replacing the solenoid one AGAIN

 

I don't know if mine will fair any better, but that's kinda why I waited so long and shelled out for the Warn...the made in the USA model. They had a new economy line that was made in China or something, I guess to compete with Smittybuilt and the other cheaper winches, but I got the real deal, so hopefully, it will be 100% dependable.

 

I can say with confidence that at least the plug on your winch is 100 times better than what’s on the smittybilt haha

 

Until I go muching with it so I can wire up my inside switches. The video makes it look pretty easy though. I even copied down their pin out and plan to keep the 5 wire safety setup, which is kind of a downer because while my switch supports it, I was planning on using those terminals to light up the in/out lights on the switch. They aren't much use once you have your finger over them pressing the switch and it'd be nice if they were lit up so someone who wasn't familiar with you truck would know which way was which if they had to.

 

Do you see any difference with the traction bar vs no traction bar? I don't really notice any wrap but do get the occasional bouncing when trying to bump up and over something.

 

I'll have to report back at a later time on this. On the road, I can most definitely feel a difference.... when going from a stop in first gear, the whole truck wants to kinda torque under load, the passenger rear will dip down and the driver front will lift up some. It's not something that is worrisome, but it is noticeable. Before, the back end would lift up slightly as a whole and the front end wouldn't change with the traction bar installed. As for offroad, I only have one mild wheeling trip on it since it was removed and I honestly couldn't tell any difference. But, that trip was all on very low traction stuff (wet clay, mud, sand), so it may be a totally different experience on some high traction stuff and/or I am in double low and crawling.

 

Mine made a huge difference under shock loads when bumping ledges

 

Im debating on adding one to mine to help since i took some leaves out of the back and to help save driveshafts. tired of denting them. need to have two remade.

 

Its worth it just to keep driveshafts alive alone. Mine has saved me from rocks more times than I could count

 

I know allen mounted his off the carrier bearing cross member but he's a one piece drive shaft. Mines still two. How'd you do yours? I'm sure you posted pictures in your build so go do some digging to see.

 

Had a minute today so I took a quick video of what the axle wrap looks like without the traction bar. The truck was in double low, 1st gear, and I also did it in reverse as well. The tires have around 25 psi in them. It actually isn't as bad as I was anticipating, with the pinion only appearing to twist up a couple of degrees to ultimately perfectly in line with the driveshaft. The hopping of the tires is something that occurred with the traction bar as well, but I believe a drop in tire pressure may help prevent that.

https://youtu.be/qV3xndfoUU4

 

I’m still 2 piece and originally had it mounted to the carrier bearing crossmember until I ripped the crossmember. Then I build a nicer scab plate and tube mount on the inside of the frame. It’s mangled now too and has ripped the frame a couple times. A traction bar sees way more torque and abuse than I had ever imagined. I ripped the Tacoma axle housing a couple times too with it until I switched to the 80 axle

 

Hmm I'm going to need a picture. I can only imagine the forces its stopping. Id like to try one and maybe this fall ill put one in.

 

Not going to lie. This was exactly what i needed to see ahah. now to go try it with mine and see how bad it really is.

Can a traction bar be added to the front as well? i know guys used to do it for on road applications and then disconnect it but feel the front hops more when the leafs separate. and under flex they push the tire into the cab

 

I've seen them on the front before but few and far between. I think they would be more of a hindrance than anything, plus there is essentially zero room for them up front. I would 100% go links before I attempted to throw a traction bar up there.

 

I desperately need new leaves and debating just linking it... But i know nothing about links or how to do them lol.

 

They're not too bad to set up really. Lots of measuring, and lots of cycling of the suspension. Get your coilovers from 4wheelunderground and they will be tuned and already filled with nitrogen when the arrive at your door. That's what I did and I have yet to mess with the valving because they were so spot on. The world wants you to do links, and we are here to help

 

This is mainly 4 link info, but I'm guessing a lot of it is still relevant...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTWZgVx8Y6o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzayUxQCWaY