What Have You Done To Your 2nd Gen Tacoma Today?

Too heavy? Why? I haven’t wheeled in WA. Did you put them on and and your truck sagged enough for the tires to rub? I assume it isn’t rocky where you wheel? Stock skids are utter garbage and aluminum won’t stand up to rocks well either exactly. Though I suppose if you don’t wheel a ton in rocky areas, steel skids are overkill.

 

$60 Loncky Custom Fit Black Genuine Leather Steering Wheel Cover for Toyota Land Cruiser 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 Accessories Car Interior Hand Stitched OEM Parts

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019H9DJFM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_IrKjFbD844X42

 

I didnt even throw them on. I'm personal friends with @crashnburn80 a well known vehicle engineer on here. He explained why adding substantial amounts of weight to a vehicle is a negative to me in a way I actually understood. So I try and avoid adding unnecessary weight.

 

Fair enough. Not for me I suppose. Having destroyed my stock skids, ripped off my mud flaps, roughed up my LCAs, dented the body panel under the door, and hit both front and rear stock bumpers off-roading, steel skids, front and rear steel bumpers, and rock sliders were a no brainer for me. Extra weight be damned.

 

I added rock sliders mostly for door dings. And I feel like I'd used rock sliders before I'd need skids. Id do aluminum skids, but like I said. I have a bedroom I need to furnish first

 

Okay so this is a bit of a repost but now I have a video to go along! Spent 8 hours on the truck today.

Washed, power sprayed bed and wheel wells. Buffed. Polished. Washed again. Waxed. Headlight restoration. Engine bay degrease. Window wash. Tire shine on tires and plastic trim.

It’s like a new truck!

oh and also scored some 3rd gen red rims for 175

video of my hard work and results here
https://youtu.be/Lyz6Dejy0bo

 

What fogs do you have? I have that same front bumper. Also, how you liking that rear bumper? I got mixed views on it.

 

I have that same mount kit but my trim ring does not look like that. Is it one that came with the HU?

 

Weight is your vehicles #1 enemy, it reduces every aspect of vehicle performance; acceleration, braking, mpg, ride, handling and reduces payload capacity. If you care about those things, it is best to try and minimize the weight gain in a build, balanced with considering how you use your truck. If you are a hard core rock crawler, or your truck is a dedicated trail rig, steel would be most appropriate. If your skids are more of an insurance policy vs frequently used pivot point, and your truck is a daily driver, then heavy duty aluminum will likely work fine without the unnecessary weight gain and performance draw backs.

 

Those HLs are freaking rad Chris. Where did you find em?

 

Aluminum front bumper and steel skids. Steel can be more easily repaired on your skids than aluminum which can crack and skids protect the dangly bits

 

Armor how you see best appropriate for your use case while trying to minimize weight. I do mild rock crawling and moderate trails in the mountains in the PNW and aluminum has suited me fine. Most don't need aftermarket bumpers that are heavy (even aluminum) and are major sources of aero drag. My bumper is stock, it has taken a blow, I pushed it back out and it is fine. Zero lbs gained on the bumper, less than 5lb gained on the skid. Vs potentially 100+lbs gained from an aluminum bumper and steel skid and increase in drag causing loss of mpgs and highway performance. I realize this level attention to detail isn't for everyone, but I have built my truck to tackle the trails I want and still drive like it thinks it is a sports car while getting the best fuel economy possible.

 

Thanks man

https://alpharexusa.com/product-cat...odel=tacoma&filter_make=toyota&v=f24485ae434a

 

Would like to see pics if you got!

 

Today I installed the new grill, DD SS3 Pro Fog lights and the AlphaRex Nova Series headlights. Lights are not aligned yet. Just wanted to share



DRL ONLY

 

Few more in the light with the lights off

 

Bought a Dobinson's snorkel.
Says it's "available, on back order" so who knows when it will show up.

Going to try and do a couple small things on the truck today if the rain holds up.

 

I hear ya there. I finally got some time off work, but this damn hurricane is trying to throw a wrench in my plans. I'm wondering if it would've been more appropriate to get a snorkel before a lift.

 

I did lift first. Will I ever need a snorkel? I'm thinking no.

 

I'm hoping I won't ever need a snorkel. My experience with flooding in coastal VA says otherwise.