My mild Tacoma build and why I don't have money to buy you dinner; by rnish

Looks great! Was the raammat and ensolite worth the effort for noise reduction? Did you do doors as well?

 

The sound deadener under the headliner (on the roof) made a big difference in the rain. In a hard rain the truck was like sitting in a drum. The doors sound more solid when closing, or just tapping the outside skin with my fingers. In general the truck cab is less noisy going down the road. I think Toyota did a better job with noise on the 3rd gens Tacoma, although I've only been in 2 for short rides.

 

Did it 4 years(?) ago so memory and prices may be off. Did doors, back panel, rear floor & headliner w Rammat + ensolite. Something like $250 delivered. Suggest staying away from the asphalt based sound deadiners for overhead and vertical surfaces. I also put mass loaded vinyl in the doors.

Do a search on TW, there are threads describing how to pull the headliner down and removing the door trim etc.

Goto the RAAMaudio website for current prices.

I’m sticking with stock rims because it would kill me to drag $2K in wheels over rocks. When I hit the lottery I’ll get an Audi Q5 for my pavement princess.

 

Nice build. Love how it was all sparked by that dolt who t-boned you. LOL.

 

Yoda mod

 

Any more mods?

 

Thats a great build you got there sir

 

Had an exhaust reroute done (4/2020). Built and installed a heat shield for the transfer case. The exhaust pipe is not as close to the transfer case as it appears in the photo.

 

TW decal mod

 

Rausch Creek 7/25/2020 (Tony, Mike, Frank, & me in the silver truck)

https://youtu.be/IRYmtE6GMuc

 

Two Thirds Rear Seat Delete:

Used the existing seat hinge(s) so the platform can be raised and lowered.

Platform Test Fit


Platform Test Fit


Under Platform Storage


Platform Finished


Platform in Use

 

Prinsu rack and Plano case mounted.

 

The long story: I’ve been intermittently leaking a clear “oily” fluid from somewhere since the spring of 2020. It was harder to trace due to everything under the truck being covered in “Fluid Film”. I checked all the fluid levels nothing was unusual.

In July I drained and filled the F&R diffs and transfer case. I pressure washed the underbody and have occasional checked.


September 2020 it started to be noticeable enough to identify the front diff driver seal as the leaker. Since I’m in there anyway, I’ll be doing the ECGS needle bearing mod.




Getting the axel nut off was easier than expected.



The issue was I could not get the tie rod to release. Broke my removal tool. Posted an SOS on TW and was told that axel can be removed by releasing the "lower ball joint attachment", and swing every thing out of the way.



Front axel shaft out.



Original needle bearing and seal

 

@rnish i like that US Offroad winch mount bumper , real nice ! It bolts (or welds?) right to the frame ? How much was the whole setup ?

 

The winch mount is all bolt on. There is some trimming of the bumper plastic. I got it (years ago) as a product introduction group buy so ~$400 delivered? +winch, +lights.

 

That's a good "FYI" for anyone: To remove the CV or LCA, it is much easier to remove two bolts under the spindle than to remove the lower ball joint.

 

What CB/etc radio do you have and how is it mounted?

 

Yea that’s pretty sweet , so it also add’s recovery points and everything , have you had to winch yourself out yet ?

 

Used the winch once for myself. Couple time for other people. Most of the time I’m with somebody who can give me a pull (so used the bumper).

 

Oh yea and I feel your pain on everything covered in fluid film too , me too . The underside of my truck is a mess in that stuff lol but I don’t have a lick of rust