NW WA Meet / BS Thread

Agreed on the tires. IMO they are the biggest difference you can make on any vehicle.

 

Thanks! That sounds like exactly what I need to check out. I've got 285/70R17 all terrain tires on it at the moment which I hope will get me around where I want to go. Great info!

 

My bad These aren't the greatest pics but it at least gets the idea across. The closer pic is before I got the side steps on.

 

hahaha out of all the responses to this, this one wins. Always feeling that way. Figured that’s the case given that’s how my OEM leaf packs were. Thanks everyone lol. Will just turn the volume up.

 

Me. Mine used to be really bad, but I got the new leaf liners, took them apart and really greased them up. Been quiet for 5k+ miles now.

 

I solo often. It's just about not putting yourself in a terrible position when you're alone. Airing down and traction boards will take you a long way.

 

I get more noise from the front end of my truck than I do the rear. My dakars must be made of unobtainium, they don't make a sound.

 

This is gonna sound crazy but sometimes I think it’s the kind of dirt that we run in. Say if I’m up in the hills around Coville or Chewella in that red clay shit my truck squeaks like crazy when I get back. Same as the dusty volcanic stuff around Ellensburg. Around the house the roads are mostly pit run, limestone and granite not as bad.

 

Does it matter much which traction boards to get? Looking on Amazon for example has so many options.

Do you guys ever use the bed outlet for air compressor or is a 12v DC the better route to take?

I'm in a similar situation as the other guy, I go out solo but haven't invested in winter cya gear and realizing now that I could've use traction boards a few times to save me from digging.

 

All traction boards are better than no traction boards but they are not created equal. Maxtrax are arguably the best but are expensive at $300. The first time they get you out of a bad situation they have paid for themselves though.

Don't get a air compressor to hook up in the bed or one that plugs into the cigarette outlet. Get one that hooks to your battery terminals like a viair 88p (entry level pump but works great)

$77 VIAIR 88P - 00088 Tire Inflator Portable Onroad/Offroad Air Compressor for Car, Truck, SUV & RV | 12V On/Off Road Tire Pump Air Compressor Portable Heavy Duty 120 PSI, Alligator Clips, Twist Chuck

https://www.amazon.com/Viair-00088-...d=1&keywords=viaair+88p&qid=1606345232&sr=8-2

 

Agreed, my $30 compressor that plugs into the cigarette outlet failed to inflate a swimming pool floatie the first time I used it.

 

The 88p impressed the shit out of me, having used cig lighter pumps for years. Not even comparable.

I believe the bed outlet is only 100w right? Or is it 400? Either way it's not enough for most things

 

400W in neutral/park, 100W in drive

 

A tow strap can be used to wrap a tree for an anchor point. Keep a shackle on one end though. It can be useful to have a couple tow straps at times too. Chains can sometimes be useful as well. I keep 3 chains in my truck 2 of the chains have open hooks, and one has a binding hook. All 3 have a shackle at the end opposite the hook so I can make a loop out of it, or easily connect it to another chain securely.

Never get the tow straps with metal hooks already sewn in. Those things have a proclivity for breaking or coming loose while under tension, and sending the metal part into a bystander or more likely, glass on a vehicle.

More expensive than a tow strap, but similar is a kinetic rope. Bubba Rope is the only brand that comes to mind. These are basically high strength bungee ropes, so that in tugging somebody out of a stuck situation, it isn't a sudden jerk on the line. It is not something everybody has.

Get a poor man's winch for now. A poor man's winch is more commonly called a come along. I first got a 2 ton model (with braided steel cable), then later got a 6 ton chain style come along. 4 months after getting my Tacoma, I got it stuck, and a come along is what got me out.

Know your recovery points, and how to best utilize them for both getting yourself out of bad spots, as well as helping others. I am a big fan of the hook I got from uhaul that goes into the receiver. It cost $25+ tax, but is solid and you will break the pin keeping the hook in the receiver before straightening or breaking the hook itself. I now use it in my 7000 lb dodge 2500.

You can take a bicycle pump with you for airing up tires. I did that once. In the time it took me to air up one tire, another guy with a compressor had all 4 tires done. I went to Harbor freight, and bought their 12 volt compressor that clamps onto battery terminals for about $60 on special. I learned the hard way, turn it on before connecting it to a tire. If it already has pressure on it, then it blows the fuse once turned on. I'm pretty sure that is specific to the cheap Harbor Freight thing though.

If you want to get more into offroading, then save some pennies, then get full suspension to replace the spacers/blocks. I ended getting a good deal on OME (Old Man Emu) with full Dakar leaf pack, then installed it myself. Watch the for sale threads on here for things you are interested in. Watch the local threads for get togethers, which may include build days, meaning people meet at somebody's place and bring mods to put on their trucks. Some of us have tools and/or knowledge, and are happy to help others learn how to also do things.

As for your truck offroad, I ran my 2011 4 banger 5 speed 4wd stock, even tires, and I think I surprised more than a few people. These Tacomas are very capable trucks right off the factory line.

Next time you head to Chewelah or Colville, give me a shout. You probably pass by me in Deer Park on the way.

 

Lol, could have used your help a couple years ago when I slid off the road on the spring bear hunt.

 

Small problem, was pulling a 2wd Hyundai out of the snow and had my strap wrap around my right rear axel when backing up I don’t think there was a whole lot of tension on it but enough for the ABS light and Brake light to come on the dash, there doesn’t seem to be any physical damage and everything works normal but the light hasn’t reset its self after about an hour of high way driving, any ideas on what could be potentially damaged? I’m thinking it may have pulled a sensor out of place

 

Was it by the wheel? Check the abs speed sensor.

Edit: passenger side rear sensor is on the back side of the axle.

That reminds me... I still need to install these.
https://sdhqoffroad.com/products/07...unner-05-current-tacoma-sdhq-built-abs-guards

 

Your probably right.