What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

Got some squat going yesterday towing this camper we rented for the weekend.

 

What's the weight on that trailer? How did it pull?

 

All mods added 100+ HP lol.

Predator hooks, N-Fab steps, trd sport stickers

I posted in the new member forum about the mods I'm looking for some advice on. Here they are...

1. Front Grille - I have the PVM system so the OEM TRD Pro grille seems like my only option unless I want to screw up the cameras. Any tips on a cool grille here?
2. Performance upgrades - The truck is a little sluggish. I'd love some opinions on anything from a supercharger to bolt on stuff I can install like cold air to exhaust. Has anyone tried the pedal dominators?
3. Camper Shell - I've seen the smart caps and prefer the G2 sport camper shell. Any thoughts or opinions here? I got a quote for $4k for a g2 shell! Seemed high to me.
4. Lighting - mostly interested in installing simple amber lights in the front grille but don't like the look of the "clear" tail lights. Anyone have any thoughts here?

 

2020-21 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road and Sport OEM Grille Raptor Light Bezels (Lights Not Included) | Tacoma World

 

RVshare has the gross weight listed at 4,000 lbs. Pulled it fine, it probably would have gone a little smoother with a weight distribution hitch and some mirror extensions. I installed a Redarc Tow Pro Elite trailer brake controller a month or so ago, that really helped. Only about 20 minutes of towing between the pickup location and the campsite so transmission temps stayed below 200.

 

If I didn't have the 32" light bar behind grill I'd be all over it. In Republic of Alberta we don't have front license plates due to equalization payments we can't afford them!

 

You need Timbren's !

 

Thanks for the info. I add it to the memory bank. It helps me dial in where I should be. I have a hard sided pop-up that is 2400lbs GVWR with a tongue weight of around 250lbs. It tows fine. Just a lot of gear hunting especially with high winds or elevation change. I love the truck, but coming from V8's, I have to get used to the extra effort they require. I agree. A weight distribution hitch would probably do wonders for smoothness.

 

Got these new emblems in the mail today. Pretty happy with how they look.

 

Cool. May need to hook up if we're back in the area and yak off the causeway.

 

What are you doing with those ADS??

 

KDMax 6.0 performance tune......should be the first mod you make! not a better mod can be done (for the $$)!

 

Swapping them for the equivalent Kings... but this time with adjusters.

As far was what's going to happen to the ADS? @WrecklessAbandon is buying the fronts and @vorkuta775 is buying the rears.

 

I would recommend the RoadMaster Active Suspension in order to handle the hitch weight. I gained almost 6" in height at the trailer hitch and handling on the highway was greatly improved as well. As far as the gear hunting issue, look into getting the ECU updated with OVTune. It doesn't make it a V8 but performance and the gear hunting issue is addressed without effecting fuel economy.

 

Installed the AlphaRex taillights today from Tacomalifestyle.com. Went with the smoked red.

 

Can I ask what made you switch from ADS to Kings?

 

Oh! Have you seen the OEM chrome exhaust tips?! I just so happen to have one for you if you need one...LMK!

 

That's a very personal question...

Kidding...

I bought my ADS a while back from Headstrong, with some bad advice from the TacomaWorld ADS thread. Basically, due to having a slimline bumper and winch, I was told that I needed 700# coils. So, I ordered the suspension with 700# coils, right off the shelf and installed them. In my opinion, they did not ride like I expected them to. Everyone describes ADS and Kings as riding on a cloud. What I experienced was a very jarring ride, and it wasn't what I had hoped for. After putting up with it for about a year, I swapped the coils to 650#. This had a great improvement, but I still thought it could be better. The more I researched, the more it seems like valving is the biggest factor. According to @AccuTune Offroad, the valving should be "tuned" for each truck's weight, to get the best performance out of it. They said that stock valving tends to be soft in the front and stiff in the rear.

So, tune the ADS, right? The issue I have trying to get them tuned, is that pretty much no one works on ADS, while plenty of places work on Kings. So, after digging and digging for someone to tune them, I've finally given up and am switching brands. I also ordered the Kings with adjusters, which I think I should have done with the ADS (again, I followed bad advice).

Lastly, I've read that ADS have less travel than Kings. It's minor, and I don't really care that much, but it did factor into my decision.

So, here I sit, waiting for my Kings to be delivered. They're currently experiencing 6+ month lead times. My set of Kings were ordered Nov 30th, so I'm a little beyond half way there.

 

Don’t take it through a drive through wash it’ll rip right off