Squeaky Penguin's 2nd Gen Build - Take 2

My TCs do squeak but it is from the uni ball not where the bushings are. But I also have heimed uppers so I no longer have bushings on the top. Tell her to spray some tri-flow on the uni balls and that should help.

 

And the next time I will be joining.

 

Many many thanks! Im hoping my antenna will clear since its on the back part of the roof, where it slopes down.

 

Crazy how time flies! Hard to believe that was 5 years ago.

 

Yep, 2016.

No shocks or tires were harmed on this trip...




Even if I tried.

@TMFF absolutely nailed it on the valving for these foxes. I put them through their paces, and couldn't be happier with how the truck handles. Minus the occasional smacking the skid on a hard bottom out due to the little tires.

 

Welcome to my world when I had my Tacoma with the small tires. Got my monies worth out of the skid plate.

 

^this. most likely the uniballs. i was replacing my upper uniballs basically every year when i would do a lot of trips. my truck really is only used for trips these days and normally has a lot of dirt/dust involved. lower uniballs would last 2 years. less dirt and winter they see, the longer they would last. i now have delta joints retrofitted into my TC uppers, just gotta grease them every 3k, but no squeaks.

if you hear the noise while turning the wheel, it's your uniballs.

 

May or may not have backed into a tree on my first night at camp on my first real trip in this rig.



Thought it would look better after a wash, and it doesn't. At least I got the first one out of the way.

 

How do you manage that with a backup camera?

 

Camera doesn't help when you're not watching it.




Anyways, got an additional trans cooler installed today. I noticed shit getting hot pushing it in high range a couple times when low range was just a bit too low. Plus it's just cheap insurance. Also need to get a OBD2 reader so I can keep an eye on those temps.

Should have bought a manual.




Then got these BAMF front bumper brackets on. Didn't really trust the bumper being mounted to the factory studs. Did have to get a bit creative to get this to work, but it's in.

 

The camera shows in the mirror AND nav screen! At least it matches the bed side dent.

 

next up some frame caps to cover those holes. @Nimble9

 

What's the extended length on that setup? I'm curious if it'd work with a shackle flip

Also, Nice bike mount!

 

I'm guessing there will be more dents to come.

Eh, I don't care enough at the moment/when I get around to something I'll probably do what I helped @Night Eagle with and taper the ends and box them in.



Or when I get to that point - cut the whole crossmember out and build a new skid and bumper with more clearance.

25.020" according to Fox.


And thanks, it's a bit of PITA to have it in the bed, but I still think it's the best solution for my travels this summer.

 

It is pretty nice not bashing those stupid corners any more. I wish I could move mine up but that means redoing my entire bumper.

 

Electrical is almost done. Hopefully this powers the fridge and whatever else I need indefinitely while I'm busy fishing.

Setup is a Northstart 27f, went the same as the starting battery so it could be swapped if needed, Renogy 30amp DC-DC charger with MPPT, Xantrex 1000w inverter, two HQST 100w panels bolted up to some tnutz extrusion with some simple brackets I welded up to tie into the GFC. Getting that all in the little cubby in front of my drawer was a PITA, but I'm happy with how it came out. Just need to figure out where to mount up the little screen for the renogy and remote on/off for the inverter.

 

Clean looking setup!

 

Very nice!

 

EAFAF

 

Yeah, might have gone a little overboard on this setup. A portable solar panel and a good starter battery probably would have been fine.




Chinaman's run next couple weekends, or a Friday? I feel like I need to give the 1st gen a good drive before it sits all summer.