NinjaxBart's 2020 Cement Grey

The past few months of camping & road-trips with the Tacoma have been so awesome, forgot to post many photos or updates here, but here's a bit of a photo-dump of some recent happenings..

Started the season off with some -4C camping, that was a bit of a shock to begin with but I slowly got better and better prepared, meanwhile the weather also got way nicer
DSC07236 by Spencer, on Flickr

The trail in. The truck was still on stock suspension in this, and maybe this photo doesn't quite do justice, but this particular section was enough to slide down rubbing against the sliders
DSC01618 by Spencer, on Flickr

We had some really nice nights camping..
DSC08031 by Spencer, on Flickr

Bought these $20 string lights off Amazon. Each trip, 1 more light would burn out :thumbsdow They were incandescents, so the filament would break just from transport. Swapped out for the same thing off Amazon again $20 but LED's and they worked much better.
DSC08138 by Spencer, on Flickr

Inside our tent
DSC08254 by Spencer, on Flickr

Camping at Dinosaur
DSC08302 by Spencer, on Flickr

Then after a 5 months wait (due to back-order on the leaf springs from Australia) suspension arrived! Dobinson MRR completely kit, light/medium duty springs, 2" lift.
KRave June 2021-7206 by Spencer, on Flickr

DSC08429 by Spencer, on Flickr

TLDR on the Suspension;
- When fully loaded up with all the camping gear weight in the back, the truck drives significantly and noticeably smoother, especially highway speeds over bumps. Going over bridge joists doesn't upset the overall steering anymore whatsoever, while before, that was a noticeable dislike.
- Slow speed manoeuvring is alot more comfortable, almost a floating feeling going thru parking lots, over speed bumps, etc., no more rubbing anywhere also. I kept tire sizes at 265/75/16 but might upgrade.

Woke up the next day after suspension and drove to Vancouver Island - first time ever being there.
DSC08803 by Spencer, on Flickr

By this point we had everything pretty much down pact and dialed in for the Tacoma setup, and all the camping gear. Didn't forget a single thing (thanks to using a checklist) and we just camped around the island for a week pretty much, visited Tofino, Victoria, Pacific Rim, all the usual touristy places I guess, and we even ventured down a couple FSR's and I quickly learned the trails in BC have an abundance of growth, and when people say you'll get some pin-striping, they aren't joking haha...

DSC08850 by Spencer, on Flickr

DSC08620 by Spencer, on Flickr

DSC08956 by Spencer, on Flickr

DSC08950 by Spencer, on Flickr

 

A few recent videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26lNYhyi7j8&t=

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScnXAEfcxBs&t=

 

I saw pics of your setup on the Dobinson MRR thread... I honestly think it looks solid with the 265s still. The Light/Medium duty springs seem fine even when all loaded up?

 

Thanks man! Honestly even on the 265's I am still very happy, I was expecting a bigger gap when I did the lift but I was really happy it wasn't bad at all and looks/ performs great. The light mediums are good - no more sag in the rear is nice, no more hitting bump stops when fully loaded, especially when going 100kmh over a bridge joist!

 

Hey guys, an update on the Tacoma - still absolutely loving it. Winter is finally upon us here. First time out wheeling in the snow for this season was a blast, a few icy sections left me wanting and wishing I had better performing tires. Ideally I'd like to upgrade to some 285's very soon, and I'm considering the Yokohama Geolander AT's. The Grabber's still did pretty awesome though all things considered.

DSC01287 by Spencer, on Flickr

DSC01377 by Spencer, on Flickr

A short video from the day w/ some nice Drone shots! (Mavic Mini, flown legally within Public Land use areas)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozwN1KlpZmw&t

DSC01393 by Spencer, on Flickr

DSC01386 by Spencer, on Flickr

I also made a video just before the snow hit out in the trails comparison the differences between my lighting setup. It shows some GoPro footage of the SS3's on (Fogs), and the SS3 (Ditch), the 30" Light Bar, and the Morimoto XB (Headlights). I cycle thru the different combinations if you'd like to check out a comparison:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8F4UeskaJDQ&t

DSC01118 by Spencer, on Flickr

DSC01133 by Spencer, on Flickr

DSC01225 by Spencer, on Flickr

SSC2 Ditch Lights ( Chase / Rear ) w/ Amber Lens:

DSC01063 by Spencer, on Flickr

DSC01079 by Spencer, on Flickr

A few more photos that I liked (some from end of Summer couple months back):

DSC00716 by Spencer, on Flickr

DSC00737 by Spencer, on Flickr

DSC00307 by Spencer, on Flickr

DSC00338 by Spencer, on Flickr

DSC00271 by Spencer, on Flickr

and one from our last camping trip we had:
DSC00085 by Spencer, on Flickr

~ Cheers guys (and thanks for checking out my thread!)
Spencer

 

DSC01683 by Spencer, on Flickr

 

Hello friends! It's been a while but over the past few months a few upgrades that I'm stoked about!

First I installed the SPC UCA's (and my Dobinson MRRs suspension I left at a 2" lift height right now) but this allowed for me comfortably install bigger tires, 285/75/16's (about 33"s)
DSC02013 by Spencer, on Flickr

I really like that they're grease-able, serviceable, and great warranty.

Getting the new 285's mounted
DSC02035 by Spencer, on Flickr

Looking nice on the SCS BR6's (16 x 8 -12 offset)
DSC02040 by Spencer, on Flickr

That offset proves to be a little challenging with front-bumper rubbing at full tilt. Took the dremel to cut about 1" off the very corner that wraps around the bottom where it rubbed.

Full size 285 spare
DSC02042 by Spencer, on Flickr

DSC02051 by Spencer, on Flickr

Very happy with how the truck is currently sitting, eager to get out for some camping trips again!