New crawl box available

@NorthwestFabworks

Trying to figure out what fitment will look like in the center console. I have a manual 3rd gen and I am curious if the shifter for the ecocrawler can be positioned in such a way to allow it to live next to the transmission shifter or if I will have to loose a cup holder. Looking through your website I see you have a black box/eco box single cable shifter kit. Will this kit be compatible with the Toyota eco boxes. If not what options will we have for the position of the shift lever? I Do alot of trips with the family and cup holder are key to everyone's happiness.

Any pictures you can share?

 

In the case of a vehicle equipped with a manual transfer case shifter it will come through the stock location, otherwise in the case of an electric shift factory vehicle, it can come through the top of the eco crawler, or the rear transfer case, depending on console configurations. I will get some photos of options together as things progress.

 

@NorthwestFabworks just posted an update on Instagram. Coming along quickly.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CRJokmfNCuF/

 

Im super excited!!! When can I place my order?

 

@NorthwestFabworks took preorder back in May. Take a look through their Instagram for details.

 

Also check out the second gen thread.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/new-crawl-box-available.717165/

 

Thanks I just made an insta just for this haha don't judge me

 

Found my donor, out of a 2004 3.4L Tacoma with 127,000 miles. For $120 couldn't pass it up. So ready for this!

 

Broken driveline parts in 3....2....

 

Who else is excited for this early Christmas present?!

 

Not needed. I suppose some manual trans trucks might take advantage of it but def not needed for the autos.

 

Yes I have a manual and its Definitely needed for me! It will absolutely transform off roading for me!

 

Will you guys be adding an additional mount or you think the trans mount would suffice?

 

We've been purposely doing all of our testing with the stock mount, no issues. We will be manufacturing a second as a option for those who feel the need.

 

Why not? I may not be the crawling expert you are… but gradually getting into harder trails with my second gen auto, I notice that super steep downhills, you’re riding the brakes even in 4lo. Seems like this could be helpful for that. I’ve also see a bunch of videos online and from marlin (big mike has an auto with his crawl box right?) slower crawling means potentially less slippage when trying to get over obstacles. Maybe less need for the skinny pedal to get you over an obstacle. I love the idea of a crawl box. Need is a strong word. But seems like it could be potentially useful crawling.

 

"Ideal" crawl ratio is 100:1 with manuals and this is mostly due to clutch management on steep ascents when your trying not to stall on climbs and burn your clutch out. A common miscalculation with automatics is the inclusion (or lack there of) of the Torque Converter which adds about 1.5 to the crawl ratio not to mention there isnt a need to worry about stalling which puts the 3rd gen crawl ratio closer to 74:1 (Assuming it's geared to 5.29). Holding the brake on a few ledges and drop offs isnt much to justify a lower crawl ratio (in my opinion), I can't say I have ever found myself riding the brakes, 5 years later and I'm still on the original pads.

Traction also has a lot of variables to include the environment, tires, speed etc but there are plenty of times where you can't get traction or a bite at slow speeds and need some wheel bump or some momentum to get the tires to grab. The other issue is that slow tires are cold, sometimes spinning some tires on a rock heats them up enough to bite.

You'll find that those super low crawl ratios are rarely used , they are super neat and kind of gimmicky but you'll see most of those guys in 2nd and 3rd gear

 

@NorthwestFabworks curious if you have had a chance to get some photos together.

 

I havent yet, head down in getting these ecocrawler orders together.

 

It does kind of irk me that OP doesn’t know what he’s talking about in some of his posts, but I can and won’t down play more competition and options for our trucks. I think it’s awesome. I hope they sell enough for it to become a thing. I’ve got a fj cruiser, factory t case and a great driven t case sitting in the garage. This will be interesting and I already have the parts

 

So far reception has been great, and like you said it isn’t hard to already be tee’d up with parts. I think his goal was to bring it to the community as we hadn’t joined TW yet, and if you have concerns we know the product inside and out, just ask!