GA Tacoma Owners BS Thread

yessir, such an incredible little place and so many great memories there from years back when I was halfway in shape lol. I'm assuming you've been?

 

A time or two in another life

 

Hope you folks are doing good. I have a quick question and figured some good knowledge or experience in what I’m thinking.

I sold my taco last month to fund an upgrade for my wife’s car. (Side note I still can’t believe I basically owned a new truck for six years and lost less than 4K, astonishing). Anyway I am driving her old Lexus gx470 for now. I am planning on rolling down to Daytona for upcoming bike week next week but don’t have a way to transport my bike (DRZ sm weighs 300lbs). While purchasing small trailer would be ideal I really can’t justify the cost vs how often I will likely use it. I checked Uhaul but their quite proud with the rates currently. So that brings me to the hitch bike carriers. Have any of you all used these things before? If so are they fairly sturdy and easy to use?

and yes this is one of those times I do miss my truck and just strapping it down and off you go.

Thanks
shawn

 

I ride all the time and I have used a hitch hauler. The good ones have a anti-wobble bolt that keeps it from rocking.
I put my 500sm and my 690r enduro on one.

What part of town are you in? I may can help you find something.
Found a cheap 3 rail trailer.
https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/tro/d/lawrenceville-motorcycle-trailer/7445301345.html

 

Thanks for the input. I appreciate the trailer link as that is a good deal for a dedicated bike trailer. But if I were to do a trailer I want something more multi purpose. Something that would also haul my mower, mulch, etc so I could get more use out of it.

I think a hitch hauler is likely what I need for now. I’m in the Alpharetta area if you see anything or know anyone lmk.

Thank you!

 

You on here? I love walking up to my truck and seeing another tacoma parked next to me

 

Saw this bad boy at the store today today. LT and fiberglass fenders

 

Sick he needs to get rid of that front bumper tho makes I look weird imo lol

 

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD Morning Georgia!
SO Harbor Freight has opened a location in the big city of Calhoun GA. I have never been to one of their stores and I have never bought from them online. I've always been curious about the store, and I have heard some good and also some bad about their products. I do believe I'll be staying far away from and not under any of their jack stands. So what is opinion(s) on Harbor freight? What is worth checking out and buying from them, should I even go and check them out, and if I do go, what should I stay away from.

 

Always approach purchases there with the "what's the worst that could happen" mentality.

I have used their sockets, breaker bars, torque wrenches, and hydraulic jacks for years with great success. I hear good things about the US General and ICON lines of products.

On the flip side of that, things like their jack stands have had constant issues. Even the recall replacements had issues.

I bought a paint roller there a few years ago. I thought "what's the worst that could happen? It doesn't put paint on the walls? (laugh to myself)" I got home and used it and it left fuzz in the paint all over the wall. The "extra texture" was a giant PITA to get out and I had to repaint the wall with a good roller.

The HVLP sprayers are supposed to be very good for single use applications. I've also had good luck with the Bauer DA polisher and whatever their cheap angle grinder is. The angle grinder has been used and abused and keeps rocking along.

Basically, if it is something that you will depend on, buy elsewhere. If it is a single use, or limited use, and failure won't hurt you (physically or financially) then HF is a great option.

 

I buy from HF. I like it.
Its no way a Snap-On. So is the price.

For me, not all work needs a hi end tool. Most people complain that its junk. Price reflects that. But they are expecting Snap-On quality froom $5 tool.
If you are making a living with your tool, HF might not be the best option.

The warranty is good. Better then most places, Lowes, Homeless Depot.

 

I love HF.. I swear by their impact sockets for a couple reasons; they're stupid cheap and lifetime warranty. Even IF you wrench so hard that you're braking sockets, just take the set back and get a new set. That being said, I've never seen a problem with them and they've seen some real big machinery on a daily basis with alot of ugga duggas. Also love my daytona low profile jack. Mixed reviews on em, but more than enough for the typical at-home DIY guy. Tool boxes, can't beat the price, and colorful! Tarps, moving blankets, magnets, little odds and ends, they've got the best prices for all the little crap many of us would call disposable or easily losable lol

Edit: thinking about it more, I have ALOT of HF stuff.. breaker bars, torque wrenches, heat gun, LED lights, rivet gun; the list goes on and on. I rebuilt an entire aluminum boat and framed the aluminum decking using a HF rivet gun, rewired the boat with heat shrink connectors using a HF heat gun. Instead of wiring in dedicated lights in all the hatches/compartments, I slapped a HF battery powered LED light switch on each hatch lid, and they're still going strong, stupid bright, and only cost a few $ for like a 10 or 12 pack. Saved a whole lot of wiring, and they're honestly brighter/more efficient than some of the lights I hardwired in other places on the boat.

 

Basically what others have said. If you need a lot of tools for a project go for it. But always have the mindset that you don't care if it breaks. Maybe would be good for a tools designated for the truck since (hopefully) you won't need them. But for specialty tools I'd go elsewhere, but sockets, ratchets, etc I think you'd be fine depending on use and how often.

 

These are the LED lights I'm referring to. Worth the big "not on sale" price of $2.49 each in my opinion. I can't imagine NOT having some of these laying around the shop/truck/boat/etc;

 

Hand tools have a lifetime warranty and I've had no issue with them. Also have their nicer roadshock flood lights, and have had no issues there. Daytona Floor Jack works great. The Badlands Apex 12000lb winches are supposed to be really good, its pretty hard to find anyone having significant issues with them. I plan to get one next time they have a sale that drops thems under $500.

Generally they have multiple "brands" with different levels of product quality - example for welders would be Chicago Electric (low end), Titanium (mid), and Vulcan (high end). As long as you stay away from the cheapest option, you will probably get a pretty decent tool.

The only harbor freight product I've bought that is total crap is their Pittsburgh plastic crawler. They say its rated for like 300 or 350lbs, and I'm only 240, but the plastic is too thin around the wheels and fatigues rapidly and the wheels break off after just a few uses.

 

Just go walk the aisles and let your impulse control go. You'll find all the things you didn't know you needed, but just can't seem to pass up for the price; little stuff like funnels, microfiber towels, socket bit adapters, flashlights, magnets, wood dollys, safety glasses, zip ties, clamps, gloves, etc.

Also, one or two or three $3 18" magnets come in super handy too.. I installed a few of these under a couple hatch lids on the boat rebuild. Makes for a great place to hang those wet lures out to dry before sticking them back in the tackle box. Always wondered why my entire tackle box of lures would be rusted on all the hooks every time I opened it, until I stopped putting lures in wet lol.

 

Check out this first gen. It's a pretty sweet truck. Those are 33 by 12.5 R15. Welded on rock sliders and a homemade rear bumper.. No cab mount chop. Very little trimming. Doesn't seem to rub and looking under it he does wheel.

 

First gens don't need a chop just some massaging of the fender well. You should've told him to join up, could always use more first gens

 

I didn't have much time to talk and I forgot to mention tacoma world. It definitely made me want a first gen though.

 

Same!