MARYLAND TACOMAS

I do strategic planning for a living...i can't help myself sometimes.

 

When deciding between the OR or a Sport, I ended up using past experiences and this thought process… I had a 2006 sport with the awesome scoop and the LS diff. There were a few times I got stuck that having a locking rear diff might have helped. So that though, and that I could buy or swap for a scooped hood led me to the OR…
Still have not gotten the scooped hood or had to lock the rear diff but it’s nice to know it’s there!

 

Lower Control Arm replacement? Firestone tells me that they can’t do a full front end alignment because the eccentric(s) are frozen. That I need new LCA(s) and bolts. Do I really need the LCA’s? I’m guessing the corrosion locks everything. Talking about a 2014 Toyota Tacoma V6 4x4.

I’ve done a UCA replacement. Somebody told me the lowers are easier. Anybody do a LCA replacement?

 

Morning MD!

 

I see your bio says you have a '95 Taco. Got some pics?

 

Only thing I’ve seen/read is you’ll need a sawzall to cut the bolts/bushing then hammer those things out. Might be time to get the fancier style cams..

 

I emailed the fine folks at Blackstone this morning regarding my inquiry about switching to a high mileage oil-- 5W-30, 10W-30, or switching my regular full synthetic up to a 10W-30 offering. Will post whatever response I get on here.

 

Sure do! These are from my album when I first got it. Have more recent photos, but they require more digging to find.

 

I like those Christmas lights! Lol
Your truck brings me a bit of a nostalgic feeling. When I was real little, my Dad had a red Toyota pickup that looked like yours. I miss that truck and would have loved to owned it as an adult. Nice rig.

 

Ah yes, this is it. I remember it seeming so tall but I don't think it was lifted or anything. Nice truck there, though!

 

You rang? At your service...

 

I have Freedom Offroad LCAs and - well....I cannot even tell i have them. But, I can say the local firestone/tires plus aligned it without any drama. I got them because i needed new lbj's and figured I didn't have time to source things and press then whatever. I preferred plug-and-play.

 

Hey Ya'll, Do any of my Maryland TacomaWorld friends have an enclosed utility trailer, suitable for towing behind a Tacoma, that they would lend out for a few weekends later this year. Probably Sept/Oct timeframe? I would be using it to move some household items to South Carolina. Thx.

 

Thank you! This one is sentimental for me. I bought it from a friend who passed away shortly after.

I didn't have service!
Thanks for covering for me.

 

A portable which setup eliminates most of that cost.

You can get a very nice winch from HF

and get their carrier too then just add a front mounted receiver

https://www.etrailer.com/p-C31075.html?hhyear=2021&hhmake=Toyota&hhmodel=Tacoma

and you're in for about $700, and beside the receiver, not need to do any other wrenching.

Most recoveries from a private contractor can run you almost half that depending on your location/remoteness, and you may have to wait, wait, and wait for them.

Also I picked up a set of never used 700# Eibach spring for $100 off a member on here. It's likely all I will need if I install the front armor and winch eventually.

And yes, that is the wire, not synthetic, winch. Temporary doesn't require synth. And if anyone thinks these winches are sketchy, there's a Youtube video of one lifting a Wrangler off the ground.

I've done things like this too. Mainly with the whole diesel vs gas vs hybrid comparison. Diesel when I had mine was the obvious choice because it was a dollar less (at the time) than gas per gallon. The truck on the other hand was almost twice as much as a gas counterpart. It was a waste too because ultimately diesel prices rose to be higher. Lesson learned. When we needed a new car, I evaluated the difference between hybrid and gas. We went with a hybrid. Getting 35 - 40 mpg in a commuter vehicle was definitely the best choice. Even now, with the Taco sucking at fuel economy, the car offsets it if we drive it enough. But I definitely like your reasoning. It's exactly why I am thinking of not doing another damn thing to the truck, and investing all that additional mod money into an overland style trailer, complete with a dual sport motorcycle, kitchen and tent. That way I can still play off road and the wife won't have to worry about me trashing the truck, getting stuck.

Oh, and I keep two fire extinguishers in the cab, because with my luck, the first one would run out too soon.

Seems like a fair price, depending.....on the install. Labor these days is stupid money.

Improper technique has gotten more people into trouble than inadequately equipped rigs for sure. I say practice makes perfect too. Make it a point to get stuck so you can practice getting unstuck. With free help nearby of course. I sort of did the same thing when we moved up to Harford County from the city 20 years ago. We have seriously steep driveways and no matter what I did, with just an inch of snow I could never get up them in 4wd and forget about the fwd car. I even had dedicated snow tires put on the car and it was still futile. Someone recommended backing up so the weight was......and of course, my dumb ass tried that too.

Then one day I had some time to play. I found that if I applied firm brake pressure, then very little throttle, and then barely released the brake the truck would not break traction and would move slowly forward. So I kept at it until I could almost do it without engaging 4wd. I believe this is common practice offroading but I was always a balls to the wall kinda guy growing up so I didn't know any better (in my former life I had an old Bronco with a 351 v8 and use to go off road all the time, and the pedal was mashed all the time. It never got stuck).

This is exactly why I am not rushing into the final stages of my build. Armor is expensive and all the other things related to it will also be expensive, as you said, suspension, etc. Then there's the chance of the absolute worse catastrophe, you equip your rig, get cocky and destroy it in the process of having fun. Nothing will ruin your day more than rolling down a mountain, and I do not mean, upright on the tires. However, I have a friend on here that slid backwards down a very long trail on ice once. Only once. He had to have the seat professionally cleaned. His rig was equipped too. So I am in "no need" of it now and honestly, the one time I did go offroad with the truck I have now, it was more than adequate. We didn't do any rocks or mud so I can't say anything to that but for anything else, it was fine.

You could also look into something like this. It's a good middle ground bumper setup. https://sdhqoffroad.com/products/16-current-toyota-tacoma-sdhq-built-hidden-winch-mount and a lot less heavy that a full on armored bumper.

 

WTF is up with this Carolina Exodus!? What part Jerry? I like to establish routes to my hideouts ahead of time. Not that I plan on robbing any banks any time soon but you just never know with me........

 

Haha life’s better down here

 

Yea, for you, but that's not what the locals are saying since then.......

 

FYI, I want this long bed!

 

Haha I’m not bad compared to the New Yorkers