BIG ISLAND HI Thread

Anyone haul a kayak? Looking into getting a two-person sit-on-top kayak and some sort of rack to haul it. Any truck rack suggestions? Toyota has a picture of a Tacoma hauling a kayak with their OEM roof racks, but seems as if more is needed: https://wholesaledirect.moderntoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-roof-rack-pt27835170

 

A two man kayak is a lot longer. Do not trust the factory racking ,only screws holding the bars. Design more as a cargo holder. Amazon sells the those rubber strips to lay on the roof for cargo. Two way tape. Easy install. Prevents cargo loaded directly on the roof. The ones I got look like they came from the factory 1/2 high.

A kayak may cause upwards movement at higher speeds. Creating a lift.

Better to get the racking for the bed style . Pricey, stronger. A flying kayak can be dangerous.
I had a two man kayak, I would never mount , using the factory bars on the roof. Had a full size truck at that time.

 

100% agree! I wouldn't even strap my 10'6" SUP to my Yakima roof racks. (Not enough support IMHO)

 

I got a pipe rack I throw kayaks on. I wouldn’t trust the factory mounts either. But my brother puts his kayak on his factory rack on his 4Runner and subi tho.

 

Looking good! Curious how the pipe racks are mounted , are they connected to the bed mounts?
The same way the Rack-it pipe racks are mounted?

Thule, Yakima is popular racks. They are not design as strong as “old days metal pipe racks”.

My son’ Thule racks , to weak for our purpose. Keeps shaking ,need to keep tightening , keeps getting loose.
He ended up removing them. Really wants a metal pipe rack.

Toyota can build a composite beds that allows “heavy duty metal pipe racking”? But they won’t.

Not interested in overland racks. Just the old fashion “construction pipe racks”.

 

I am a carpenter, so I was concerned with the weight I would be putting on the rack/ composite bed at times.

I seen the rack it system and how they tie it into bolts in the bottom of the bed. So I welded up something similar and made it work for me.
Most pipe racks I see around town are only c clamped to the bed rail!

The pipe racks I got for a deal on cl. They were for a long bed tacoma. I had to shorten them to work.

 

Looks like it came out nice! I am sure everyone will ask where they can get one just like yours!

I have seen one or two Tacoma with pipe racks driving around. I always wonder how they had secure to the bed of the truck?

There is a boat harbor nearby, I have seen Anodized aluminum pipe racking on trucks. The same stuffs use on boats .
They are so “beautiful “. And expensive, my friend had one on his older Tacoma, $2,500. Custom fit. Can’t miss it, the only one with Anodized aluminum.

Every where he parks , guys always asking if he wants to sell the rack.
Not a construction worker, just to put his surf board on.

 

Hawaii Dreaming! Bucket list includes a condo on the Big Island so I can hang with my buddy "Yancey"

 

When I got my first camper top, from a local dealer. The one selling point was Brahma was a tougher camper shell then the one I wanted. He claims it can handle “rollovers” . Then the one I wanted.

I purchase the one I wanted. Saving some money.

After looking how all the camper tops were secure in those days. Just with clamps. Any “rollover” the camper shell can be rip off. Glad this was never tested.

 

Just purchased a 2022 trd sport 4x4. Will this be ok for most off roading on the island? In place of the off road model. what mods are suggested for it to handle well at most zones (mostly fishing/camping zones).

 

For most of fishing spots on the Big Island , a stock Tacoma with a short bed can get you there. Most trails are easy, but you will always come to those difficult spots. 95% easy and 4% can be difficult. 1% nasty!

A two inch lift with taller tires, 99% of the fishing trails should be of no problems.
My 1999 Ford ranger had less then a two inch lift w/31 inch tires. I think there was only spot on the Road to sea, I couldn’t make past ( one bad spot.) .. heading to Maunka. Happen many years ago. Turn around because my friend’s Ford Ranger was stock.

Yes you can do most fishing trails. South Point No problems! You may want beefier tires ? BFG’s KO 2’s ? 31, 32 ok?

2022 4x4 Sport? May have A-Trac and rear LSD - limited slip unit? This works pretty well.
Remember if it look difficult, best to walk it first , use a spotter to guide. If in doubt? Turn around! Many times we will fill those nasty spots with rocks, just to keep going.

 

Any additional undercoating required for Hawaii?

 

If you live near the beaches , the salt air will corrodes everything. The price you pay to live close to the beaches. Electronics, TV’s, appliances , window-aluminum, all metals, cars, etc.

People may still rust proof there cars. I being going over night camping and fishing for almost 40 years, with many types of 4x4s, salt water corrosion was never a problem. It did turn my hair grey?

I have to admit some of my camping gear, all the zippers corroded. Haven’t touch them in two years, went though the tents, shower shelters, chairs, tables, sleeping cots, spray lots of WD- 40 and blasters oils.

Most of the fisherman I know of, no one under coats there trucks, we just live with it. Good idea to wash down after ever trip to the beaches.

 

I don't know many fishers that do. I used to worry about it as a fisherman myself but as long as you no drive through any saltwater you should be fine. If it gives you peace of mind just rinse the frame off with the hose after your trip.

 

The salty air. How will this effect the electronics on the new electric vehicles? In the future?

Washing your truck after ever fishing trip to the beach is a good thing to do.

 

Any recommended upgrades/mods/accessories for a new truck here?

 

Please let’s us know what you want to use your truck for? Will you be driving off roads at nights? Going fishing ?
A 2 inch lift for the Big island will take you 98% of the fishing spots I am aware of.
Gas tank skid plate is something to consider, beside a front skid plate. Get BFG KO2 ‘s tires!

The “ditch lights”. Works well for me . MESO customs makes a great LED interior lighting!
Get a good tire inflator for large off road tires. A long tow strap, ( 20 feet or more) two kinds, one that stretches and one that don’t.- research this further.

when you lift a truck the standard tire Jack maybe too short. I carry a spare hydraulic Jack with blocks, fits behind the rear seats with tow straps and air pump.
I also carry emergency blinking lights with a flashlight feature.
Carry multiple LED flashlights . I carry minimum of 4 . Including a headlamps. (Fishing at nights, you will need headlamps.
Also a set of tools, zip ties, because of aftermarket rims, I have a longer and deeper lug wrenches to remove the tires. (Acts as a breaking bar). I also carry a battery jumper by “Gooloo” 4000.

My wife like’s to clean the fishes we catch, a good thing to bring along.

 

Never ,ever use the spacer lifts on the top of coils. Popular are Bilstein 5100’s . For a little more 6112s front and rears 5160’s with Icon AAL.


Ironman sells a completely kit, Stage 2, worth checking out. Gives a nice on and off road ride. Read the reviews.

Push Start button from MESO Customs. The “bling” diamond was from Amazon…lol
Those hole punch tabs are reflective tape, I can easily see settings on all my dials.
While I am driving to insure what they are dial into. Works great for me!

 

Looking for a good shop on Big Island to do 2 to 3 inch lift and wheels & tires for my 2021 4x4 Sport. I'm near Waikoloa. I've heard of a good shop in Hilo (Top Notch) but that's a ways away. Any good shops in Kailu-Kona area? Was thinking about 2.5", 33' tires and maybe UCA's if needed. Looking for an experienced shop if possible. Any help would be appreciated.

 

2.5 lifts with 33’s tire … UCA is highly recommended . Please get a front diff drop kit, a sway bar relocation kit at the same time. You may need a body mount relocation kit or body mount chop plates ( research this).
Please also look at longer Bump Stops . Two front and two for the rear.
Bump stop brands ..Sumo Springs, Timbren, SuperBumbs, and Duro bumps. ( prevents a hard bottom outs).

Two places that I know do Toyota lifts .
1. Island Performance Off road
2. Lex Brodies - Lex Brodies sells the SPC upper controls arms and knows how to install it .

PLEASE RESEARCH THERE REPUTATION!