What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

4 WD question.
How long can I drive in 4WD ?
On a slippery snow covered road?

 

Until you run out of gas

 

great because today in this messy New England storm my Tacoma’s ass end slid all over the road until I put it into 4 wheel drive.
This truck drives nothing like my old Ram did.

 

Little wheeling trip with some new friends

 

Longest I've actually run in 4hi on a freeway was about 120 miles, averaging 50mph and I've been up to 75mph in 4hi.
If the roads are slick you have nothing to worry about or if you are going in straight line.
Only time it's bad to be in 4x4 is when you have good traction and are turning the truck. Since the front wheels spin at a different speed than the rear wheels when turning the drive train will bind and worse case is you break a cv axle or shear some gears.

 

As long as the tires can slip you're ok: snow, ice, dirt, probably even just wet.

 

Well it was another teeny tiny purchase that was otherwise unremarkable....




But when I entered it into my mod tracking spreadsheet , it tipped me over a milestone.

I have now officially pissed away more than $8000 on stupid purchases for this truck.

 

Ok, you left me no choice, I have to ask why?

I get it that many like modding their trucks and cars, a hobby of sorts. If the hobby satisfies and makes you happy, that is good enough reason in my book.

My trucks however over the last 40 years are the exact opposite.

Better tires, better shocks, no lift, no lights or doo-dads. Roof rack and/or canopy for a boat, a toolbox for emergency recovery gear, and thats the extent of it. I have maybe made 5 trips in all the years where a lift would get me where my stock ride would not. Now if rock crawling and such is your hobby, for sure you need a lift.

Here in BC though, 95% of the most remote locations do not require a lift or better suspension or bigger tires or such. Stock works just fine, and 90% of the trucks I see offroad are stock. I very seldom see lifted trucks in remote areas of BC.

Maybe 600 off road trips and counting over the years. Always solo remote, and for exploration and fishing and hiking in nature. Truck is just a tool that gets me there.

I did one mod based on what I have seen on the site. Put one of those $5 trays inside my arm console. Makes it easier to find my tire gauge, pocket knife, tread depth tool, valve stem tightener etc. That was my one mod that was not essential to my off road activities, but handy. Did not want to go overboard and spend over $5.

I do wonder though about our consumer society now and where it is leading.

I guess I am just old fashioned, to a fault. My wife wants new countertops in the kitchen. Me, I am like why, what benefit does it provide me? My pots and pans and coffee maker rest quite comfortably on the current countertop.

I guess it has a lot to do with your environment. I grew up hunting and fishing and exploring in BC with my parents, and they had no interest in extra stuff unless it was essential. We had little money, and at one point we had 11 family members living in our 800 sq ft 2 bedroom house. Sardines in a can. So my parents ways became mine.

It is interesting though how much of a consumer society we are now. I am not immune to that, other than in the case of my trucks where it does not interest me. I can understand the anguish of spending a lot as it seldom results in a return when its time to move on to another vehicle.

We are all different though, so if it makes you happy, don’t sweat it. Life is too short for regrets….

 

It's become a runaway hobby. Turns out, I really enjoy pulling panels, soldiering wires, putting it all back together and watching it all turn on.

I was once like you, I thought that doing anything to a car that wasn't factory was a waste. I had other hobbies. Travel, scuba diving, photography. Lots of ways to entertain myself.

And yeah, I'm still there. I'm fully aware that whatever I do, it's in the entertainment budget. Because I'm sure as hell not recovering these truck mods back in the financial sense.

This is my road trip vehicle. It goes on two cross country sojurns annually. So that's where it started. Things to make it tow better, keep the luggage out of the weather. And then make it drive better. Maybe put in a little more comfort. And while we are at it, I'd love to make it easier to clean from the miles of muddy boots and shedding dogs.

And then there's this site. This infernal site. This place, where someone will post their buyer's remorse for cheap, and I see and think "that's a marvelous deal, I could install that."

And that's how I reached 8 grand.

But by golly, it's been a fun 8 grand.

 

Just checking to see if you’re still on here. I put wheelskins on every vehicle I buy.
Did you buy the recommended size on wheelskins web site…. Reason I ask is the one I got does not fit and it’s the first time I’ve ever had an issue…. I called (their customer service is always great) and got another sent with diff measurements and it’s still off

I’ve done so many I can knock them out in 40 mins so I know these things well. I’m curious what size you bought because I’m not giving up until I have this in my taco. Thanks

 

Because I year round daily drive those roads you access lakes from plus or drill trails all while carrying a load,

But I agree most don't need it though I hated the stock OR suspension and would get rid of it anyways.

 

Let’s see the spreadsheet! Haha

 

Installed the diamond back and put on the Christmas lights

 

Desert Does It Front Seat Jackers and Multi-Mount Panel installed.

 

I drove just enough to get myself and the wife home safely, then pulled it into the driveway , disengaged the 4 wheel drive and covered the windshield and went inside and didn't think anything else, drove to work in 2wd today and was fine, Southwick, and Agawam, plow really well, then getting on route 57, they pre prepped the roads the day before, they were spotless, but once i got into Chicopee, boy the roads were shit, they need to learn to plow a hell of a lot earlier and teach people to plow, they suck.

 

Wheel skins look really nice, where did you get the bracket to hold the flash light to your seat?

 

way to go , you have me beat, I am only at and addition $ 3500

 

I need to buy this, and then get a mag light to attach to it.

 

uwharrie? Next time you’re going out if you have room for 1 more I’d tag along

 

Not in front of my computer at the minute, but here's an old post that screenshotted part of it.