GA Tacoma Owners BS Thread

I got measurements done today for a go fast camper Style build. It should be complete in about 120 days. If anybody is looking for a double cab short bed magnetic Gray camper let me know.

 

I’d be interested in hearing the details on the custom GFC style setup, assuming you can share. Local one off kind of thing, or maybe an upstart jumping on the trend? No judgment intended, genuinely curious.

 

https://incaoverlandoutfitters.com/products/inca4x4-truck-campers

He builds custom Army Surplus trailers. They're pretty sweet. I was going to get a rooftop tent but I don't want to deal with a rooftop tent in that tarp bag material. I wanted a hard shell. Luis is working directly with me on updating their current design. It's been a lot of time looking at his Jeep setup and I'm really excited for this application on my tacoma.

I'll keep you guys posted!

 

Definitely exciting to have an option for this style camper on the East Coast. Even better for them to be ATL based (I think they're ATL).

Better get them to toss in one of those sweet fanny packs

 

On the weekend of April 22-23, I’m trying to get some people together to do rides at 5313 OHv in Calhoun, then driving up to Chattanooga to camp at Running Water Creek. Wake up and ride around Prentice Cooper (or if people really want to go to Coalmont OhV for some real challenges, a group could go that way)

holler at me if you are interested in any part of that trip!

 

I live in Calhoun so I’m about ten minutes away. I might be open to doing the 5313 part.

 

5313 sounds interesting to me as well

 

I have this Google form if ya want to fill this out so I can communicate with everyone and get a sense of who all is coming
https://forms.gle/eXAuVFbwKLNKUhcW9

 

First attempt at doing my own brakes and TBH a lot easier than I expected. Only one 17mm bolt to the knuckle was stubborn and needed a breaker bar. Got these PowerStop off rockauto shipped for under $200 and done in about 2 hours. The caliper spreader is a coworker's and quite helpful.

 

Aye I changed my wife's gx470 rotors and pads too!

 

New suspension installed. Had no clue I was riding on a broken leaf. I’d never noticed it upon visual inspection.

 

Do you (or anyone else) get the clunk the first time you press the brake after shifting into drive from reverse?

 

I get the pad slap sound when taking my foot off the brake and reversing. It's common.

 

I have 2 also. I bought the MATCC one on Amazon before they redesigned it. Then I got another one as a package I won through IG. Haven't used the new one, but I like the original cheap one that I bought.

As others said, add warm water to the bottle. THEN add the soap. If you add soap first, it will foam out of the bottle and you won't get a good soap to water ratio.

It makes getting the soap on the truck MUCH faster. "They" say that it starts to lift dirt off with the foam and that helps the dirt to slide off. That hasn't exactly been my experience, but it does seem easier.

Essentially, setup pressure washer, attach accessories (get one that comes with the short handle....so much easier than the long one.).
Add warm water and soap to bottle.
Spray the truck
Wash the truck with a mit/sponge as you would with any other car wash
Rinse
Put away pressure washer.

Also, the soap matters. Some foam better than others. If you want to protect wax or any sort of coating (ceramic, graphene, etc.), use a pH balanced soap. Oh, and the foam will evaporate on a hot day just like a regular washing, so you still have to contend with time if the paint is hot or it is in direct sun.

Thoughts on the Powerstop kit? I have been contemplating that one or just replacing a lot of my junk with OEM. I'm at 175k on the original drums and Powerstop has a kit that includes the rear brakes too.

 

I have purchased and installed about 5-6 power stop kits from rock auto. Excellent.

I would recommend doing standard rotors and pads, not drilled and slotted

 

I noticed brake fade the last time I did a 3 hour round trip. I've got SS braided lines ready to go on the front. Just wanting to figure out what I'm going to do, if anything, for the actual brakes. Pads and rotors look good, but I'm running the OE brake lines and fluid here 12+ years and 175k miles later. I've read that the rear only handles ~20% of the braking, but that can be significant if worn. I get a little bit of a squeak from the rears when the truck first moves after being stationary for a while. Other than that, they are quiet.

I know that more surface area is better for rotors, hence not wanting drilled and/or slotted rotors. However, PowerStop says the Z36 kit is for trucks that tow and/or are lifted with oversized tires. Seems like all of the "performance" options are drilled and slotted.

I've also read that the EBC green stuff with OEM rotors is the absolute best combo.

 

First off, change/flush your brake fluid. 12 years is way too long to run the same fluid. Flush the lines until clear fluid comes out at all 4 corners. Also, change your rear brake lines as well - steel braided are preferred here also.

Second, you don't want drilled rotors. They are fine for race cars (debatable). Drilled rotors develop cracks - the holes actually weaken the rotor. Slotted is OK.

I've heard mixed reviews of the EBC pads.

Personally, I run Raybestos Element3 pads and Raybestos S-Groove rotors. Works really well - and I tow trailers.

 

I've been running extended ss braided rear lines for a while now.

I kind of figured that, if I decide to do the front brakes, that it would be better to bed them in with the old fluid.

I've never had any rotor other than flat. I'm not really concerned about the looks, which seems to be the only reason to get drilled/slotted rotors. I just find it odd that all of the "performance" rotors are drilled and slotted.

 

Speaking of brakes, I am headed to go get me a 1/4” tube to bleed the brakes on the KTM 1190r. Front brake faded

 

I have also considered doing the 4runner big brake upgrade, but that would depend on how much someone parting out a 4runner would charge for the calipers and dust shields.