Wisconsin area events, NEW POLL!!!

The chipmunks are tame, too.
This one came up for breakfast and chirped at me, so I tossed him a Cool Ranch Dorito.
He licked all the seasoning off before devouring what he could and packing the rest in his cheeks.
I'm easily amused.

 

Sorry to anyone else we missed this morning. Wife was getting hangry. As Dan said it was great seeing everyone again and meeting new faces as well.

I'll keep on Hugo to make sure he's in on the fun with his own Toyota next year.

I'll miss seeing everyone for a while as we get busy with the next bundle of joy. Make sure you guys take plenty of pictures during the spring trip so I can live vicariously through them.

Had loads of fun this weekend and definitely dreading work tomorrow. This'll be me pulling out these pictures every once in a while.

 

Jon, I added a bunch. If you want to delete them after people get a chance to download, have at it.

 

@Snowy @Supr4Lo or anybody else that has any thoughts on a good rear diff armor setup. I’m starting to take off more material than I’d like.


Not really convinced by the options I’ve seen with how things bolt up.

 

I'm in the same boat and need to do something. Trail gear has some weld on options. https://trail-gear.com/armor/differential-armor.html

Edit - nevermind the Trail Gear doesn't extend under the housing. It's more of a bash plate.

I think there are others that have weld on options also. Can't recall who at the moment.

Or just form and weld on some metal.

 

You’re fine. Literally no concern to keep doing what you’ve been doing for the next 20 years. Guys have been dragging Toyota housings over rocks for a lot longer than that with no issues. Switch to an Allen head drain plug so it’s easier to pull as the ring gets mangled.

 

How thick is the bottom of the housing? I’ve painted the bottom a couple of times, and I’m willing to bet I’ve lost 1/8th of an inch on some spots so far, and I’m not even trying lol (I’m usually pretty careful).

Don’t even have a scratch on the back of the housing. Can’t imagine needing armor that goes half way up the back of the housing like the trail-gear stuff. On the pic it almost looks like they welded it onto the wrong spot. Maybe tacomas are different in the back?

I guess I could graft some 1/4 in plate to the bottom (if I think about the perfect way to do it for long enough ).

 

those look great! Thanks for getting some of me. I appreciate it. Especially the before and after of my spontaneous mirror disassembly.

 

I’m not seeing those. Is there a permission issue?

 

You do not need to add any plate to the bottom nor worry about any wear. It's a non issue.

The reason you see diff armor covering the back is to protect the ring gear. It is possible to bash the back cover down into the ring gear to the point of causing contact. No one wears through the bottom of a Toyota axle. You're far far more likely to spin the drain plug out or knock the bottom studs out of the third mounting flange.

 

Poor Carlos, now you gave him yet another thing to obsess over!

 

The photos Rich added start with 2024 file names. I can see them fine obviously. Does anyone else not see those?

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1daz_KsJ4x4jG2KOn8hZjcARRMmOLbMEz

 

Ah, got it. Thanks!

 

The drain plug is an easy fix with an allen head plug and makes life easier down the road to remove it.

The third bolts are a non issue unless you're really partying. I've never had anything but stock studs with no issues. Button heads are easy to swap in though.

 

Oooh, Oct 4-6th for Bayfield?
I might actually be able to make that work.
Maybe my shocks will be here by then.

 

Just gave the truck power wash round 1.
I decided I have to be kinder to my truck.

 

I went to the Kwik Trip wash. It will need more attention. My skids and sliders were thoroughly broken in.

 

I use the RCI diff diaper.

Everyone told me it would cause me to hang up and have issues.

The handful of times it's been drug across rocks or anything else. It's been just fine. Holds up well. My diff looks brand new other than the thick coating of fluid film plus dirt

 

the best option is to get bigger tires so it doesn’t drag