What Have You Done To Your 2nd Gen Tacoma Today?

@TireFire Now that I'm thinking about it, I see what your trying to say, as long as we don't get into a full blown argument, I'm good with car/truck mechanical talk. But here was what i was trying to explain. https://youtu.be/zkK5Ip0ADRk?si=kpeOpDXQ3GvOQi1B

Here's a YouTube video of a Lexus ISF on the dyno. BTW, my brother used to own one. One of the baddest Lexus cars to ever roll on the road in my opinion. The guy said he lost 10hp and 10lb ft of torque on the dyno with the ac running. Yes, majority of it mechanically by the compressor. But all I was trying to get at is even electrical demands can even leach hp to. So, that's why I have a X2Power. Agm batteries are better at putting out bigger power shots than your standard flooded. Plus, I use my truck for other things other than work. I use it to go camping twice a year with no running water or power. So, having a hybrid battery is so nice. If you still don't agree with me, that's fine. Now you understand better what I tried to explain. Explaining things has never been my strong suit.

 

AGM batteries are great, but when the car is running they don’t do much that you would notice, honestly
Better at providing power when car is off? Sure, better than a flooded starting battery
Last longer (generally)? Yep. Had one go 11 years
Car start better? Maaaaybe, but yeah, probably more starting amps available in cold temps. But if it didn’t need the extra power, no difference
Work better with a winch when you are pulling hundreds of amps for a short time when your alternator isn’t providing a lot of amperage at idle? Absolutely
Cost more? Absolutely

 

Okay yeah, your AC compressor has a clutch. I don’t think anyone here would have disagreed with you if your claim was that running AC diverts engine power from spinning the compressor. But you said that (a) shell gas makes your engine run quieter [let’s not rehash this plz!!] and (b) an AGM battery improves horsepower. What do you think happens if you remove the battery once your truck is running? Do you understand that the (starting) battery is just a reserve bank in case that electrical loads exceed what the alternator can put out at any given RPM? This basically only happens when using a winch or if someone is running a huge stereo setup. Your alternator in your Tacoma is NOT clutched and will always cause the exact same drag/RPM on your motor. Excess energy (after the battery is at full charge per the voltage regulator) is simply shunted to ground- wasted in other words. Therefore, no matter what battery you put in will not have an effect on your motor’s torque or HP output.

 

Ahh, beat me to it, mostly

 

I mean, let's be real here, because what your saying makes sense. Someone else told me the same witj alternators since it spins with the engine. Im actually curious to hear from overlanders that have put this to the test because I've heard really that the alternator is only designed to keep a healthy battery topped off. And you explained exactly what someone else did not to long ago. So, thoughts? I'm curiosity to hear from those that overland and rely on the alt to charge their deep cycle batteries back up

 

Well, whoever told you that hopefully has a desk job in finance or teaches polsci somewhere.

You can take your battery out completely and start the truck with a jump kit, and it’ll keep running. The alternator has been around longer than the battery. Remember those old school bicycle dynamos that would power your headlight only when the tire was spinning, and would go dim when you’re struggling uphill? Yeah, same principle, except that one you could disengage with a flick of your thumb

 

Was a rather productive day. Installed the new color matched grille, bed decals that subtly match the wheels, and a Tyger tonneau cover. That’ll come in handy for the winter months.

 

I've been confused about that for awhile. Then again, what do I know. I'm 25 and still have much to learn. I know it would still run if you removed the battery. I've just always been taught in life that a alternator is only for keeping a healthy battery topped off. Here recently, I was told that that's not the case. But like I said, what do I know.

 

However. When it comes to my truck and what I've done for fuel. That was literally my experience. Idk why, it just is. I used to dump 87 in it from a regular ol station down the road and the engine was extremely noisy. I wish I had a video to show how bad it was. It was horrible. Then. I switched to shell 87 and it was a huge differance in how much the noise went away. Again, I know it sounds stupid, but that's literally what happened. I just run 93 now just so i can get most output since of it being a variable valve timing engine. Sorry to all on here. I know it seemed like I got a little upset. I sometimes have a hard time discerning how someone puts something to me over text. I figured the way @TireFire put it to me was coming out at me when really in reality, I see that's not what happend. So, sorry all on here if I made a bad impression of myself. Won't happen again.

 

Just remember, as I make myself too, that correlation does not equal causation

Just because you have noticed something does not mean you have found the cause. You need to prove it.

Go put that cheap gas in your truck and see what happens

Millions of tacomas have run on nothing but 87 octane for billions of miles, you won’t hurt anything

 

Why is my Friday awesome?! Because I finally paid the truck off!!!

 

Congratulations. Now more money for mods.

 

oh the best mod! now keep making that payment to yourself. all the truck mods you want!

 

Used it to pull home a stump grinder. Was a beautiful afternoon to make big piles of wood chips.

 

Taco Rosa got a bath today.

 

Yeah, the sole purpose of the battery is to start the engine. Once that alternator starts a spinning, it takes over and powers everything.

 

Congrats! You also made Friday awesome by restoring some order to the thread

 

Stored the awning for the winter. N bought a soft topper for a great price.

 

Well boys and girls, after over 3000 miles of pulling my 7x14 trailer from upstate NY, through Nashville, Denver, up to Provo, then down to San Diego, I'm finally able to suck ass at surfing like I've always wanted. The little 4.0L that could. Cv axle leaked in Nevada, only hiccup on the whole trip.

 

Thanks man!