Wisconsin Tacomas and bad financial advice

Definitely a different look. I like it! Just need to scrub it up a bit. Figured that would be easier once it was on the truck.


And then I need to figure out how and where I will secure the spare standing up in the bed. I've seen some brackets and things. I think I'll have to rebuild my storage compartments because I'd like to put the 90 lb spare on the passenger side to counter the Taco lean, not add to it. Anybody have a solution?

Also, anybody want to buy a sweet tonneau cover? Still for sale!

 

No more fumbling around with tent poles for you.

Idk, all the tire mounts I see take up more space than the dang tire.
My thoughts were standing it upright somewhere (on the passenger side like you said)

 

Also now have all of the parts to do the front brakes, but didn't get to that this weekend. Getting dark too damn early... I did get my skids back on after doing Woolwax and an oil change last weekend, and man it was a battle. They were used and abused at Tigerton. Had to fix some bolts and re-tap some holes, but got em all set for the next outing. Now when will that be...? Tigerton closes 10/31 unfortunately.

 

Truck's looking great Dean! The Softopper was a good move.

 

Oh, forgot I got a couple pictures of yesterday's adventure! My special lady and I took a drive to Dubuque and met @Tigerian to pick up the Softopper (from @Shellshock) and a bed mat for @Pixeltim. Dropped that off and got a boat ride from Captain Tim and a couple beers and a great lunch! Thanks again guys! It was a great weekend!

 

I acquired a chase rack for mounting the spare tire in the bed but as mentioned above it takes up more space than the actual tire. So when I need to do a standing up spare I just... Stand it up in whichever way is is convenient and then use a ratchet strap to secure it.

 

I had the kids make one that used the bed rail at one time...I will look for it. Worked. Wasn't pretty. Will probably destroy your bed (and why I went a different direction.)

 

I wanted to put my spare on the passenger side, as well, but found that it obstructed my view too much. Having it on the driver's side, I hardly notice it. I tried to balance things out by keeping all of the heavier recovery gear on the passenger side of the vehicle. I'd recommend putting it as far forward as possible, as well.

Is there a place to attach a strap at the front of the bed? You could run a ratchet strap from the front of the bed, around the tire, and secure it to the side right behind the tire. I weave mine through the wheel a bit so it can't slip off.

Edit: you'd probably have to use something to shim it out, like a wood block so that it wouldn't want to lean on the wheel well

 

or just put it vertical along the front of the bed and do the rear anytime camera mod if you need to see directly behind you

 

Yeah, that seems like the easiest and most logical spot. It just depends whether you're okay with losing that much visibility. I prefer as little obstruction as possible in my line of sight. Hence the reason my gang box in my work truck is also directly behind me.

That's also one of the several reasons I'm not interested in a tire swing out on the rear.

 

He needs a captains hat but a pirate hat will work in a pinch.

 

Aye aye matey! I needs a pirate hat fer me boat

 

Has your boat been underwater?




Twice?

 

I tried two different iterations of a swing away... Didn't like either one.

 

She be a Whaler! 'tis unsinkable!

 

So you tore them both off and made a flatbed because you didn't like them?

 

I feel like I heard a story about an "Unsinkable" boat once.

 

Yeah, I've read some things where people say that manufactured racks that use the bed rails can be trouble. The track really wasn't made to stabilize a 90 lb spare, especially when doing some rough wheeling.

I hadn't considered visibility with the spare on the passenger side... Good point. I'm sure there will be more than one iteration of this as I figure out what works best.

I've also read about people using rachet straps with the anchors in the tracks and over tightening the straps and causing issues with the track rails. I'd like to try to use the anchor points in the bed if I have to use a rachet strap.

 

Yeah, the visibility thing is the issue. I do have a rear anytime camera, but that doesn't help much when you need to get a quick glance in traffic... And change is hard.

I put the window panels on and driving in to work today was different but I adjusted to looking through the tunnel of the long bed pretty quickly.

 

Just pick up one of these and mount the spare up top like Stoney Ranger does!
https://softopper.com/products/datin-fab-canvas-cage-rack-toyota-2016-2023-tacoma-for-6-ft-bed/