Cheap/Free Mods

This was a really simple mod. Took about 30 minutes, and allows me to lock-up the tie-downs for my MX bike when on trail rides, or just keeping them in the truck.

 

Probably.

 

That won't work, all you have to do is unscrew the tie downs about half way. Pull them away from the side of the bed while rotating 90 degrees. They pop right out. I keep mine behind the back seat of the truck.

 

I had the same thing on my lights a while ago...and ppl liked it, but it just didnt look right on my tacoma

 

You know, I thought I had done about all the mods to my Taco I was going to do. After two nights, reading through all 49 pages of this post, I now have a list I want to do. Strip LEDs in the bed, more underneath driver and along side the passenger seats, painting the engine cover, and painting the emblems on the truck for starters. You guys ROCK!!! This is some of the best ideas I have seen yet.

 

Researched all the options for DTRL this past week and this was the perfect quick fix and it looks awesome, thanks! #6 on the list of mods.

 

I made a write up on installing an aux input jack in my 2005 JBL head unit (works for other stock head units as well) Might be worth adding to the list. http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/au...iy-aux-input-2005-2008-factory-head-unit.html

 

Great write ups!!

 

would it be recommended to run it like this all the time or just in slippery conditions like wet weather, offroad, and snow?

 

Well it means ABS wound be off all the time. So in the event you actually need ABS (maneuver instead of locking up the brakes in a panic stop) you won't have that.

I locked my Corolla's brakes up a few times almost got into accidents. Then again, if you pulse the brakes manually you can work it better than the ABS. so I guess it's up to you. You'll need to turn it off for vehicle inspections if you have those.

 

okay, cool. my brake pumping skills are good to go so i'm not worried. thanks for the info, tiger.

 

Not trying to start a war here but no human can out brake a computer when it comes to ABS.

 

That's not true. About the only thing you can say for sure is that for the average driver, they won't be able to outbrake an ABS system. In fact, according to the NHTSA, ABS hasn't lowered the occurance of accidents where they thought it would.

However, a professionally trained driver can outbrake an ABS system using threshold braking. It's difficult to learn but it can be done. Many racing cars don't have ABS. An ABS system applies the brakes until it locks and then lets them go completely. If the system could maintain pressure just before the locking point like you would do in threshold braking, the system would work much better as that point is where maximum braking occurs.

There are also times you don't want an ABS system letting the wheel turn. In an offroading situation with low traction (e.g. heavy snow or heavy sand), locked wheels can create a plow effect that stops the vehicle quicker than the pulsing of an abs system. The pulsing of an abs would allow the wheel to turn making it ride over the sand/snow rather than plowing it up.

 

Well put

 

Exactly. And the whole reason this mod exists.

 

Negative. ABS really isnt all that great. im glad i dont have it in my first gen

 

you are my hero. i hate that stupid beep. works on 09

 

Ok. I agree that a pro driver has spent a great deal of time perfecting their driving and is up to the challenge. So I should not have said "no human can". And in off road situations being able to turn off the ABS is beneficial at times because you want the wheels to lock and not rotate, even if they are sliding. My F650gs Dakar motorcycle has a ABS off switch for this very reason.

However, for the average daily driving - ABS is superior to the average human who fixates on the danger in front of them and just pushes the brake to the floor. Even for those of us who really try to pump/feather the brakes and all, I would imagine it is a safe bet ABS could outperform us in the majority of daily driving situations (wet/slick/icy). So if the mod is for off road situations, great. To turn it off for daily driving seems to put most of us at risk.

 

Wet/slick/icy conditions are exactly why I put the ABS kill switch in my truck. The ABS sucks in all those conditions, and is really only good during the summer months on asphalt. Or dry asphalt in general. I've almost slid through countless intersections during the winter months thanks to the ABS causing the tires to skip across the snow by braking they way you "should" with ABS (push and hold). I end up pumping or threshold braking to avoid the lockup myself, therefor not utilizing the ABS even in good conditions. If that's not enough, then I flip the switch.

 

yup, i do the same myself. ABS may prevent your wheels from locking up but it doesn't take full advantage of the initial grab the tires give when braking hard. taking advantage of the initial grab by pumping the brake is better at cutting your stopping distance than the antilocking that ABS offers... if you're responses are fast, and i have more faith in my braking response than in the Tacoma ABS.