(SOLD) CanisLupus 2011 Tacoma Build

Gotta love Roger Smith...

Matt

 

<------ Gotta love gawking at TW...

 

Matt

 

Hooked up my new VIP lightbar real quick just to test and see the output. It is incredibly bright! The first picture is just my old Blitzpro lightbar (4300 lumens) and the second is just the new VIP (16000 lumens). I wish the pictures could show the difference better.

The new lightbar also completely drowns out even my high beams, it is going to be really nice to use on night drives. I was originally going to hold out for a Rigid lightbar, but I really don't see the Rigid 20'' being worth $500 more than the VIP, especially since the VIP still has a 5 year warranty and I'm helping a TW member (memario1214) with his new business. The Rigid also has virtually the same lumen count. Colton is running a great business, I recommend him for your lighting and performance needs!

Hopefully will get it wired up soon, along with my CB radio, with Skygear's help. Unsure when we can get a day worked out as I have been busy with school and fire department and don't want to inconvenience Mike since he's already done so much for me and my truck





Matt

 

Colton's got my business now

 

Thanks for the info Matt. I was waiting on your review

 

I'll have some more information and pictures once I have time to wire it up also.

It looks high quality and very sturdy just from initial impressions though.

Matt

 

Also ordered four new lock rings (PTR18-35091 for anyone curious) for my wheels since they are so scratched from me painting, sanding, re-painting, and re-sanding so many times, they are a darker grey instead of the chrome they should be. It only really bothers me because the spare is brand new and the wheels don't match now.

I am going to keep the old set though and possibly paint (instead of Plasti-Derp like I normally do) them black for when I want to change up the wheel look instead of having to take my only set off and mess with them.

Matt

 

So your rings are painted?

 

No, they just have been painted in the past, and the first couple times, I didn't use Plasti-Derp and so I had to sand to get the paint off, which caused the chrome to be scratched off basically and now the rings are just a dull grey instead of how they are supposed to look like in the below picture (not my picture)

It's really noticeable when you look at my truck from the back and the spare ring is all shiny and nice looking while the ones on the other wheels are so dull and grey.



Matt

 

I'm also thinking about cutting off my headlight hoops or at least getting a shop to grind and re-weld the headlight hoops so they are actually flush to the center hoop...





Matt

 

Nah, no need to fudge with those being flush man...they look fine. I wouldn't want to mess with the structural integrity of the loops or mess up the finish...

And the rings? I never noticed a difference....

 

Can come over when ever. You know I'm around Forgot about church this morning. Was headed out for my morning run and remembered. Hence the early text.

 

They really bother me now but I'll keep thinking.

The rings look pretty similar in pictures but you can really tell in person and I was tired of looking at them.

"No stress," I had a bunch of homework to catch up on anyway so it was probably better I didn't come over. Gonna see when I have some time and I'll let you know.

I happened to be up at that time anyway...never really have great sleep when I'm at the FD.

Matt

 

Also, Maxtrax's are finally here after two months of backorder. Going to check if my quick measurements were correct and they can fit on the BajaRack with the Pelican Cases.

Matt

 

holy crap at that lightbar. super bright. same size 20"?

 

Yep, still 20'', but double row 5W spot pattern. Blitzpro doesn't even look like it's turned on compared to the VIP bar.

Matt

 

Maxtrax's are on. They fit perfectly on the Baja Rack, with about 3/16'' of space on either side if mounted sideways like they are now.

I'm gonna have to figure out a better locking solution other than the gun cable locks since they're driving me crazy. The keys stick, and they are such a pain to lock and unlock since the mechanism also sticks.



Matt

 

Just got back from Big Dogs a little bit ago. Great time for my first real wheeling trip with some great and knowledgeable company. Thanks to all who helped me out with airing down/up, pulling (once ok!), and everything else.

Group 7 Big Dogs 2014
- CKeene9
- HomerTaco
- MGMTacoFF
- PSUTaco85
- Rebelimo
- Sander1036

Ended up slightly crushing the end of my crossmember under the front bumper, denting transmission and transfer case skids from high centering on a big ass log (thanks to Chris for yanking me free...), some rock rash on the wheels, and also some scratches on my passenger headlight from when I hit a tree with my bumper and it flexed into the body.

Luckily no serious damage. I did have one scare coming down one of the hills where I was hearing some banging and loud cracks and then all of the sudden, I could not steer and my truck would only go straight...expected the worse, and got out of the truck only to see a big ass motherfucking rock lodged up and stuck on the backside of my control arm in between the tire and the side of my skidplate, preventing me from steering driver side. Luckily was able to get it free with Ant moving the steering wheel to passenger and I pulled the rock out at the same time. Could have been much worse

I think I will accelerate my Pelfrey aluminum front timeline since my bumper now flexes a significant amount just by using your hands to shake it...the DO bumper mounting points suck.

Heading out after drivers meeting



First part of trail...tight turn here



Following Lauren and Chris up a hill



Anthony rolling up same hill



Lauren and Chris going up the next hill



Top of hill





Jason coming up



Chris spotting Lauren on small rocks section





Start of Corum...I took bypass after initial first section of Corum



After the bypass...ended up being a good decision for the health of my truck I think, but the bypass was actually pretty fun, it was the tightest trail I ran all day



Anthony making it look easy going up Corum



Steve going up Corum open/open...impressive driving



Group shot lakeside







Craig and Anthony squishing our guide's badass Sammy





On top of the overlook at the end of the trail ride





Finished out the day with trying out the RTI...truck flexed decently, better than others, but obviously less than others...







Matt