Vicali's 2005 TRD Sport, Daily Driver

Dropped off at the dealer for frame corrosion/inspection and treatment yesterday, got the call last night that it had failed inspection and was booked for frame replacement.

Picking it up this afternoon and getting more details, they were estimating 1-2 months before it would be back in for the swap..

 

love the look of these 17" steelies...how do they ride compared to your sport wheels? any change in MPG due to weight? I am contemplating going from my 16" TRD off road wheels to these.

 

I really don't feel a difference driving between the two setups, except that the blizzaks don't slip ever..

The fj steelies have a 4.5 backspace instead of the trd sport 5.5 so they stick out more, but for the winter I run 255/70-R17 instead of the summer 265/65-R17.. half an inch taller but 10mm narrower.

In reality though only 2% of the population understand what I'm talking about.. and even they wouldn't notice it on the truck.

 

fantastic...thats what I was looking for, I want to run 255 70 as well and prefer the 4.5 stance. Thanks for helping me decide. Did you paint the wheels yourself or have them powdercoated?

 

Painted myself, wanted something I could re-bomb if they chipped. Did a few solid coats and they look great going on their second season.

Some people don't like the white on silver.. luckily they don't have to ride in it

 

I hear you, I am sure I will get some flack for the white steelies! it's mine, not theirs

 

I've always loved the look of white steelies but not sure if they would go well with my Radiant Red.
Love your truck...Nice and clean

 

I'd say go for it, can't go wrong with white steelies no matter what color you have.

 

If you look at the stock alloy lugs you will see they have a really small angle at the edge, supposedly that is so they could hold on the steel spare. I didn't feel like risking it, and they look funny out there without the washers touching anything. Steel type nuts are pretty cheap at the tire shop.

 

Canopy off in prep for frame replacement;



Next off come the lightbar, and the radio gear.

 

I got the call last on Tuesday that my frame had arrived at the dealer, it had taken the scenic route – after being shipped to Williams Lake instead of Kamloops, then returning through Edmonton. The next day April 8th, my truck went in and I got the keys to a ’14 Corolla.

They expected it to be done Saturday, but I got the call late Friday that it would be ready at the end of the day. I picked it up just before closing and it looked great. Everything had gone well, they had two Technicians put over 40 hours into it and really did a great job. I had a brand new catback I sourced off kijiji installed in place of the old rusted out muffler, and had them take off the keyed wheel locks and replace with 4 regular wheel nuts. My cost was $15 for the wheel nuts, and the other $12000 or so was covered under warranty.



We spent the weekend putting it through its paces and I can say that it does feel like a newer truck. The leaf pack in the rear went from the 3leaf to the 4leaf set, and everything else has been checked over and tightened up. New exhaust means it’s quiet again. I’m giving it another few days before I put all my gear back on, canopy and lightbars, etc.. but I see no reason for it to need any more work.



The Dealership, especially the Service Manager, really impressed me throughout the process, there was no hassle, and no question of putting that much work into an 'older' truck. The only issue was the wait for the frame but that was out of their control and they kept me up to date on where it was the entire time.

 

Picked up a skidplate from another local member, thanks @rhowell !
Painted it and put it on last night in the dark - turned out just fine;

 

New bracket from GladFab to hang the front shackle right, ignore the potato phone..

 

Easter Monday we got a knock on the door - UPS dropped off a box from Zach at Prinsu.
I spent the week putting it together, and I'm impressed with the quality of the pieces. Everything fit perfectly and bolted up tight.
I added a bit of loc-tite to the bolts and it should stay for awhile.


After it was together I ended up waiting for the weekend to get it mounted. It takes a bit of prep to find, cut out, and get the bolts lined up.





I had a few of the threaded holes in the roof that didn't go all the way through.. just shortened up the bolts with the grinder and they were good.
It also has a weatherstrip for the bottom of the deflector to stop any wind noise, I left it off so far and haven't heard anything from up top while driving.





Overall I'm happy with this rack, it will carry our canoe perfectly now, and gives me a platform to build on in the future..
Shipping wasn't bad - and when you look at the cost of bringing up a Bajarack it was almost reasonable..

 

Long time no post, over the summer the Prinsu did it's job well;

Carried the boat with a set of Malone BigFoot Pros and a custom spacer fabbed by a friend.


Spent the winter running back and forth to the xc ski club to run one of these to keep the trails in good shape..



All that night driving had me glad I had scored on black Friday and ordered up CBI ditch lights and BD Squadron Sports..
Come spring when the Blizzaks came off I put on K02s in 265/70 R17;



Had to stop and pay tribute to someone who was having a rough go, don't know the details but it must have been pretty gnarly..

 

Sad end to the story;

Headgaskets went at 192K, repair price was very high, truck would always be suspect when towing or driving distances.
Not a good fit for our family anymore so we ended up working a deal out at Sun Country for a 2017;


Watch for new build of the 3rd Gen..

 

Walking down the street today had to do a double take - trimmed mudflaps, VHT painted rims with K02, cable ties holding on the drivers side flap.. Hey that's my old truck!

Owner walked up while I was looking at it, he bought it from the dealership we traded it to- after they swapped the engine. It's been his favourite truck since then. Only thing I see is he's added a bit of trail damage to the bed, and blacked out the emblems..

 

Hey hey! a few years later and guess who I caught up to in traffic?

Daydreaming along in traffic- nice 2nd gen, huh - they trimmed the mudflaps like I did. Interesting, I had that same hitch dent under the bumper, wait.. those are my painted wheels!