BigMike’s Big Journey: New 2016 Tacoma

Yes it is Keep it up Big Mike! Its the same couple of people that shit in every thread if you're that unhappy sell the truck and get of the forum and stay the hell away.

 

That's awesome! I'm from sanger and the search for my sr5 was crazy. Found one that i liked and within my budget in modesto back in march. Have over 3k since.

 

what are chances of you guys doing t-case stuff for the new taco?
Edit: Timeline for t-case doubler, gears etc.

 

I was a day late getting to this thread, I lived 13 years in Sedona and had a couple of places in mind you would have enjoyed taking your Tacoma. You were probably on a schedule anyway.

It will be fun seeing what you do with this truck.

 

It was an entertaining read Big Mike

 

Awesome post, enjoyed the whole thread.

 

Thank you for the replies everyone! Sorry I've been MIA for a while. Spring time is our busiest time of the year here (tax returns and everyone trying to get their winter/spring projects finished up before summer) and I've been busy busy! I've got much to post up so without further ado time to get post'n!

Jthizz2006, that is awesome! I'd love to get some pictures of our two trucks together sometime. What are your plans with the truck and is it an auto?

mauidogg, excellent question thank you. Yes, original plan is to get the Tacoma through Rubicon for this year's TLCA Rubithon event June 23-26 which means it must have a Marlin Crawler. Due to a lot of interruptions requiring my time elsewhere in the business the Tacoma won't be ready in time. Nevertheless a Crawler might be in before the end of June. We'll see how things go over the next few weeks and I'll let ya know.

 

F-I-N-A-L-L-Y got the Tacoma to Rock Crawling World Headquarters!!



While showing the engine compartment to our guys at work we noticed it is ALREADY rusting

L@@K AT THIS:



This is near the passenger's side hood hinge / A-pillar. Other nearby bolt holes and those on the other side of the compartment are all painted. Is this something I can take to the dealer and have them repair ASAP before it spreads?

Here is what I was talking about:





Pretty cool!

 

Tuesday, April 26, 2016: The 2016 Tacoma meets the 1981 Hilux

First day back my goal was ABSOLUTELY to go wheeling side-by-side with my Hilux. I was planning this the entire time. I really want to see how this Tacoma does 100% stock. Only problem is, while we were still in Texas I received news that our only year-round trail, Bald Mtn, was closed until the end of May. I missed the date by one week. The timing with this entire ordeal has just been horrible. Nonetheless I wanted to at least go somewhere with the Tacoma stock so I invited TURBO to drive my Hilux and we headed up to Millerton Lake

My two trucks together at last!!



In case anyone is wondering, I'm running FJ80-width front Diamond axle and a 1st gen Tacoma rear axle. Tires are 37x12.50 on 15s.

 

My first truck wash!

This was pretty crazy for me because since owning and building my Hilux in 2004 I swear to you I have only washed it THREE TIMES TOTAL. The Hilux works hard and gets the job done every time. I it looking like it goes wheeling rather than some pavement pounder. This doesn't mean I beat it up; It is easy to wheel hard without taking damage thanks to the Triple Marlin Crawler. But as for the Tacoma I've known for a long time that this is a show piece and I'm gonna keep it clean and presentable.

A car wash and it hasn't even been off-road what am I thinking



If you've got this in your rear view then you'll in for some good times.



Truth be told the new Tacoma is only barely making better highway mileage than my old Hilux on 37" meats. Going to be interesting to see how much MPG is lost once the Tacoma gets some tires under it.

 

Quick highway comparison

65 MPH
Hilux 5th gear: 2,800 RPM
Tacoma 5th gear: 2,600 RPM
Tacoma 6th gear: 2,200 RPM

Making our way up to the lake...





Regrouped

 

Again, not much to do until the trail(s) open. Here come just some random pics!

 

"Hardcore"







Thought these pics were neat so I made an ani GIF

 

Despite not doing much of anything it was fun. TURBO and I figured out why I was struggling with low range. I couldn't get it to engage. It would just sit there beeping and beeping at me. Apparently neutral is not enough and low range will ONLY engage when the clutch is engaged. I'm sure you guys are rolling your eyes at me now haha! I do miss having an actual t/case shift lever.... I guess I can understand this from a redundancy standpoint, but seriously when the transmission is in neutral the output shaft is unable to transfer any measurable torque. Sure there are bearings spinning on a free shaft which could cause it to slowly rotate from the oil's viscosity, but honestly... Guess I should have read the manual It's still sitting in the glove box.

Disabling this nuisance has been added to my list

The 4.30 R&P and 3.98:1 first gear do an okay-job but won't know until I actually climb something with measurable obstacles.



There were two other choices for the day...

One was to continue up to Bass Lake where we have some lower elevation trails, but after talking to my friend from Yosemite Lakes Parkway he said some forest gates are open while others are still closed. Obviously I am not remotely interested in taking my chances if the roads are still closed.

The other is Blue Canyon / Bretz Mill. So I called our High Sierra Ranger Distract OHV Manager who informed me that while there are no gates for obstacles (such as this video of my Hilux climbing Two Step), all trails are closed.

 

Back in town we topped off both tanks. I'm running a 20 gallon tank in the Hilux, and according to my brochure the Tacoma has a 21.1 gallon tank.



This was important because I then did this





Which brings us to our FIRST product Give-A-Way!!!!!!

We will send a Free Marlin Crawler Hat to the first person who guesses the closest weights for both trucks!



So let's see some guesses!

1981 Rock Crawler with Triple Transfer Cases and full USA DOM armor: ____ lbs
2016 Bone-stock 4WD V6 Manual Transmission TRD Sport Access Cab: ____ lbs

 

My guess 1981 4250lbs
2016 4200lbs

 

1981 Rock Crawler with Triple Transfer Cases and full USA DOM armor: 3,980 lbs
2016 Bone-stock 4WD V6 Manual Transmission TRD Sport Access Cab: 4,480 lbs

 

BigMike, it is an automatic v6. My intentions are to have the windows tinted all around, 17" wheels with 265's, a 1" lift and custom grill. Nothing crazy

 

Thank you Sir. I will be in contact when we need to take measurements and/or test fit some goodies to an Automatic