IronPeaks Forest Road Cruiser

Auggie, I just noticed that your bedside supports are different than the standard TC ones I've seen. Did you order them custom, or did they come from somewhere else? thanks.

 

Indeed they are different, they are from a micro-batch made by a local chap, with the features such as outboard gussets and other improvements .

 

According to my ultragauge short trips have been running my battery down. Hardwired a battery tender then used an extension to run the connex into the truck so I don't have to pop the hood every time I hook up the charger. Cut the grommet and pushed the extension thru, and applied plenty of rtv silicon after to prevent water egress. Getting under the hood and seeing a few acorns reminded me I need to do the rat screen mod at some point before they set up shop on my cabin filter.

 

Picked this tow strap up for 10$, found the deal on another thread. I have been using my fancy tree strap for tow duties so now I can stop dragging it thru the dirt and use this instead.

 

My ham radio showed up in the mail today.

Radio

$63 BAOFENG BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) 8-Watt Dual Band Two-Way Radio (136-174MHz VHF & 400-520MHz UHF) Includes Full Kit with Large Battery

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MAULSOK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Bnc connex

$6 DHT Electronics 2pcs SMA Female to BNC Female Convert Adapter for Two Way Radio BaoFeng UV-5R FD-880

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CVQK466/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Bnc Antenna
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AR09Z3Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Bnc Magmount antenna

$34 Tram 1185-BNC Amateur Dual-Band Magnet Antenna with BNC-Male Connector Black 18.75in. x 5.30in. x 2.00in.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DY8FNAG/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_7?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

Secondary air injection pump preventative upgrade

 

So i decided to go with 8" aftermarket HT antennas because some studies you lose very little range/power. But what you gain is an HT that is easier to wield in the sense that it doesn't have this really long whip antenna flying around. The two I have are from diamond, and from Nagoya. Neither seem like counterfeit but who knows.the packaging was good and has a QR CODE that leads you to Nagoya.

Note that these are both BNC connector antennas. This means that to swap from using the radio as a vehicle mounted unit with a rooftop antenna, to a HT you can walk around with only requires a quick 1/4 twist rather than having to spin the radio around and around to remove from the SMA connex. Connecting the 8 inch antenna is the same, a 1/4 twist

So the Nagoya is noticeable beefier than the diamond, which feels very light duty. That said the diamond is super flexible and lightweight

 

Backed into a fence and cracked my taillight housing. It continued to work until a rainstorm in which it filled with water. When replacing the unit I installed 35w landscaping halogens in the reverse light socket. Over a 2x increase in output, and an inexpensive easy upgrade.

 

How hot does it get with those bulbs?

 

I just put these in and love them.

GBAuto GBAuto-w5dxw T10 car led

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K3GBRQ2/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
A bit pricey but very worth it.

 

Not bad at all I've left them on for 10 minutes at a time and the outer lens was barely hot.

 

This is a good thread from @crashnburn80 that compares 30w gyr35 halogens and led options. I used the 35w because the brighter "HIR" 30w aren't available in the US yet, though you can order via ebayUk

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/gy6-35-hir-reverse-light-upgrade-vs-high-power-leds.474996/

 

Fixed that quote as the HIRs run cooler, draw less current/are more efficient, and put out more lumens than halogens. But the 35w halogens are a great upgrade if not wanting to order the HIRs internationally.

 

My battery has been testing consistently low (12.2-12.5v) so I made an appt to see if the dealership would warranty me a new battery. They declined based on the tests they performed. They stated that they left the lights on for 1/2 hr and the voltage was still in the acceptable range. The results of the battery report are below. Naturally I was hoping to get a new battery today, I priced a 27f from the dealer and it was 150$ with battery return. Still considering a new battery, either from the dealer, or from walmart.
Battery report
Rated CCA 710
Measured CCA 591
Voltage 12.34v
State of charge: 62% ? (Chart shows to be between 50-75%
State of health: High (I disagree, would call it acceptable, barely )

 

Have you checked out Interstate Battery on Industrial?

Their alkaline batteries are shit, but I've ran their auto batteries for almost 20 years and never had an issue.

 

Yes I called them and left a message late in the day. The service manager at freeman hinted that that was my best bet. Was hoping to save a few bucks at Costco, they do interstate batteries exclusively now but they don't carry the 27f.

 

Probably the best reason to add d-rings to the bed bolts. Stock tacomas don't come with good tie-down locations for gas cans.

 

I found your post by using the search tool, do you know of dealers warranty batteries? I've got 29k miles and a year and half with my 3rd gen and I had to get a jump yesterday and haven't driven it since.

 

My dealer offered to warranty my battery if I was under 3yr/36k. However it passed their tests, if barely. I would suggest calling your dealership and asking.

 

Thanks for the rapid response. Will do!