Pongo, my 2016 TRDOR, it's life stages, and travels

Took a couple years here at work to get them comfortable with a remote worker. I'll be moving to Montrose on the western slope. 45 minutes north of Ouray, and a quick drive from everything else awesome.

 

Montrose is cool town. I've got a good friend that lives out there. You will be a hub for so many cool places in all directions.

You checked out the Rimrocker Trail?
http://www.co.montrose.co.us/701/Rimrocker-Trail

 

I am now, that's absolutely AWESOME!
I have some time to kill after Expo West so I may take that trail back to Montrose from Moab.

Thanks man!

 

I'm moving out to the springs here in a few weeks. I'll check this trail out as well!!

 

Very cool. Post up pics!

 

Just realized I took delivery of Pongo 1 year ago today.



The miles have flown by, but the memories it's racking up is the better metric of it's value.



It's gone through many changes so far, and it continues to be one of the favorite vehicles
I've owned.



These trucks are very capable right out of the box, so don't think your if doesn't have a ton of gear hanging off it,
that it can't be enjoyed in it's current state. Take a friend or two, or load up with your family, and hit a trail this
weekend.



It's where Pongo was his first weekend, and it's where he'll be this one too.

 

I was amazed at what my 3rd gen was capable of completely stock with HT tires.. my most practical and important mods are skids and sliders. I can't tell you how many guys I work with that won't even get the truck dirty until their list of mods is complete. Shame really!

Love following along OP

 

Last weekend the Team and I headed to Southwest Virginia for a laidback weekend of camping, planning for our next major trip, and off-roading.





Pongo has gotten a little love lately in the form of a North Star group 27 AGM battery, and a SnoMaster USA 75 Liter single compartment fridge(swap from ARB 63qt).
I'll get some pics of it once I sort our my cargo situation again.

I'll be pulling the trigger on 4.88 gears in the next few days, and am super excited to drive the truck after they're installed.

We're about 2 months out from our next big trip, and have lots of stuff to get completed between not and then.

 

love the cbi gear!

 

Hey what's the setup on the solar panel?

Have you ever been up to Toyota Takeover?
lhttps://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/15th-annual-toyota-takeover.473325/



Thanks

 

How was your trip in Virginia? I plan on moving back to Morgantown, WV in a few years and plan on being through the southern part of the state and VA to go on trips.

Love your CBI gear. I'm trying to get some folks locally to jump on a pallet with me, but I may end up going all in at once.

 

Thanks very much. I'm super pleased with it.

It's a now discontinued solar cell from Streamlight. It only puts out 14 watts, but I mainly use it to trickle charge the battery to help replenish what
the fridge running 24/7 takes out.

On the Toyota Takeover, I have not. We usually head westward in July, and this year, we'll have just returned from out west when it kicks off again.



Looking forward to spending some time at this campsite again.

SW VA is always fun. Lot's of opportunity there. In WV you'll be in an area rich for off road opportunity, same for your neighboring state of KY.



Last week, our team cycled our trucks through with the great folks at East Coast Gear Supply in Raleigh NC for some much needed re-gearing work.



I had them install 4.88s front and rear, and as of today, I've completed my 500 mile break in procedure, and now will change the diff fluid, and get to really
enjoy the benefits re-gearing will offer.

Thus far I can say that immediately when the throttle is pushed, when taking off normally from a stop, the change can be felt. The truck just feels more like
it wants to go. Driving around town, the added pep can be noticed, and when driven on the highway it does way better. To this point I probably haven't gotten
over 40-50% throttle, but have already noticed a big improvement. Fuel mileage has also increased, but I would like to check it over multiple tanks, and compare.
Currently, it's looking like around a 1+mpg increase over the last 2 tanks. No much, but still an added benefit of re-gearing.

Hopefully, after this next weekend, I'll be able to share some pics of the bed slide storage system that we built to go in Pongo.

 

Awesome pic of the water crossing! Love it!

 

Looking good. My kiddo just asked me when we're going to do that to our inferno.

 

This thing looks awesome!

 

Great build

 

Thanks for the compliments.

For the storage setup, we wanted to come up with a way to reach the deepest part of the bed without having to
crawl in. We mocked it up, ordered the components we'd need and got to work. Here is our almost complete
bed slide. I say almost, because we'll be adding tie-downs, and some additional mounts for items.



We've been running the Snomaster Expedition Series 75L fridge/freezer for about a month now. This thing is
a well built beauty. It's a shame to cover up the shiny stainless housing, but I do like the transit cover installed
to both protect the housing, and add an extra thermal layer. The wireless fridge remote makes adjustments while
driving super quick and simple. The included and attached bottle opener has been a hit with everyone who's seen
it.



Trying to decide what else I want to try to get done before we head back west in a little over a month.

 

Sweet build! Im currently located in the western slope, you will love it

 

@dorton

Your truck is an inspiration, that's for sure!

2 questions:
1) are you still running the OME suspension? How is it holding up? How does the ride compare to stock?
2) with that being said, do you still have stock UCA's as well?

Thanks!

 

Love it! One of the best lookin' trucks I have ever seen, good stuff @dorton!

Later.