First Good Chance to Test this new 3rd Gen OffRoad

Frankenstuff · Jul 29, 2018

DSIM[OP] initial post: ↑

Finally was able to put the new Tacoma to the test. I have been a Jeep guy for a LONG time so I have itching to get some time to take this sucker off the pavement.

Been planning this Outer Banks trip for awhile. We drove all the way up to Kitty Hawk and down to our final destination Portsmouth island after multiple ferries. For all my East Coast guys. Just wow, get out there at some point. Holy cow this place was amazing. You can only get there via a private (pretty expensive) ferry, but worth it. We were one of the very few out there. They were calling for bad weather on our Saturday camp but we were not going to turn back. We survived sustained winds of 30+ mph with gusts up to 50mph on Saturday night. The Tepui tent held up amazing and my custom tonneau brackets held up (Was really nervous with this torture test). If you guys ever get out there be sure to check out the water road to the Portsmouth village. It was nerve racking but really was worth it all. The water was about 18"-24" inches (or at least that's what the sign said). The front camera I installed was the PERFECT gauge for water height. The camera is mounted on the front bumper at about top of the tire height. Going through (mile long road) there were a few times were that camera went under. Sent water over the hood once. At the end the abandoned town was awesome, really made the puckering worth it through the water fording section.

On to the truck. I was still trying to get a feel for the truck at the beginning. At a campsite on Friday I tried to back up over a large curb. Sent the back over then got hung up when I was trying to send over the front tires. It was a bit embarrassing. Switched to four high and STILL could not get over it. Its like the truck completely bogged on me and wouldn't let me go. I had to go to 4Lo to get over a curb.... Like what the hell completely embarrassing. I realized however after the fact (once I hit the beach) that traction control is what was killing me... Not allowing me to spin the tires at all. Flipped that off and was honestly able to do most of the sand with 2wd (and speed). On the sand I was thoroughly impressed with how the truck handled itself... The island had many back sections behind the dunes that were extremely soft and hilly and points. Had to hit 4lo once but it dug itself out no problem (was hoping it wouldn't so I would have the opportunity to try the never used crawl control). Maneuverability of this mid size truck while not as agile as my Jeep still impressed me.

The water fording section mentioned above was the most nerve racking. I was extremely concerned sending the brand new rig through that high of water (Jeep would not have thought twice). But it putted on through no problem. At the very end there was a deeper section but at that point there is no backing out no stopping I just had to power through. It was a good 20 yard stretch there at the end that really had me puckering. But gave it some speed feathered the throttle and the Taco pulled right on through while sending water over the hood. The guys on the ferry and the ranger station did a really good job of warning me not to do this (even gave me the tow company number just in case). Only advice they gave me was to hang left (WAY LEFT) and I am glad I took that advice. Buddy in front of me didn't hug it enough and sank the passenger side, got out but it was a sight to see.

Anyways to summarize I am extremely happy with this rig and already planning the next adventure for next month (Colorado), stay tuned. Pictures below, I have a lot more on my instagram page along with the drone footage if anyone is interested. (Link in Signature)

Click to expand...

I went and absolutely loved it . If you zoom in you can see that same green dingy but its buried a bit more now .

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First Good Chance to Test this new 3rd Gen OffRoad

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First Good Chance to Test this new 3rd Gen OffRoad

#21 Frankenstuff Busy iracing

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Frankenstuff Busy iracing

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