BlakeM's 2017 build thread

Hot damn.... that is steep but then again you are getting 5 tires lol.

I mean.... roller skates are only cute when you're sliding on ice with some studs

I am shooting for 285/75/17 but with the Falken Wildpeak AT3W. Is there a lot of mud down where you are? I have only heard great things about the STT Pros and ST MAXX tires.

 

Yeah lots of mud on the very limited places to go off road.

 

Explains the MT. I am out West and really I am more worried about how well the tire handles snow/ice more than anything else. We don't have much mud, just dry dirt and snowmelt rivers/ponds occasionally.

 

I’ve been trying to talk my wife into moving west. Like Arizona. She’s not having it. Houston is about as far as she’s willing to go. I guess that gets me 5 hours closer to the west. Lol.

 

lol I am very biased I will admit, but I think the West is the best. I grew up in Boulder, CO and currently live in Northern California (active duty military). I got orders, and am moving to Colorado Springs, CO this summer. I can't wait to explore all of the trails and the mountains out here. some people like swamps and all which is great, but I love the mountains.

 

Oh damn. I’m jealous.
I love mountains and desert. (Death Valley is my favorie place on earth) I guess I need to negotiate for more vacation time at work.

 

Got my tires put on today.
Cooper STT Pro 295/70/17
Rubbing like crazy. I’ll have to work on that tomorrow.

 

Looks good. What did they set your caster at?

 

Thanks. No idea. They were supposed to align it when they installed the tires. They told me they couldn’t because they ran out of toe adjustment. They said it was because of “all the four wheel drive suspension” (It’s the same setup you have on Pongo)
They said they got it as close as possible so I could bring it to a 4x4 shop to get it aligned. When I got out and looked at it, one of the tie rods is bottomed out (no threads showing) and the other has about 3/4” of threads showing.

I’m waiting on a call from another shop right now to see if they can get me in today or tomorrow.

 

Hahaha at the "all the four wheel drive suspension" quote. It's funny, but it sad.

With the JBA uppers, the person doing the alignment should be able to get enough caster to bring the tires
off the cab mount(i'm assuming that's where the rubbing is).

 

Surprisingly, it doesn’t look like it’s rubbing on the cab mount, although I’m sure it will once I’m off road. I already cut some of the plastic, but now it’s rubbing sheet metal where the bottom of the fender flare attaches. Tomorrow, I’m going to CMC and hammer the punch weld down. That should take care of it. Hell, if people run 315s on Tacos, I shouldn’t have any problems getting enough room for these 295s

 

Morning started out rough. Bad storms and a tornado or two. Then we went to my company crawfish boil.
After all of that excitement, I loaded my two sidekicks into the Taco and went for a little ride.

Sidekicks:
Daughter still has her war paint on from earlier, and trying to stretch out like the Taco .
“Dog” (that’s her actual name) just wants to get out of the truck so she can play in the water.




Went up to the top of the levee to see how high the Mississippi River was.


It was pretty damn close to the top! The road straight ahead is elevated. It’s about a 10’-15’ drop on each side, so the water is pretty deep on each side of the road. When the river isn’t flooded, there’s a pond off to the right and it’s usually some pretty good fishing there.

 

No new changes to the truck. Just some pics from camping last weekend at Camp Claiborne in Forest Hill, LA. Lots of old roads that lead to dead ends or a collapsed bridge with no way to get around. Also some old structures from the retired/abandoned military camp.

Rained on/off all weekend. We had a really good time, but damn it was hot. This was probably my last summer camping trip.
Ever.
At least in the south.
Setting up camp, even though it’s an easy task, was miserable. The heat and humidity were off the charts. Can’t wait until the weather starts getting cooler.

 

Truck looks great! What is the benefit of the chevy spring setup, cost? Are you liking the ride still?

 

Thanks!
I love the ride. I got the idea from @Trident904
Check out his thread here.
He has a full parts list on the first page. You can save some money if you get the leaf springs from a junk yard.
I went with a new 3+1 leaf pack (removing the overload) because I ordered it before he suggested I should go with a 4+1 (also removing the overload). Also if you go to post #490 on page 25 of his thread he compares the 63’s to other leaf packs. I can’t make a comparison because this is my first Tacoma, so I don’t have experience with anything else.
We went camping last weekend and with all of the camping gear, it was a little soggy, so I might end up getting a 4+1 leaf pack some time in the future.
Obviously, it’s not a simple bolt on solution. There’s some cutting and welding involved, but it’s worth it.

 

Cool, thanks for the link

 

I upgraded to a 4+1 pack and removed the overload and I love it.

 

Nice truck! I have a question about the 63” springs. I’m working on the same set up. How far forward (eye hole to eye hole) did you install the front spring hanger?
I’ve heard mixed numbers. I’m sure there’s some variation but I’d like a general consensus.
Thanks man!

 

@Timbo's Customs

 

I don’t measure that aspect. I measure the center pin and let the madness unfold. Sorry I couldn’t help you more