BigMike’s Big Journey: New 2016 Tacoma

July 15, 2018: Driver Rear E-Brake Repair, Longer E-Brake Cables, Mounted CB Antenna

So back at the shop I knew what needed to be done: LONGER CABLES!! With longer cables I can (1) route them up higher and out of harm's way, and (2) be prepared for a certain long overdue upcoming modification...

Obviously both cables needed to be replaced with longer Double Cab Longbed versions so I began tearing both sides down...



Here is the length comparison!

Toyota P/N for 3rd gen Long Bed cables. These were sourced from the VIN of a random 6cyl DCLB Longbed TRD Sport.
46420-04140 Passenger side
46430-04110 Driver side

and just in case anyone needs it, here are the P/N for my stock 2016 AC cables:
46420-04130 Passenger side
46430-04100 Driver side



Sorry I only have this image, so an approximate length improvement is ~ 9-1/2 inch. Very nice!

 

July 15, 2018: Driver Rear E-Brake Repair, Longer E-Brake Cables, Mounted CB Antenna (continued)

So I go to remove the passenger side cable, and look at this crap!!!



GEEEEEEZ!! Both rear brakes are badly worn out! What the heck Toyota! This is only from half a year on 37s and then two yrs on 33s. It is true that I now have Dual E-Brake handles, but at this time I've only _just_ gotten those into operation; My e-brake woes began the year prior.

 

July 15, 2018: Driver Rear E-Brake Repair, Longer E-Brake Cables, Mounted CB Antenna (continued)

I have never been a fan of rear drum brakes. What a joke!



As I recall some of these parts were not available individually from the dealer so I decided to make my own repairs.

Welded half a washer on to prevent the shoe from rocking over



And also welded up the back side of the large rivets in the same manner as I had done to the driver side two months prior



Additional notes: As discussed before I do not race this truck and try my best to predict light changes and conserve energy for lighter braking. I have yet to hammer on the brakes thus far with this "new" truck and have yet to need ABS. I am very careful and for the most part I drive it like a grandpa in the city; Just consider how I am making 19 and 20 MPG with this thing. I'm not making that mileage from flooring it all the time and slamming on the brakes. Really disappointed with these rear brakes...

Thank you factory cable, you won't be forgotten!

 

July 15, 2018: Driver Rear E-Brake Repair, Longer E-Brake Cables, Mounted CB Antenna (continued)

Finally mounted an antenna for my CB!!

Parts I used as as follows:

Wilson 305-4FD Silver Load Series 4' CB Antenna Whip
I've ran this antenna on my Hilux for almost 15 yrs and love it so much I got one for the Taco

$26 Wilson 305-4FD Silver Load Series 4 Foot CB Antenna Flex Whip

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ALD33K/

Firestik Fire-flex Cable Assembly W/low-profile Fire-ring and Stud
Really, really cool low-profile CB cable
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EARXF06

FireStik K-1A Push-n-Twist quick disconnect
It took a few extra days for delivery and got it installed a few days later. Sorry don't have pics of it at the moment
I disconnect the antenna and store it neatly in the back of the Access Cab.

FireStik K-1A Push-n-Twist quick disconnect

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UTQUAK/

CB Antenna Mirror Mount
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075TJ1DDJ/

Very simple install. I know the cab blocks the base of the antenna rendering this not the best location, but I installed it here because I wanted to match my Hilux







And to close the day out, a much needed full-service car wash

 

Summer & Fall 2018 Trips
July 19: Imogene Pass, FJ Summit, Colorado Rockies, Live! Trip Report: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fj-summit-xii-live-2018.559164/
July 20: Poughkeepsie Gulch, FJ Summit, Colorado Rockies
July 21: Black Bear Pass, FJ Summit, Colorado Rockies
Sept 12: 17th Annual Marlin Crawler Round-Up / Rubicon Trail

 

August 7, 2018: Front Tube Bumper Pics

Haven't posted about the front bumper in a while so I took some extra pics of it for the thread. We are hoping to have them in production later this year!









Early in 2018 my wife and I began parking away from establishments in what we call living as "Hong Kong Citizens"

Has been providing interesting picture opportunities with the Taco

 

August 10, 2018: Work pictures with both my 1981 and my dad's 1980, aka "The Crawler Truck"!

We recently expanded another 3,000 sq ft and have been busy moving equipment and vehicles around. Was awesome to get these guys parked together again!

Both 1st gens are running the same 37 x 12.50 x 15 IROKs. The Crawler truck still has factory-style F&R axles for that awesome classic look

Click here for larger version



Click here for larger version

 

November 27, 2018: Created an Instagram Page for the Tacoma!

This was when I finally created an Instagram account for the Tacoma. It has been slowly growing now to 3,900 followers. It's been tough keeping it updated; I'll resume posting there as I'm doing here as well!

@SlowestTacoma -- https://www.instagram.com/slowesttacoma/

 

November 30, 2018: SlowestTacoma turned 30k!

Nice milestone! At this point I had...

21,018 miles on the Marlin Crawler Dual Ultimate / TacoBox Supreme setup (installed at 8,982 miles)
14,606 miles on the 40" tires (installed at 15,394 miles)
and
12,817 miles on both the Triple Ultimate Marlin Crawler T/Case setup & MarRack prototype (both installed at 17,183 miles)

Note on the MPG: My normal daily city driving with 40s is usually in the 16.x MPG range but it had been slowly dropping to the low 15s and high 14s. More on this soon!

 

2018 Wrap-up

And that was it for 2018! The truck was LARGELY neglected from August 2018 through March 2019 while I was designing and building #RCLT. Muuuuuch more on this soon!

Here come some misc 2018 pics from around town!

Another white 3rd gen!



Love this pic with my MR2





This is CruzrDave's 80-series Lexus LX450

What.... has.... happened??!! The 80-seires Land Cruiser used to be a humongous BOAT of a vehicle and now the "mid-size" Tacoma is even larger!! WOW TOYOTA PLS STOP





Love messing with different views of both forward facing cameras while in the car wash

 

2018 Wrap-up (continued)







I found this desert race build 2nd gen backed-in at a local grocery store and immediately had to park next to him. Then when I came out, the owner had MOVED his Tacoma one row over and re-parked it. Whaaaaaat?? lol Dang so sorry

 

2018 Wrap-up (continued)

In the early summer my neighbor enjoyed seeing my 3rd gen so much THAT HE WENT OUT AND BOUGHT ONE!!! TOO COOL!!!!

Hello from one TRD Sport to another!

 

2018 Wrap-up (continued)



Gotta keep her clean!





California wildfires :'(

 

2018 Wrap-up (continued)







At our Round-Up event while heading up Cadillac Hill in the dark I hit a rock so hard on my front-right that it whipped the wheel outta my hands, brought me to a stop, and killed the engine. It also caused the lower cam bolts to lose their adjustment. Like an idiot however, I continued to drive the truck for 3 or 4 months until I realized I was badly wearing the inner tread of both front tires so I finally took her in for an alignment.

It was a very, very long fall and winter let me tell you.



Pretty fall colors!



Spotted!

 

2018 Wrap-up (continued)

And last but not least a Trail Sign Update to close out 2018!

 

Winter/Spring 2019: An Overview

If I may speak freely for a moment, before our Round-Up I had torn both CV boots (again) back in Aug/Sept, at a time when I was originally planning to install the first prototype Rock Crawling Long Travel IFS kit (RCLT) to my Tacoma. I told people it would be on the truck for the Round-Up, which came and passed, with more plans and scheduling going to sh*t among a really long and messed up fall/winter. Many plans were shifted around on a number of projects. I've had my share of things to be upset about over the last 8 or 9 months, including re-tearing the meniscus in my left knee while finishing up the RCLT KOH project 4Runner... During all of this I've let the Tacoma run itself into the ground.

After getting the first Prototype RCLT HD done on January 3rd, I took a two week break and then began on V2 Prototype.

I know many are asking for RCLT and MarRack updates. These things take time and we've only produced one article; It will be longer until we start on pricing. It feels like V1 Prototype MarRack has been on my Tacoma for many years but in reality it was only finished two months before starting on RCLT. I've been working extremely hard on everything plus I have a company to run. Here is an updated project summary:

Prototype MarRack & RCLT Updates
Spring 2018: The MarRack is born & V1 Prototype installed to my Tacoma
Spring 2018: RCLT is born
Nov 27, 2018: Work on V2 Prototype MarRack begins!!
Dec 25, 2018: V2 Prototype MarRack design is finished on Christmas Day
Dec 27, 2018: V2 Prototype MarRack installation on KOH 4R is finished!
Jan 01, 2019: V1 Prototype RCLT HD installation begins on New Years Day
Jan 03, 2019: V1 Prototype RCLT HD installation on KOH 4R is finished!
Jan 16, 2019: Work on V2 Prototype RCLT HD begins!!
Feb 06, 2019: V1 Prototype RCLT HD + V2 Prototype MarRack competes in the King Of The Hammers. It was the only Toyota-based IFS system in all of KOH!!
Feb 21, 2019: V2 Prototype RCLT HD reaches Feature Lock with more than 100 (mostly small) improvements over V1
Mar 07, 2019: V2 Prototype RCLT HD starts pre-production!!!

The first big event of 2019 for us is the King Of The Hammers, which came and passed. SlowestTacoma did not attend. Continuing forward I've missed Black Tie & Boots, CAL4WD Convention, CAL4WD-sponsored Kingsburg Snow Run, TLCA-sponsored Mud'N'Yer Eye Frolic, and the Texas Toyota Jamboree. Not having my typical fall/winter to work on the truck really pushed things back, and this is probably a good time to re-group and go over whats been done thus far.

I've loosely mentioned "Stages" over the duration of this thread and while dates/info mentioned in the past might not line up with this, after going over my notes this is how I Officially view the build process as of April 28 last year:

Click here for a larger view

I compared the above Stages to the percent value I've been envisioning the truck being completed to as follows:

Stage I - Completed May 2, 2017 (estimated goal progress: 25%)
Stage II - Completed Sept 12, 2017 (est. goal progress: 35%)
Stage III - Completed April 29, 2018 (est. goal progress: 65%)
Stage IV - Hoping to be done by MCR18!! (est. goal progress: 95%)

STAGE IV HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN!!

I am expecting Stage IV will take me deep into August to complete. I am encouraged that this winter/spring will be the last big push to get this truck up to par for my wheel'n and marketing needs.

So after having submitted my 2nd Prototype RCLT HD design, the waiting game had begun and I began attacking some basic tasks with the Taco

 

March 14, 2019: Changed engine air filter

While waiting for my new V2 RCLT HD parts to begin trickling in, I began attacking basic things with the truck.

Sometime late fall 2018 I began noticing MPGs drop so I looked at my air filter and IT WAS A FREAK'N MESS. I have no clue when I last changed it.... in fact..... it's very much possible.... that this is my original air filter!!! I cannot find in my notes when I first changed my engine filter and that much is obvious from the following...

I simply placed the old filter atop my tire a ton of debris fell out. Poooor... pooooooooooooooooooooor 2GR :'(



No excuse for how much I've been neglecting this awesome beast of a machine!! >_< I will discuss more about this after a few posts.



Then, knowing if one is filthy I'd better change the other, I proceeded to replace the interior cabin filter... and you can guess what's coming I've yet to replace the cabin filter also. Another original filter from the San Antonio assembly line. Man oh man...



Just because this truck has turned into what I call "The Beast, Junior" doesn't mean sacrifices aren't being made. It's a process of give-and-take and I am looking forward to finally addressing many little things this year.

 

March 16, 2019: Pressure washed SlowestTacoma

At this time I was pretty pissed at myself. Both CV boots were ripped and had slung grease all over the dang place. Everything was a mess. Spent over an hour just cleaning... Felt good to do this!

 

March 19, 2019: New Headlights

I never liked how my nice LED Fog/Flood lights contrasted with the warmer temperature stock headlights, and not wanting to do anything crazy, I upgraded the H11 bulbs.

For me it was a toss-up between Sylvania Ultra & Philips X-tremeVision, and I went with the cheaper option

Philips H11 X-tremeVision

Philips Automotive Lighting H11 X-tremeVision Upgrade Headlight Bulb with up to 100% More Vision, White (12362XVB2) 2 Count

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00U1OIESK/

Left: X-tremeVision, Right: Stock 2016 Tacoma TRD Sport



It was incredibly difficult to get a comparison photo with a camera that has auto focus so here is only just the aftermath photo. It is only just slightly cooler in color temperature but overall I am pleased



Not expecting either sock to get knocked off, I was happy to find an increase of 30 lux as registered by my iPhone resting on the wall untouched between bulb swap. Happy with the $20 results

 

March 26, 2019: K&N Intake System

Holy, what an ordeal this was! Here is what happened:

Fall 2018
Start noticing a drop in fuel economy
First/basic suspicion is to check air filter
March 14 (posted above)
Check air filter
Discover it's a mess
Realize I've never even changed it before
Replace with genuine OEM filter
March 20
Note fuel mileage has not improved
Learn about the California Charcoal Air Filter insert located in the factory air box lid
Reinspect intake
Discover Charcoal Air Filter IS BLACK AND A COMPLETE MESS
March 21
Attempt to replace Charcoal Air Filter
Discover it's not serviceable
Discover the Upper Air Box Assembly, Toyota P/N 17705-0P220, only comes bundled with the Air Flow Meter and retails for over $300!!
March 22
After a lot of comparative shopping I settle on the

$300 K&N 63-9039 K&N Cold Air Intake System: High-Flow Air Filter, Increase Performance & Towing: Compatible with 2016-2023 TOYOTA Tacoma, 63-9039

K&N 63-9039 for almost $75 less than replacement factory option
This is the middle-range K&N offering. Cheaper option comes with an inferior filter; More expensive option runs the mid-range filter but comes with nicer aluminum ducting which would looks good but would heat soak more, and meh... I just went with the dark and more stock looking option that still has the improved filter.
March 23
Discover this cannot be shipped to California due to our wonderful smog laws
March 25
Package arrives to my friend's home in Nevada
March 26
Package arrives to my door

In the end I saved $$, weight, intake restriction, and finally fixed my loss in MPG which within one tank has shot back up into the 16s. I did not disconnect the battery or reset the ECU.

Speaking for myself, here is some much needed comedic relief. My friend sent me the left pic of his cat Bear atop my package so I had to follow suit in sending him pics of my two boys Mikan (Japanese tangerine) and Max (a trooper at 17 yrs old) once it arrived to me :lol:



Factory setup with non-serviceable smog equipment (I've kept these parts for once the truck becomes smog-eligible in 2022)



No surprise here. I've removed all the inner fender lining so dirt has a direct shot up and into the air box.



I was pleased to see that the Charcoal Filter took the full blunt of my horrible maintenance and at least prevented visual debris into the intake.



Removed!



Installed!



The angle of the tube could have been better and also a tad shorter but overall am very impressed with my first-ever K&N product.



While I cannot credit the K&N for the 1 to 1.5 MPG since I had not one but TWO badly plugged air filters, I do have proof of performance increase as follows:

Cruise Control

My morning commute includes two large up-hill freeway interchanges. In 6th gear (manual) with cruise set to 65 MPH, the first overpass would cause the truck to dip to 59 MPH and the second to 57 MPH before climbing back up to 65. This was verified more than a year ago when I first switched to 40s using the truck's digital MPH readout. I swear instantly the very next morning with the K&N these two resulted in a slowdown of only 62 MPH & 60 MPH respectively. Both times the truck recovers to 65 sooner as well. Mid range is certainly improved, and according to my butt-dyno top end has improved but it's hard to tell anyway with 40" tires.

Sound

Of course I Love the new throaty sound One thing I was concerned about is that with the added load of rotating 40" tires at highway speeds that it would be in the "throaty" power band the entire time which would drone out the interior, something unacceptable with this "new" truck. I am happy to report that even when you floor it, the intake only comes alive from about 2,800 so cruising speeds sound at least 99% as the stock intake. Very impressed with both engine and air filter design. Thank you Toyota and K&N!

I don't have any sound clips at the moment but have another request for exhaust note sound and will get something posted hopefully soon

Off-road Use

While I am not the biggest fan of open element filters in Rock Crawlers, I am aware of K&N's filter wrap which was the biggest selling point for me. Probably other companies offer something similar but I've seen these on many Formula Toy and X-Chassis Rock Crawlers and was ready to give it a try. Now when I air down I'll simply put on the filter wrap for added protection and remove it when I air back up.

Here is the Filter Wrap test-fitted. It is a bit difficult to get my hands around the back edge of the filter to make sure it's on all the way.



Not the "coldest" Intake on the market

I realize this is not the coldest design and is in fact going to inhale air warmer than factory. However, I am pleased to not have a 100% connection to my liner-less inner fender which will reduce debris entering the filter and short of submersion will eliminate the risk of hydrolocking the engine. As for snorkels I've never been a fan and have never considered one for any of my vehicles.