What have you done to your Tacoma today? 1st Gen Edition

Yeah that was a concern of mine, I got some leds that have a shield that mimics halogen bulbs. I sat infront of my truck at about eye level in a car and its not blinding.

I purposefully got semi cheap Amazon leds so I could easily return if it was bad lol

 

Over excitedly tested my kids new car seat using the latch system I installed.



And for shits and giggles tested forward facing. Won’t be for a while till we can do it like that.

 

Interesting, how did you do the latch system? Our girl just started forward facing so I had to put her FF seat in the back, but the seat belt doesn't do a good job of keeping it from moving too much. Got it as tight as humanly possible, but there's still some diagonal play. I wish there were car seat latches in the back like there are in the front passenger seat for rear facing car seats.

btw we have the exact same car seat haha

 

Next up on the docket, front suspension and LBJs…

 

For those of you on 35s, do you find it made a noticeable difference? I’ve been thinking about jumping up and I know I would need to tub. But I was looking 295/70 vs 35x12.5 In geolander MT G003s is 33.55” vs 34.7” seems like a lot of work for 1.15”. Just want to hear some more opinions from people

 

I was hoping if I had the seat cushions the play would be reduced but good to know it's not worth me sourcing them again. FWIW in the rear facing position there is still some side to side play.

i assume you are cranking the seat belt down using the lock out system right? I know it never leaves the car seat super tight either.

this is what I made for him:



excuse the horrific welds I thought I had the wrong wire in when I went for it

It was originally something like this from Amazon:

DEF Car Child Seat Universal Restraint Anchor Mounting Kit Latch Interface Bracket for ISOFIX Belt Connector

DEF Car Child Seat Universal Restraint Anchor Mounting Kit Latch Interface Bracket for ISOFIX Belt Connector

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F54MWW6

i modified it to how you see it and even tacked it directly to the cab besides the other bolts holding it on.

 

We put thoes shocks with some ome springs on my son's t4r and they ride great!!

I'd like to know also. 285 /70 17's aren't cutting it. Btw I think the geolanders run a little small.

 

Noticeable? Yes. Sidewall is your friend in the dirt.

 

That's awesome, looks like it worked out well!

Yeah the cushions don't really change anything, when she was rear facing I just put her up front with the airbag off. But front facing she gotta be in the back cab and was surprised to see there weren't any lower latches from factory

 

How much of a difference did you notice going from 31s to 33s?

I will add that I still think 285/75r17 is the perfect size for someone wanting a bigger tire without the work of 35s.

 

My 285/75/17 measure in just shy of 35 in. With a 1 in body lift, just had to hammer the pinch. 35s aren't worth the work for me.

 

I’m currently on 295/70/17 ST MaXXs. I wonder is 285/75/17 would be too skinny for my 9” wheels

 

Ooo probably.

Most say 8.5" for the widest wheel width I think.

Could try it though...but for wheeling you'd risk popping a bead a lot more.


35s do make a big difference in well everything. Somethings good. Somethings not. Obviously you loose low-end torque. Your mpg will never be good again no matter what. You should regear(5.29s baby!) if you want to do anything remotely hard wheeling wise if you don't want to redo the clutch every couple of years. But off-road with the right gearing is freaking awesome.

 

Yeah I hear ya, my MPG already suck. And I have dual cases so I have plenty of low end with the 4.88s. Might dig a little bit on the hwy tho.

 

I got almost 19mpg my first tank on 35s.

I honestly think 4.88s and a crawlbox are the way to go for a 5 speed.

 

Which 35s did you go with?

 

Hankook MT2 35x12.50r17

would still have gone with the Nittos in 35x11.50 had I not got tired of waiting for months.

 

Tidied up the engine bay.


Edit: and fixed the hood latch so the hood pops up when I pull the release lever. That has annoyed me for the last 3 years

 

A storm blew through earlier this week and dropped a small limb on my truck, see behind driver window. Other than that, just used it for moving around equipment while cleaning up the yard today. The lift is already starting to settle in nice and I've been impressed with the improvements to ride, handling, and braking.

 

How have you liked them so far? I saw the Lifestyle Overland vid where he ran a set on his 5th gen. After 1 fairly easy trail ride they were all torn to shit and was swapping them out. That sidewall looks suspect.