BIG ISLAND HI Thread

SOLD!

 

Anyone been to Makalawena Beach lately? I'm wondering if my newly purchased 2022 TRD Sport 4X4 with factory TRD lift would be able to make the first part of the road. It looks pretty rough. I've heard it's easier and faster to walk.

 

I can't say for sure because I haven't been there since January, but I'm sure you can make it down. Take it slow and pick the right line. If you're worried about damaging your new truck (who wouldn't be lol) and aren't taking a lot of stuff I'd probably take the hike from Mahaiula as it's closer to Makalawena beach by hike.
Hope this helps.

 

Yes helps a lot, thanks!

 

A few month ago I met a guy with the Tacoma long bed , 2inch lift, at Lex Brodies, he made it down to Makawena beach, in his Tacoma long bed.
I ask where he been to , because I have a long bed too.

Note : Do NOT go down the right side road. Unless you got lockers and a higher lift. It was years ago, but I struggle to get back up. 1986 Dodge Ram 4x4 lifted front and rear LSDs. Never again for me.

 

Good to know, thanks. Maybe I’ll find another Toyota there sometime and follow him/her down the road.

 

I have not gone there for years, it is always crowded. Plenty of cars parking on the side of the highway road.
It is the dirt road before “Kua bay.” When you see the fork, turn left, if not sure walk the road first. Good to have a spotter.
Lots of campers in those days. Hepatitis was a problem too. Reason I do not go there anymore.
It is consider a very rough trail. Those old days the roads were better and not dug out.

Have you been in front of the new airport. Off roading?

 

Kona has a lot of women with 4x4s . One girl I use to work with. She lifted her Tacoma 6”, but she was a tall girl. Another at the same place, her Tacoma was the RC - 4inch lift.

Kona has some tough women. Hunters and fisherman. Oh a fellow fisherman, his wife drives a 2019 Nissan Pro, with 6 inch lift.

 

Do you mean west of the airport? Last I looked it was gated and locked. But no, haven't been there off roading. What am I missing?

 

No, the off road to go inside the new airport area,Kohala side of the airport.it is near the Red radar tower, visible from highway.
As you enter, you will see a small hill that leads downwards, go left of the small hill (next ) . Maybe 2-3 feet high?

if you never been there? Take a walk to see the road that goes down, go left side down , right side up. I have not gone there for 3 years. Looks bad, but is drivable.

When you drive down, you will see the road forks, take the right fork, it will follow the airport fencing go towards Kohala side. The roads leads to the beach.

if not sure? Maybe you can follow me?

That first hill ,lots of ATV’S may have made the first hill worst. I have seen lots of AtV going down the last 3 years. Not sure, don’t go down?

 

is this the red radar tower? https://goo.gl/maps/5b4ScuTnmRKXHPFp6 I think I can see on the Google maps what you're talking about. I'll have to go exploring there. I haven't lived in Kailua-Kona long; used to live down in Naalehu, so I gotta do more exploring. Thanks for the heads up on this area!

 

Yes, nice mapping. The first hill down and up, most guys do not like it. Look really bad, but drivable.
There maybe a few spots you need to be careful, stop take a look, walk it, a stock Tacoma have made it in before.

When you reach the beach? You can go left and right. Right is the easiest, and a few places have road trails directly to the beach.

Left side the more you go in, the harder it can get, in the old days this road could reach OTec.
Better to stop, walk or have a spotter in a few places.

Are you a fisherman , diver? , throw net? If you ever see my truck ? Stop by! I may start going again next month.
Old Japanese man with fishing poles

 

None of those, just a retired haole enjoying exploring the island. I'll look for your truck. Thanks for all the info!

 

The new airport road just a few miles long. A good place to start testing any 4x4 truck.

 

Can anyone recommend a cargo net for a 2022 short bed? Just need it to contain stuff in the back for a dump run.

 

Suggest go to Amazon, they should have the sizes you may like.
I use them before, got them from Amazon. Comes in handy.

 

I looked a bit on Amazon, found a nice one from TacoNets, but it required the front rail which the newer trucks don't have. And another one I liked was out of stock. But I'll look more. Thanks.

 

I believe you can order the truck bed head rail for the front part of the bed from the Toyota dealer $55.00?

I also saw aftermarket Tacoma front bed rails , lots of slots to hook things $155.00

plus all kinds of bed rack/ bars that goes across the beds.

 

The TacoNets guy told me this: “Genuine Toyota Accessories

$58 PT278-35100-BH Truck Bed Header Rail

PT278-35100-BH Truck Bed Header Rail.” Too bad Toyota stopped including them with their trucks.

 

Sorry to hear this part is unavailable.
Hooke Road- tie down hooks Amazon $25.00. But if can bolt this down on the bed rail? Bolt a bar or rod in the same locations, going across between the bed and make you own tie down brackets?

Or use a cargo bar? For from of the bed?