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Slowly upgrading

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by SH10151, Oct 14, 2022.

  1. Oct 14, 2022 at 9:59 AM
    #1
    SH10151

    SH10151 [OP] Farang

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    So I have laid out a slow upgrade path, I’m not building any sick off-road crawler and I have other project vehicles that take precedence, but for my third generation SR utility package access cab I have 3-4 goals.

    I have already ordered a leer topper which should be done within the next few months.

    At some point I’m also going to install a trailer hitch receiver so I can use a fold down bike carrier.

    New tires are also in the works, will probably go to 265s and use the original steel wheels, because this is going to be a cheap build.

    The only thing missing from the base model truck is a rear locker.

    I was thinking about the most cost effective way of doing this, whether going with an electronic locker, using an air locker, or potentially scavenging a rear axle that has a Toyota electronic locker already. But that may mean I have to do some re-gearing, which may not be a bad thing.

    I would definitely prefer it to be as minimally invasive of a procedure as possible and was wondering what my options were.

    I’ve had good luck with air lockers on my 80 series land cruiser years ago, but some people like to complain about them.

    What do most people like to use on the third generation?
     
    Gunshot-6A likes this.
  2. Oct 14, 2022 at 12:51 PM
    #2
    1776Taco

    1776Taco Well-Known Member

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    Vehicle:
    2019 2.7 4x4 SR
    added rear seats access cab LEER 100R Curt hitch receiver Curt trailer lights Carthart seat covers 255/85/16 Toyo MT for trails 265/70/16 W/ OR wheels for DD TRD PRO skid OR fuel tank skid Warn tubeless winch bumper Smittybilt XRC 9.5k winch HS 1/4 inch coil spacers RCI rock sliders Wheelers 1.5 AAL Bilstein 5100 rear Decked

    Can’t answer on lockers, I don’t see a need for them on a stock/nearly stock Tacoma. I’d rather spend that money on a winch.

    I did get the leer 100xr and a curt hitch off Amazon with the light wiring and everything. Easy install. The leer is ok. It does leak. Idk if that’s the shells fault or just the way the bed is designed on the truck. I’ve never had shells leak on other trucks so idk.

    1E163A69-7D2A-472C-AF5B-3B3D4BC7AED2.jpg
     
  3. Oct 14, 2022 at 12:56 PM
    #3
    SH10151

    SH10151 [OP] Farang

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    That’s what the dealer told me as well. He claims it’s how the rear tailgate is designed, but I don’t know if I believe him.

    Lockers are great if you get stuck in mud or snow.
     
  4. Oct 14, 2022 at 12:58 PM
    #4
    ColdTaco49

    ColdTaco49 Has a well-used member

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    i have a Leer on mine with no leaks at all. Where is yours leaking from? Could just be a bad install or a warranty issue.

    To the OP, understand that the topper is going cause a considerable amount of sag on the stock suspension. Unloaded it might sit level with the front, but it will most certainly squat once you put even a modest amount of weight with the topper installed.
     
    Gunshot-6A likes this.
  5. Oct 14, 2022 at 1:09 PM
    #5
    SH10151

    SH10151 [OP] Farang

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    That’s what I’m afraid of, and by the time I mount the bike carrier on it, I might be getting some dudebro lean. If that’s the case, I may have to actually install a mild lift with heavier weight springs.
     
    Gunshot-6A likes this.
  6. Oct 14, 2022 at 1:16 PM
    #6
    ColdTaco49

    ColdTaco49 Has a well-used member

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    I put on some sumosprings in the meantime until I pick up some icon rxt’s and they’ve been doing fine for me.

    shipping a set of leaf springs to Alaska costs 2x as much as the springs themselves.
     
  7. Oct 14, 2022 at 1:21 PM
    #7
    1776Taco

    1776Taco Well-Known Member

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    2019 2.7 4x4 SR
    added rear seats access cab LEER 100R Curt hitch receiver Curt trailer lights Carthart seat covers 255/85/16 Toyo MT for trails 265/70/16 W/ OR wheels for DD TRD PRO skid OR fuel tank skid Warn tubeless winch bumper Smittybilt XRC 9.5k winch HS 1/4 inch coil spacers RCI rock sliders Wheelers 1.5 AAL Bilstein 5100 rear Decked
    A winch is better lol. Fail proof. A locker isn’t going to get you out of everything, a winch will get you out of much more than a locker would. Buy what you want though brother, maybe you could find a used 3rd member off eBay or lkq or just buy a aftermarket locker
     
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    #7
    MR E30 and musicisevil like this.
  8. Oct 14, 2022 at 1:22 PM
    #8
    1776Taco

    1776Taco Well-Known Member

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    added rear seats access cab LEER 100R Curt hitch receiver Curt trailer lights Carthart seat covers 255/85/16 Toyo MT for trails 265/70/16 W/ OR wheels for DD TRD PRO skid OR fuel tank skid Warn tubeless winch bumper Smittybilt XRC 9.5k winch HS 1/4 inch coil spacers RCI rock sliders Wheelers 1.5 AAL Bilstein 5100 rear Decked
    pretty much the front and the rear. There’s a gap on the tailgate itself that allows water inside
     
  9. Oct 14, 2022 at 1:44 PM
    #9
    SH10151

    SH10151 [OP] Farang

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    I could say the same thing about winches.

    I’ve seen them all fail, and not just the cheap ones off harbor freight, but Warn. I guess they don’t expect people to use them for more than bumper decoration these days.

    I’m guessing all the winch motors are coming from the same factory, anyway.
     
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    #9
  10. Oct 14, 2022 at 1:59 PM
    #10
    1776Taco

    1776Taco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2019 2.7 4x4 SR
    added rear seats access cab LEER 100R Curt hitch receiver Curt trailer lights Carthart seat covers 255/85/16 Toyo MT for trails 265/70/16 W/ OR wheels for DD TRD PRO skid OR fuel tank skid Warn tubeless winch bumper Smittybilt XRC 9.5k winch HS 1/4 inch coil spacers RCI rock sliders Wheelers 1.5 AAL Bilstein 5100 rear Decked
    Not really. If you take reliability out of the equation, a winch is going to get you unstuck. If you’re diffed out and just spinning, locking another rear wheel isn’t going to help anything. A winch is the way to go, if of course you were forced to choose between the 2.
     
    MR E30 likes this.
  11. Oct 14, 2022 at 2:11 PM
    #11
    MR E30

    MR E30 Well-Known Member

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    A locker has never once helped me out in mud, or snow, or the cinders (small lava rocks).

    It has however, been invaluable when I have one of the rear tires in the air (or barely touching the ground), and I need to climb a ledge or set of steps.

    Get yourself a winch. It's way more functional for what you describe.
     
    Gunshot-6A and 1776Taco like this.
  12. Oct 14, 2022 at 2:13 PM
    #12
    1776Taco

    1776Taco Well-Known Member

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    2019 2.7 4x4 SR
    added rear seats access cab LEER 100R Curt hitch receiver Curt trailer lights Carthart seat covers 255/85/16 Toyo MT for trails 265/70/16 W/ OR wheels for DD TRD PRO skid OR fuel tank skid Warn tubeless winch bumper Smittybilt XRC 9.5k winch HS 1/4 inch coil spacers RCI rock sliders Wheelers 1.5 AAL Bilstein 5100 rear Decked
    Yes, they do help, and help a lot. But for a majority of useage on a stock/nearly stock truck is rather have a winch.
     
    MR E30[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. Oct 14, 2022 at 2:16 PM
    #13
    Gunshot-6A

    Gunshot-6A Prime Beef

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    Of the two, def a winch. Locker has helped me out once as far as I know.

    Downside of a winch is territory like this: Nothing to winch off of and the ground is beyond concrete hard, except the spots where the stickiest mud imaginable is.

    20181013_115719.jpg
     
    1776Taco and MR E30[QUOTED] like this.
  14. Oct 14, 2022 at 2:21 PM
    #14
    MR E30

    MR E30 Well-Known Member

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    Definitely.

    In that same location a locker ain't going to do anything for you either. At least you may be able to flag down a stranger and winch off of their vehicle. There's no way to mate the benefits of a locker to a strangers truck.

    If OP hadn't said "I'm not trying to build anything serious, budget build, etc." then I would just tell him to empty out that wallet and get both and be done with it.
     
    1776Taco likes this.
  15. Oct 14, 2022 at 2:45 PM
    #15
    1776Taco

    1776Taco Well-Known Member

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    2019 2.7 4x4 SR
    added rear seats access cab LEER 100R Curt hitch receiver Curt trailer lights Carthart seat covers 255/85/16 Toyo MT for trails 265/70/16 W/ OR wheels for DD TRD PRO skid OR fuel tank skid Warn tubeless winch bumper Smittybilt XRC 9.5k winch HS 1/4 inch coil spacers RCI rock sliders Wheelers 1.5 AAL Bilstein 5100 rear Decked
    yup
     
  16. Oct 14, 2022 at 2:46 PM
    #16
    1776Taco

    1776Taco Well-Known Member

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    2019 2.7 4x4 SR
    added rear seats access cab LEER 100R Curt hitch receiver Curt trailer lights Carthart seat covers 255/85/16 Toyo MT for trails 265/70/16 W/ OR wheels for DD TRD PRO skid OR fuel tank skid Warn tubeless winch bumper Smittybilt XRC 9.5k winch HS 1/4 inch coil spacers RCI rock sliders Wheelers 1.5 AAL Bilstein 5100 rear Decked
    8612BF63-5E35-4CE0-BDC7-ABA3FE51D420.jpg
     
  17. Oct 14, 2022 at 6:22 PM
    #17
    Gunshot-6A

    Gunshot-6A Prime Beef

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    Good luck digging that out here. I do a lot of mtb trail building and our dig season has a hard end in May cuz youll bend a shovel
     

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