drizzohs '21 off-road build

Well.... would one be wrong to assume that if you have the VF-OBD to USB connector and the VF tuner program, then all one should have to pay for are the files?

 

That is correct. If you already have a licensed copy of VF Tuner and your truck's ECU/VIN has been unlocked via their credits, then all you will need is whatever tune files that you want to install.

 

Right on. Thanks again, I appreciate the info.

 

Np. Not sure who to contact if you want OTT, but I worked with @PapaRee to get the KDMax files. Kreg is awesome.

 

I'm currently running the light throttle tune from KDmax. I tried all three and the light tune feels the best for my application (6MT). The other two takes way too much feel away from the go pedal.

In any of the three tunes, 1st feels/performs amazing, then it gets a bit 'meh' from there. Just my personal perspective/opinion of it. I'm glad you are having a better experience than I am. Enjoy!

 

You're on their newest version? I can't comment on their MT tunes, but the taco is the first AT I've ever bought and the trans has been driving me nuts since I first drove it off the lot lol. Been longing for it to perform more like how I drive my 6MT tC2 (daily driver) but instead all it's been is a disappointment generator, lol. Holds gear much better now. Not enough miles to say if it's the best thing ever yet, but it's a big improvement from the OV 2.0 I've been running for the last year.

 

It's the 'Pro' version... I installed it in August of last year.

 

Hi. Same old drizzoh, but now with 200% more @ARCHIVE Hammer Hanger.



The manners of the truck are excessively better. I saw one review that said the rear end felt almost sporty after installing and thought they were insane as that's one word I would have never used to describe it before. They weren't insane. The handling is noticeably tighter (much more controlled) and it almost feels like it has an IRS now. The truck is so much nicer to be in without the rear end shimmy-fest. With the Hammer Hangers in, the way the back responds to bumps almost exactly matches the feel the front both in compression and rebound. They both just take their hit and recover instantly instead of the rear end amplifying the hit and taking its sweet time trying to sort itself out after. There is a washboard section of concrete I have to drive every morning on the way to work and while my lowered Scion tC on low profile tires always soaked those bumps up, the truck has always reacted like I was bajaing it down a mountain on an old mining trail at competition speeds like a bucking bronco. I can finally say that is no longer the case. The rear end was so much better behaved going thru that section this morning that it's almost like it wasn't there. The rear end travel is silky smooth now without the hangers flexing. These are a really nice composure and handling upgrade. Thanks Eric for making these badass hangers and shackles.

The install sucked but also wasn't as bad as I was expecting. Getting the factory hangers themselves off only took about 45 minutes. But then it took another 1.5 hours or so after that to get the rivets the rest of the way out, holes enlarged to 1/2", surface prepped and repainted. Not counting the time to let the paint dry, I think it took around 4 hours. Used my grinder to slot the rivets, used my air chisel to knock the heads off and was then able to whack the hangers off with a couple hits from my 3lb sledge. Ground the rivets flat after that (which took the longest and was a bunch of suck) and then used the air chisel to pop out the top 2 rivets and used a ball joint press with the tapered punch bit from the air chisel to pop out the lowers and keep the weld-in washers intact. I bought the Archive drill bits but did not end up needing them as my step-bit made quick work of enlarging the frame holes. After the metal modifications were done, I flap-disked the surface rust off and painted with VHT chassis paint. After letting it dry for about an hour, I bolted it together with all the Archive parts and everything fit perfectly.

Unreal how soft the stock hangers are - I was able to flex them by hand once the shackles were disconnected.

During install:



Stock vs Archive Hangers | BAMF vs Archive 3.6" Shackles

 

Thanks Andrew, that's satisfying to hear that level of results for customers! But it is always the owners who directly compare the stock twangers to Hammer Hangers as the only change who notice how much they do.

 

Got reminded by the What Have You Done Today thread that I've been meaning to paint the glove box lock cylinder for a while, so finally knocked that out. It's actually kind of fire vs being silver lol. Painted it because the stickers look like crap and I never lock it so I'm not worried about the key scratching it.

Before and after:



The interior could use a wipe down, but it's looking pretty proper now. The dial in front of the e-brake is the bass/tune map knob for the VX700. It was the only place I had room to put it within reach.



Then I reflashed the ECU again to have the KDMax Pro 9.0 Lite throttle tune. This one has the smoothest tip-in response by far. All the other versions still felt like you had just popped the clutch if you started accelerating when the truck was already moving from a low speed. That issue seems completely fixed now, which is good because I'm out of tunes from them to try, lol. Successful week so far.

 

This is the review and build that helped me make my decision to go with archive garage hammer hangers. Nice truck and build

 

If nothing else, I'm good at helping others spend money <3. Thanks Chris!

 

I’m good at blowing and spending any extra money i have lol lethal combo

 

Found the time this weekend to do a proper detail on the truck and re-apply its ceramic coat. It's been feeling a bit rough lately so needed the full wash + clay bar + polish + ceramic treatment. Smooth now



Then just because I liked the Hammer Hangers so much, I grabbed these rear wheel sensor guards from Archive Garage. As expected, they are very well-built pieces with perfect fitment. I probably won't actually ever scrape them on anything, but they're really nice insurance and they hide the unsightly plugs. Trying to talk Eric into designing a matching set for the front too, so I don't have to purchase aluminum ones.

 

Isso good.

 

I’ve been debating now for awhile the RXT and j66. After having the j66 for a bit, how are you liking them?

 

The J66 rides SO much better than the RXT, but it's not as good for towing and payload as stock\other options since it does not have an overload leaf, so it depends what you need the truck to do. Those aren't things I need, I was just searching for ride quality and flexibility and in that regard it's fantastic.

 

Exactly what I needed to hear, thank you. I have no towing needs, nor do I carry much if any cargo. Max camping load out is sub 250lbs.

 

So the Hammer Hangers allowed my downtravel to increase by about 2" which meant my 22" brake lines were no longer sufficient. I called up Crown and had them make me a 25" rear set and now I can flex this thing out without worrying about them being my limit straps. While I had the wheels off, I also swapped on these Durago BD92010402 electrophoretic coated drums. The stock ones had no mechanical issues but no matter how much prep I did I could not keep paint from flaking off of them. Hopefully they will hold up better, but if the Durago's end up flaking then I'll have the OE's sand blasted and Cerakoted.


Vs the stock drums. They looked like absolute crap behind the TE's :

 

Took advantage of the long weekend and cut a big hole in the truck to add the driver side bed cubby that Toyota removed from the 2020+ trucks. I lost a lot of interior storage with the audio install so I wanted to regain as much as I could to use for basic recovery gear and whatever else I haven't been able to carry. Aside from making a huge mess, it was a pretty easy install. Went full OEM down to the bed bolts and I think it turned out pretty good. Picked up a nutsert tool and it is the coolest thing, I'm going to be putting M6's all over the place now lol.



Part numbers:
64742-04010 Pocket Box
64074-04011 Cover
90148-A0006 (x6) Bolts

The OEM bolts are M6 thread pitch and use a t25 torx.

Also picked up a Smittybilt recovery hitch that hopefully I won't need to use. I probably won't leave it installed but I don't hate the look.