SUMO TNK : '08 DCSB TRD OR

I like the Eddie stickers Hahaha.

That storage looks handy as long as stuff is packaged properly or softer goods. Any ideas what you'll toss in there?

 

I was considering this one as well but would want better pocket’s. Would be a fun project to come up with some

 

Lol! Thanks Russ! The bumper stickers are a tribute to Eddie Aikau.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Aikau?wprov=sfla1

"Eddie Would Go" is a popular slogan in Hawaii with different meanings. To me, it means to be accountable, dependable, selfless, and being a Man for Others.

As for storage hehe... I asked myself the same question now that I installed the panel. I'll probably start by relocating the stuff in my cubbies first....which are extra rachet straps, and my Waterport accessories (nozzle, hose, etc).

And yes, @nudavinci64 I am thinking about retrofitting that 3rd Gen EZ tailgate assist that you linked me to. So much better than the alternatives.

 

That's cool as hell about Eddie Aikau. Heard the name before but never knew much about him till I read that link.

 

No updates recently but it doesn't mean there's no mods or changes!

I rewired a bunch of crap again and while I was at it, I swapped out to the factory black radio and shifter bezels. I also relocated my boost gauge to the A-Pillar and my AFR gauge now sits where the boost gauge was before. With my rewire done, I have resolved my SWC and camera issues with the AuCar headunit. Woohoo!!!!

 

Next up... new outer tierods and beefy tierod sleeves!

 

Install day today at Valley Differentials (Stockton, CA) @120k miles





My stock 3rd with 3.73 gears

 

How'd the install go? Break in is gonna suck Hahaha. I did lots of aimless slow driving in straight lines in 4x4 and it the whole process felt like forever.

Trimming for 37's next? Got tires picked out?

Its always nice to organize and clean up wiring in the truck. A lot of work but so worth it to get back to. Especially all the small individual electrical mods that stack up and start turning into rats nests if you're not careful.

 

By no means am I even remotely capable of setting up rear gears, backlash, reading that paint smear, etc.... that took a master at that craft. But I'm assuming you're talking about R/Ring the 3rd, which didn't sound too difficult after reading a bunch of DIYs and also encouraged by @nudavinci64 that it was pretty easy to do.

But prior to all that, I had a dilemma with gear installation. And I think it may help others in my shoes if I laid it all out. I had 4 options.

1. ECGS - r&r my 3rd member myself and use the full service and core exchange program of ecgs.

2. Zuk - r&r the 3rd myself, find a local TW member to ship it to. Have said TW member drop off at Zuk's house. Reverse this process to get my 3rd back

3. Regear GBs in Southern CA - drive 400 miles to a shop in SoCal. Shop handles 3rd r/r and gear install.

4. Local Gear shop (Rear End Specialities in Santa Clara) R/R 3rd myself and drop off at local shop for gear setup.

Over Xmas '23, I took advantage of a holiday sale at Revolution Gear and bought the REM polished ring/pinion for my truck. But by doing this, I eliminated myself from option #1 (ecgs)as an option and I also found out that option #3 was gone too because the GB gear setup pricing was contingent on buying the gears via the GB too.

That left me with Zuk or a local shop. I was leaning heavily towards Zuk and even found someone to assist me with delivering to Zuks. But luckily, a local TW guy posted that he just had a regear performed at a shop and had a great experience so I took a chance with Valley Differential.

The reason I went with Valley Diff even though it was 100 miles away was because he was the man at RearEnd Specialities before starting his own shop in Stockton. I also saved $ because labor rates in Stockton are slightly lower compared to Santa Clara.

As for my decision with ECGS and one of the shops in SoCal that has the GB pricing, I had some reservations due to some ambiguity with ecgs and questionable install practices with one of the GB shop.

In the end, $$$ also mattered. These were my estimates with shipping, etc.

1. Ecgs about $950-1000. I provide labor.
2. Zuk about $850-950. I provide labor.
3. Rear End Spec. $1k. I provide labor.
4. Valley Diff $950. They do all labor.

The two GB deals had pricing that was around $1000-1200 regeared/installed but I would have had to do a 800+ round trip which means about $160+ in gas.

The awesome part about getting my gears done at Valley Differential was because it was 100 miles from my house. For the post-install break in, it was easy for me. I took backroads (max 45mph) home. Drove for 20 miles, stopped for 30+mins....rinse and repeat 3x. Took me about 3+hours to get home but got to drive some roads that I've never been on. It was Thursday around 2-3pm (minimal traffic) and an amazingly beautiful CA day.

 

Hell yeah! 37s are indeed next. I've been sitting on some bfg (smallish 37) for a while now and I better get them mounted before dry rot! I've been procrastinating and saying that I have to have supporting stuff/mods done before I Mount them.

Clean wiring is a blessing. In another life, I dabbled at a car stereo shop in my teens. I recall how some of the installers took major pride with clean wiring especially with car alarms. Eg, running wires to length, neat multi relays, wiring bell caps so perfect it looked like a flower bloom.

I am fortunate to have seen the correct way it should be done. Versus some of the hack stuff that I've seen or done myself. Which makes me want to clean it up incessantly.

 

My recommended break in was 1000 km of driving without heavy acceleration and keeping the speed below around 100 kmph. Took a long time but maybe it was overkill.

 

very nice! I would add that ECGS won out due to the 5-year warranty, which is almost no questions asked to swap out if you have any issues. I replaced 2 diffs during that time span with no fault but myself. If you think you will be destroying rear ends and not going to a larger axle, it's hard to beat a 5-year warranty.

 

def I drive around at night for the 500 or so miles. The front even though not in 4wd is still getting put through paces in some fashion. That one is hard unless your actually in 4WD but have found that as long as you change it after 500 or so miles your good. I keep the first 500 miles low speeds with stop and go wait to cool drive etc. Just tedious and rough if your trying to go on a trip in short order. This will be my life in 1-2 weeks.

 

How are you liking it so far? I forgot did you go 4.56 or 4.88?

 

4.56 and only about 200 miles into the total break in. Love it so far! absolutely noticeable coming from the stock 3.73. I haven't come close to flooring it but the pick-up in acceleration at the lower (2k) rpm range while in 3rd or 4th is very nice.

Are you going to Baja in a few weeks?

 

Trying to do a Mojave Road Trip. Would have went to Baja this week but didn't make it.

 

Picked up and installed a Revesol steering wheel. Nothing fancy like CF or anything. I chose the piano black finish because it matched well with the bezel of the AUCar headunit and the perforated faux leather paired well with the golf-ball finish of the Tacoma interior. The wheel grip design is thicker and more aggressive than stock.

 

Did you consider updating the 12/14 or the 14/15 steering wheel? I have some 13 controls if you ever do.

 

I did consider it. Just didnt't know if I wanted to fuss with the rewire of the SWC and stuff.

Especially after I got the AUCar head unit working in sync with my '08 steering wheel.

The Revesol wheel was cheap enough that if I change my mind, I'll sell and upgrade to the newer style wheels.

 

Nice makes sense. Solid add.