1999 Tacoma SR5 TRD Imperial Jade Build, Sweat and Tears

I was looking for another trail to complete before leaving. It rained the last day so I looked for something easy.

Decided on Hurrah Pass and Chicken Corners.












So fun story. The shit I do for free content for the internet. The ledge is about only as wide as the truck. When I pulled out on it there was no wind. When I tried to get it off the winds were at least 50mph. I couldn't even walk out to the truck. It was so strong that you could get blown off. I seriously thought the truck could have a chance of getting blow off. So when there was a slight pause in the wind I went to get it. I lost my clutch. Lately when Ive been going up elevation I start to lose my clutch. Ive bleed it several times to no avail. I think its time for a new slave and master. So to get it into gear the truck had to be off then started in gear. I almost backed off the cliff, def needed a spotter. Good times.

 

Hurrah Pass

 

Start of Chicken Corners






About to do the Chicken Corners. Your palms will def sweat a little. Was a little extra from the mud on the red clay. I was worried I was gonna drift a little and tag my bed on the rocks.


Hurrah Pass and Chicken Corners completed

 

Getting ready to head out. Ive done a lot of really crazy stuff in my life but this week long trip might be the best thing ive done. The only thing that would have made it better would of been having my little enduro with me. So I would have to pack up at camp to go to the store. I couldnt get ready in time. I wasnt even sure I was going.

The Tacomaworld forum should plan something there like the Jeeps do for Jeep week. If you havent been and you like outdoor stuff, you need to go. Just camp, its only $20 a night.

Fully covered in red


Airing back up

 

About to leave and I noticed my top box rails were missing one on the slider bolts. Im not taking any chances with the high winds. Stopped at the True Value in town and found something. A little long but it will do.





Also I realized I forgot to hook up my sway bar so I did it there in the parking lot.

 

Im out. Headed back to Boulder.

 

Looks like Im going to hit a storm going over the Vail pass


Yep. My butt is clinching over the pass. My rear tires are pretty bald at this point from all the driving.

 

My milage coming over the pass, pretty high considering all the up hill.

When the light came on


Just for fun I decided to run it out of gas to see how much I could go passed the light. As soon as it stumbled I took the photo and activated the Aux tank.

 

Made it.


My milage with the Aux temp empty


Didnt do anything with the truck in Boulder. Kinda took a break from it.

Newer 4runner in green looks sick

 

My memory cards are full on both my full frame cameras so Im just gonna go with my point and shoot and phone for a min.

Driving around town




These rock formations are crazy. The photo doesnt do it justice, its kinda hard to tell. It looks like Godzilla back.
\

 

So I made the mistake of looking on facebook market place for parts and I found someone with a Diode Dynamics 18 light bar.

While waiting for him to come out I seen this beauty.




So after he brings it out, he said he had more. He has SS3 Pros in amber with driving lenses. I guess this stuff was in a crash and one of the connectors was broken and its missing the hardware and pigtails and the harness was trashed. Wasnt planning on spending this much money right now but I made a deal where everything here is still a good bit cheaper than what the SS3s go for so I had to bite the bullet. A really good score it if all works and I can fix it.

 

Glad I was able to grab the lights. It was my last day in boulder.

On my way to Moab when I stopped at the thrift store and got the 12v cigarette lighter splitter I also found a sick what looks to be vintage Pikes Peak hoodie.


Well this got me to thinking. I looked to see how far it was. Its 2-2 1/2 hours away. I decided to go out of my way and complete that mission with the truck.

Next up

 

On the way out, decided to give Spyderco one more shot to see if they could dig up a patch for the headliner.


Score! Craig is the man. I guess they arent making them and he had a prototype. It was his personal one that he took off his motorcycle for me.

The plan was to get another knife but the lights wiped my budget out. I just settled for a cheaper small kitchen type knife.

 

I want to try fly fishing so bad.

 

Made it. The peak is closed. But its open till the gift shop at mile 13. How convenient.




For some reason my gas milage is looking high at the half tank mark.








Honestly and not to hurt anyones feelings if its your dream to go here, but coming off the back of Moab this was lame as f. Its full price to get in and the peak was closed. There was nothing special about it for me, granted I didnt go to the peak, but for the 5 extra hours I spent I could of went to Moab again and I wouldnt have to pay.

And for that this is getting the smallest patch I can find.

 

So it appears on my way back to PA, Diode Dynamics in on the way!! Gonna time it to get there when theyre open.



I had a feeling this tank of gas was gonna be good. No idea why. This includes the drive up Pikes Peak. Which is crazy, I was 3/4 of the throttle all the way up in 2nd gear because of the elevation.

Finally hit my elusive goal of 300 miles before the light is on. I didnt even realize I was going to hit it. I was on the phone with a lawyer for the accident. As soon as I went to take the pic the light was barley starting to come on.


Went to turn the fan on and my finger barely touched the AC switch and it just flew off somewhere in my road trip mess of a cab, wtf.


In n out this far from LA?!


Sure why not


Gave me time to find the switch

 

Had to delete some shots of one of the cameras to free up some space for the this sunset.

 

Final milage of the Aux tank. I think this is the most ive done. 479 when the light came on. As a side note. I need an alignment, the front tires are cupping and its shaking too much.