2016 TRDOR MT slow build...

Hello TacomaWorld,

I've been a long time lurker and figured today would be the day to say hello. I've been looking for about a year now and finally purchased a 2016 TRDOR MT. Manual was a must for me and finding the right one took awhile. I decided now to start a thread on the do's and don'ts of my success and F-ups as well as the slow build I will be doing...money always being the factor for speed.

This is my first Tacoma, but I have owned a 1995 Toyota Pickup 4wd Access Cab MT (for about 10 years) then bought a 1988 RHD Toyota BJ73 a little over five years ago which became my DD. If anyone is interested, I have a pretty in-depth build thread on the BJ73 on Ih8mud. https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/1988-bj73-slow-build.754982/

I was raised in a Toyota family with fj40s and bj42s back in Canada before we moved so getting a newer Tacoma was an easy decision for me. I went back of forth between 2nd Gens and 3rd Gens and decided on a 3rd Gen. I read a lot of horror stories about the 3rd Gen, but so far I'm loving this truck. Coming from a bj73 and '95 pickup the power is more than enough. I originally babied it trying to get good MPG with lower RPMs and gave up because I found it gutless. When I started actually driving it, my MPG went up and I found the power to be more than adequate.

Recently I have debadged the truck which was a pain in the ass, removed the clutch assist spring (which makes the clutch feel much better) and added the quikfix seat riser mod. I also removed the cast aluminum running boards (which I want to sell) and the tonneau cover (since I prefer the look without). I'll post later about my experiences with all of the above. The truck has been already modded a bit, which I'll write about later, but I wanted something partially done up which I could tweak after.

This introduction post is getting a bit long so I'll try and end it here. So without further ado, here she is...and my BJ73.

Cheers,
Nigel

 

welcome, Nigel. very cool.

if you went so far to remove the clutch return spring, then i have a better suggestion for you: put back the return spring and do the ADM (accumulator delete mod). this will restore your MT clutch feel to a normal experience instead of a vague and numb one. and you'll want that return spring back on if the weather gets cold. it helps return your pedal to the top if the fluid is cold and congealing on a cold start in freezing weather.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/mt-accumulator-delete-mod-adm-and-bs-thread.568303/

didn't see you complain about power or driveability, but if that's a thing for you check out OV Tune for the MT trucks. but here's this:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...anual-transmission-engine-ecu-reflash.515734/

good luck and see you around the MT threads maybe.

 

Thanks for the info. I'll definitely look more into the ADM. I was looking at it before, but didn't want to bleed my system until I've driven the truck for a bit. Florida doesn't get too cold, but I do go back to see my grandparents in Canada so I will most likely put that in before I go up there in the winter.

 

So I just realized there is a section for 3rd gen builds. Whoops.

As stated above I did the clutch spring removal mod, which I will most likely put back and do the ADM mod down the road, but as of now it is working well.

I’ve checked multiple times and their is no pressure pushing in by the pedal. Makes for a stiffer more linear feel as stated in the one forum. Pretty easy to remove and put back in if need be.

Also ordered the quick fix spacers, spray painted them and think they blend in pretty well.

 

Swapped out the ko2s with 255/80r17 Cooper st maxx. I have a size smaller on my bj73 and have been very happy with the tire. I’ve wheeled my cruiser with them, pulled out a few trees and the st Maxx have plenty of traction and dig in. On the road I think they are quiet for the tread. I’ve went down in mpg a bit, but worth it for me.

Next up will probably be the morimoto amber Xb fogs. I’ve been reading the forums and looking up all the options and I think I will be happy with them for the price. I was considering the kc amber fogs, but they are a bit too pricey for me. Florida only has rain and I only travel back up to Canada once a year, so I think the morimoto’s will do the job. We shall see.

Cheers.







Edit. The truck sits about 1/2” higher with the new size. I’m playing around with psi, right now I’m running them at 35 in front and 34 in rear.

 

Welcome to TW!

Beautiful yotas, good call on the MT. I love mine, 4.3 rear end is great and i agree on the truck having plenty of power. I get excited everytime i drive it.

The only thing that annoys me a bit is the tall reverse gear and im thinking of removing clutch fluid accumulator. You gotta release the clutch really really slow sometimes for a smooth shift. Annoying when trying to downshift smoothly before a hill on the highway. Other than that, its the best truck ive owned hands down( i had 2,all MTs) Its great on gas and looks amazing!

Good luck man!

 

Thanks. I’d really like to remove that as well, but I’ve put that on the back burner since I need to get my land cruiser running again. Mine is pretty rough on fuel, but that could be because of all the lights around here and my heavy’ish foot.

 

So I had a front end alignment done since the truck was pulling a bit to the right after the new tires. They adjusted my casters back while doing the alignment. I will admit I didn’t realize caster adjusts the wheel forward and back within the wheel well, so even though jba said 3-4 degrees, I told the alignment guy do what he thinks is best. I now have rubbing when turning and hitting bumps. I’ve already contacted the place and they are going to make it right, but I figured I would post here for anyone that wants the info.

The truck has jba uca and the casters were originally set to 3.4 driver and 3.6 passenger. When they did my alignment it was adjusted to 1.9 and 3.0 (which seems like a big difference to me between the two). I can confirm if you are running a 2” lift with 255/80r17 you will need 3 degrees or more of caster in the front in order to not rub when hitting bumps with the wheel turned moving around 10+ mph. I had no rubbing before but I do now due to the caster adjustment.

Or at the very least, I can confirm this with my truck. I know everyone’s rig is a bit different.

 

where did you get the spacers for the seat?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-shipping-gr-10-9-bolts-members-37-65.599353/

 

I think the JBAs are fixed caster though. Don’t think you can adjust.

 

https://jbaoffroad.com/jba-std-high...plus-4runner-03-plus-fj-cruisers-07-plus.html

Those are the ones on my truck. I believe they are adjustable, but I could be wrong.

 

You can get the 2WD low mod

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-2wd-low-range-for-the-3rd-gen-tacoma.614743/

 

Same as me. 3 degrees of built in caster. Can't adjust.

 

gotcha. This is all new to me when it comes to front end stuff, I've usually just changed tires and not worries about it. How are the able to adjust from the 3.4 and 3.6 caster to 1.9 and 3.0 if it's fixed or not adjustable? I've been trying to research a lot the last few days and obviously I screwed up giving them info for the alignment.

 

Honestly, they may be B.S.'ing you. I have heard mechanics will make up number in the beginning to seem like they're doing something.

 

Maybe, all I know is what the print-outs show from the alignment and my caster is definitely set back further now causing my driver side tire to rub, which it never did before. They told me they would make it right, so I'll see next week what happens. A tough learning experience for me on my lack of understanding of caster, I should have just left it as is. The original numbers were all in the green, so worse case I'll have them put it back to where it was.

edit. Rubs when hitting a bump while turning, which it didn't before...going into my neighbourhood...the pub...etc..the usual stops for me

 

Welcome. Sweet ass trucks. Love the grill on your taco...

 

Thanks. The guy I bought it from really started a nice build. I'm slowly tweaking it to make it my own.

 

Thanks!

Ive actually been reading up on this lately. I really want it done. Must feel great to have it on boat launch or reversing trailer up hill.
Even on my previous truck i had to put it in 4lo when pulling boat out or reversing trailer up hill, dont understand why the reverse must be so high. Who needs to drive in reverse that fast?