2Runner

Nice truck! I really like what you've done with it. Not many 2wd Tacoma builds to be found here.

 

Thanks a bunch! I am realizing it has been a while since I updated my thread here... I did go to the next couple of autocross events in February and March, and found some pretty nice pro pics up on the autocross club web site to share.

February:




March:






Trudy is holding up strong to everything I throw her way, such a fine little truck I am privileged to own and enjoy!

 

Since I had some new Denso spark plugs laying around, I thought I would install those today in hopes this will squeeze every bit of performance out of the 2rz for the autocross event coming up this weekend!

One thing I never liked when I looked under the hood were these orange K&N intake mounting sleeves that came with the truck.


I had some black beauties that were also in the parts bin awaiting the spark plug change for the install since I needed to move the intake out of the way to get to the spark plugs. This is more like it.


The plugs looked good and I saw no signs of trouble, but I could tell there was a bit of wear on the electrodes and it was time to replace them. I was also extra glad I did this, while I was there I noticed there was one missing bolt to mount the air filter heat shield to the fender. Easy fix with some nuts and bolts and once done I decided to take Trudy for a spin and treat her to a drive through car wash.

She started right up and seemed to run a bit smoother as reward for my efforts. As I was leaving the car wash the tires were cold and wet and I got a bit excited on the gas pedal making a right hand turn. The tires spun and the rear came kicking out hard to the side like a mule in an office chair! I counter steered and lifted off the throttle a bit and she straightened right up and we went on our way, thanking the autocross experience for a quick recovery and a cool head.. and admittedly with a big smile on my face.

You definitely got to be careful after installing new spark plugs in a 2rz!! Joking aside it did feel to run just a bit stronger, sound a little meaner, and she was surely pulling harder out of the curves on the obligatory local canyon test run! Sure felt good to be back out there with Trudy tonight..

 

Did you ever get the rear sway bar installed?

 

Where did you get the speedometer gear at? I changed tire size and would like speedo to be more accurate. Thanks.

 

Check out this link I came across to help you figure out which OEM part you need.

Once you garner the knowledge you will see this list:



Hope this helps @Hambone333 .. I am about to change up my wheel and tire set and hoping it will still be "close enough"!

 

I was able to take Trudy out to another autocross event this weekend. She did great overall, was a total blast and even took home 3rd place in the novice class!

But it was so hot out there it did end up costing me a couple tires. Guess I wasn't cooling them properly between runs in the scorching heat, the rough parking lot track, and the Tacoma's tire smoking ability. Made it home no problems thankfully.



I was on the fence about whether or not to get some beefier softer 200 compound tires in a wider 265 size to maximize for my class and to fill the wheel well's with extra rubber. After I have "chunked" these not so old Michelins I figure it's a perfect time to get those new rubbers I have been looking into..

There was also some great interactions out there. I had obliged a guy that asked for a lap in the Tacoma on Saturday, and today his dad came to me saying his son had so much he said he wants to build a Tacoma for autocross!

Just another day in Tacoma world with old Trudy.

 

Hit the autocross October 17th, and it seemed the photographer fell in love with old Trudy judging by all the great pics posted..





















I know I am still falling in love with Trudy all the time!

 

I like those tires! I tore about half the outer lugs off on the OEM P205/75R15 tires on my silver single cab 5 lug. You can push it hard onto the outer edge of the outside front tire!

My '04 sliver 5-lug single cab just turned 65,000 miles today on the way home from work! 5 lugs rule!

 

After the autocross event in back October I had found Trudy in need of another set of tires. Since I was having so much fun autocrossing I decided to increase the performance level and maximize my tire size for the stx class the Tacoma was placed in, and ended up with some Nankang CR1's in size 265/35/18. I needed to run a wider wheel to fit the new tire so picked up a set of Enkei PF01 in 18 x 9 +45 offset. As a nifty performance bonus these weigh in at 19 lbs each so much lighter than my cast oem 17's (24 lbs). They fit great, ride/handle better than my previous setup, and held on to the split 5 spoke design evolved from the factory 5 spoke that I like..








I was pleased to find they ride so nice, perhaps due to being so much lighter and the difference in tires but they absorb the rough stuff much better than the old wheels and tires. Of course they have more grip which seems to give the truck better steering feel and more confident braking that I am still adjusting to myself.

 

Funny thing was my home rigged antenna gave up on the course in all the action. Taking the opportunity, I ended up replacing the old style fixed mast with an oem power antenna that I use as a manually retractable unit (removed a gear from the housing and didnt hook up the motor). Looks better than new now..


I rarely use the radio so I leave it down most of the time, but my wife can pull it up just like the good old days if she wants to hear her stations.


Gives it yet another oem Tacoma touch the factory should have gave her (in my mind) and works great!

 

Oh yeah, I also got a new oem windshield installed and finally got the oem fixed rear glass I picked up long ago back in place just like when she left the factory. Getting rid of the sliding windows gave more clearance to allow me to put my thicker SRunner headrests back in without touching the glass either for some increased oem comfort and a sharper look.



You can see the cushions were getting a bit smashed above so I removed them a while ago. Now there is actually some room for them to clear in my driving position.

 

Trudy has been so good and so much fun she has deserved these above upgrades, but there is certainly more to come.

I think she is coming along quite nicely, here she is as of today..

 

After a few more rounds at the autocross I found my driving skills improving, although unfortunately the faster I drive the more the Truetrac shows it doesnt really work too great for high speed turns which is where the truck needs a lot more traction. Awhile back I talked to a guy at the track that actually used to run his Tacoma on autocross and he recommended the mk2 Supra LSD with upgraded clutches to lock up early and tight on the light weight truck rear.

After looking for months for these somewhat scarce parts I was able to finally find one just 30 minutes from my house.





To increase the performance of this newfound old 7.5" Supra lsd, I ordered the MAX Grip kit from Weir Performance.



Hoping this will change the handling in them high speed curves and let me get to the power sooner on corner exits. Once I get this in down the road I will give some updates on the comparison.

 

I love reading about all you've done to your truck.

My 2003 Tacoma is also missing those rubber inserts for the cup holders...where did you find them to order?

 

Glad to hear you fell in love with old Trudy back there, I did too!

Looks like I got those cup holder inserts from this ebay seller a while back.

Here is a pic with part #'s in case you wish to shop around:

 

Thank you. I will need to check in my truck when I get home to see if those will be all I need. My console might be different from yours, as it is an automatic transmission, and has two cup holders on the front left of the console, next to the shifter handle, and two more cup holders further back near the storage console. I did fire off an email to toyotapartsdeals.com to see if they could verify what exactly I might need...

 

These are for the two in the center console, I dont think there are inserts in the automatic shifter console holders but I may be mistaken. I have the manual and those cup holders do not have rubber inserts anyhow.

Maybe check if there slots in yours that indicate the need for inserts?

 

Thanks again. I did some more research, and the part numbers you sent are all that are needed. Two of the smaller ones go in each rear cup holder, and the larger one is shared by both cup holders. You are correct - the front holders do not have any rubber inserts.

My research also led me to a thread on TW where members made their own, and have even supplied templates to cut these out of rubber sheeting. They had some of that where I work, so I'm undertaking the project this weekend for a combined total cost of my time and $0.00 spent.

 

Yesterday was an other milestone for old Trudy, I had my gear shop install the Supra mk2 limited slip diff with the Weir Performance clutch pack and then took her out for the obligatory initial canyon test runs.

I can easily say this is a whole new truck now, feels so much more stable and planted during normal driving even which stunned me - and when I got to the twisty canyon roads I could not even get a tire to spin on a curve where it had always spun out the inside tire for over a second or so! the truck definitely wants to go faster now, I could hold the throttle and feel the extra grip grabbing them curves like never before. The truck has new found poise, control, and confidence and wants to go faster than ever before, and even seems like it could actually use more power for the first time now that it actually has some traction to put it to use.

The lock up is not noticeable at all during normal driving and even when it locks up at high speed I could not tell when it locked up, only that my tire does not spin at all or lose traction anymore!

Overall the difference between the Truetrac and the modified Toyota clutch type diff is night and day, and I am super glad I made this change already as I can tell the huge difference even on the streets. Cant wait to get her out on the autocross for the next event with the newfound manners Trudy possesses!!

No more peg leg smoke machine here.. now were talking serious handling!