(805) TW Members Thread

Seeing more and more overland Tacoma's near Simi Valley. Just me or is anyone else also seeing that. I find it interesting with these “part shortages” but people are still getting items.

 

Or they all jumped on the bandwagon during the pandemic and all their backordered parts are just now making it to them.

 

This. And all the Covid-19 Relief money that went out.

 

Whats that?

Surfs up with this storm!!!

 

I saw this guy’s 4Runner at a gas station near State & La Cumbre the other day. Had to snap a photo....thing is boss!



Rear Axle/Housing looked all beefed up. Thing was buff.

 

Love seeing ‘em, and 4Runners. Always spot ‘em in my travels along 126 and the 5. Actually everywhere.
We go to Mammoth often, my favorite thing is seeing all the variations of awesome trucks.

 

Definitely!

 

Anyone know if there’s an advantage to keeping the stock oem u-bolt plate setup over a u-bolt flip kit?

I think I spoke briefly about this with @GHOST SHIP

@deadhed61 , Chris....what are your thoughts on this?

 

My take is that the clearance gained by a ubolt flip is minimal when you see that the lower shock mount usually hangs lower. The flip would really only benefit the hardcore guys that are dragging their trucks over rocks often. My advice is that there’s better ways to spend $100 + on your truck that you're more likely to enjoy the benefits of.
Additionally, the stock u bolts locate the axle and leaf springs in a better fashion by creating two “locking” points for the ubolts- the angled bend above the axle and the cradle underneath. I’ve seen some people get an minor yet annoying clunk from u lot flips kits being improperly torqued and they shift every so slightly while the suspension flexes. A tell for this is a polished area on the axle tubes where the ubolts are moving. Not a huge deal if you’re used to performing routine maintenance on your truck (most people aren’t as thorough).



That being said- I have one on my truck because it was free, but I don’t feel like I have any real use for it or would lose anything by removing it.

 

I’ll post this here if anyone wants it:

mount for a switch pro panel that goes in your sunglass holder. I think it’s from expedition essentials.
Free, just pay shipping or pick it up in SFV.

 

The flip kit you installed for me creaks occasionally during slow on road turns….
I tighten the nuts when I’m bored
What’s a good torque value??
Thx

 

I usually go 100lbs give or take. I know FSM says 85 or 90 or something like that.
I also try to use blue loctite when I install u bolts.

if they’re still creaking, after torquing that much, it might be coming from somewhere else. Missing or oxidized leaf shims maybe (the small plates that separate each leaf at the center pin)? If you’ve already ruled out the bushings at either end, that’d be something to look at. I will occasionally separate my leaf pack and inspect the shims and grease everything liberally when I put I back together. Messy and tedious job but I feel it prolongs the life of the leafs.

 

awesome
thanks again ghost

 

How’s things? Smoke clear out finally?

 

yep…back to “normal” for now…

 

I have the same feelings as Ghost. I want to say some flip kits have the option for slight relocation of bump stops but if that's not in your plans then it's negligible.

I've noticed my leafs making a little noise when cycling and started to use spray on/dry graphite. Doesn't seem to attract dirt, seems to quiet them down and slows rust. :notsure;

 

I use(d) Lucas bearing grease mostly because it’s what I had a lot of that was leftover from another job. It’s a mess but I don’t do it very often and it does seem to last until the next time (a couple years later). When the leaves get caked with dust, I just use the high setting on my garden hose and call it hood. In between I’ve been in the habit of sparing the bushings with PB blaster if they get squeaky. Haha. The leaves are the only part of my truck that are a greasy mess since I rarely touch them. I clean my engine bay and wash the undercarriage at least once or twice a year. That usually give me a chance to inspect everything for cracks/rust/wear.

 

Hit up Rowher Canyon with my buddy & his 3rd gen over the weekend. Good time getting these girls dirty!

 

SB Harbor on Saturday. You on here?

 

Here comes the pain...