Any Members in Arkansas?

When I had my Hyundai Accent in school, it would bother me to no end when I'd get the oil changed at the dealer, and they'd bring that thing out to me to show me how dirty it was. I'm a nice guy, but sometimes you just want to say "Dude, I know it's dirty. When I leave here, I'm going to O'Reilly's to buy a $15 one that's just as good as your $40 one. I know how to change it. Just...just stahp."

 

I knocked a good bit of dust out of mine when I got back to Jboro after that trip. It was DUSTY.

 

I rarely go to those places, but several years ago I took my wife's old 4Runner in for a transmission fluid change. I had just changed everything else, including filters. The guy came in holding a super dirty air filter they must keep on a shelf and asked if I wanted a new air filter. To his credit, he didn't say that what he was holding was my air filter. I just grinned and said that's not my air filter, no thank you.

 

Lakeside Toyota Dealership, NOLA: Your cabin filter is dirty and needs to be replaced. (Since we have you in here to do your 'free' oil changes and tire rotation, we thought we'd rip you off in other ways, sucker)
Me: How much is it?
Them: $52, but we'll put it in for free.
Me: I found them online for $15, and you want to charge me 52 bucks for a paper filter?
Them: .......(looks at me with a blank stare then walks away)

I clean mine when I change the oil and have never replaced it.

 

Should I PM so we can setup a time and place? I've been making a list comparing the price of Fox, King, Icon, and OME. It all really depends on how much an individual wants to spend. I'm on the fence of going the King/Fox route or saving the money and getting OME or just 5100s all the way around. I don't want to wish I had done something different either so I'll probably go with the expensive route and do it "right" the first time.

 

Sure, shoot me a PM.

Here's my train of thought on the suspension side of things based on how I use my trucks:

- First off, I don't do crazy difficult trails, mostly just moderately to well-maintained forest roads to explore, see the sights and camp.
- I've never wanted much of a lift. I don't want to have to deal with driveline vibrations, and I like my front CV axles to be straight and level.
- That being said, even the stock OR Bilsteins are a bit borderline for the above-stated use. Nothing wrong with them, they are just kind of the bare minimum.
- I've put 5100's on my last 2 Tacomas at about the 50K mile mark. On my 2012 TRD OR I set the fronts at zero. On my '09 2WD DCSB, I had the TSB springs done on the rear and the stock non-progressive front springs, so I put the fronts at 0.85 for a little bit of leveling. Both rode great, and I had a little bit of added assurance on cooling if I did higher-speed gravel/washboarded roads. If you have to change shocks anyway, why not?
- Next and last step (that I haven't done before) would be a full OME setup with Dakar leafs. Depending on how it drove and aligned, I might add some UCA's to that to get it in spec. This results in just a little lift and a better ride and capability than stock, and going with 265/75/16 tires would fill out the wheel wells enough.
- Anything more than the above starts getting into new wheels, bigger tires, possibly wheel spacers and chopping to eliminate rub, messing with driveline angles, and wondering whether I should go Fox, King, Icon, high-end OME, etc. Lots of money, and I don't really need it. My old stock OR did fine doing everything I asked it to do even with the crappy Rugged Fails.

The Pro package was kind of the perfect fit for me personally. Most of the stuff was already taken care of. Would I buy the same setup aftermarket (if it was available)? Eh, probably not. Nothing wrong with it, but I'd probably go with the OME BP51 setup.

 

I'm a big fan of the 255/80/17 ridge grapplers on my first gen. Couldn't be happier with the performance and appearance.

 

Toyo is making that size for the AT3, that's what I'm kinda set on....change my mind

 

Are you running Open Country R/T's right now?

 

Open Country AT3, 70k on my first set, 50k so far on my second set. I'll need something this fall and if the 255/80/17 AT3 gets that kinda life, I'm not changing. Not the best in heavy rain, but rocks, mud and ice never had an issue.

 

Damn chiggers are mean this year...

 

Go for the Toyos! I don't have any experience with them personally, so I wouldn't be able to make any kind of comparison. Once you put some miles on them, then we can talk pros and cons of each.

 

That is utterly terrifying

 

Good thing you only have redbugs in Texas LOL

 

Ohhh no.. we have plenty of chiggers. I don't know who told you we don't.

 

Cooper ST Maxx are about the closest to an AT you’ll get

Yeah yours look really good. I’ve wanted that size for a long time, but I don’t drive much so my tires tend to last for several years.




Many many chiggers in Texas. Don’t be fooled into thinking otherwise!

 

@PinnaclePete, I think you mean the AT II -- I can't find an AT3 from Toyo. I know Sam's has them, I just put tires on the daughter's 4Runner and was checking them out while I was waiting. They do have a 265/75, so I may look at that when the time comes. Many more options just going up one rim size, but 16" rims kind of limits you. I have a 6-year rule with tires. Regardless of whether the tread is gone, they are typically dried up and cracking after 6 years, and internal separation becomes a concern.

 

TL;DR

COOL night for an oil change though...

 

Done $12.75 with a Mobil1 coupon, $3.50 filter from Camelback and 2 Buds, more than a fair price, putting in a Fumuto valve next go around eh?

 

Great weather tonight all things considered!