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fellow_expert's attempt at OEM+

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Builds (2016-2023)' started by fellow_expert, Jan 18, 2023.

  1. Aug 7, 2023 at 4:13 AM
    #21
    fellow_expert

    fellow_expert [OP] Well-Known Member

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  2. Aug 7, 2023 at 4:15 AM
    #22
    jwctaco

    jwctaco Retired

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    Nice truck OP
     
  3. Aug 7, 2023 at 4:17 AM
    #23
    fellow_expert

    fellow_expert [OP] Well-Known Member

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    15.jpg
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    17.jpg
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    18.jpg
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    All in all it was a great trip! Sleeping in the shortbed was not ideal and kinda confirmed my desire for a RTT, so I'm on the lookout for a rack/tent. This was also the longest drive I've done so far at about 9.5 hours, and the Tacoma felt surprisingly comfortable the entire way.
     
    Road_Warrior and jwctaco like this.
  4. Aug 7, 2023 at 4:39 AM
    #24
    Road_Warrior

    Road_Warrior There is nothing on my horizon except everything

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    Great pics!

    Yeah I was kind of worried before my road trip to Montana because I had never done more than one 12 hour day in the truck. The drive to MT was three 12-hour days each way and I was very comfortable. I think the seat jackers helped a lot too. The wife doesn’t have them on her side though and she had no complaints.
     
  5. Aug 7, 2023 at 9:11 AM
    #25
    fellow_expert

    fellow_expert [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks!

    Yeah I hit traffic on 81, literally just because people were camping the left lane, and it made the drive back about 11 hours instead.

    I might get the seat jackers just to see if it makes a difference, but I was alright other than being sore just from sitting for so damn long lol.
     
    Road_Warrior[QUOTED] likes this.
  6. Dec 5, 2023 at 7:34 AM
    #26
    fellow_expert

    fellow_expert [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Quick update and a little photo dump... I'm coming up on 1 year of owning this thing, and I couldn't be happier with it. Santa may drop off a lift for me this year if he's feeling generous, and by he I mean me lol.

    I snagged a used Prinsu rack for my shell and finally got myself a RTT, and my goodness was it better than sleeping in the bed lol. Tested it out at Overland Expo East. I got a legit TRD pro grill from a buddy for $50 along with his Hooke Road tailgate cover (free) :)
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Snagged a fridge from Iceco for a good deal and they let me keep all of the beer and soda that was in it.
    [​IMG]

    A couple QoL changes... got this cover off of Tacoma Lifestyle to stop the sun glare.
    [​IMG]

    Saw these Meso Custom switch-back lights for map/dome on a buddies truck and really liked them. Most driving I do is at night, so the red is much easier on my eyes.
    [​IMG]
     
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  7. Dec 5, 2023 at 8:15 AM
    #27
    Road_Warrior

    Road_Warrior There is nothing on my horizon except everything

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    Nice! Those are some massively functional additions. Truck is looking great.
     
  8. Dec 6, 2023 at 5:22 AM
    #28
    fellow_expert

    fellow_expert [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks man!
     
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  9. Mar 7, 2024 at 6:59 AM
    #29
    fellow_expert

    fellow_expert [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Wall of text incoming... I'm sure most people probably won't read this, but I need to vent my frustration :rofl:

    Of all the parts I've ordered for previous vehicles and even with my current Tacoma I've never really had trouble like this... I ordered through this company after seeing all the positive reviews and having seen them at Overland Expo East. They seemed like good people. I'd like to think this situation is an acception to that, but I definitely won't be ordering from them again. I'm not going to put their name out there, but if you actually read this and want to know via PM that's fine.

    I ordered the OME 2.5" lift, OME UCAs with Dakar leaf pack back around Jan. 10th. It said there was a 2-3 week lead time on the leaf pack so I expected to wait a bit for that. The first part of the order shipped out Jan. 16th and Jan. 19th was delivered to my buddy's house. I was thrilled. Shipping was super fast. I live in an apartment and have had Amazon packages stolen before, so I now use my buddy's address since his wife is always home to sign if needed. The way the order was divvied up, I figured the UCA's would be with the shocks and springs that were already delivered.

    I followed up with a phone call about a week later to see if they had an idea when the leaf packs would ship. I was told to expect a tracking number by the end of the day. Fast forward a few days later and still no word. I called the following week and finally get told they aren't able to get a freight truck to that address so I gave them another buddy's address which they said should be fine to get a truck there... told yet again I'd have a tracking number shortly. I was fine with waiting a bit longer to ensure they showed up in one piece, because if they didn't ship them via freight they would basically just come with no protective packaging. A few more days go by with no number.

    I finally speak to someone on the phone again, and they apologized for the confusion and lack of communication and offered to throw a free shirt and some goodies in with the leaf pack. Cool. That's pretty good customer service trying to hook someone up for a delay.

    Feb. 19th rolls around. I sent an email asking for a email/call with an update, because I still have no tracking number or info on whether my parts are backordered. Feb. 21st get a reply saying I'll have my tracking number soon. I get the tracking number the next day. Awesome!

    The leaf pack showed up the 24th. I was thrilled to finally have everything. The following weekend I went over to my buddy's place to so we could install everything. When I finally opened the box with the shocks, I found a note saying the UCA's shipped separately. In hindsight, I should have asked my buddy to open the package and make sure they were in there, but the way my order was broken down online it looked like they would come with the shocks and the leaf packs would be shipped separately.

    Needless to say, I was annoyed. I sent an email with a picture of the note asking to just be refunded for the UCA's if they hadn't shipped yet. Eventually I got a hold of someone on the phone and they weren't aware that they hadn't been shipped

    I explained that at this point, I'd rather just be refunded so I can be done with going back and forth. They then offered to upgrade me to the SPC UCA's and credit my account. I said "You know, that sounds great and I'm down... but I'll believe it when all the parts are here." I then get told to expect a tracking number by the end of the day (Mar. 4th) and they should be here by Wednesday. I still have no word on a tracking number

    I understand that a lot of companies are simply drop-shippers. That's fine. The thing that gets me is just having spent about $2,600 on a lift kit and keep getting told I'll be getting an update/info and then not hearing back for a week between each one only to get told again to expect a tracking number soon. If they're out of stock, having trouble getting them from whatever company they usually do etc, I'd rather just be told that versus repeatedly being told to expect a number then nothing for days to a week. Just be honest with me.

    I'm still waiting on an update, and I'm gonna give it another day or so. But if they still haven't shipped I'm hoping I can just get a refund and order them from somewhere else. Ideally, I'd like to install everything at once, but this is obviously preventing me from doing that.

    If anyone actually read all of that, thanks for listening to me vent. Again, I understand that large orders like this can take some time. It's just the repeated "we'll have an update soon." followed by radio silence, and THEN being told there's an issue has gotten old. It feels like I've been having to follow up on my own order for QC, because they aren't aware of what the status is.
     
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  10. Mar 7, 2024 at 11:53 AM
    #30
    Road_Warrior

    Road_Warrior There is nothing on my horizon except everything

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    That is super frustrating man, I’m sorry to hear you’re dealing with that. I’ve had really great experiences with hotshot offroad when ordering stuff. He’s a very active member here on TW and the customer service is top notch. The shipping speeds are also silly fast. Hopefully you get your stuff soon so you can keep on moddin’
     
  11. Mar 7, 2024 at 12:19 PM
    #31
    fellow_expert

    fellow_expert [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yeah it’s been a bit of a headache. I’ve ordered parts from several different vendors with no issues so this one really caught me off guard. I did just find out from my buddy that they arrived today and are the SPCs which is nice. Should be throwing everything on next week.
     
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  12. Mar 7, 2024 at 12:20 PM
    #32
    Road_Warrior

    Road_Warrior There is nothing on my horizon except everything

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    Nice! That’s good to hear.
     
  13. Mar 18, 2024 at 9:19 AM
    #33
    fellow_expert

    fellow_expert [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I finally got around to getting the lift installed. After the headache of trying to get everything here, I didn't feel like installing it myself. I took it to a local shop for the install/alignment. A buddy and I were going to do it, but all his jacks were too short and I didn't want to risk the sketchy way we were gonna try with added blocks.

    I went with the OME medium duty lift 2.5", SPC UCA's and Dakar leaf packs for the rear. The ride difference is night and day. I'm super happy with it.

    IMG_3205.jpg
    Here's a before and after for comparison.
    IMG_3225.jpg
    The only downside is that the front sway bar does rub with the driver's side spring. The guy I had do the install gave me a heads up about the relocation brackets available. He said he'd throw them on there for free whenever they come in so I'll be making a quick trip back there when they show up.

    Oh yeah... only other downside to the install is now I want bigger tires lol. I'll likely be going 285/70 when the time comes. Although I'd like to sell these while there's still some life left on em.
     
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  14. Mar 19, 2024 at 1:15 PM
    #34
    Tiny's Taco

    Tiny's Taco The Wanderer

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    That's a horrible idea. What time?
    First, nice job with the truck.

    I went to Overland East last year as well for a day trip. Thinking about camping it this year, just because...

    About the UCA's, I would have called them out. Tell them you are going to publicly review what your going through and post it on TW. I generally don't like public shaming, but I worked too hard for too long to provide good customer service to accept anything else anymore.

    I'm having an issue with Ironman on a winch and will be calling today after email has suddenly dried up. My thinking is they don't really care about me, they care about money. So take a swing at the pocketbook and see what happens.
     
  15. Mar 19, 2024 at 1:46 PM
    #35
    fellow_expert

    fellow_expert [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I appreciate it! I’ll be there again this year, but I’ll be volunteering this time with a few buddies.

    Oh believe me, I tried. They kept dragging it out to the point where I contacted my bank and was about to file a dispute. I’m glad they stuck to their word finally and upgrade me to SPCs, but I would’ve also been happy if there were just open/honest the entire time.

    Yeah it’s easy to ignore emails, but it’s still sh*tty when you’ve got money tied up and you’re basically at the mercy of the company.
     
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  16. Aug 19, 2024 at 6:05 PM
    #36
    SpaceCowboy2861

    SpaceCowboy2861 New Member

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    Really like the build! Was looking at getting those same wheels in black. Are those OEM center caps? the new style center caps are a bit too look at me.
     
  17. Oct 25, 2024 at 5:41 AM
    #37
    fellow_expert

    fellow_expert [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Sorry, I just saw your message. Thank you! The wheels are reps from Factory Style Wheels. Specs are 17x805. et0.

    A few small changes lately. I did the rear seat delete to have more room for my fridge and battery box. I need to decide on a fridge slide, then the battery will likely get mounted on the same side behind it to free up the 40% side in the back.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    I also took a trip out to Overland Expo East with a few buddies. It was my second year there, but first year volunteering, which was a blast!
    1.jpg 2.jpg 3.jpg 4.jpg

    Got these dope ladder pads from 23zero!
    5.jpg 6.jpg 7.jpg 8.jpg
     
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  18. Feb 15, 2025 at 1:56 PM
    #38
    fellow_expert

    fellow_expert [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Not much has happened with the Taco lately, but I really missed driving my Miata.
    NA1.jpg

    She's still sitting up in PA (currently doesn't run and is about to be sold to a good friend for him to fix up for his wife) so I'd been searching the internet for one the past year or so. Prices are ridiculous and only getting worse as the car gets older. Well, today I decided to give myself a belated birthday present. Snagged this 1996 which already has a roll bar and pristine hardtop. The previous owner took great care of it.

    IMG_6132.jpg

    I plan on sticking with the retro-inspired theme like my last build, but won't be doing anything crazy like cutting my fenders again. It'll be a simple build... although my buddy said he has a motor he's willing to donate to make it into a Monster Miata :burnrubber:
     
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