GA Tacoma Owners BS Thread

I'll have an Icon 3-Leaf AAL up for grabs soon but no ETA. Really thinking I'm going to order Dakars this month.

 

RXT Pack!
This way you can report back, just saying. A lot of people like the ride quality. Have several people I know with Dakar’s and not so happy.
Hit up Erick @state48overland he can hook you up.

 

Does anyone know of a powder guy local to Atlanta? Guy who was doing my HC rear found out that it just barely won’t fit in his oven...

 

Z @ Smoking Gun Powdercoating
He is in the ACC Garage building.

I will txt you his contact.

 

I have dakars and have been happy overall. Many people complain of squeaking and mine went through that phase. Very rarely do I hear a squeak out of them anymore. I think, but could be wrong, that @HeadStrong Off-Road may have free shipping on them. Worth giving Marie a shout too.

 

I like my Dakar pack as well, never squeaked until I added a leaf to make it a heavy pack. Ordered some inserts to put between the new leaf..never got around to it. Instead I sprayed them with some chain lube and haven't heard a squeak.

 

I just bought the center pin to make mine a HD pack as well. I figured If I'm taking them apart that I need to go ahead and replace the bushings as well. I'm leaning toward using the Energy Suspension ones instead of OEM this go round because the ES is graphite impregnated. That should help with reducing any squeak that could be associated with bushings. I have no reason to believe my bushings are toast, but if I'm already taking everything off and essentially rebuilding them.....I might as well replace every wear-able item so that I don't have to think about it for a long while.

 

@CowboyTaco-How involved is doing an AAL? I just added a cap to my truck and I'm considering putting one on to account for the weight that I intend to add. Any advice on tools and LoE or any other considerations will be appreciated.

 

LoE?

Personally, I hate doing AAL installs. You'll need at least 2 large c-clamps.

If memory serves me,

1. remove the u-joints, front bolt holding the springs to the frame, and the bolt holding the rear springs in the perch.
2. Remove the springs from the truck and move to an open workspace.
3. Remove the swinging piece (drawing a blank on the name) that rests the rear springs into the rear perch.
4. Make note of which direction (orientation) each bolt was installed/removed.
5. Tighten down c-clamps on either side of the middle bolt (center pin) that holds the leaf pack together.
6. Remove nut on center pin
7. release tension on the c-clamps to allow the springs to separate
8. place AAL between leafs per instructions supplied with the AAL.

Then it's basically the reverse to put it all back together. It's also a good idea to have a new center pin ready to go in. The old one could get damaged. If that's the case, you're stuck trying to find a replacement. They are cheap enough online and it's cheap insurance to have on hand.

 

The one time I did an AAL we left the springs on the truck

 

Just sayin

 

Spot looks awesome! Where is this at?

 

Thanks for this info- sounds a bit more involved than I'd be comfortable with. If I go that route, I'll have to
pay to have it done!

 

Took me about an 1.5 hrs to do my AAL.
A lift is nice to have. When I get back from the beach, we could get this done up at the shop.

 

Hi JB- That would be sweet and I'd love to learn how it is done. I was hoping to head down to the beach for a day or two but I have to travel for work this weekend. I'm sure that it will be a blast. Have fun and post some pics.

 

I have a single aal in my stock leaf pack and have a camper shell. While it works fine now, I can see it saggin in the near future. An aal is not a long term solution. I'll be getting a full leaf pack soon.

 

Not a great pic but I just got my cap installed yesterday. Sleeping platform, skids and an AAL for the rear will be next.

 

Them dogs are having a ball! Looks like a chill little bend in the river. Nice

Who wants to get a kayak trip going?
I wanna do a day trip with a group. We don’t have to get crazy and go on so long ass expedition, just would like to dona half day paddle.

 

It's not bad. A lift would be nice but jackstands, 2 jacks, 2 claps and more is useful, and a helping hand can get it done pretty quick. I've done a few in just my drive way on a few different rigs. But a full leaf pack is much easier to just install and will last longer.

 

Just moved up here a few weeks ago from South Florida, finally settled just wanted to say whats up Georgia TW