Left For Dead: The Resurrection of my 2015 TRD Pro

Nice. 09 was the year I left when I joined the military. Came back in 15 and left again last year. I'm hoping to move to Knoxville in the next year and will settle there for a while.

 

Not a whole lot of updates from me. I did order one new exciting part this last Memorial Day! A set of @Mobtown Offroad Sliders. Buuuut, they won't be in until August. At least I should have them in time for our Utah trip this October.

Had a blast at the @YotaMafia Official / TacomaBeast Atlanta Takeover. Got to meet a few people and see some awesome rigs.

I've been doing a bunch of camping and weekend trips. I've been trying to do videos of most of my adventures for my adventure vlog. It's been fun so far. If you are a fun of adventure vlogs and want to see more of my trips feel free to check them out!

Here is the link to a playlist of my videos. Scenic City Overland Vlogs

And here is the latest video as of today:

 

Oh, and here are a few pics from my weekend adventures.

 

Wait, I lied. I got a great deal on an awning from CVT and was able to add it before our trip to the Atlanta Takeover. It was great. It kept us out from the sun during the day and kept the rain off of us all evening. One of my better investments.

 

I got some good trail riding in this last weekend and realized it's time for some new suspension. I've got some nice new scratches under the front and rear bumpers... Video's coming soon

The one problem with Toyota's is the wait time for all the parts! I've got the sliders from @Mobtown Offroad coming in a month, and now all new suspension that should be coming within the next month from Rogue Offroad (@Despized). It's all coming together.

For the ones that have been watching my Vlogs I really appreciate it! We've got a big trip planned in October that should make for some great videos. We'll be heading for two weeks in Utah! I've got a list of things to get done between now and then, but I'm getting super excited. Two Tacomas, Two Couples, and Two weeks of awesome offloading.

Obligatory picture because I know that's why your really here.

 

Well, the Tacoma appears to have been skipping leg day...



It took 14 hours but I was able to do it all myself! New Bilstein 6112's in the front with Bilstein springs and SPC Uppers. In the rear I have Dakar Medium's and 5160's.

Buttttttt, mistakes were made. I didn't realize that the TRD Pro already had 6112's and 5160's. The new 6112's are adjustable. so I was able to get some lift and the 5160's have a braided steel cable instead of rubber. Otherwise they are the exact same. I'd like to replace the rear shocks with some longer shocks. The 5160's are holding back the flex of the rear axle.

So far the ride is a little rougher, but not bad and even with my rack and tent I'm no longer sagging in the back! I forgot to measure the front, but the back I gained exactly 3 inches even with everything loaded up!

Next is tires. I think I'm going to go back with Nitto Ridge Grapplers. I loved them on my Jeep and have yet to see anyone not love them. I'm thinking 285//75/16s. Hopefully with a little chop and some hammering I'll be able to clear them without issue.

Putting TRD Pro lift up for sale this week and can hopefully recoup a little of my investment.

 

Truck looks killer man.


But about the ridge grapplers...... nitto doesn't make them in 16's. They only make them in 17's or larger. ..... because they believe that anything below a 17 is "dead"

 

Thanks man!

That was true when they first released them, but they have them out in 16s now! I happened to check again this week to see if they had finally released any 16s, and they have them in two sizes now.

 

Dafuq? I looked on 4 wheel parts just to make sure i wasn't spitting bull, and they didn't show any 16's for them ...... but then again..... it's 4 wheel parts. Shouldn't rely on them

 

Lol! I happened to look on Nitto's site. But ya, 4wd still isn't showing them. Running a little slow on inventory updates I guess.

https://www.nittotire.com/light-truck-tires/ridge-grappler-light-truck-tire/

 

I think this is their most popular all terrain now. I've seen them in person, and seen them offroad, and they do well. @totmacher ran them on his tacoma.

 

Coppinger Cove? Prentice Cooper?

I also understand if you don't want to disclose a quality campsite just as that

 

I totally agree. I had them on my last Jeep JKU. I helped scouts some runs for the first Red Clay Rally. When scouting I was on MTR Kevlars, when I ran the rally I had switched to the Ridge Grapplers. There was a huge difference. Not only where they quieter on the road, they had better gripped in the rain and did a great job clearing mud and clay. I've been really impressed by them.

 

Some I will and some I won't. This one I totally will though! This was at Cherokee Rock Village in Alabama. It's about an hour and a half south of Chattanooga. Beautiful views, great rock climbing and if you are bringing anyone that want's a clean bathroom they are in luck here. You can park back in the woods and not be right next to people unlike your typical campsites. It's $5 for a day and 5$ a night, but for a year's pass is only $25 or $30 and that will cover the day parking.

 

You're the second person that has recommended Cherokee Rock! Sounds like a nice trip down there. I'm in Knoxville and really enjoy finding gem campsites

 

You’ll love it! I know I recommend it to someone on another thread too. Maybe we can get a group together down there sometime.

 

New Parts on order!!

Ok, so the part won't be super exciting to you, but for me this could be the most exciting part yet. For the last 7 months I've had a thunk in my steering column. Like everyone I thought it would be fixed by the zip tie fix, and it partially was. Once replacing the Intermediate Steering Shaft all the slop in my steering was gone, but the thump was still there when I hit a bump.

Well, with the big Utah trip coming up in 80 days, 17 hours and 51 minutes, not that I'm counting, I wanted to re-evaluate the issue. I was browsing the interwebs when I came across the following post / picture.

Does your steering wheel "clunk" when off road? The zip tie fix will make your day!!!!!!

@Lthompson was kind enough to include a picture of the snap ring that was loose in his steering shaft. I went to check mine and noticed something... I didn't have a snap ring and I have a good amount of up / down play. I've had the dealership and two additional shops looking for the problem and it will all hopefully come down to one little part.



The part has been ordered. According to Toyota there are 8 of these snap rings in the US, and I should have mine next week. Maybe once that's installed I can hit washboards without all the thumping!

 

Took the truck out to play with the new suspension last night. I love it! I can't wait to get new tires slapped on soon.

 

Still drooling over this build.. So much want to have a '15 pro in this color

 

Thanks Robert! This is probably my favorite vehicle rebuild and definitely my favorite camping rig. It was dumb luck I stumbled upon this truck and I'm not sure I'll ever be able to let this one go.