Redeemed: rngr's Trail Taco w/side of T4R

Got a good start on the break-in period today. I freaking love these gears. They made my truck so fun drive again.

A few observations...

1st gear is suuuuper low and short. On level ground, I can just ease off the clutch with no throttle and go. Haha. Taking off on a steep incline feels so great now. No more riding clutch.

On even the slightest decline, 2nd is my preferred starting gear.

65mph is comfortable in the interstate. 70 is very doable, but just doesn’t “feel” right. I’ll subconsciously slow back down to 65. Kind of weird. I just put her in the right lane and putt along.

4L 1st - Low. As. Fuck. It’s awesome. Going to be a game changer for technical wheeling.

And like everyone says after regearing, best thing I’ve done to the Truck in a long time. So pumped. For my application, 5.29 was definitely the right call. Even if I was planning to stay on 33s.

 

But when are you ordering 35s

 

I’m not sure. Play money pile needs to recouperate from the gears.

Hopefully between now and then I can make a decision about my front diff. Pretty bummed to hear the spider gear horror stories.

I guess my options are:

Run it and see what happens. I really don’t like sitting on a time bomb though.

Throw in a lunchbox. I’m not convinced this is a good idea. I would like to try out yours next time I see you. Also want to hear your thoughts after some hard wheeling with it.

Bite the bullet and have someone install an ARB or harrop. Much monies.

 

What’s your concern on the lunchbox?

 

Being able to steer mostly.

 

Do you have manual hubs or front ADD?

 

ADD

 

Throw a switch on it so you can disconnect whenever you want for steering on high traction surfaces. I don’t remember the wire but it’s super easy to do. It worked well on my third gen 4Runner

 

So the switch does what, exactly? Takes it out of 4wd?

I’m more worried of the constant grind of fighting to steer all day on tight twisty trails, rather than that one “high-traction” spot I might find.

 

Correct, it makes the truck 3 wheel drive so there is no bind in the steering while turning...the passenger side just freewheels.

 

Steering really isn't an issue. barely notice a difference when applying light throttle or no throttle. Even on rocks with tons of traction. Only time it fights is when you're putting enough throttle in for it to lock up.
It isn't constantly locked either, acts very different from my rear locker. It locks any time one wheel has basically zero traction, and you can force it to lock by adding some gas. Works perfectly for everything I've thrown at it,
except ice above 20mph.. understeer for days. Don't do that. Low speeds is fine lol

 

I'll try to take another weekend trip to Superlift once the 35s are on and tell you how it all acts then. Very rocky, technical park similar to AOP

 

No shit? That sounds like something I could get behind.

You’re running the spartan? You make it sound so good. Definitely want to drive your truck.

 

Yep, nothing to it.

Going to throw some more fuel on the fire... the Spartan is super easy to install too. Even easier than a lockright or Aussie

 

Yeah, Spartan. Love that shit. I don't think I'd trade for a selectable unless I lived somewhere where I needed 4wd for Ice on a regular basis.
I've only taken 3 wheeling trips with this thing in so far, but no complains. @Knoxdavid34 drove it a little at AOP and liked it, and I let some of the cruiser guys drive it in hot springs on 4 stars last trip and they thought it was great

 

Amen. 20 minutes of work once the clamshell is open

 

Any idea what you call that mod, or where I might find some info on which wire to switch?




Damn, it’s cheap too. $300 is a pretty easy gamble to make. Appreciate the info, gentlemen. Lots of thinking to do.

 

There’s a plug that comes off the side of the tcase that I think you just need to throw a switch on one of the wires. It’s been a long time since I’ve done it. Search for 2wd low range write ups or @slander had it on his truck when he was IFS

 

On my 03 there is a box in the passenger side kick panel and I tapped into a wire for my 2 lo

 

hey Geoff, have anything to say about the 2L stuff? Are you a J-shift?

@slander

I read a ttora article explaining that. Do you have the J shifter?