Squeaky Penguin's (Trip Reports) Build Thread

Hey Brett! I've always enjoyed keeping up with your build and reading all the trip reports. I've found it even more valuable now that I have a Tacoma in the same color. Going through the thread has helped me to sort through some ideas I have.

My favorite part of this build is how much you use the truck... you really put that thing to the test and make use of your mods. I'd like to wheel with you and James someday.

 

Thanks Nick! Would love to wheel with you again too. I remember being quite impressed with your spotting getting James up Wipe out Hill several years ago. I'm sure we'll connect on one of these trips.

Enjoying what you're doing with your new ride, way cleaner than my beat up rig.

 

Yeah, I remember that run. It was a learning experience for me trying to find a way to get his rig up that line open/open. We definitely made sure his gas tank skid got some love, didn't we?

I've since been back to that spot and walked my own rig right up after learning the line that day with you guys.

If you guys ever plan anything in southern CO, let me know. I know the San Luis Valley pretty well, and the Buena Vista area isn't too far a stretch for me.

 

Yeah, I made it up that spot this past year after some serious clutch burning and some careful spotting from James. It was fun to go back 3 years later after being amazed watching James get up that open/open.

Hoping to explore more of southern Colorado. I'll certainly let you know if I'm planning a trip down that way.

 

Do it! We usually do a trip to Chinaman in the spring for a Moab shake down, I was thinking the first week of May this year if you are interested. I really want to check out that area outside of Farmington, Choke Cherry, one day too. Plus we should get on the river some time as well.

 

Nice. I'm starting to gain a serious appreciation for the added challenge of wheeling a 5 speed. Hell, I've stalled the Tacoma 3 times just trying to pull into/out of parking spots. I'll have to take it out to a few local spots (alone) and get used to it before I go embarrass myself on a big outing with people watching.

Chokecherry is nuts. It would be right up your alley, considering that you're pretty bold when you wheel. The obstacles feel a lot like Moab, but the area is small, so you've got this huge variety of challenges in a small area.

I'm off work 5/2-5/6 and again 5/10-5/15, so I might be able to make that work. Maybe run Chinaman one day and spend some time on the Ark the next. Should be right about time for the Mom's Day caddis hatch.

 

Also planning on spending some more time around K-town this spring testing the front locker on sidewinder and some new suspension on the two tracks out there.

LOL. Don't go wheeling with us then. The guys have gotten in the habit of counting my stalls on the trail. Hoping the 4.88s that are due in tomorrow solve a lot of that.

 

Hey the counting of the stalls is a lot of fun.

 

I'd be fine with it / expecting it / laughing at it... I think I have an excuse as I haven't driven a 5 speed since 2002, and I've never wheeled one.

 

Hey Brett, curious who you chose for gears?

 

Use that excuse as long as you can. But yeah, it's all in good fun.

Went with Nitro and upgrading to the 29 spline rear. Picked up a new flange to match.

 

Nice! Are you going to attempt the regear yourself or are you taking your diffs somewhere?

 

After the fiasco of helping @Night Eagle 's friend setup gears on his XJ, I vowed never to attempt that on my own. @thefatkid will be setting up my diffs. My new diffs will be built off other used diffs for minimal downtime. I'm not in a huge hurry for install given I'm still running winter tires and such, so they won't be on my rig for a bit yet.

 

Ya I have made that vow with you too. That was a total horror show. I absolutely hated those three days.

 

I think I'm going the same route at some point soon. It'd be fun to learn how to do them, but I don't want to blow my diffs up shortly after.
Have another question for you: I finally got around to ordering the snorkel. With the way yours is mounted, do you think there will be any interference with cbi ditch light brackets? I've seen photos of the snorkel clearing the bracket on 4runners, but curious how they will match up on the Tacoma.

 

Brian did an awesome job on mine! It's a good way to go

 

Noted!

 

Hey, look on the bright side, we did get a burger and a beer out of it.

Besides alignments, it will be the only thing I haven't done myself on my truck. I'm sure I could figure it out, but it's not worth the risk.

I haven't a clue about the ditch light brackets. I've never looked as I have zero interest in putting lights up there.

 

Lol. I guess I'll find out soon then.

 

Patterning gears is an art. Toyota is probably one of the easiest to pattern, in the rear...cause you can do it on a bench....the front however will be a royal pita due to the clamshell design.
There is a lot to look for, you have a drive pattern, a coast pattern, backlash, etc...all very important. Changing one changes the rest.
I've done gears twice before on two Dana 44's, But each time I wasn't changing gears, just the open carrier for a locked carrier, so I didn't have to mess with pinion depth. Still took better than half a day for each set, and tons of worry afterwards. I doubt I'll ever try to do another set on my own.