Tacomas in Minnesota?

There is a ton of open trail and good camping not far from spider lake to north. Pretty much anything along snow way 1 Is going to be good. There is a nice spot some friends were occupying a few weekends ago. It’s a touch south of Spider Lake but the drive up is pretty.

https://goo.gl/maps/5Kj4R5CeymDQAVSw9

It was buggy and the ticks were pretty bad in that area.


And again, make sure you get your OHV sticker if you dip into spider lake. If DNR is out (Common) you’ll get a ticket.

 

I am going to keep that in mind. Thank you!
It might be a stretch for me to get the suspension done by next weekend.. I'll try and keep you in the loop.

Is the spot you tagged where they actually camped? Just drive in? Now I'm getting excited.. And I read up about the OHV sticker, I'll definitely need one. I tend to be a magnet for any type of law enforcement. Thanks!

 

Keep an eye on Craigslist and Facebook marketplace, occasionally one pops up there, though not often.

Otherwise you can look for a new one at Radco or elsewhere.

And welcome to TW!

 

Yes that is a drive in and camp spot.


OHV.
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/ohv/index.html

Initial issue you will need to do at a dmv. Renewal can be online or mailed in. Sticker is good for 3yrs and most of the fees go to trail upkeep and the like.

They will ask for your engine size or hp, so know your cc’s and hp ready for the question. Also bring your valid insurance, they might be dumb.

Many dmv’s are appointment only so good luck.

 

Foot Hills state forest is just north of Spider lake and dispersed camping is allowed in the forest. I have stayed there before but when i did it was packed with campers and side by sides. however with Covid, there is more likely a lot less people. Also the Crow wing river is just west of Spider lake and there are tons of campgrounds along the river. Set up so you can canoe down the river so sites are about 5 river miles apart or something like that small fee but they might be closed still though.

 

Dont worry about your suspension if your going to spider lake. A stock taco can do it all.

 

Not sure where youre located but keep on eye on craigs list i have seen some on there. Also I have never used it but there is a place with great reviews up in Bethal called Top a Truck.

 

I believe the Foot Hills State Forest includes the spider lake ohv area as well as the surrounding areas.

 

I’ve been over the entire thing a few times this year and the only area where my wheels lost traction in 4wd was the sand pit in the north east corner right off the hiway. It’s full of steep narrow rutted up atv trails. I did manage to get temporarily stuck in a mud hole while in 2wd. You can up the challenge by increasing your speed a bit. Just be careful not to take out an atv. I was up there early in the year and had it all to my self, but it can get crowded other times of the year.

That said, I think anyone with limited off road experience will find it quite exciting. The trails are very narrow and full of 20-30 degree slopes where you cannot see anything but tree tops and sky over your hood.

 

I'm sure it would be fine.. my front end seems to sit a bit lower than even a stock TRD sport because the dealership had replaced my front suspension before I purchased (no idea what brand they are but seem low).

Either way... I "need" a new setup

 

I got into an accident last year and had it fixed but they used Quick Structs and they were garbage the front sat almost an inch lower then it should have with my skid plates and sliders. that was my excuse to get new suspension.

 

I tried asking the dealership what they put on there and they didn't have a record of it. There's no labels or branding on them so I'm not too sure. Definitely a good/enough of an excuse for a different setup.

 

For sure. If they dont say billstein then they aren't stock. It's weird that the dealership wouldn't put ome struts in there

 

I have the 6112/5160 set in my truck, specifically the TX Baja (650lb/in springs). I was running them with the wheelers progressive add-a-leaf pack on brand new TSB leafs and timbrens for backup. All in about a 1.75” lift. Things were fine without a full load-out for camping. I would be on the Timbrens with gear.

Added the ARB and 10k winch with synthetic rope, front sagged about .5”, so 1.25” over stock.

I then upgraded to the OME rear packs with first overload flipped, with Timbren in reserve when I headed out west to get the Hab. Was about to limits of those springs with the Hab and loadout. Added the extra leaf to the pack and all was well.

Next I pulled the extra leaf and added bags.. oh so nice, but have a slight rake with noting but the Hab and fridge, so maybe 350lbs. Rear bumper will be here in a couple weeks, so the extra leaf is going back in.

Also got a set of the 6112 spring spacers to give the nose about 1” more lift. To level out the front and keep me from banging my stock skids on the trails.

With all the changes I have zero complaints with the shocks, just that the nose dipped a bit more than I wanted with the ARB and winch.

The 650lb front springs were nice to have and gave the truck a less plush ride than the 600s or even OME. With tires aired down the set eats washboards like a champ with minimal overheating... what they were developed for.

If you get the set, grab the TX pro bumpstops. They allow for more front range of motion. (Toyota PN 48304-04090)

 

I've had my OME kit for a few months and I have been loving it. Do those bump stops work for any strut or just the 6112?

 

Ya I found the truck at Morries Nissan. They're silver shocks but no tags. Definitely not bilsteins.

Damn.. setup sounds nice. I've gone back and forth between just running the 5100s with 885s and the 6112s. I don't have any extra weight at the moment and it may be a while before I do (front or rear). I may tow a small boat so I wouldn't mind a little extra in the back end. I am shooting for about 2" of lift in the front (maybe a bit more as I've mentioned it sits lower than stock height right now).

I may go with a new leaf pack vs. the aal but not 100% just yet.

 

They do.






Here is how it’s sitting now.

 

I didn’t know there was a habitat in Minnesota, thought I was the only one around here

 

Yeah, not many in the middle here. Going on 4yrs with it now, was one of the first gen2 models... In fact I used to have the thicker green tent body. PM me your address and I’ll send you some rubber to end your nightmare of a back scratcher.




Forgot to mention before, I have sliders and about 100lbs of sound deadening in the cab. Will be pulling the headliner in a couple weeks to insulate the roof skin and swap out the sharkfin for the earlier low profile satellite dome.

 

I got mine may 2019 after a nightmare with a trailer experiment. The habitat has been awesome and what I should have got from the start. I just got their habitat room a week or so ago




Edit:I can’t pm you because of your privacy settings