The SR thread, let's see them!

As of this morning, I have 4,000 miles on my truck. Compared to the stock tires which I replaced almost immediately, the 26575R16 Duratracs are a little loud and wander slightly more on the highway. The trade-off is great confidence pushing this vehicle to what its normal limits will be. They also look cool. I need a truck that can get in and out of our hunting property in East-Central Wisconsin, and access our cabin in far Northern Wisconsin. Sometimes the road in is plowed, and sometimes not. We like to ski and snowshoe away from the crowds, so we need something we can count to get us in and out when we are outside cell range. Even with the SR's open differentials, it has been perfect in anything deep enough to not drag the "skid plates" that came on the truck. We plan to lift it a few inches this summer, which should help even more. I kept going back and forth over what option package to get, but I kept thinking of all the buttons I never pressed in my old Limited 4-Runner and all the features we don't use on my Dad's TRD Off Road. So far, I use all the capability the SR offers, but I haven't seen an actual need for anything more. If traction is an issue, a Torsen rear differential is already in my shopping cart at East Coast Gear Supply. We also plan a winch/bumper for it, but that's primarily going to be used to help move logs and rocks around our place, not for any off-road heroics. The truck has averaged 19.8 MPG in mixed driving, which was pretty much what I expected. It's better than my 4-Runner was anyway. The engine has enough power to do what we ask of it. That's all you can really say about the powertrain. It works. It's not its greatest feature, but it does what you expect. I will admit that the transmission does shift as if it has something else on its mind and it's not really concentrating on what we are trying to accomplish. The ECT Power button changes that pretty effectively for me, so it's on most of the time. Maybe it's my imagination, but I have a vivid imagination and that's the story I'm sticking to. Our '19 RAV has Toyota's LED headlights, and even though we love them, I like the color of the Tacoma's slightly better. We are planning to add some fog lights at some point, but they are a low priority. I decided that I am not going to do anything (yet) that's cosmetic. I want every single improvement to meet a need, which seems like the spirit of the SR anyway.

As I write this, I keep thinking of how I have Friday off, my girlfriend is out of town, and and how I will be lighting a fire in the woodstove and rolling out my sleeping bag in approximately 8 short hours.

Thanks again for all the help the forum has provided already.

Bill

 

Finally got to give the Rubitreks a real traction test. Two thumbs up.

 

Exploring a backroad in North Carolina during a foggy afternoon.

 

Changed the oil, cleaned up under the hood, vacuumed, cleaned up a bit inside.

This time (5k oil change interval), I got a little more than 5 quarts out.

Last time (10k oil change interval), I only squeezed 4.5 quarts out.

My thinking was right, just grab 6 quarts of the most cost effective full synthetic 0w20 that meets the requirements, factory filter, crush washer, put in 5.5 quarts every 5k and I shouldn't burn any oil like I was on 10k intervals.

 

How long did it take to get it ordered? I’m guessing they don’t carry this configuration today?

 

Side steps installed. Not many affordable options for an access cab. I didn't need/want $1000+ steel sliders etc. that weigh 100+ pounds. Super happy with these. Light weight, some pinch weld/rocker protection and functional steps.

 

That’s a great looking truck man.

 

Appreciate it! Slowly putting it together. I love the customization options of these tacos!

 

what brand are those

 

Wow this has to be one of the longest non-sticky threads. I love the basic SR trim look, coming from an OR.

 

Tacoma Rocker Armor Side Step Bars; Matte Black (05-23 Tacoma Access Cab) - Free Shipping (extremeterrain.com)

 

This would be a good sticky thread. I’m surprised a 200k or high mileage thread isn’t a sticky either. Why did you trade your OR? I’ve been thinking about doing the same for a 2.7.

 

Be warned... As someone coming from a v6 gen 1 to a 2.7 gen 3..... The 2.7 is a sluggish turd... It's fairly gutless in terms of everything aside from low end power (even that's questionable). ECT button was an unused option on my first gen taco.... Now it's a necessity for gaining some pep (especially at highway speed and hauling).

Not saying it's bad because I love my 4x4 4cyl access cab...... But it was a pretty drastic change coming from a 250k v6.. the old man still had plenty of ass.... This 2.7 leaves a lot to be desired in that department.

Just saying

 

Got her about a mount ago…. Mods so far…
-2” level in front (1/2” Toytech block for the rear going in tomm)
-TRD off road wheels
-265/75/16 Nitto Ridge Grappler
-TRD grille
-Morimoto XB Gen 2 headlights
-fog lights
-anytime front camera
-blacked out badging
-Meso customs 3rd brake light

next up is the Form taillights and wheel spacers

 

Looking good

 

Clean! What size motor?

 

3.5 V6

 

How the manual transmission been for you guys? My pops old truck gave up on him. I’m giving him my off-road access cab and thinking of getting a 2017 with a manual transmission.

 

Is it a 4 cylinder 5 speed ? If it is, grab it !!!!

 

100,000 trouble free miles. The whole truck, not just the transmission.