Wisconsin Tacomas and bad financial advice + guitar talk

Anyone in the market for a snatch block? I'm selling a 24,000lb rated Warn epic snatch block. Good for steel or synthetic line. This is not not like the cheap Amazon blocks. It's ridged and smooth operating and can be used with soft shackle. It's new in the box and looking to get $115/OBO.

 

I have to ask, what are you going to instead? The snatch ring that Brennan Metcalf sells?

 

I have 2 of these snatch blocks and this is the one I never put in service. I do want to get a snatch ring, been looking at the one Factor 55 offers. I like the rope retention fingers on it. No hard decisions yet, so open to opinions.

 

Indeed I do. I was looking at their swag tents prior to purchasing my 23 zero. Only reason I didn't go with the Crashed swag is they were on backorder.
Everything I have seen about their products is that they are top notch gear.

 

Ok who’s next? @Supr4Lo ?

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/sased-3rd-gen-tacoma.792753/

 

So did some looking and intrigued with this idea... why you taking it off? Other bits include the steering spacer and gas filler extension? Hummmm...

 

I have the Jetboil Flash and use an

$40 Aeropress Original Coffee Press – 3 in 1 brew method combines French Press, Pourover, Espresso - Full bodied, smooth without grit, bitterness

Aeropress to make coffee. I see that just the Jetfoil flash on its own is pricey enough I would probably go both the java set you listed assuming you like French press coffee.
I also have a cheap

$28 JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder — Stainless Steel Conical Burr Bean with Hand Crank and 18 Adjustable Settings, Fine to Coarse Portable Espresso for Camping or Travel

hand grinder so as to properly fetishize the process because it's important to elevate the beverage or something.

All kidding aside I really do enjoy the coffee it makes.
https://youtu.be/pmjPjZZRhNQ

While I do love my Jetboil I have to admit it failed me on the last Bayfield trip. The nozzle got clogged by a very small piece of dirt/debris that made it pretty nonfunctional. Nothing I tried worked for a field fix although it was pretty simple at home with proper tools.

That trip made me me rather aware how dependent I am on being able to heat water while camping. Insert quote about triumphing through adversity or something.

 

Not going to lie, I was in that thread lusting at that beauty. I don't think my Taco will get to that point. It'll stay as the capable camping rig. Already considering adding a trail jeep to the stable when we move to AZ though.

 

I would have boiled some for you!

 

Rotated the tires after work tonight and since it was already on the stands, decided to look into the oil change/skidplate situation more. With the front one off, if I pull the front 2 bolts and loosen the rear two, the skid will hang down enough to get a hand in to take the cap off of the Stahlbus adapter and get the drain hose on (fed through the hole in the skid). I would rather not pull the 2nd skid half off and will look into an old school spark plug wire pliers to reach up into the hole to pull the cap and insert the drain hose. Fumoto valve may be an easier solution...we'll see how the next oil change goes.

 

Especially bad ideas!

 

My kit is quite similar, mostly pieced together from backpacking/tent camping. GSI 1L cook pot + MSR Pocket Rocket + Aeropress + that same grinder by some other brand name. Getting a fine grind does make a big difference.

I use the "inverted" method with the Aeropress which has worked the best for me. Doesn't result in a high volume of coffee but it is delicious (though I like to ruin mine with sweetener & creamer because it somehow pisses everyone off lol).

 

Yeah, I ordered that Jetboil kit last night and it should arrive tomorrow, so I'll have a chance to try it out before the weekend and get to know how to use it.

That dude is serious about a good cup of coffee. Understandable coming from Stumptown. They have some good coffee. I'll just be grounding up some beans to take along. That's as elevated as my morning beverage situation will get. Thinking I need a proper bottle of whiskey to bring along for elevating the evening experience a bit (and to help keep warm?).

 

What; you don't carry 3 snatch blocks so you can winch yourself sideways and backwards?

I'm not sure I could ever justify dumping that much money into a Taco or 4Runner just to make it almost as capable as a Wrangler.

I have been considering a 2-door Wrangler as a second (ok, 3rd) vehicle. Just a plain Jane 2-door with a modest lift and 33-34" tires. I wonder if the gang would still let me hang out.

 

I don't carry that many for the same reason I don't have a cooler whith wheels. I have great friends that help out!

That's the same reason I'll never SAS my Taco. Too much cash. For the same amount could build a very capable jeep plus have a few dollars left over for beer and gas.

Or maybe build a buggey. That could be fun. Hmmmmmm.

 

I've gotten my share of assistance on those trips! Or, in some cases, an audience to watch me get myself stuck.

A buggy would be a super cool project!

I've been looking at way too much Jeep stuff lately. I've pretty much decided I want one, at some point. Just not sure whether to have as a 3rd vehicle, or replace one with it.

 

This would be what I replace my snatch block with to save weight and space. Pretty slick idea and works super well. A few friends have them and like them

https://brennans-garage.com/collections/frontpage/products/snatch-ring-package

 

You end up in pretty much the same boat with a late model Jeep too if your goal is a hardcore crawler. Throw away everything behind the trans and start building the same way you would a Tacoma. Might as well build a platform you like. The advantage of the jeep stuff is that you can creep up on it in smaller steps with D44’s/37’s if you aren’t ready for a really hardcore crawler on 40’s.

Atlas, SD60’s, and a set of 40’s on aluminum beadlocks is pretty much the ticket on anything newer than a TJ or first gen Tacoma. At some point my second gen will probably get a set of SD axles and a NWF box when I’m ready for a 4 door wheeler. The most expensive part will be buying tires and wheels at current market rates!

 

Thanks! @Thatbassguy hooked me up, but I know I could have counted on anyone to help out a fellow TW'er who was down on his luck.
Actually it was a good experience as it made me think about alternative ways to heat water on the rest of my trip. Generally I either heated water in a pan over a fire to make a freeze-dried meal or waited to hit a gas station for morning coffee.