Ken, you might look into an electric swing down step; I had a Kodiak SideWinder Automatic Step installed on my Dodge PU. It drops down approximately
6-7 inches when the door is opened; it swings up within 1” when the door is closed. The step is one addition I would do again. JH
Originally posted by YosarianRem
Turn away from the dark side.....FJ 60 with OME Heavy Springs, ARB Lockers front and back and you're done.
Personally, I feel that Toyota's don't have very much personality. I had one challenge me on the trail in Joshua Tree almost a year ago, and it was a
draw - he was running 35" tires and had better underside clearance, too.
Toyota's are better known for their quality. Over their lifetime which is very long they require less maintenance in their stock form. The Tacoma has
a proven track record that no other mini or mid size truck can match. Until they came out with the 4 liter engine in 2005 my complaint was they were
under powered with an automatic transmission. While I also take issue with some of the interior egonomics they are an excellent truck. I also think
the camry meets similar standards for cars. The older Tundra truck seems to have been better than the new model Tundra but I don't have a lot of
experience with either.
The price it would cost to take a new Tacoma and make it similar to a Jeep Rubicon would be an extra $15,000.00 That is a lot of money, imo.
Dynatrack Dana 44 Straight Axle Installed by All-Pro - $8,000.00
4:1 T/C Reduction (Marlin Crawler or Inch Worm) - $3,000.00
Longer Differential Breather Tubes - $300.00
ARB Air Lockers w/Compressor Installed to 4.56:1 - $3,000.00
The outcome would be completely trick, but for the price, an Unlimited Rubicon would get me across Baja and beyond for a better price point. Plus, I
could take the top off and work on the vehicle myself. So, $30,000.00 or $45,000.00??
I wouldn't try to make a Tacoma like a Rubicon, I'd use a Toyota FJ Cruiser for that kind of project. There has been a lot of after market stuff for
it shown at the Off Road Expo the past couple of years.
For a Tacoma I would add a leveling kit so LT285/75R16 tires will fit and a positration to the rear. Maybe different shocks using an external nitrogen
can. That would cost under $3,000 excluding shocks at Performance Off Road in Bakersfield. I'm not a rock crawler like you and your Jeep buddies.
Originally posted by TW
I wouldn't try to make a Tacoma like a Rubicon, I'd use a Toyota FJ Cruiser for that kind of project. There has been a lot of after market stuff for
it shown at the Off Road Expo the past couple of years.
For a Tacoma I would add a leveling kit so LT285/75R16 tires will fit and a positration to the rear. Maybe different shocks using an external nitrogen
can. That would cost under $3,000 excluding shocks at Performance Off Road in Bakersfield. I'm not a rock crawler like you and your Jeep buddies.
The 2009 and newer Tacomas have TRAC (with engine output regulation) and AUTO LSD (no engine regulation for a 'posi traction' effect on the rear).
Uses the brake system instead of differential cluthces or gears, to slow free spinning wheel and transfer torque to traction wheel. Replacing brakes
is a normal maintenance and a lot cheaper than rebuilding a differential!
If the Tacoma has the Off Road TRD package, then it also has a locking rear differential.
If the Tacoma is a 4WD, then it has TRAC in 4WD High Range (limited slip front and rear, no enigine regulation), like posi-traction front and rear.
If the Tacoma is a 4WD Off Road TRD then in addition to the above, it has Active Traction Control (A-TRAC) a system in Low Range that matches tire
rotation across the axle to provide the traction benefits of front and rear lockers, without the steering issues lockers have. It is amazing!
With only one tire having traction... even one front tire... the A-TRAC will pull your truck out.
The use of a braking system to control wheel spin is OK on rain and ice and snow and to a certain extend in the sand. I have that on my GMC called
auto 4WD. But it's not good if you are trying to rock your vehicle back and forth. To me it's kind of like the ABS system. Great for pavement driving
but not worth much in the dirt. And yes I know DK has tested his system and they work as prescribed. I guess I'm getting too old to have to think
about what system I want to engage or I'm just set in my ways.
Also the locking rear only works in 4WD low range, unless they changed it in the newer models.
I like the positraction (which I had in my Toyota) because there are no vaccum lines or wires etc to turn it on and off, it's locked all the time. The
only drawback is that going around a corner on pavement you don't want to step on the gas unless you want to impress your friends with the wheel spin.
But a positraction is not much different in that reguard than the locking differential that comes in a GM 4x4 truck. It's locked below 25 mph and
unlocks above. They went to that system due to spin outs and accidents with ambulences on ice. One wheel on ice the other on dry pavement caused
problems.
Originally posted by TW
The use of a braking system to control wheel spin is OK on rain and ice and snow and to a certain extend in the sand. I have that on my GMC called
auto 4WD. But it's not good if you are trying to rock your vehicle back and forth. To me it's kind of like the ABS system. Great for pavement driving
but not worth much in the dirt. And yes I know DK has tested his system and they work as prescribed. I guess I'm getting too old to have to think
about what system I want to engage or I'm just set in my ways.
Also the locking rear only works in 4WD low range, unless they changed it in the newer models.
I like the positraction (which I had in my Toyota) because there are no vaccum lines or wires etc to turn it on and off, it's locked all the time. The
only drawback is that going around a corner on pavement you don't want to step on the gas unless you want to impress your friends with the wheel spin.
But a positraction is not much different in that reguard than the locking differential that comes in a GM 4x4 truck. It's locked below 25 mph and
unlocks above. They went to that system due to spin outs and accidents with ambulences on ice. One wheel on ice the other on dry pavement caused
problems.
[Edited on 9-28-2010 by TW]
Well, it works... went in and out of Mision Santa Maria without using the rear locker... just the A-TRAC... including the deep water, steep rock
grades, etc. It works! When I (on purpose) stuck my truck at Bahia Santa Maria with open differentials (VSC Off Mode) on the beach... I engaged the
A-TRAC and it drove my truck out of the stuck, without deflating tires or clearing away sand.
Here is what we have for drive choices (4WD Off Road TRD, '09 and newer):
2010 TRD OFF-ROAD 4WD with Hydraulic Brake Booster and 9 drive modes:
1) 2WD: VSC and TRAC active, engine regulated ('Limited Slip Lite').
2) 2WD: 'AUTO LSD' ('TRAC OFF MODE'). No engine regulation for 'strong' limited slip.
3) 2WD: 'VSC OFF MODE' (TRAC is off for 'open differential').
4) 4WD-Hi: VSC and TRAC active. No engine regulation for 'strong' limited slip.
5) 4WD-Hi: 'VSC OFF MODE' (TRAC is off for 'open differentials').
6) 4WD-Lo: VSC and TRAC are both off in L4 ('open differentials').
7) 4WD-Lo: 'A-TRAC' on gives a 'locker-like, super strong' limited slip, front and rear.
8) 4WD-Lo: Rear Differential Locked and open front differential (A-TRAC off).
9) 4WD-Lo: RR DIFF LOCK + A-TRAC on, 3 MPH limit.
You can choose how you want to wheel... open diffs, or limited slip...
Originally posted by wessongroup
Must admit DK.. .... that is some kind of transmission and/or control over your vehicles wheels when getting the hp to the ground....
Thanks for telling what it is.. had not had it explained so well.... my, my... those folks from Japan.... very interesting....
Stuff like this is a thrill to have and use in Baja or off road, anywhere.
I can take a Tacoma from the dealer and go to places like Mision Santa Maria without ANY aftermarket modifications... pure stock, stock tires... no
extra $$$. That (to me) makes it a superior investment to other 4WD vehicles... and I use the truck in my daily work, at home... as well as any other
driving needs, just like a four door 5 passenger sedan. The added benefit is that Toyotas are made so strong and well... they just don't fail you out
there... at least never failed me in 10 years of driving them!
Ken, DK is making a pretty good case... plus your a family man.. or may be, I would imagine...
Old Grandpa DK is making that nice riding four door look pretty good.. plus that extra room for the little Ken's.. plus room for the food.. too..
But, me I'm way too old, plus way to cheap to spend that amount on just about any vehicle... don't need ... and wants were something I started taking
under advisement a long while back....
But, you guys enjoy.. you both appear to be having a great time.. and that is what it is really all about...
Thanks to all... keep learning more every day... it's all good...
We do have fun... and Ken and I kid each other about Jeeps vs. Toyota, etc.
Here are both our rigs on Shell Island, last July 4th...
Even Art (edm1) was driving with ease in his motorhome, once the air pressure in the tires was lowered enough!
It was scary for Art however, when he arrived on the island and even with the front and rear ARB lockers activated, he was buried with high tide
coming closer!
We spotted Art, two miles up the beach and Ken and I hoped into my Tacoma and went to help!
Ken got to work on the shovel while I poured buckets of sea water in front of the tires, as Art was under clearing away the differential and lowering
the air pressure!
"If it were lush and rich, one could understand the pull, but it is fierce and hostile and sullen.
The stone mountains pile up to the sky and there is little fresh water. But we know we must go back
if we live, and we don't know why." - Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez
"People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care." - Theodore Roosevelt
"You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who they think can do nothing for them or to them." - Malcolm Forbes
"Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others
cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you." - Jim Rohn
"The best way to get the right answer on the internet is not to ask a question; it's to post the wrong answer." - Cunningham's Law
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