Another Tacoma Build (Brian's 2015 DCLB)

[Adventurous]

I'll be curious to see what you think with the supercharger and gears. I can only imagine that the combination should make your truck downright quick.

 

[brianjwilson]

What bumper are you planning on going with when you get one? I can't decide what I want to go with but I have been looking at the arb, cbi, and pelfreybilt.

I change my mind a lot but I've been on pelfreybilt (aluminum) for a while now. I do like the classic look of the ARB but they are heavy, and my truck is already heavy. The aluminum pelfreybilt is 55lbs without grill guard tubes. Fairly basic and clean looking, adds a bit of clearance and protection. Not what steel will, but much moreso than the factory plastic. So far a bumper is fairly low on my list since the bumper+winch is expensive and heavy. Beyond the current pile of parts waiting at home, I need to hold off on spending for my trip. The only potential exception would be a transfer case skid to keep from crushing the exhaust crossover.


I'm excited for the gears too! It was pretty quick with the supercharger and stock tires. The 4.56 gears and 255s should be geared slightly lower than stock (about 200rpm higher at 70mph). It makes decent power now, no issues passing on mountains and stuff, just requires more gear changes. Have found that locking out overdrive on climbs usually keeps the torque converter locked in 4th gear and it burns a lot less fuel while the transmission temps stay much lower. If I don't do this, it will unlock the torque converter in overdrive and burn gas while heating up the trans fluid.

Anywho I'll be sure to report back! I should get a weekend with the camper before I work on the gears.

 

[Scott B.]

What are you going to do for an exhaust crossover?

I'm looking at the URD piece, but it is a little costly. Losing the rear cats should help mileage/power, if only a little bit.

 

[brianjwilson]

What are you going to do for an exhaust crossover?

I'm looking at the URD piece, but it is a little costly. Losing the rear cats should help mileage/power, if only a little bit.

I don't know yet. I worry about clearance and heat (with a transmission skid) with the urd pipe, and dont really like the exhaust shops I've used enough to have them re-route the exhaust behind the transfer case for me. If anything I'll probably go with a skid plate with the cutout or dropped portion that is meant to be used with stock exhaust. At least for now.


Something like this. I just don't want to crush the exhaust.

 

[Scott B.]

I don't know yet. I worry about clearance and heat (with a transmission skid) with the urd pipe, and dont really like the exhaust shops I've used enough to have them re-route the exhaust behind the transfer case for me. If anything I'll probably go with a skid plate with the cutout or dropped portion that is meant to be used with stock exhaust. At least for now.

You might consider exhaust wrap to contain the heat. I've used some from Heatshield Products with good results.

 

[brianjwilson]

My camper hit the ground, and I still have 6 days of work in Louisiana....

American RV in Tigard was nice enough to send me this.

 

[Adventurous]

What a tease. I bet you are looking forward to getting home and playing with your new toy.

 

[lndhark]

My camper hit the ground, and I still have 6 days of work in Louisiana....

American RV in Tigard was nice enough to send me this.

Awesome Brian! Looks like a Fleet with a forward dinette and inside shower? I'm envious. Can't wait to show my wife the finished product.

 

[brianjwilson]

I flew home yesterday afternoon and worked on a few last minute tweaks.

Left side circuit breaker goes to the bed connection now.


With an anderson powerpole connector.


These are the taller and softer than typical timbrens installed. Since removing the large overload and installing the extra leaf in the dakar springs, the spring center bolt was too long for the timbrens to bolt on. So I had to pull the U bolts off again and cut the bolt down. Additionally I added a 1/2" spacer under the timbren. I'm anxious to see how it all works together.


I measured the front end height and it has dropped 1/2" since install and alignment. Some settling and extra weight from sliders and batteries. Eye balling down the side of the truck, it looks like I have a little positive camber due to this. I think I'll crank them a couple turns and see where it sits. The 700lb springs are clearly in my future as the left coil already has 2" of thread showing.

 

[cam-shaft]

Looking good. So American rv is the local dealer for FWC I assume? This must be fairly new.
FYI cbi skids will fit without messing with exhaust, aluminum or steel. They simply just dropped them down a little to clear.

 

[Adventurous]

Does the future also include a bumper + winch?

Also, I know convention says you aren't supposed to re-use u-bolts. Now I don't know what caveats are placed on that, and I have done it in the past, but I've always been a bit apprehensive.

 

[brianjwilson]

Hadn't looked at the cbi skids, and didn't know they made aluminum. Will have to check it out.
American Rv in Tigard is pretty new. They opened in February at that location.

Bumper and winch at some point, but I don't know when. Not real soon, pretty well blew my budget with batteries, solar, gears/lockers compressor etc! But it is the heaviest Tacoma configuration, and the supercharger is 60-80lbs all inclusive. I'm still apprehensive to ruin the ride with heavier springs but we'll see.

Should be able to report on ride this afternoon. Then I'll be sweating it out installing solar in the hot garage!

Yeah the u bolt thing... I'm not that worried about it I guess. If they were older or I was concerned they were over torqued I might use new ones. For now I'm not worried about it.

 

[brianjwilson]

So far so good! Right now running 40psi front and 50 rear, front shocks on 5, rear on 8 (the rears are valved 25% firmer than normal).

 

[cam-shaft]

stance looks good and not even getting into the overload. That's great!
Cameron.

 

[bknudtsen]

Nice work!