asteffes' '06 Taco DC (because I want to be a cool kid, too.)

[Dave Bennett]

Nice

Nice truck! Great color. Looks kinda like... mine!
I really like the snugtop and rack setup you have there.

 

[Scott Brady]

I also like the de-badging.

I removed my TRD sticker a few years ago

 

[asteffes]

Thanks guys. I removed the SR5 and V6 badges the other day... I'm going to go all the way once I buy more dental floss.

 

[asteffes]

Nice truck! Great color. Looks kinda like... mine!
I really like the snugtop and rack setup you have there.

The rack is very easy to do if you're interested in one, too.

 

[Dave Bennett]

The rack is very easy to do if you're interested in one, too.

Very interested. First things first though!
1. Suspension/Tires
2. Bumpers/Winch
3. Snugtop/Rack
4. I dont know yet, maybe a nav system

Sigh... this will take at least another year

 

[asteffes]

Today, I installed a Kenwood TM-V700A dual band transceiver. I wired its GPS input to one of the serial ports of my Garmin GPSMAP 276c GPS, enabling tracking of APRS stations as well as a beacon of my own position data to other APRS receivers. This is basically a copy of Chris' setup, but I'm using a glass-mount Larsen antenna to maintain a low profile.

Pictures to follow soon.

 

[asteffes]

Here are a couple pictures of my power distribution block and control head for the Kenwood TM-V700A transceiver. You'll note that the red wire feeding the block is a bit small. It's the same wire included with the Kenwood wiring kit and is sufficient for powering the transceiver and Garmin GPSMAP 276C GPS, but I will bump it up to an 8 gauge line if I get around to adding any more significant devices (I doubt that will happen anytime soon.) The nice thing is that even if I added a second radio (a CB, perhaps) I would really *need* to upgrade the feedline since I can't really transmit on two rigs at once.

 

[asteffes]

I installed a Larsen glassmount antenna on the shell. I like this antenna for its low-profile looks. I didn't want an antenna farm on the roof attracting too much attention, so this fit the bill. I cut the antenna element down to a length more appropriate for the 70cm/440MHz band, where I spend most of my time.

 

[asteffes]

Very interested. First things first though!
1. Suspension/Tires
2. Bumpers/Winch
3. Snugtop/Rack
4. I dont know yet, maybe a nav system

Sigh... this will take at least another year

I bought my shell with the truck. I can't imagine owning a truck without a shell over the bed. It doubles your storage volume, keeps stuff dry and mostly secure, and makes a platform for a roof rack. I'm also one of those people who thinks the DC/SB combo looks awkward without a shell.

 

[asteffes]

The Larsen antenna didn't work so well, so it has been removed and replaced with a magnet-mount Diamond whip until I devise a superior solution.

In other news, UncleChris helped me install my Donahoe coilover suspension today. This suspension consists of 2.5" diameter front coilover dampers and remote-reservoir rear dampers. I have not raised the ride height for now, and chose to retain the front swaybar. I'll adjust the coilovers to maintain a close-to-stock ride height once I install an ARB bumper.

For now, though, the truck's highway stability and ride quality have improved quite a bit over the TRD Off Road suspension package. The new dampers are huge compared to the factory-installed Bilsteins. While the TRD suspension was pretty good compared to many trucks and some cars, it always felt a bit nervous or twitchy, especially the rear when going over bumps. The Donahoe suspension is smoother and more refined - something you don't always associate with a truck suspension. I expect it to get a bit firmer when the coilovers are raised a bit but I don't expect it to get dramatically rougher. I'm quite pleased with the new setup.

I owe UncleChris a huge thank you and a beer or three for all of his help.

 

[asteffes]

Here's a picture illustrating the visible differences between the TRD package Bilstein dampers and the Donahoe Racing dampers.

 

[BigB]

About the DR Suspension

I just purchased my very own 06 taco. Essentially the same truck that you have, good taste by the way. Question, when installing the Donohoe Suspension, did you have any issues that I need to be aware of, and also did you need to get an alignment done afterwards?

I just orderd mine online this morning. So it will be my first project on my new truck. Wish me luck.

Brian

 

[asteffes]

I just purchased my very own 06 taco. Essentially the same truck that you have, good taste by the way. Question, when installing the Donohoe Suspension, did you have any issues that I need to be aware of, and also did you need to get an alignment done afterwards?

I just orderd mine online this morning. So it will be my first project on my new truck. Wish me luck.

Brian

Congrats on the truck, Brian. As far as the DR suspension, you will want to have a strong friend handy to assist you. Getting the suspension to droop enough to slide the struts out and coilovers in takes some muscle. You'll also want to buy a tube of Loc-Tite to apply to all the various fasteners.

The rear dampers are pretty straightforward but you'll need to raise the rear of the truck until the rear tires just barely touch the ground. If you can't raise it this high because your floor jack is too small it will be very difficult to get the new shocks in. They are under pressure and impossible to compress by hand.

My truck did not require an alignment because I did not raise it any taller than stock. I wound the DR coilovers all the way up to 0" of lift, as my goal is only to compensate for the weight of an ARB bumper, not to lift the truck beyond stock (for now, anyway.) Since there was no change in ride height, everything is still operating at the same angles as before. Toe and caster have not changed.

If you intend to raise the ride height you will, of course, require an alignment, as camber and caster will be altered and probably sub-optimally. Anytime you change ride height you will also change the front toe which will greatly affect tire wear and steering feel. You will also change the caster angle which will affect steering feel and vehicle stability. If you plan to raise your truck you should also plan on spending an hour at local shop rates on a front alignment to get the most out of the setup and to preserve your tires.

 

[BajaTaco]

Congrats on the truck, Brian. As far as the DR suspension, you will want to have a strong friend handy to assist you. Getting the suspension to droop enough to slide the struts out and coilovers in takes some muscle.

You could always try the bottle jack trick. Works great for me.

 

[asteffes]

I think UncleChris and I just wanted to be Tough Guys(tm) and muscle through it.