Box Rocket '03 DC Tacoma Build
- Thread starter Box Rocket
- Start date
Box Rocket
Well-known member
Was on my way to the Wasatch Cruisers Christmas Party, where you should have been.
ttora4runner
Expedition Leader
Didn't know about it since I'm not a member at the present time. Haven been wheeling with you all for over a year now.
Project510
Adventurer
I LOVE this truck! Fantastic build man.
Adrian George Vrinceanu
ak70g2
Adam, thanks for all the thread. I'm intended to do same stuff with an 1997 double cab Toyota Hilux (I'm from Europe, we ride some rugged gear here 
). May I ask you a big favour? I need some plans and some info about your under belly armor, please?
). May I ask you a big favour? I need some plans and some info about your under belly armor, please?
Box Rocket
Well-known member
Adam, thanks for all the thread. I'm intended to do same stuff with an 1997 double cab Toyota Hilux (I'm from Europe, we ride some rugged gear here
I wish I could help you with better details, but other than using 3/16" plate for all of it I just made them up as I went. I started with a peice of 3" angle iron for the front skid mount to protect the radiator and cut/bent the plate to fit, then welded the mounting brackets in the right spots. Not quite the right description but it was totally "freehand".
Box Rocket
Well-known member
My KM2s on the Tacoma had worn through the siping I had done and were starting to cup a bit so that I had a constant (minor) vibration in the steering wheel that I couldn't get rid of with balancing. Yes I even rotated about every 3-5K miles. Maybe it needed to be done more frequently.
Anyway, I decided to try something different. I loved the old style MTRs I ran on the 40 and even liked them on the 80 and the minituck. Figured I'd try out the new MTR's with Kevlar. Tread design is a bit funky but so far seems very quiet with the asymetrical design. We'll see how well they hold up. The KM2's had 43K miles on them and after I had the tread depth measured they still had 50% tread left. Not bad at all. I used one of them to replace my BFG AT that I was using as a spare (since it was very old and was starting to crack). I still have the other 3 and I think I'll use them on my trailer.
New tires are 33x12.50 instead of the 10.50s I've been running. Here's some pics. They line up nicely with the outside of the fender flares and the extra width seem to give a bit more sidewall bulge that should protect my rims a little better. It'll be nice if they do since I've really chewed up the rims on the rocks with the narrower tires.
Impressions so far are no noticeable power loss, more planted feel with the wider footprint. Steering response is bit heavier, not necessarily worse, it was just a lighter feel at the wheel with the skinny tires.
Before: with 33x10.50
After: with 33x12.50
mmmmm tires pubes
Anyway, I decided to try something different. I loved the old style MTRs I ran on the 40 and even liked them on the 80 and the minituck. Figured I'd try out the new MTR's with Kevlar. Tread design is a bit funky but so far seems very quiet with the asymetrical design. We'll see how well they hold up. The KM2's had 43K miles on them and after I had the tread depth measured they still had 50% tread left. Not bad at all. I used one of them to replace my BFG AT that I was using as a spare (since it was very old and was starting to crack). I still have the other 3 and I think I'll use them on my trailer.
New tires are 33x12.50 instead of the 10.50s I've been running. Here's some pics. They line up nicely with the outside of the fender flares and the extra width seem to give a bit more sidewall bulge that should protect my rims a little better. It'll be nice if they do since I've really chewed up the rims on the rocks with the narrower tires.
Impressions so far are no noticeable power loss, more planted feel with the wider footprint. Steering response is bit heavier, not necessarily worse, it was just a lighter feel at the wheel with the skinny tires.
Before: with 33x10.50
After: with 33x12.50
mmmmm tires pubes
Montana Cruiser
Adventurer
My KM2s on the Tacoma had worn through the siping I had done and were starting to cup a bit so that I had a constant (minor) vibration in the steering wheel that I couldn't get rid of with balancing. Yes I even rotated about every 3-5K miles. Maybe it needed to be done more frequently.
Anyway, I decided to try something different. I loved the old style MTRs I ran on the 40 and even liked them on the 80 and the minituck. Figured I'd try out the new MTR's with Kevlar. Tread design is a bit funky but so far seems very quiet with the asymetrical design. We'll see how well they hold up. The KM2's had 43K miles on them and after I had the tread depth measured they still had 50% tread left. Not bad at all. I used one of them to replace my BFG AT that I was using as a spare (since it was very old and was starting to crack). I still have the other 3 and I think I'll use them on my trailer.
New tires are 33x12.50 instead of the 10.50s I've been running. Here's some pics. They line up nicely with the outside of the fender flares and the extra width seem to give a bit more sidewall bulge that should protect my rims a little better. It'll be nice if they do since I've really chewed up the rims on the rocks with the narrower tires.
Impressions so far are no noticeable power loss, more planted feel with the wider footprint. Steering response is bit heavier, not necessarily worse, it was just a lighter feel at the wheel with the skinny tires.
Before: with 33x10.50
After: with 33x12.50
mmmmm tires pubes
Great looking tires! Have you had a chance to get them out on snow as well as ice? How did they perform if you have?
Box Rocket
Well-known member
They are ok on hardpacksnow/ice. Would be better with some additional siping.
digitalferg
Adventurer
Wow. Seems only yesterday you started this build... 43k miles already! Guess it has been about 3 years now? 43k miles seems like a really good run for only 50% tread used. Wow.
I dig the new meats though. I've been wondering about the new tread design as well. I ran the old style on my 60 for a while and I absolutely loved them. They did awesome in the snow for me. I've been so bummed they changed the tread pattern.
I dig the new meats though. I've been wondering about the new tread design as well. I ran the old style on my 60 for a while and I absolutely loved them. They did awesome in the snow for me. I've been so bummed they changed the tread pattern.
89s rule
Adventurer
I put ~ 50K miles on a set of old style MTRs in 285/75/16 size on my old 80 series, they were great tires, started wearing a little funny at the end but that was my fault for not rotating.
My 255 KM2s are cupping a little now, but I think its that my shocks are worn. Although I needed to rotate them as well.
My 255 KM2s are cupping a little now, but I think its that my shocks are worn. Although I needed to rotate them as well.
Box Rocket
Well-known member
No real changes lately. There are a few in the works, however. I installed a 4Crawler 1" body lift just to help a bit with tire clearance. Seems to be just right and small enough that there is no need to relocate bumpers or sliders.
Next on the list is some new lower shock mounts so that I can install a ubolt flip kit I have on the shelf. At the same time I'll be installing some axle relocation plates to center the wheels inthe wheel wells better. Right now the rears rub a bit at the front of the wheel wells.
I recently picked up a set of 3 Hella 7" HID's to replace the Hella black magic lights on the front bumper. In order for those to fit correctly I need to redo the light mounts and cut off the top hoop on the front bumper. The hoop is too short and not wide enough for the new lights. I will probably bend a new hoop for the bumper.
here is a pic or two after the BL install. It not only helped with tires but both my front and rear bumpers were very tight to the body (which I liked) but when the frame would flex on the trails the bumpers would make slight contact with the body. So the BL also helps will a little room for the bumpers.
