Doc's 05 Tacoma Build Thread

[Dave Bennett]

Yep, like I said, it really boils down to preference. I like my "Rocket 88's"

 

[Dave Bennett]

New Years Trip

Just got back from a run up Coyote Canyon and friday night at Sheeps Canyon - awesome trip and met up with a bunch of cool ExPo folks along the way, here's a couple pics

Here be Dragons!

Beautiful cacti abound

Sheeps Camp friday night 12/30/2011

My daughter Savannah listening for "Pinkfoot"...

Leaving Sheeps Cyn headed toward Upper Willows

End of the line for vehicles - Baileys cabin is about 3 miles north past that fence on the left that denotes the horse and hiking only section of the canyon.

Headed out, Coyote Cyn is practically paved now... and no more jungle cruise.

Looky who we found here... nobody home, this calls for ExPo tagging!

Had to head back New Years Eve due to responsibilities but really wanted to keep going...

 

[mvbeggs]

Oh great - now you're going to send Dave into "brain-lock!"

LOL!

 

[mvbeggs]

Tacoma- Gearing, Range, Highway Speeds, etc.

....When I'm driving I am fairly heavy footed i.e. I dont really try to drive for RPM or MPG. I drive for fun. Anything over 70 MPH and the 4.0 will drink gas no matter what your gearing IMO (I experienced this with 3.73's). When you add armor and gear MPG will go down and nothing short of weight loss will bring MPG back up to anywhere near stock. I can get 270 out of a tank with the hammer down and with a Scepter can my range is well over 300 miles. I'm happy with that.

The bottom line is 4.88 gearing is a personal preference for me. YMMV.

Doc, thanks for the insight. I do understand that everything is a personal preference and most mods are a trade off. My predicament is to decide if I can live with the compromises needed to get a Tacoma to where I want to be. Here's the $64,000 question; is it reasonable to think a V6 Tacoma could ever get 15-16mpg, at highway speeds, with 33" tires, upgraded wheels, front and rear heavy bumpers, winch, sliders, and some minimal skid plate coverage? (I have no problem regearing if that's what it takes)

....Anything over 70 MPH and the 4.0 will drink gas no matter what your gearing IMO (I experienced this with 3.73's).

That statement is a bit concerning.
I have some significant travel miles (most trips over 700 miles) to my camping/hunting/exploring locations. On a 700 mile trip, fuel stops every 200 miles easily adds 45 minutes to the total travel time. For my travels, I really need the ability to drive 70-85 mph without overworking the engine and killing gas mileage. I saw in one of your posts that at 70mph your engine runs at about 2700rpm. Do you typically drive over 70mph for extended perods of time? If so, do you have any idea what your gas mileage was like?

You may want 4.56s with the 33s to get a little lower grunt on the trail, but 4.10s would probably work well. This is probably better achieved with a crawl box if you have the money. In fact I'd say with 33s you really don't NEED to re-gear. I ran with 285s and stock gears for a long time, on the trail lower gears would be awesome and had I kept 33s and not blown money on fitting 35s I might have considered keeping the stock gears and running a crawl box. Then again add a lot of weight and do a lot of driving in the hills and gears would probably be a nice addition.

Thanks maxama, I was thinking the same thing about the 3.73's vs 4.10's until I ran the numbers. The rpm's for 33" tires, auto tranny, and 3.73 gears look like 1629 @ 60mph, 1765 @65mph, 1900@70mph, 2036@75mph. Does that look like too high of gearing for the engine power? How do you think a Tacoma would do pulling an AT Chaser up Vail Pass or up to the Eisenhower Tunnel with that high of gearing? I ran into a similar problem in the Jeep before putting in the Hemi. The 3.8L with 5.13 gears was only able to maintain about 45mph pulling the Chaser up Vail Pass....and she was screaming (4,000rpm). :Wow1: Knew I had to do something different after that trip. The 5.13 gearing was good for flat to slight grade highway driving. In the end, the geared 3.8L just didn't have enough midrange power to haul the trailer and the heavy jeep up the steep pass while in 4th gear.

Also agree with you on the crawl box idea. Do any Tacoma guys ever regear the 4lo in the transfer case? I love the ultra lo in my Rubicon's transfer case.

Thanks again for all the great info!

 

[Dave Bennett]

Here's the $64,000 question; is it reasonable to think a V6 Tacoma could ever get 15-16mpg, at highway speeds, with 33" tires, upgraded wheels, front and rear heavy bumpers, winch, sliders, and some minimal skid plate coverage? (I have no problem regearing if that's what it takes)

Maybe, but like everything it's going to be a compromise. If MPG and range are your top priority, you need to go light on armor. Aluminum bumpers, sliders and skids. I saw an FJ-45 kitted out in all aluminum in Death Valley and it was awesome. It can be done, but is more money. Aluminess makes nice Tacoma bumpers and Asfir makes aluminum skids.

That statement is a bit concerning.
I have some significant travel miles (most trips over 700 miles) to my camping/hunting/exploring locations. On a 700 mile trip, fuel stops every 200 miles easily adds 45 minutes to the total travel time. For my travels, I really need the ability to drive 70-85 mph without overworking the engine and killing gas mileage. I saw in one of your posts that at 70mph your engine runs at about 2700rpm. Do you typically drive over 70mph for extended perods of time? If so, do you have any idea what your gas mileage was like?

I typically drive at 80 here in SoCal on the freeway or when headed to a trailhead. That said, my mileage is always at least 12-13 MPG even if I'm hammer down. It will do 90 all day long on the freeway if I want. That's one of the great things about the Tacoma - comfort and speed on long distance trips is a non-issue for me.

 

[mvbeggs]

Maybe, but like everything it's going to be a compromise. If MPG and range are your top priority, you need to go light on armor. Aluminum bumpers, sliders and skids. I saw an FJ-45 kitted out in all aluminum in Death Valley and it was awesome. It can be done, but is more money. Aluminess makes nice Tacoma bumpers and Asfir makes aluminum skids....

I totally understand the weight / mpg issue. My Jeep is very heavy, probably upper 6's lower 7's. That weight works well for me when the technical trail comes along but not so well on the range and fuel efficiency side. That dang compromise again!

Thinking about your setup vs mine. Of the extra weight added to your rig, approximately how much do you think the living support equipment weighs? (i.e. Flipac, storage system, extra water and fuel, cooking equipment, electrical systems, fridge, food, etc.) Do you think it is 75% to 80% of the additional weight? On my setup, all that living support weight would be carried in the Chaser and not the vehicle. If I'm on the right track, I might be able to keep the vehicle light enough to hit my range and gas mileage goals. What do you think? :ylsmoke:

....I typically drive at 80 here in SoCal on the freeway or when headed to a trailhead. That said, my mileage is always at least 12-13 MPG even if I'm hammer down. It will do 90 all day long on the freeway if I want....

I'm liking the sound of that!!

 

[CLynn85]

Thanks for the writeup, makes me want to go back.

Headed out, Coyote Cyn is practically paved now... and no more jungle cruise.

NOOOOOOOOOOOO! Coyote Canyon was one of my favorite parts of Anza Borrego when we were out there in 07!

 

[maxama10]

Thanks maxama, I was thinking the same thing about the 3.73's vs 4.10's until I ran the numbers. The rpm's for 33" tires, auto tranny, and 3.73 gears look like 1629 @ 60mph, 1765 @65mph, 1900@70mph, 2036@75mph. Does that look like too high of gearing for the engine power? How do you think a Tacoma would do pulling an AT Chaser up Vail Pass or up to the Eisenhower Tunnel with that high of gearing? I ran into a similar problem in the Jeep before putting in the Hemi. The 3.8L with 5.13 gears was only able to maintain about 45mph pulling the Chaser up Vail Pass....and she was screaming (4,000rpm). :Wow1: Knew I had to do something different after that trip. The 5.13 gearing was good for flat to slight grade highway driving. In the end, the geared 3.8L just didn't have enough midrange power to haul the trailer and the heavy jeep up the steep pass while in 4th gear.

Also agree with you on the crawl box idea. Do any Tacoma guys ever regear the 4lo in the transfer case? I love the ultra lo in my Rubicon's transfer case.

Thanks again for all the great info!

Well...

I'm running steel wheels, 35s, tool box full of junk, full size spare, front and rear plate bumpers, skids, sliders, winch... on top of that this summer with stock gears I traveled about 700 miles to WY on 80 mostly doing 75. I also had a full size 500cc quad and all sorts of personal items as I lived there for the summer in the truck. I averaged around 15-16 on stock 3.73s (and coming back was about the same, though the grades were less intense). Going up the passes outside of salt lake and park city to evanston (fairly long steep grades) I did have some difficulty going about 50-55, I really avoided dropping into 4th though and just ended up going slower. I think had I put it to about 3500 rpms it would have gone 65 up those hills no problem. Personally, I think you shouldn't have any issues getting 15-16 mpg without a trailer on 33s as long as you don't go over 75. I couldn't tell you what the trailer would do to your mileage.

As for the transfer case gears, I don't believe anyone makes any lower gears. If you want a lot more grunt 4.56s might be a good option but you'll be running pretty high rpms at highway. Then again, a lot of people do run 4.56s and 33s. In the end... maybe the 250 RPMS extra of the 4.56s over the 4.10s won't hurt your mileage that much and give you a little more grunt up grades and a little more control on the trail. For a stock ratio, 4.10s is about where it's at. (You still won't see the same performance though due to heavier tires etc...)

 

[mvbeggs]

3.73, 35's, loaded and still pulling!

Well...

I'm running steel wheels, 35s, tool box full of junk, full size spare, front and rear plate bumpers, skids, sliders, winch... on top of that this summer with stock gears I traveled about 700 miles to WY on 80 mostly doing 75. I also had a full size 500cc quad and all sorts of personal items as I lived there for the summer in the truck. I averaged around 15-16 on stock 3.73s

3.73's AND 35's- you were geared pretty high. Surprised you didn't have to get a run to clear any kind of grade with that gearing and load.
It's encouraging that you were able to pull that off. I'd love to see a dyno curve of a stock V6, DblCab. I'll have to do some searching.

Thanks again for the great information. Nothing beats real world experience from folks like you and TacoDoc.

With everyone's help here, I'm leaning heavliy toward starting a Tacoma build to compliment the Jeep. I'll post my progress for those that are interested.

Thanks again.

 

[maxama10]

Hope I helped, and didn't just muddle things up. Good luck making a decision!

 

[Andy@AAV]

I'm running 33's (255-85R16 KM2) on stock 3.73 gears. I don't feel down on power except on long grades trying to hold 6th gear. I have the 6 speed so I have more gear control and can hold a lower gear as long as I want. My RPM at 70 went from 2500 to 2200 and my fuel mileage is averaging around 16.5 for mixed highway and stoplight driving. More on just highways and less just around town. Stock I got 16-18 so I didn't lose much, in fact I get better mileage on the highway now due to the lower RPMs. I have sliders, ARB bull bar and winch, bud built skids, a fridge and a tool box full of gear all the time so my weight is probably 400-500 lbs over stock.

 

[mvbeggs]

4.0L Dyno Curve

Hope I helped, and didn't just muddle things up. Good luck making a decision!

No mudding the waters, all good information.

Here's a dyno curve I found on another forumn that is supposed to be for the 4.0L. (one of the curves is without the headers) Thought I'd post it here for what it's worth:



I was surprised at the low end torque numbers. May be an argument for lower gears.

 

[mvbeggs]

Engine Speed, 4.0L, Auto vs Manual

I'm running 33's (255-85R16 KM2) on stock 3.73 gears. I don't feel down on power except on long grades trying to hold 6th gear. I have the 6 speed so I have more gear control and can hold a lower gear as long as I want. My RPM at 70 went from 2500 to 2200 and my fuel mileage is averaging around 16.5 for mixed highway and stoplight driving. More on just highways and less just around town. Stock I got 16-18 so I didn't lose much, in fact I get better mileage on the highway now due to the lower RPMs. I have sliders, ARB bull bar and winch, bud built skids, a fridge and a tool box full of gear all the time so my weight is probably 400-500 lbs over stock.

You guys that are running the manual are geared quite a bit lower than the auto guys. Here is a comparison that I ran when looking at auto vs manual. As you can see, the engine speeds are pretty significant:



Your gas mileage, while turning the higher RPM's, is encouraging.

 

[Dave Bennett]

Thanks for posting those!

 

[Dave Bennett]

Pending projects!

Coming soon:
HEATSOURCE HEATER

HELTON HOT WATER SYSTEM

And a little "Sockmonkey" treatment aka old school tail gate graphics:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/sockmonkey/