Gitout Expedition Build - 2013 Toyota Tacoma DC TRD
- Thread starter montypower
- Start date
Willman
Active member
Thanks! It's a fun truck. Nice spending most of my time on adventures rather than fixing things.
I'm happy with them so far. My initial impressions... They are quieter than MTs on road. Smooth. Excellent lateral traction, especially noticeable on gravel roads at higher speed. Mud traction is adequate; it slipped more than the Firestone Destination MTs did on hill climbs. The closer tread spacing makes gripping wet, muddy rocks more challenging. Heavy duty sidewall; took the pressure down to 16psi and they had limited sidewall deflection (will need to play with pressure). Fuel mileage is down; may be related to winter fuel blend (need more time to know). Tread block spacing is very similar to the Duratrac. They have great sipping. Very good in the rain. I'm anxious to test in the snow and ice.
My primary consideration with going with the hybrid tread design was to improve road driving: noise, wet traction, snow traction. MTs will beat these tires in the mud and wet rocks. The majority of my driving is road, gravel and trails. This truck isn't a rock crawler. Hopefully, they will be a good match for me assuming they will perform well enough in the slippery NW mud.
255/85 ST MAxx will be available next month according to Cooper Rep.
Are you living in Seattle? We should get a trip together.
Good to hear. Thanks for the feedback. This weekend the snow levels have dropped. Hope you find some snow to put those tires to the test.
Trip would be great. Shoot me a PM next time your in the Seattle area.
montypower
Adventure Time!
Just re-used one of the factory hooks. Then cut off the short side and bought 1 new J-hook. Very easy project. I sprayed the J-hook to match the factory black one.
montypower
Adventure Time!
Excellent event. 20 rigs. 5 teams. Some fun competition. Will share the trip report later.
montypower
Adventure Time!
Here's the trip report: http://gitout.com/content.php?308-Oregon-Trask-Checkpoint-Challenge-November-16-2013
montypower
Adventure Time!
I changed to Mobile 1 synthetic at 20k miles. Planning to change the filter every 2,500 and oil change every 5,000. Toyota recommends using conventional oil every 5,000 miles. Just passed 22,500 this week. The truck had it's 1st bday last month. How time flies.
Ah I like the color, I took the black one instead, sounds like you got some good ideas, I've got the HD OME on mine wrapped in 32 mud with trd wheels if you want to check it out, without the mudflap and the small flap at the front of your front fenders you have plenty of room.
montypower
Adventure Time!
Got some trail time in yesterday. Was expecting snow but got some sun and dry weather.
montypower
Adventure Time!
Here is the trip report for those interested: http://gitout.com/content.php?309-Oregon-Trail-Day-Tillamook-State-Forest-December-14-2013
locomacdaddy
New member
Really nice build! Thanks for taking the time to share how it's going. Could you share your thoughts on how the ICON upgrade is panning out? I'm just beginning my 2010 build and not sure if OME is fine of if spending the extra money on the ICON's are worth it. Thanks!
Chevrolado
Cruisin'
Wow. Really love all the work you've put into this thing and how often you get out to enjoy it. 
Very nice.
Subscribing for more adventuring inspiration. Nice work.
Very nice.Subscribing for more adventuring inspiration.
Nice work.
montypower
Adventure Time!
Icons have been excellent so far. Rear 2.5" resi are spendy but resolved issues with bottoming out over rough terrain. Ride is fantastic especially if you like driving fast on back roads and trails. Front 2.5" resi have been good overall. I'm running the 700lb spring up front which is really required if you have a bumper and winch. It rides best keeping the lift height lower so you have at least 2.5"+ of down travel. Rebound damping is good.
OME is a decent overall value for price / performance. Biggest challenge is that they are not adjustable. The driver side is much heavier than the passenger side. I had to remove / re-install several times to get the height level (driver/passenger side). I ended up using the trim packer and 1/4" top spacer on the driver side to make it level with the passenger side. The heavy 886 springs don't work well with the OME Nitro Sport shocks. Rebound damping is poor. It feels like the front end is being yanked out anytime the springs unload (extremely harsh). I talked with ARB about this and they didn't have a solution. Maybe the 885 springs are better matched to the shocks? It's too much hassle dealing with them for me and I didn't want to damage the front end which is why they were replaced. I wouldn't install them again. Rear Nitro Sport shocks are very well matched with OME Dakar HD springs (no complaints).
Hope that helps.
montypower
Adventure Time!
Wow. Really love all the work you've put into this thing and how often you get out to enjoy it.
Subscribing for more adventuring inspiration.
Thanks! Planning a bunch of trips for 2014... It's going to be a good year.
montypower
Adventure Time!
Here's the most current update for the ST Maxx Tires: http://gitout.com/showthread.php?1266-Tire-Reivew-Cooper-ST-Maxx-Long-Term-Review
I'll keep updating the tread as time goes on.