I have gone to the dark side

[HMR]

Jacket- You definately need a better rear bumper! You also wheel your Taco harder than 98% of the folks here.
I love the recent pics. :bowdown:

For you guys advocating Bullbars for animal protection... Do you put aftermarket bumpers on all your cars/trucks? If not, why?

 

[DaveInDenver]

For you guys advocating Bullbars for animal protection... Do you put aftermarket bumpers on all your cars/trucks? If not, why?

Actually, yes. My commuter, trail rig, camper and utility/chores truck are all outfitted with a bull bar. OK, that's because my commuter = trail rig = camper = utility chores truck, but who's counting that I have a fleet of one? ;-) My commuter was taken out in a traffic incident and you bet I would have loved to have had a bull bar on it.

 

[HMR]

OK, that's because my commuter = trail rig = camper = utility chores truck, but who's counting that I have a fleet of one?

:sombrero:

 

[tacollie]

I am with kermit, these are expo/play trucks. I don't mind some dents and scratches.

 

[tacollie]

Here are some flippac pics. Should have the lift and sliders on next weekend.

Jacket I saw yo truck, thats some nice body work you did with your exhaust.

 

[Jacket]

Thanks :victory: I take it you were visiting Jed?

 

[tacollie]

I was picking up my sliders for paint. You bumper should be sick.

 

[tacollie]

Got the OME kit on and lovin it. A little soft so I think I am going to order some of the OME aal for it. I think that will also level it out since the tail is a little low. On the bright side I gained almost 4" of lift and seem to be keeping it even after 3 long days on the trails last weekend. I overloaded it and drove it hard and still no sagging. Anybody looking at a flippac remember the aren't light.

I get 12mpg on the trail, 14-15 around town, and 17 on the highway. I was wondering if anyone else was sharing my petroleum sorrow. I started to rethink my desire for 4.88's until I realized my mileage. I figure 4.56's probably won't do much better fuel wise and the 4.88's would be nice on the trail or even just in the mountains. I am right around 2200rmps in 5th on the highway doing 75mph. What do you guys think? Just about every shop I talk to says 4.88's would be a mistake, but I figured you guys would have some good input. I have an auto tranny and am running 255/85r16's.

 

[Rexsname]

You mentioned that the Flip-pacs aren't light. The website claims 250lbs for a Tacoma-sized topper. Are they being over-optimistic? Do you have a weight on yours? A better estimate?

REX

 

[tacollie]

I called them and they told me 350lbs. I think that is a little light. I also have a 20 gallon tank and a tool box back there. I figure on average I am around 500lb s over stock. I love having the weight, just have to be patient until I get the rear suspension dialed in the way I like.

 

[slooowr6]

Got the OME kit on and lovin it. A little soft so I think I am going to order some of the OME aal for it. I think that will also level it out since the tail is a little low. On the bright side I gained almost 4" of lift and seem to be keeping it even after 3 long days on the trails last weekend. I overloaded it and drove it hard and still no sagging. Anybody looking at a flippac remember the aren't light.

I get 12mpg on the trail, 14-15 around town, and 17 on the highway. I was wondering if anyone else was sharing my petroleum sorrow. I started to rethink my desire for 4.88's until I realized my mileage. I figure 4.56's probably won't do much better fuel wise and the 4.88's would be nice on the trail or even just in the mountains. I am right around 2200rmps in 5th on the highway doing 75mph. What do you guys think? Just about every shop I talk to says 4.88's would be a mistake, but I figured you guys would have some good input. I have an auto tranny and am running 255/85r16's.

13.5 in town, 16 on freeway. I feel your pain.

 

[tacollie]

Perhaps you should round up. 13.5 could be 14 or even 15. Thats what I do because I would be ok with 15.

 

[tacollie]

I am trying to spend less time online and more time in the garage and with the dogs but decided to post anyway. I wanted to share my opinions on the truck.

I recently decided to sell the truck but then decided it does everything I need it to well so now I am keeping it. I also decided that I have no real reason for not liking it and decided I have a serious case of the grass being greener. I miss the mini truck feel. I aqm still skeptical but the truck continues to do its job wonderfully. It isn't much bigger than the older tacos but it feels much larger to me. It has never made me turn around on the trail, I can't believe some of the stuff it drags itself over. I need skid plates bad, I don't know how much more my exhaust can take. So that is what I have been working on in the garage, next are bumpers. These things are cheap if you can put in the time to build them. I bought a welder from a friend and am loving it despite the trouble of putting a 220 in the garage. Armor and gears are my only plans for the truck but should all be done by mid summer at which time I hope to drive it until the wheels fall off. The fj55 is my big priority and the less time and money I put in the taco the more for the pig. Somewhere Kurt from cruiseroutfitters made the point of two rigs being cheaper than the one perfect rig and for my needs that is true. Plus it helped me solve my grass is greener syndrome.

Here is a pic from fruita last weekend. It was freakin sweet and the flippac was awesome. The girlfriend, dogs, and way to much gear for 4 days fit into the taco with enough room for the dogs to lounge in the back happily for the 5 hour drive each way.