wreckdiver1321
Overlander
Now that is pretty sweet!
That's the second 70 series I've seen for sale in the state in the past month. There was a 4-door wagon being sold up north for a while. Looked really nice.
K.Ray's Lame Tacoma Build Thread
- Thread starter K.Ray
- Start date
Now that is pretty sweet!
That's the second 70 series I've seen for sale in the state in the past month. There was a 4-door wagon being sold up north for a while. Looked really nice.
BentBomber
www.bomberproducts.com
Almost makes me want to sell my Taco. Super good looking 70.
K.Ray
Adventurer
Big South Fork - Honey Creek Overlook
We decided to head north, this past weekend, towards an old spot we love for its hiking and camping; Honey Creek Loop in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. A colleague, who had never been on a dirt adventure, opted to come with in his new-to-him 100 series Land Cruiser.
We started the trip off with some lunch and a run up an old dirt road that parallels I-75 and the plateau. A road only the locals know. A little past the halfway mark you run across the Cumberland Trail. This trail is still in the works but hopes to compliment the Appallachian trail upon it's comp. I then stopped to air up in Huntsville, TN at an old dirt bike shop we used to visit when I was a kid. The dads would drive us all the way up to look at bikes on the weekends just to blow an afternoon. We loved dreaming and swooning over the new and used machines - pretending to understand the vast and bottomless power of a two-stroke 125cc rocket.
The destination for today's trip was the Honey Creek Overlook at the very bottom tip of Big South Fork. Amanda and I happened upon the overlook years ago when we first started dating. We had decided to attempt the Honey Creek Loop trail with some friends which ended at the overlook. This hike is one of my all time favorites in the world that I've completed to date. It's more mountaineering than hiking with it's bouldering, stream crossings, and advanced navigation requirements. I try to recommend it to anyone looking for a great day or overnight hike.
This pano was taking just below the overlook. If you look closely you can see how the trail is "sort of" there. This is a good example of the entire hike - it's simply a general direction trail.
We decided to head north, this past weekend, towards an old spot we love for its hiking and camping; Honey Creek Loop in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. A colleague, who had never been on a dirt adventure, opted to come with in his new-to-him 100 series Land Cruiser.
We started the trip off with some lunch and a run up an old dirt road that parallels I-75 and the plateau. A road only the locals know. A little past the halfway mark you run across the Cumberland Trail. This trail is still in the works but hopes to compliment the Appallachian trail upon it's comp. I then stopped to air up in Huntsville, TN at an old dirt bike shop we used to visit when I was a kid. The dads would drive us all the way up to look at bikes on the weekends just to blow an afternoon. We loved dreaming and swooning over the new and used machines - pretending to understand the vast and bottomless power of a two-stroke 125cc rocket.
The destination for today's trip was the Honey Creek Overlook at the very bottom tip of Big South Fork. Amanda and I happened upon the overlook years ago when we first started dating. We had decided to attempt the Honey Creek Loop trail with some friends which ended at the overlook. This hike is one of my all time favorites in the world that I've completed to date. It's more mountaineering than hiking with it's bouldering, stream crossings, and advanced navigation requirements. I try to recommend it to anyone looking for a great day or overnight hike.
This pano was taking just below the overlook. If you look closely you can see how the trail is "sort of" there. This is a good example of the entire hike - it's simply a general direction trail.
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Dzine07
Observer
We are very excited to announce that we are officially joining the BOLD Overland team!
We look forward to pursuing our passions with like minded folks and sharing our outdoor knowledge experience with others.
We will be travelling to Overland Expo 2016 WEST with the team in May. After attending the expo we'll be doing a week of overlanding through Arizona, Utah, and Colorado. We hope to hit Moab, Telluride, and possibly Grand Junction to see some friends. Dates are May 17 through May 30. If anyone would like to meet up feel free to PM me.
Sounds like an awesome trip. I'll need to look everyone up when I move to Knoxville this summer, good to see there's and overland community waiting for us.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
K.Ray
Adventurer
She lives!
After a couple weeks of fighting this thing it finally runs. The XR400 has a very narrow head casting around the spark plug. It truly requires the special OEM Honda tool to remove a spark plug on some bikes. After sourcing one, I got the plug changed out and found the problem. Fouled plug. Judging by the look of the thing it's time for a full top-end rebuild. In the mean time, the bike runs and runs strong!
After a couple weeks of fighting this thing it finally runs. The XR400 has a very narrow head casting around the spark plug. It truly requires the special OEM Honda tool to remove a spark plug on some bikes. After sourcing one, I got the plug changed out and found the problem. Fouled plug. Judging by the look of the thing it's time for a full top-end rebuild. In the mean time, the bike runs and runs strong!
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TheSkeeter
New member
Put some Marvel Mystery Oil in it. The stuff is amazing at cleaning. I run it in everything from my weed eaters to my Tundra. I even add it to the gas in my Skeeter with the 2 stroke 225hp motor.
K.Ray
Adventurer
I don't personally subscribe to the additive idea but I've got plenty of friends who love the stuff. I've seen it bring an old CJ-2A back to life for a time.
K.Ray
Adventurer
Tacoma DRLs and ARB Bumper
So a funny thing happens when you install the ARB bumper and hookup the ARB indicators with a Tacoma that's equipped with daytime running lights (DRLs). The excessive draw on that circuit trips the relay and leaves either left or right side off. A quick flick of the headlights on/off will reset the DRL circuit and bring both sides back to operation, but it's a detail that weighs heavy on my OCD mind.
After some heavy research I sourced an elegant solution.
The Sylvania website lists the below bulb types for the 2nd gen Tacoma. I also noted that ARB has a solution in fine print, on their website, for the ARB bar:
So my solution is based around the fact that the Tacoma indicators and DRLs run off the same bulb/circuit. Adding the ARB bulbs into the mix puts too much draw on that circuit's relay. The quick way to reduce the draw is by swapping bulbs for LED units. ARB's website confirmed this.
With this knowledge, I ran down to my local autoparts store and found 1156 amber LED bulbs and threw them into the ARB bar's indicator housings (the amber spots).
No change in brightness. No change in color. Operates as designed now.
So a funny thing happens when you install the ARB bumper and hookup the ARB indicators with a Tacoma that's equipped with daytime running lights (DRLs). The excessive draw on that circuit trips the relay and leaves either left or right side off. A quick flick of the headlights on/off will reset the DRL circuit and bring both sides back to operation, but it's a detail that weighs heavy on my OCD mind.
After some heavy research I sourced an elegant solution.
The Sylvania website lists the below bulb types for the 2nd gen Tacoma. I also noted that ARB has a solution in fine print, on their website, for the ARB bar:
So my solution is based around the fact that the Tacoma indicators and DRLs run off the same bulb/circuit. Adding the ARB bulbs into the mix puts too much draw on that circuit's relay. The quick way to reduce the draw is by swapping bulbs for LED units. ARB's website confirmed this.
With this knowledge, I ran down to my local autoparts store and found 1156 amber LED bulbs and threw them into the ARB bar's indicator housings (the amber spots).
No change in brightness. No change in color. Operates as designed now.
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K.Ray
Adventurer
It's been a minute since we got to see nature and the other BOLD members. This coming weekend is BOLD Training Weekend in East TN. We expect 60+ folks to show up with 20+ rigs for training, food, fun, and trails. I'm excited to teach a few classes!
Also, with the help of Knoxville's newest 4x4 shop Rocky Top Customz, I finally got my driveline daemons sorted out. What a mess! I'll list all the things we systematically discovered below.
- carrier shaft splined yoke mis-clocked
- new MOOG u-joint already grenaded
- carrier bearing mis-aligned
- rear u-bolts tightened unevenly
- rear axle out of alignment / poor thrust angle
- front clamshell driver's side needle bearing dead
I've fixed everything but the clamshell needle bearing. I'll be ordering a new replacement bushing from East Coast Gear Supply to move away from the poor OEM needle bearing that so many people struggle with. The truck is cruising far more smoothly down the road. Hopefully she'll be 100% by Overland Expo West.
Also, with the help of Knoxville's newest 4x4 shop Rocky Top Customz, I finally got my driveline daemons sorted out. What a mess! I'll list all the things we systematically discovered below.
- carrier shaft splined yoke mis-clocked
- new MOOG u-joint already grenaded
- carrier bearing mis-aligned
- rear u-bolts tightened unevenly
- rear axle out of alignment / poor thrust angle
- front clamshell driver's side needle bearing dead
I've fixed everything but the clamshell needle bearing. I'll be ordering a new replacement bushing from East Coast Gear Supply to move away from the poor OEM needle bearing that so many people struggle with. The truck is cruising far more smoothly down the road. Hopefully she'll be 100% by Overland Expo West.
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TripLeader
Explorer
I know it's a Tacoma thread, but that's a sweet CJ-6. You never see those anymore...
K.Ray
Adventurer
With a Vortec swap. It's currently getting a full front end rebuild. Rad little thing.
K.Ray
Adventurer
The 2016 Spring ETO Training Weekend
We had a wonderful weekend at the Clapp Farm helping the East Tennessee Overlanders group do basics-of-overlanding training!
Friday was arrival day. Folks trickled in all afternoon and evening. We setup camp in a slightly wooded section of a 30-40 acre farm on top of a little grassy knoll. The campfire was roaring as temps started dropping as a cold front passed through the area. We knew we'd have to be up early to start training so most elected to pass out at a decent hour. Amanda and I hadn't planned for the colder temps and spent a chilly night in the trusty REI half dome+.
Saturday was training day. I had three courses to teach. After sucking some breakfast down we kicked it off with communication devices. Staff went on to teach things like winching and recovery, traction devices, vehicle prep, cooking, basics of driving, types of terrain, driveline components, touched on first aid, trailering best practices, and a slew of other topics. It resulted in a rather long day of school but everyone seemed to enjoy their time and the knowledge we were imparting. I had a great time!
Sunday was their chance to put their new knowledge to the test! We did a 7 hour trail ride around Western NC and back in to TN. Everyone made it with zero drama.
We had a wonderful weekend at the Clapp Farm helping the East Tennessee Overlanders group do basics-of-overlanding training!
Friday was arrival day. Folks trickled in all afternoon and evening. We setup camp in a slightly wooded section of a 30-40 acre farm on top of a little grassy knoll. The campfire was roaring as temps started dropping as a cold front passed through the area. We knew we'd have to be up early to start training so most elected to pass out at a decent hour. Amanda and I hadn't planned for the colder temps and spent a chilly night in the trusty REI half dome+.
Saturday was training day. I had three courses to teach. After sucking some breakfast down we kicked it off with communication devices. Staff went on to teach things like winching and recovery, traction devices, vehicle prep, cooking, basics of driving, types of terrain, driveline components, touched on first aid, trailering best practices, and a slew of other topics. It resulted in a rather long day of school but everyone seemed to enjoy their time and the knowledge we were imparting. I had a great time!
Sunday was their chance to put their new knowledge to the test! We did a 7 hour trail ride around Western NC and back in to TN. Everyone made it with zero drama.
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