Mark's DC Tacoma

[p1michaud]

Your not dreaming

LOL, thank you all for the compliments

It feels like my frame is more rigid - it's probably just mental though rngartis

After welding my sliders (main beam is 2" by 2" by 3/16") to the frame of my Tacoma I really felt a difference in rigidity. Another Tacoma owner had experienced the same thing when he welded his sliders on. It was M. Griese on 4x4wire and he said the following: "
Have you noticed any vibrations since welding on the heavywall sliders. Not a pulsating vibration, more like additional 'road feel' ?? I have always wondered if mine was due to having such a rigid bar & mounting? (Less 'give' in the frame)".

I also remember reading that your frame is more rigid when you beef it up on TTORA.

Good work on the tent. Where will you be mounting it?

Cheers :beer:,
P

 

[Ursidae69]

I keep forgetting the frame reinforcements. I need to do that, those look awesome! Nice work!

 

[Mlachica]

P1,
whew, so I'm not crazy! :clapsmile

I plan on mounting the tent on my can-back, it's going to overhang a bit but I think the extra space will be worth it.

Ursidae,

Thanks for the compliments. Jason started laser cutting the frame reinforcements and supposedly there's some differences between some of the frames so give him some time to work the bugs out then order it :jumping:

 

[kai38]

Look at what I ordered today!!!

No, no, no. Not the Land Rover! I ordered the "cavernous" eezi-awn 1600. With my wife and son I think it'll be a little tight but my wife would much rather sleep up there than on the ground. Thanks to Nathan at Pangaea it should arrive in a couple weeks. I can't wait to install it and use it! :chowtime:

Great tent. Me and the kids use to all fit in there but now they are 15 yrs old so they get to sleep in it while I sleep on a cot outside, if they come along, if not me and the lab sleep great in it.
Kirk

 

[Mlachica]

Great tent. Me and the kids use to all fit in there but now they are 15 yrs old so they get to sleep in it while I sleep on a cot outside, if they come along, if not me and the lab sleep great in it.
Kirk

Sorry but your picture didn't show...

So how many did you fit in there? How tall is everybody?

So far it's me (5'8"), my wife (5'4") and my son (2'?') :elkgrin: at the most in there. Other than that, it'll be me solo or my bro would tag along.

while I sleep on a cot outside

That'll probably end up happening to me!!! haha

 

[Mlachica]

Theoretically a 420 or so range tacoma

Am I doing things too fast here?

I just installed this...

It's the downey aux fuel tank. It's been sitting since November and I've had some spare time. So after 2 1/2 afternoons of cursing and busting knuckles it's all done.

I got back from the gas station not to long ago and so far everything is good. The pump stopped pumping after about 13.5 gallons but who knows how full it really is, I'd have to top it off with a jerry can or something. I'm hoping to go to anza borrego as soon as my eezi awn shows up so that'll be it's maden voyage.

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Very Kewl Mark!!!!!!!!!

We need to put it to some good use!!!!

...AND!......if I wheel with you.....you might have some extra gas to save me!!!!! ....hehe:elkgrin:
.
.
.
Mark.......

I just got my truck back from Mr. Suckys engine rebuild shop........so if you want to head out......just give me a heads up!

Aloha! .............Mark

 

[p1michaud]

More gas!

Am I doing things too fast here?

I would say that Scott has already set a blazing mod pace, but you are hot on his heals! :Wow1:
Was it that much of a PITA to install? How much are those units? Downey's website does not list a price.

If you have them, post some pics! Great progress. :victory:

Cheers,
P

 

[BajaTaco]

Am I doing things too fast here?

Absolutely not!

Very nice!!! :victory:

 

[Mlachica]

You guys are right, I think Scott set the pace for 'fast'. I think once my tent is on and my bumper is installed I'm just going to enjoy it for a while we'll see how well I can hold to that huh. How can one stop modding???

P1,

It's not that big of a deal to install. Being young and fairly new to working on vehicles I get a little timid when I work on parts/systems I've never worked on, or don't know much about. The hardest part I'd say is mounting it. It can be done alone but two people would make the job fly by. There was just one clip that was a pain to get off because of location and lack of proper tools, I also wanted to avoid dropping the main tank b/c of the lack of muscle around. :smilies27 And I think they go for about 600, it's been a while, just call Downey for the latest price.

Mark,

I'll hit you up next time I go out. Things are always more fun with more trucks! Glad to hear you got your truck back, you think all the bugs are worked out?

Thanks for the compliments everybody

 

[kcowyo]

Mark, you are doing some really great stuff with your truck!

I look forward to seeing more, especially your mounting of the tent.

Awesome work guy - :clapsmile

 

[Ramdough]

Awsome truck!!!!

I wish I had the time to build things... and the money to buy things...


It sounds like you have all you need. Didn't you also build a deck system? I did not see any pics in your thread.


BTW.... it looks like DO only welds the holes and between the cut outs on the upper and lower edges. Is that true?

Did you have to paint the inside of the frame... did the paint buble up on the back side of the welds?

I am thinking of doing the same thing, but I would like to see somone elses first.

Did I say that you have an nice truck?!?!?!

 

[Mlachica]

Thanks again for the compliments!

It sounds like you have all you need. Didn't you also build a deck system? I did not see any pics in your thread.

I don't think modifications will ever be done! With this longer range I need more comfortable seats to withstand the longer durations. No deck...yet

BTW.... it looks like DO only welds the holes and between the cut outs on the upper and lower edges. Is that true?

DO welded the entire hole on the frame reinforcement. He welded sections on the top and bottom and the entire front and rear.

Did you have to paint the inside of the frame... did the paint buble up on the back side of the welds?

There were a couple places on the inside of the frame where the paint bubbled and I had to clean and recoat it.

Did I say that you have an nice truck?!?!?!

Why thank you sir!

 

[Mlachica]

Here are some pictures of the Downey Off Road Aux Gas tank...

Unfortunately under full flex the tire will rub the filler neck, regardless of what Downey may claim. When I say full flex I mean fully tucked rear driver wheel and the passenger rear wheel in the air. I actually broke the gas cap from the rubbing :ar15: So I'll be changing this setup in the near future. kinda stupid...

BTW, gas prices are freakin' outrageous!

 

[Mlachica]

Here are a couple more. I should have got a profile shot but I don't think you'll even be able to see it. It only hangs down about 2-3" below the frame rail.

I keep forgetting to roll up the spare tire carrier, I don't cary the tool with me anymore...

Here are the results of filling my main tank from my aux tank.

Here's some mindless info...

The gps was reset a few miles prior to refueling, my odometer/speedometer reflect how many miles are on these tanks.

Again, gas prices are freakin' outrageous!