Pongo, The story of our 2016 Tacoma

[rickashay]

Nice updates! That is definitely my favorite 3rd Gen Tacoma front bumper. Tucks up so tight!

What Canon did you end up with? We shoot with a Canon 6D and a Sony A6300 w/Metabones Canon adaptor. I've been pleasantly surprised by the little A6300 in terms of its 4K ability and low light performance (especially considering the sensor size). Although, nothing beats shooting photos with the full-frame Canon. You running a Phantom or Inspire drone? Also been VERY impressed with our Inspire 1 Pro... Almost wish we woulda bought the RAW camera sometimes though but couldn't justify the extra spend. Nerd talk out.

The Alpine Dream Trailer was great! I really liked the color grading and the subtle sound effects.... made it feel very cinematic! Well done.

 

[dorton]

Thanks sir.

I went with an 80D. I used to have a decent amount of Canon gear. Then, one day my wife asked to borrow my truck to take a load of stuff to Goodwill. I had just
shot a wedding the previous day, and had my camera, and cards inside my house while editing, but flashes, lens, chargers, and all the other stuff you'd
usually keep in your camera bag was left in the truck. When she arrived at Goodwill, she told them "everything in the back seat, and bed of the truck goes".
They followed her instructions, and so, my camera bag and all of its contents were donated. I was so busy editing as the folks wanted their pics yesterday, that
it was the following weekend before we knew what had happened to the back.

I was bummed, and sold the Camera (7D) and decided to go to a different platform since I was starting back off at scratch.

The A6000 did well for us. The video was good, pics were good, and the size of a mirrorless is pretty hard to beat. I messed
up and shot some with another Canon dslr, and everything just felt more right. It will be easier for us going forward, as we
now all shoot Canon for video(besides the drone).

The drone is a DJI Phantom 4. When I purchased it, I wasn't sure which way I wanted to go. The Inspire was the direction
I wanted, but decided at the last minute to go with the P4. It works good, but the image quality, still isn't as crisp as I would
of expected on video. The photo side it does great, but the video side is just "ok".

Thanks for the compliments.

 

[dorton]

I've gotten a lot of PM's on ham radio. We are big proponents of ham radio, especially in the off road community.
We have started a multi-part blog series to cover much of the questions associated with newcomers to the hobby.
Each article will increase in technicality. Please subscribe to our email newsletter, and we'll send
notifications as new articles are released.

http://www.rockcreekoverland.com/single-post/2017/02/12/Ham-Radio-Intro

Last night I took my bride and daughter out for an pre-valenties day dinner and decided to snap a urban photo of Pongo.

 

[Simo_4x4]

Great truck ! It's a 2 inch lift kit, right ?

 

[SnA]

GREAT looking Taco!! I'll be outfitting my 15 with CBI stuff over the next 1-2 years.

 

[dorton]

Great truck ! It's a 2 inch lift kit, right ?

It's Old Man Emu basic Nitro Charger Sport Suspension. Total height probably closer to 3" than 2".

GREAT looking Taco!! I'll be outfitting my 15 with CBI stuff over the next 1-2 years.

Cool. You'll be pleased with their product.

I got a chance to install my 20" KC HiLites Flex LED light bar in the CBI bumper

This light bar is very well made. Super impressed with the build quality.

 

[Simo_4x4]

Ok thanks, you haven't any problems with the suspension travel ? Especially in extension ? Sorry for all this questions, but I have an Hilux (that is very similar) with some problems with front shocks and I can't resolve them...

 

[dorton]

Ok thanks, you haven't any problems with the suspension travel ? Especially in extension ? Sorry for all this questions, but I have an Hilux (that is very similar) with some problems with front shocks and I can't resolve them...

What coils are you running? What kind of weight do you have on it?

 

[08Silverado]

Great looking truck indeed! Are you happy with the trim level you purchased? What add-ons did you buy on the truck? Just the premium stereo without JBL and tow package?

 

[dorton]

Great looking truck indeed! Are you happy with the trim level you purchased? What add-ons did you buy on the truck? Just the premium stereo without JBL and tow package?

Thanks. I am very satisfied with the package I purchased.I had originally planned on an SR5 and adding Front/Rear Air Lockers, but there wasn't significant discount between the trims to justify the added cost.
In order to get the radio I wanted, and flares on an SR5, it was going to cost me the same price as what I got that included E-Locker, CRAWL Control, and Multi Terrain Select. The TRD Sport was the exact same price,
but would not come with any of these. The only upgrade beside the radio that I decided on from the factory was just the towing package.

I've heard some people say that CRAWL is a gimmick. We use it, but not always for the intentions that Toyota had in mind. When we're shooting video,
we typically have our wives drive. We can pre-stage the distances between the vehicles, and have the CRAWL speed pre-selected. When a 'GO' signal is
given via radio, they release the brakes, and just focus on picking the correct line. The CRAWL control will maintain the speed, and therefore keep the predetermined
correct spacing.

[video]https://youtu.be/UfKePMjYeEg[/video]

 

[Simo_4x4]

What coils are you running? What kind of weight do you have on it?

It's a long story, the lift kit is a 2", coil springs and leaf springs are made by a craftsman, on my specifc requests, front shocks are derived by 2 original shocks from Toyota Land Cruiser KZJ90/95, this was the original set up and it worked well.
It worked fine until last november, when I broke 1 shock, I brought the car to the workshop(by the craftsman who made the lift kit) and he replaced the shock instead of repairing the broken one, but the new one does not fit perfectly and still we could not find the right solution...after 3 months of tries I don't know what is the right height of the car for it to work as usual. Next week we do a last try, if I don't solve I will find 2 new shocks from another seller, I thought of taking a couple of Bilstein or a couple of Profender...
This is the story, I'm sorry if I've been down in the explaination on your therad.

 

[dorton]

It's a long story, the lift kit is a 2", coil springs and leaf springs are made by a craftsman, on my specifc requests, front shocks are derived by 2 original shocks from Toyota Land Cruiser KZJ90/95, this was the original set up and it worked well.
It worked fine until last november, when I broke 1 shock, I brought the car to the workshop(by the craftsman who made the lift kit) and he replaced the shock instead of repairing the broken one, but the new one does not fit perfectly and still we could not find the right solution...after 3 months of tries I don't know what is the right height of the car for it to work as usual. Next week we do a last try, if I don't solve I will find 2 new shocks from another seller, I thought of taking a couple of Bilstein or a couple of Profender...
This is the story, I'm sorry if I've been down in the explaination on your therad.

I would check the travel requirements for your particular setup. It sounds like you may not have enough down travel. If the shock is too short, when the tire droops, the shock could internally be
stopping the suspension. Besides causing shortened life expectancy, you would likely experience noise, and ride harshness when the shock extends.

 

[Simo_4x4]

Exactly, I hope that in the workshop this time, they find the right combination of springs and shocks, otherwise I will have resolve alone...Next week I'll tell you how the story ends...

 

[dorton]

I reinstalled my UHF/VHF Comet SSB5 antenna on the tabs I asked CBI to install on the bumper while they were building it.

The KC 20" Flex bar is very bright. The fill, and throw from the bar is impressive. I have both the signles that are mounted on the ditch light brackets, and the 20" bar
wired, so that they are armed by individual switches, but can be turned on/off with the high beam function of the factory lights. It allows you to kill the additional lights
quickly without having to take your hands off the wheel to hunt the switches. Then, you flick the high beams back on, and they illuminate immediately.

 

[mtnbike28]

That is a great picture with the river blur! As you know I am a traditionalist and liked the ARB round lights you had, but the light bar looks good and I am sure out performs the other lights! Did you take the solar panel off the hood? If not that thing blends in great!