Rob O's Overland Tacoma ...

[CYi5]

Nicely done, couple questions...Can you drive with the backup camera on? Can you watch DVD's while driving, and finally do you have to have a navigation DVD in the slot to run your mapping?

 

[Rob O]

Nicely done, couple questions...Can you drive with the backup camera on? Can you watch DVD's while driving, and finally do you have to have a navigation DVD in the slot to run your mapping?

Yes, you can drive the backup camera on ... simply hit the 'MAP' button and select the backup camera option. It shows camera's view along with NAV in 1/3 of the screen. It would be useful if pulling something, but not much else (such a wide angle/close proximity perspective).

Yes you can watch DVD's while driving (well, you're passenger can ;-)) if you do the bypass (which I did; super simple to do).

And no, the AVIC Z2 has a 30-gig hard drive which houses all navigation functions/maps and has 10-gig free for music, images, etc. So you can switch between DVD and Nav without having to mess with the discs. Also nice because I plan to mount a rear (overhead) screen for the backseat (for our kids) and the Z2 allows separate source to the back screen -- i.e., I could have NAV screen on the head unit while the boys watch a DVD.

 

[CYi5]

Awesome thanks for answering those questions. Using the backup camera while driving could help if you eventually have a swing out tire carrier which tends to totally block the rear anything bigger than a 32".

I wish our DIN slots on the 01-04 weren't so low, kind of seems like a hazard to be playing with such a cool device for long periods of time.

 

[4RunAmok]

Have you used the nav software offroad yet? Does it show you where you are on trails, or on a big blank background like Microsoft's streets and trips.

 

[keezer36]

Cooool.

I thought you just got a frame and had to cut your existing panel. But, I guess for 1,500, no hackin' required, eh?

I routed a XM antenna up to the roof, once upon a time. The wire tucks real nice under the rubber strip along the windshield. I used a popsicle stick with an edge to seperate the rubber from the metal.
It would keep them out of harms way.

 

[Rob O]

Have you used the nav software offroad yet? Does it show you where you are on trails, or on a big blank background like Microsoft's streets and trips.

Not tested it off-road yet, but I imagine it will act as described (the wife's Acura does that when an area isn't registered on the map). I have a portable Garmin for backcounty (and out of vehicle) gps/nav needs.

 

[Rob O]

Cooool.

I thought you just got a frame and had to cut your existing panel. But, I guess for 1,500, no hackin' required, eh?

I routed a XM antenna up to the roof, once upon a time. The wire tucks real nice under the rubber strip along the windshield. I used a popsicle stick with an edge to seperate the rubber from the metal.
It would keep them out of harms way.

Heh ... the double-din dash kit is only $40 and works nicely (if a bit cheap and not quite color matched with the other silver plastic bits).

Thanks.

 

[Rob O]

looks pretty slick man,,, you might get into dead spots with the sattelite's from pillar interference, if you need to "aquire" the signal often or at certain times thats prolly the reason.

Why would the A-pillars interfere with the signal? Never heard of that before. I know people with their antenna(s) mounted *under* the top dash panel (completely obscured) who have no signal issues, so I can't see how being mounted in a completely visible location would have issues. And FWIW, I get both GPS and XM in the garage wihle both my wife's MDX and my M3 lose XM signal as soon as I pull in (and that's with roof-mounted, factory installed setups).

Thanks

 

[Rob O]

Couple of updates

Just a couple of updates ...

Retrofitted an auto-dimming homelink mirror (GENTEX 50) ...

... and, more significant to the purpose build, installed 265/70/17 BFG AT KOs on OE 17" TRD Sport alloys in preparation for the OME lift which should be here this week or next. I really struggled with what size tire to run, between 285/70 and 265/70 in my preferred tire choices (BFG AT and Discoverer STT) or 275/70 in a Wrangler MT/R (which I've run before and was quite satisfied with). In the end I decided there was less to gain with the 285 versus 265s given the trade-offs (trimming, spacers req'd with the Sport wheels, etc). Plus, I could mount these pre-lift like I did and finally get a proper LT tire on there! I think I might mount some 255/85/16 STTs on my OE TRD Off Road wheels to use when more aggressive conditions merit.

Can't wait to get the lift in.

I'm part of a Tom Wood's driveshaft groupbuy coming together on Toyota Nation and will mount that when it arrives in a couple months. Next up are OE running boards (or sliders, still debating), CB, auxiliary reverse lights, lightbar and off-road lights up front and an HID kit. Probably do a second battery shortly as well. I'd like to get a winch bumper (TJM, ARB, whatever) and winch but *hate* how they look on the Tacoma; they look right at home on 4Runners, FJCs, Wranglers etc but kill the clean lines of the Taco. Function over form at some point I guess. :-/

 

[daverami]

Are you going with the conventional one-piece Tom Woods, or the double cardan? You must be anticipating vibes from the lift?

 

[Rob O]

Are you going with the conventional one-piece Tom Woods, or the double cardan? You must be anticipating vibes from the lift?

Plan on going with the doulbe cardan, based on research/reviews. And this is somewhat in anticipation of vibrations post lift -- though I have absolutely none now and read that it's basically a crapshoot as to whether you'll get them or not. But also because I've heard such good things about TW pieces and how the stock drive-shaft is pretty much crap.

 

[FourByLand]

Maybe I missed it but how much lift??? Also you may even consider just running one large battery in the stock location.

 

[Rob O]

Maybe I missed it but how much lift??? Also you may even consider just running one large battery in the stock location.

I'm going with OME setup front/rear, so 885 coils and N140s struts front and Dakars (less the 3rd leaf) and N182 shocks rear, which yields between 2" and 2.5" of lift without spacers (which I don't plan on adding). If/when I go to a winch bumper and winch I will swap the 885s for 886s.

Thanks for the suggestion on the battery; will running just a single, larger batt provide the same failover ability as a dual setup? My primary concern is as much draw on the main battery as total ouput (i.e., to power a winch).

Nice Disco II BTW ... been following your thread for a while.

 

[FourByLand]

I'm going with OME setup front/rear, so 885 coils and N140s struts front and Dakars (less the 3rd leaf) and N182 shocks rear, which yields between 2" and 2.5" of lift without spacers (which I don't plan on adding). If/when I go to a winch bumper and winch I will swap the 885s for 886s.

Thanks for the suggestion on the battery; will running just a single, larger batt provide the same failover ability as a dual setup? My primary concern is as much draw on the main battery as total ouput (i.e., to power a winch).

Nice Disco II BTW ... been following your thread for a while.

rOb O,Thanks for the compliment! I honestly have no experience with a dual set up or draining a single battery due to aux. components, just a tip I thought I would pass on. From my understanding this larger battery will act as a dual set up and because it's larger will allow for the ocassional winching and use of lights.I am using OME shocks and have no complaints, can't wait to see some pics! Truck looks great!

 

[Jacket]

I'm part of a Tom Wood's driveshaft groupbuy coming together on Toyota Nation and will mount that when it arrives in a couple months. Next up are OE running boards (or sliders, still debating), CB, auxiliary reverse lights, lightbar and off-road lights up front and an HID kit. Probably do a second battery shortly as well. I'd like to get a winch bumper (TJM, ARB, whatever) and winch but *hate* how they look on the Tacoma; they look right at home on 4Runners, FJCs, Wranglers etc but kill the clean lines of the Taco. Function over form at some point I guess. :-/

I assume that you are on this board because you plan to take your tacoma off the pavement as often as possible. That being assumed, I can't urge you enough toward sliders. These trucks are sooo long between the wheels that the odds are very high you will catch your rocker on something. Sliders are a critical investment toward protecting that new truck of yours. And if you are worried about a multi-functional slider that also works as a step, check out Slee's offering, or get a basic slider and have it modified a bit with some plating to improve the stepping platform. My 2 cents.....

Funny you say that about steel bumpers on the new Tacomas. I think they look great - especially the ARB. Makes it have a sleeker stance. I still grin when I get a far away look at mine..... Oh well - everyone's different....