Schattenjager's 2006 Tacoma
- Thread starter Schattenjager
- Start date
Schattenjager
Expedition Leader
Well, a lot has transpired for the ole Tacoma. While I am still, and ever will be, in mourning over my beloved LC80, it was time to move forward with the new rig. This is pretty much the tried and true setup enjoyed by many Tacoma owners. A few departures are the 885 springs with lights, ARB bull bar AND winch. No problems whatsoever. I even have a monster battery in the stock location. No sag, rides like a dream and I do not miss the 886, of which I had on a previous Tacoma. They are just too much, at least for what I am after. Another departure is the Airflow snorkel. It's on, but it's coming off since not one joint is properly sealing up. Kit was missing a few parts... I could go on, but take it from me for nearly the same $500 as a Safari, this is sub par. It would be more appropriately priced at $300. Live and learn.
Another thing I did that I am actually quite happy about is DynoMating the interior. Doors, all the floor, back of the rear seats and behind the plastic cubbies against the metal. What an amazing difference. Next to do is the roof, but I'll have to muster my courage for headliner removal once the snorkel isn't so fresh a scar.
One reason I think the 885s are working so well is that I went light with the winch and the lights. LightForce are seemingly filled with helium and the Warn 8000-s was only 70 pounds and the synthetic rope seemed to be made by LightForce... As an aside, is it important to tension a synthetic line the same as it is a steel rope?
Lastly, I installed the excellent Stubbs Welding sliders. VERY robust and uber well made. Fit was perfect. Great guy to deal with and the value is unprecedented in the 4x4 world.
Here are a few pics for the insomnia plagued:
I could not get the control box to mount center of the bar - the cables were just to rigid.
The iffy Airflow snorkel:
Stubbs Welding Slider:
Business end:
Another thing I did that I am actually quite happy about is DynoMating the interior. Doors, all the floor, back of the rear seats and behind the plastic cubbies against the metal. What an amazing difference. Next to do is the roof, but I'll have to muster my courage for headliner removal once the snorkel isn't so fresh a scar.
One reason I think the 885s are working so well is that I went light with the winch and the lights. LightForce are seemingly filled with helium and the Warn 8000-s was only 70 pounds and the synthetic rope seemed to be made by LightForce... As an aside, is it important to tension a synthetic line the same as it is a steel rope?
Lastly, I installed the excellent Stubbs Welding sliders. VERY robust and uber well made. Fit was perfect. Great guy to deal with and the value is unprecedented in the 4x4 world.
Here are a few pics for the insomnia plagued:
I could not get the control box to mount center of the bar - the cables were just to rigid.
The iffy Airflow snorkel:
Stubbs Welding Slider:
Business end:
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soonenough
Explorer
Truck looks great! I'm on the same page with you about the 885 vs 886 springs. My front setup is nearly identical to yours - ARB bumper, Warn M8000-S w/ synthetic line, huge group 65 Diehard Platinum battery in stock location, and IPF 900XS lights (I'm guessing the weight difference vs the Lightforce can't be more than 5 pounds), although I do have a roller fairlead and the ARB fogs, but again that's maybe a 10-pound difference. I feel like the front end is way over-sprung with the 886s. I think I'd need another 75-100 pounds in the front end for the truck to ride properly. My wife is very tolerant of my truck-modding addiction, but she does complain sometimes about how much vibration and harshness I have in the front end. Granted, some of that is from the BFG ATs (load range E), but undoubtedly some is due to the suspension. I've made up my mind that when it's time to make changes to the front suspension, I won't be using the 886s again. It'll either be 885s or make the jump to coilovers.
On the Airflow snorkel - I'm surprised to hear about the problems you had. I have an Airflow snorkel still in the packaging that I'm trying to find time to install, and I haven't heard many bad things about the fitment. Maybe I just haven't done enough reading online? Last time I read through the thread on TacomaWorld, there seemed to be generally positive feedback.
On the Airflow snorkel - I'm surprised to hear about the problems you had. I have an Airflow snorkel still in the packaging that I'm trying to find time to install, and I haven't heard many bad things about the fitment. Maybe I just haven't done enough reading online? Last time I read through the thread on TacomaWorld, there seemed to be generally positive feedback.
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Schattenjager
Expedition Leader
Springs are cheap. The joy of having the proper rates up front are forever. Seriously, if you have 886's now, you would be very happy to take the time to switch to 885. I think you are right on with the need for an additional 100 + pounds up front to justify the 886.
After my experience I have done a lot of digging. I think the OK reviews come from folks who have never had the pleasure of working with Safari gear. They have nothing to compare it to or maybe they are just happy to have a snorkel. This was a unfun project that none of us will soon forget.
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Schattenjager
Expedition Leader
AirFlow snorkel follow up - I contacted TRD Parts 4 U, whom I ordered this from, and pointed out a few of the deficiencies I found in this nearly $500 kit. I do so after first making it perfectly clear I was not asking for anything and that I did, in fact, have experience with other manufactures for a comparison. Barb in parts was helpful and relayed my concerns to the distributor, who contacted me the next day. He was quite defensive of his product and wanted to make sure there were no defamatory reviews of his product. He offered to send me a better elbow connection and apologized for the missing parts in the kit. He also said the instructions should have been hi res color pics instead of the cryptic black and white thumbnails that I was supplied with. We will see if the elbow helps as not one single joint is properly sealed and I need to remove the entire kit to fix the issue. I will be replacing the supplied dryer hose with silicon hose.
He said that to improve the kit would drive the price up. I find this remarkable since Safari offers fantastic kits with high quality bits and no excuses for the same money. As it is, I still think that this would be better received as a $300 offering.
There are numerous ways to greatly improve this kit, but I was told about construction, R&D, remolding etc and that apparently improvements are not on the radar just now.
If this is someones first and only experience with a snorkel, then I am sure they will like it. Whats not to like about a snorkel, conceptually speaking of course? The problem arises that comparison and contrasting is human nature and the briefest experience with Safari will underscore the differences.
I will post a follow up if I get the elbow and it helps.
He said that to improve the kit would drive the price up. I find this remarkable since Safari offers fantastic kits with high quality bits and no excuses for the same money. As it is, I still think that this would be better received as a $300 offering.
There are numerous ways to greatly improve this kit, but I was told about construction, R&D, remolding etc and that apparently improvements are not on the radar just now.
If this is someones first and only experience with a snorkel, then I am sure they will like it. Whats not to like about a snorkel, conceptually speaking of course? The problem arises that comparison and contrasting is human nature and the briefest experience with Safari will underscore the differences.
I will post a follow up if I get the elbow and it helps.