The Canuck Truck buildup!

[p1michaud]

The seating issue...

As many Tacoma owners, one of the common issues is the seats. In an attempt to make these better here is what I came up with for less than $60 CDN invested (I had the memory foam taking up room in the basement, so it was free).

Removed seats and brought them down to the basement near the wood stove to make the working conditions easier. Notice that these seats have had better days:

A few tears on the driver side from when I wiped out on the ice stepping out of the truck.

Start by removing a few screws and the plastic trim pieces will come off.

Lay memory foam over seats for test fit.

Spend some quality time with a sharpie and trace out the seat onto the foam.

Cut to size, put over seat then install the cheap seat covers over the foam and seats. Came out like this.

.

Repeat for the passenger side. Not the nicest looking set up, but they are more confortable and with the added foam, makes your seating position higher relative to the floor. If you have the head room, this allows you a slightly better view over the hood too. Only down sides are the looks, but worth the try before dropping some serious cash on some Corbeau Seats. I also cut the back out of the passenger side cover to keep the storage pouch useable.

Cheers,
P

 

[p1michaud]

Seats continued

Final picture of the seats installed in the truck:

 

[p1michaud]

Under the hood.

I figured that I'd post up a few pictures of the goodies that are crammed under the hood of my rig while I had the camera in the garage taking pictures.
I'm running dual batteries via a Sure Power model 1315-200, an ARB compact air compressor for the front locker, the winch controller next to the OEM battery and a Blue Sea Marine fuse block. It's all tucked away in the engine bay. Only drawbacks are engine heat and access during maintenance otherwise I like the set up.

 

[p1michaud]

Snow run, tire test and Extreme Aire test

We have been having the craziest weather this winter. By Dec. 22 we had approximately 2 to 2 1/2 feet of snow, then it rained and melted all the snow, then we got four snow storms in seven days that dumped 3 1/2 feet of snow, then it rained and melted most of it away or so we though as we headed out for a run today. Fortunately the snow had a very hard crust due to all the rain, but when you broke through the crust you had to really work to keep going.

Here is a shot of the rig:

The Cooper Discoverer S/T tires performed extremely well in the snow while aired down. I'm very pleased.

At the end of the run I tested out the new air system, man this thing is fast. I would air up one tire (overshooting it a bit), move the air line to the next tire come back and deflate to the desired pressure and by the time I came back to the second tire, it was above pressure so I moved the air line again and repeated the process. We aired up 8 tires with the system while some others barely had 4 tires complete. Again, very happy with this purchase.

Cheers :beer:,
P

 

[Redline]

Your truck is looking good there in the snow amigo!

Glad you are liking the Coopers, I was hoping you would offer an update on them. Don't know if you noticed but I made a few comments in the 'Cooper ST 255/85' thread; after I bought a set

 

[p1michaud]

Suspension testing.

Got a few pictures from a friend from our weekend outing where I got a bit crossed up:

At full stuff with the 255/85/R16 tires, there was some minor rubbing that would have to be addressed if I wanted to run chains. Otherwise for 99% of my driving and trails I’ve removed sufficient material to clear the new meats.

It was an opportunity to push the limits of the suspension in the above pics. The rear Deaver leaves really worked well. I do not have the say bar connected for these pictures. Some of the guys though I had broke something but everything was fine and I even drove right out thanks to the E-locker and ARB RD-90 in front.

Fun times,
P

 

[Willman]

P...Just truck is just sweet!


Great action shots!


:26_7_2:

 

[heeltoe989]

NICE, some pretty deep snowy ruts. well done without chains!

 

[Ursidae69]

You really have things tightly fitted there under the hood. I like the use of the space where the fuse block is. :costumed-smiley-007

 

[p1michaud]

The seating saga continues...

As many Tacoma owners, one of the common issues is the seats. In an attempt to make these better here is what I came up with for less than $60 CDN invested (I had the memory foam taking up room in the basement, so it was free).

Well I'm not afraid to say that this solution proved to be less than adequate for my needs. The issues are:

1. The memory foam does not stay in place as well as I had hoped.
2. It's harder to climb up in the seat.
3. When it's colder the foam is super hard until the truck warms up.

So, I'm now reconsidering my options. The G.E.A.R. Seat covers look promising. I'll wait and see what Mr. Brady writes up in his review for these prior to making the purchase. At this point with my seats in poor shape to begin with, all I want it to prevent the tears on the driver's side seat from reaching a point where the seat will destroy itself due to continued use.
Cheers,
P

 

[Streakerfreak]

Well I'm not afraid to say that this solution proved to be less than adequate for my needs. The issues are:

1. The memory foam does not stay in place as well as I had hoped.
2. It's harder to climb up in the seat.
3. When it's colder the foam is super hard until the truck warms up

That's too bad, it seemed like a good option. Glad your liking the tires, I have been looking at them and I think you sold me on them:26_7_2:

 

[Redline]

Do it, join the Cooper ST club

Several people have purchased them in 255/85R16 in the past couple months: Pierre, Me, Desert Dude... now you?

[/LIST]That's too bad, it seemed like a good option. Glad your liking the tires, I have been looking at them and I think you sold me on them:26_7_2:

 

[p1michaud]

Seats and tires

That's too bad, it seemed like a good option. Glad your liking the tires, I have been looking at them and I think you sold me on them:26_7_2:

Oh well, it was worth the try. :Mechanic:
I'm still very happy with my decisions to purchase the Copper tires. Go ahead and take the plunge!

 

[p1michaud]

Another piece of the puzzle.

Thanks to the good folks at Sierra Expeditions, I picked up anohter important piece of the overlanding puzzle yesterday...

The packaging was in real good shape for having travelled over 2700 miles.

I unpacked and checked that all the parts were accounted for and undamaged.

I can handle this view, for now...

:wings:

 

[p1michaud]

A few gripes...

Ok, the Eezi-Awn construction, selection of materials and quality is simply amazing. I do have two minor grumbles that I will share in the spirit of allowing ohters to make informed purchases.

1-The pin that holds the ladder was 1" too short so I was not able to install the ladder yet.

2-One of the buckles that hold both halves of the tent together when folded was distorted and prevented me from easily opening it.

These are very minor issues and are both being addressed as we speak. Something to look out for when you decide to purchase a tent.
Cheers :beer:,
P