CowboyTaco's 2011 DCSB TRD Sport

[CowboyTaco]

How many miles on that thing now? Wasn't it like 260k or something crazy when we last met at the brewery? That was at least 2 years ago.

Might be time to get her a lower mileage 4x4 Tacoma and just swap some parts + the remote start.

The 12v.solutions remote start kit is $350 for the Tacoma. This past year it was 23% off for BFCM. The year before it was 30% off. They seem to be growing in popularity. Kind of kicking myself for not getting it the year before. I had it in my cart and just couldn't pull the trigger because I had never heard of them and even $250 was steep for a company that I had never heard of before. So I guess I'm glad I waited to continue to research them before ordering, but I would have liked to have saved the extra.

If you do end up ordering one though, don't get the mobile app connector through them. I think they charge $200 and it is a generic add-on that you can get on Amazon for like $120. I believe it is the CL6.

I believe this is it: https://www.amazon.com/Audiovox-ASCL6-CarLink-Vehicle-Interface/dp/B07H9FLDCD

I have enough apps on my phone and figure a mile radius is plenty. I guess it would be nice to be able to see location if that is offered and the vehicle were ever stolen. Dang...now I'm going to have to look into it more to see if that is part of it. I know insurance companies will give you a break if you have something that locates the vehicle. I doubt the break is $120, but maybe over time....

 

[CowboyTaco]

Ok, so looks like vehicle tracking is part of it per the companies website: https://www.carlinkusa.com/ASCL6/

Features

• Mobile Application
• Remote Start
• Lock / Unlock
• Battery voltage status
• Remote Signal Status
• Vehicle locator / GPS
• Door lock status
• 1 year service included
• Renewal Fee - After the 1st Year - 39.95/yr or $99.95/3yrs

Seems kind of steep on the service renewal, but good to know.

 

[tx_shooter]

I will have to check the miles on the truck; but she barely puts 10k a year on it now. I keep trying to talk her into a newer vehicle and she reminds me we do not have any payments right now.

 

[CowboyTaco]

I'm preparing to add the D29XL leaf to my Dakar leaf pack. The driver's side has the taco lean. I'm also going to add a 3* axle shim to see if I can get rid of some driveline vibe that has been annoying for the last 100k miles.

I figure while I have it apart, I'll paint the leafs with that EZ Slide graphite paint that @Silverback recommended. I'm not planning on replacing the bushings unless I get them off and decide they look like they need replacing. I think they are ~$20 at the dealership and I'm pretty sure they keep them in stock.

I'm contemplating changing the sides that the leaf packs are installed on. Since the driver's side has been worn down more due to gas tank, battery, and driver all on the same side. IIRC, Driver side shows "+" and Passenger side shows "-", but I'm not sure that matters anymore.

Does anyone see any reason why I shouldn't swap sides?

 

[Silverback]

To remove my I added a 1/2" block between the axle and shim on the drivers side. Just had to drill holes in it.

 

[AlienXtx]

To remove my I added a 1/2" block between the axle and shim on the drivers side. Just had to drill holes in it.

Same, and I had the 3* shims

 

[tx_shooter]

Any budget for greaseable bolts?

 

[CowboyTaco]

To remove my I added a 1/2" block between the axle and shim on the drivers side. Just had to drill holes in it.

So 1/2" block in addition to the 3* shim?

Any budget for greaseable bolts?

Wasn't planning on it.

 

[Silverback]

So 1/2" block in addition to the 3* shim?

Yes

 

[PSU Taco85]

Any budget for greaseable bolts?

I added a set on my Dakar’s, no more annoying squeaking and up in the salt belt the worry of the bolt seizing up in the bushing is gone.
As for swapping sides, I don’t see any reason it would have any detrimental affect, you may buy yourself a few extra thousand miles out of them.

 

[CowboyTaco]

Ordered a Fumoto valve.

 

[tx_shooter]

Makes the oil changes a lot easier; not that it was difficult before.

 

[CowboyTaco]

I figure if nothing else, it will be nice to have a tube running into the container. Seems like it'll just make things more cleaner.

 

[tx_shooter]

Yeah, cleaner and easier not needing any tools or making sure to not drop the drain plug into the pan.

 

[Anathollo]

Makes the oil changes a lot easier; not that it was difficult before.

Well on Tacoma's with a Chinsey sheet metal pan, it's only a matter of time before the hardened steel bolt strips out the pot metal...

 

[Silverback]

Yeah, I'll keep my drain plug.

 

[tx_shooter]

Yeah, I'll keep my drain plug.

When was the last time you did an oil change on the Taco?

 

[CowboyTaco]

Yeah, I'll keep my drain plug.

Well, I'm not throwing the drain plug away, so I'll keep mine too.

 

[CowboyTaco]

Found a donor set of 4x4 mudflaps from someone who no longer has their Tacoma. Mine were unintentionally removed several years back.

Dude even had the little plastic inserts that help hold them on.

I guess that's also the first time I've posted a pic of the Geolandars.

Also, I've had this thing dangling pretty much since we went looking for the Toothbrush inventor in Arkansas. I've been able to tuck it up so it hasn't just been hanging, but the Hurricane Creek Trail seems to have finished it off. Time to stop procrastinating and get this permanently fixed.

Also, we bought a small trailer. The old one still works, but it barely holds the 7-to-4 pin adapter in. So those two things are motivating me to get this done. Got the hole drilled and some paint applied last night. Wife needs my truck tonight, so it'll either get finished after she gets home or maybe tomorrow (or the next day....).

 

[CowboyTaco]

Finished up the trailer harness yesterday. Pretty easy and straight forward. No cutting or soldering. Just cut the wires, strip off some insulation, apply some dielectric grease and fit the wires in between two metal plates that are tightened down by screws.

Now I just gotta hook up the trailer and test the lights.

I left enough of the wire coming out of the old connector so that I could match them up on the new one relatively easily. Just for reference, in case someone finds this thread who needs the info, the top should be the green and black wires. The extra weight on the body kept causing it to roll to that side.

If anyone cares, here is the new Hopkins connector that I used:

Amazon.com: Hopkins 48470 Endurance Multi-Tow Vehicle Side Connector: Automotive

Buy Hopkins 48470 Endurance Multi-Tow Vehicle Side Connector: Wiring - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

I ordered it open box, so my cost was more like $12. Everything was there.

Order history shows that I placed the order in September. So a 6 month lead time on getting to projects. Not too bad