It's hard to believe that another several months have passed since the last rig review! Since then, there've been several more trips, including a couple that were more hiking than driving and one that was our first time backpacking, for 5 days, through Upper Grand Gulch. That trip spawned a whole new kind of "rig" (equipment) review, so if you haven't had a chance to check those out and are curious, please do:
Backpacking Gear
The remainder of the trips were of the more traditional type, exercising the Tacoma in addition to our legs, and putting the gear we use to the test day after day and through the night. Plus, this was the final set of trips - for this season anyway - where the Tacoma was stored in Las Vegas. After Roaming around the [Capitol] Reef, I drove the Tacoma home for a summer in the Pacific Northwest.
With all that context, let's get into what's working and what's not with the Tacoma. And, with the truck home for the summer, hopefully I'll have the opportunity to catch up on all the maintenance I've deferred over the winter and spring.
TL;DR - I thought I'd like these pillows more than I do. @mrs.turbodb on the other hand, likes hers so much that she wants to use it at home.
Feels like sleeping on an inflated plastic bag...because you are!
TL;DR - I've been getting P0420 check engine lights for a while now. I'm not planning to do anything about it for the time being.
This is annoying, but I can live with it to not put a new catalytic converter in.
TL;DR - Everyone should hike in a pair of these gaiters.
Keep debris out of your shoes.
TL;DR - I upgraded my Canon R6 to an R5 in order to double the number of megapixels that I can claim as my own. So far, I love it.
The camera I always wanted.
TL;DR - Almost all of the electrical wiring I've done in the last 7 years has used shitty wire that needs to be replaced.
Copper Clad Aluminum. Over time, turns to wire powder. Wish someone had told me that earlier.
TL;DR - I'm not doing anything yet, but having gotten a few P0120 check engine lights, I think I've worn out my Throttle Position Sensor.
This little bugger is starting to cause trouble.
TL;DR - A loose alignment cam led me to discover that my SPC Upper Ball Joints (UBJs) are toast. Luckily, the alignment cam was an easy on-the-trail fix, and the UBJs could wait until I got home.
Someone's front end looks a little off.
TL;DR - I continue to get better gas mileage with the new 5th gear. Still collecting data.
Every tank lasts longer than it used to. Barely.
Seemingly solved from previous Rig Reviews
- Mice in the cab. We haven't had any more mice, and while I still haven't made any changes, I think it's reasonably safe to say that what we experienced at the end of last year was a fluke.
Unchanged / Still an issue from previous Rig Reviews
There are some things that have been featured in Rig Reviews that are - as yet - unchanged from when I originally reviewed them. Rather than highlight those things again, I'll simply link to them here.
- Skid plate attachment could be better
- The Sequoia wheels and Kenda Klever RT tires aren't as great as I'd hoped.
- The jury is still out on whether the 5th gear swap was worthwhile (still collecting data).
- My Northstar AGM Batteries are Dying. These have been great batteries, but after 5 years, they are both dying. I need to start figuring out what I'm going to do next.
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