Rig Reviews – Page 6 – AdventureTaco

I Got Another Flat with My Cooper ST/Maxx

TL;DR - I got my third Cooper ST/Maxx flat ever, all on the same set (my fourth) of tires. I still think they are one of the best tires out there.

That's not right either. After running on this for two miles or so at 65mph, even though it looks pretty normal, the tire is toast.

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I'm Not Happy with SPC (the Company)

TL;DR - I no longer recommend SPC upper control arms (UCAs) if they contain X-Axis bushings.

Older SPC UCAs with SpecRide bushings vs. newer arms with the X-Axis joint.

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Blackstone Labs Oil Test - My Engine is Happy

TL;DR - I had my first oil analysis done, and with 235K miles on the Tacoma, it came back great.

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Rig Review - What worked and what didn't for the last five months?

September 2, 2022. Overall, the Tacoma has been doing great since my last rig review back in March, so I haven't felt any need to write anything about it. Still, there have been a few things worth noting on the last several trips, so let's get down to it. 250 Miles of Washboard - Bradshaw Trail (Mar 2022) Oh, So, (San Rafael) Swell (Apr 2022) Rock Art Overload - Nine Mile Canyon (Apr 2022) Owyhee Out-and-Backs (May 2022) A Tour of Cabins atop Steens Mountain (May 2022) Slowing Down in the Sierra (Jun 2022) Wyoming Backcountry Discovery Route (Jul 2022)…

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Interesting Times with Cooper ST/Maxx

TL;DR - My Cooper ST/Maxx tires finally gave me a bit of trouble. Still, I'll probably buy a 5th set when these wear out because they've performed better than any other tire I've seen others run on the trail.

Valve stems that insert from the outside!

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How are Those Expensive scheel-mann Seats Doing? (9-month review)

How are Those Expensive Scheel-Mann Seats Doing? (ongoing)

How are Those Expensive scheel-mann Seats Doing? (9-month review)

TL;DR - The new scheel-mann seats are doing fine. The jury is still out on whether they are worth it (and will be for several years, I think.

These seats are definitely the most expensive mod I've done to the Tacoma.

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New Lower Ball Joints (Normal Maintenance)

Installation of New Lower Ball Joints (ongoing)

New Lower Ball Joints (Normal Maintenance)

TL;DR - I replaced the lower ball joints (LBJs) as preventative maintenance after 75K miles.

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The Bed is Failing (Cracking)

TL;DR - The passenger front corner of the bed cracked all the way down to the bed floor. I've fixed it, for now.

That is certainly not supposed to look like it does.

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Worn Upper Control Arm Bushings Leads to Updated SPC UCAs

TL;DR - the last time I got an alignment, the tech mentioned that the rear passenger side bushing on the upper control arm (UCA) was starting to get a bit loose. After some consideration, I decided to install completely new UCAs, with lifetime joints so I never have to worry about those bushings again.

My original SPC UCAs with sleeved poly bushings on the left; new UCAs with the X-Axis joint on the right.

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I Broke my Kartek Limit Straps, And Replacement

TL;DR - My dirver side limit strap in the front broke. I replaced it.

Turns out, adjustment wasn't what was needed.

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Front Bump Stops - More Durobumps

TL;DR - I've really liked all of the bump stops from Durobumps, so I've installed a second set on the front lower control arms!

1st gen Tacoma front LCA Durobumps. The bump on the left is for the front hole of the LCA; the angled bump on the right is for the rear.

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Skid Plate "Fun" (ongoing)

TL;DR - While I think that Relentless armor is some of the best out there, the mounting of the skid plates could have been better and is causing me a bit of trouble over the years (because I lightly beat the truck).

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ADS Coilover Spherical Bearings (resolved)

TL;DR - I'm convinced that switching to extra tight stainless steel spherical bearings is the way to go, and I have numbers to prove it.

Replacing spherical bearings on the front coilover. Note that the (left) FKSSX10T-F1 bearings from the lower eye show almost no rust (since they are stainless steel) after replacement, while the (right) upper bearing FKS10T-F1 (hardened steel) shows significant rust.

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Rig Review - What worked and what didn't Winter 2022?

March 15, 2022. Time flies when you're having fun, and the last several trips have been exactly that. A regular reader may recall that my last rig review was just as the transfer case blew up on my Back for More trip to Death Valley. Since then, the truck has been out four more times (which obviously indicates that at least something has gone right! . Lipstick on the Pig (Jan 2022) Hiking Saline Valley (Jan 2022) Almost Stranded (Mar 2022) Seemingly solved from previous Rig Reviews I Need New Seats The Drawer in the In-Cab Battery Cabinet Rattles Transfer…

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I Got New Seats

I Got New Seats

TL;DR - the new scheel-mann Vario R seats are good, but they aren't for everyone due to cost.

There's no question that scheel-mann seats look good. And so far, the comfort is better as well. Time will tell if they are really worth the hefty price.

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The Core Support is Cracking Where the Battery is Secured (new, resolved)

TL;DR - The battery tie down that bolts to the core support has cracked core support as a result of all the rattling around. I've reinforced it, and will monitor it going forward.

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My Alternator Failed

TL;DR - the alternator failed as I was about 90 minutes from home, and it was because the brushes had worn out. Luckily, I was carrying a spare set and swapped them in about an hour, completely fixing the issue.

Worn out brushes in an alternator. A $15 part, and a 45 minute service - in the comfort of your garage - can mean the difference between completing a trip and being completely stranded.

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Another Broken Leaf Spring (new, ongoing, and resolved)

TL;DR - I had to cut my trip short when another leaf - this time the main leaf - broke on the first day of a 4 day adventure. I've now replaced the leaf springs, solving the problem.