July 29, 2019.
In perhaps our most-traveled month to date, July was nearly an entire month in Idaho. In fact, we've had four trips in the last couple of months to this tiny state - after only having visited once before. After our SE Idaho trip to Indian Hot Springs and City of Rocks, our trip to the Highest Roads in Idaho, and running the Idaho Backcountry Discovery route, there are definitely a few things worth mentioning on the rig. So let's get right down to it.
TL;DR - One of my 13WL brake calipers seized on the trail and had to be replaced. The issue was that Napa no longer carries a workable caliper, and the 13WL caliper really wants a hard brake line connection, which Tacoma banjo bolts don't offer. I'll be switching out my lines.
TL;DR - If you don't carry a small 2'x3' door mat for the bottom of your tent ladder, or in front of your tent, you should. Keeps the tent clean and is a great mat to work on when something goes wrong with the truck.
TL;DR - the dual battery system is working amazingly great. It was extremely nice to not have to worry about powering the fridge, even when the overnight temps were in the 50°F's.
TL;DR - The new rack works just fine, but I have no idea if it's preventing bed cracking until I take it off.
TL;DR - It's more valuable than I'd given it credit for. Mine is a little "sticky" going up and down - likely a result of how I store it.
TL;DR - The wheels are awesome and the bronze is a great color IMO. It does not however hold up to brake fluid that sits on the paint for an extended period of time.
TL;DR - The 12V power cord has a design flaw. ARB is good about standing behind their warranty however, and sent me a new one.
TL;DR - Couldn't be happier. I was considering getting some CVJs to replace my CVs, but I don't think I will anymore.
Seemingly solved from previous Rig Reviews
- The Electrical System - now with moar power baby!
- The Bed is Cracking - hopefully addressed with a newly designed bed rack.
- 4Runner Wheels - all painted and looking great.
- ADS Coilovers - now no longer overextending with the pre-load dialed down.
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.
- The Swing-Out Table - as expected, it was unusable on this trip.
- The Ham Radio Antenna - continues to have the shortcoming mentioned.
- Front ADS Reservoirs Too Close to Tires - I've still got rubbing in sharp turns each direction.
Turbo,
Why did you switch from SCS (I believe that was the brand) to 3rd gen 4runner wheels?
I like the look by the way, but I'm probably a little biased...hehe
Thanks
Durwin
I switched to the 4Runner wheels because of the mud that was getting flung on the truck with SCS. You can see the problem here:
https://adventuretaco.com/rig-review-f-u-rain-trip-what-worked-and-what-didnt/
And then my solution here:
https://adventuretaco.com/rig-review-anza-borrego-ruining-around-in-utah-what-worked-and-what-didnt/
Couldn't be happier now, honestly. Well, maybe happier with some 4.5" backspace SCS wheels, but I'm digging the 4Runner wheels too!
3rd gen 4Runner front brake lines are the way to go when you do the tundra brake swap.
I totally agree with you Tom - hard lines are the way to go. You can't use 4Runner lines directly (because the soft lines aren't long enough for a Tacoma), but a hard/soft line combination works much better with the 13WL calipers.
I made the switch to the hard/soft line myself, here: https://adventuretaco.com/making-it-right-tacoma-to-tundra-brake-upgrade/
As for your antenna, i got rid of my Diamond for the same issues and replaced with a Larsen NMO2/70
https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/larsen-nmo2-70b-1712
It has better gain on 2M than the Diamond and much more flexible. Even more so if you add the option base spring.
https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/larsen-springb-3878
Thanks Paul! This comment is perfectly timed! I actually just got a new antenna (from The Antenna Farm!) for my last trip and am just about to add it to my rig review for that adventure :). The antenna I got worked out perfectly - it is this STI-CO whip - only about 20" long and SUPER felxible.
https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/sti-co-roof-ft-niti-6442
So far, it seems to have tremendous Rx, and of course, it poses absolutely no issues when hitting branches on the trail!
Ah yes. I saw that antenna before and considered it but i needed a dual band antenna as we usually use gmrs frequencies on the trail while i beacon aprs on 2M.