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mcharfauros: Mike’s Budget Build which is getting out of hand.

12June2018

With the bed rack off, I needed some type of mounting solution for my Maxtrax. I ordered a header bed rail that didn’t come standard on our 3rd Gen Tacos, along with a set of aluminum t-slot nuts from Off Road Warehouse, and some Maxtrax mounting pins which I had to trim in order to make it work. There is a bit of play when hitting bigger bumps, but for the most part they are pretty secure. I may revisit the mounting later, but for now I’m good with the results.



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15June2018

Searching eBay using different wording, search parameters, and combinations I came across a mislabeled listing as a “WAREN 90340 WINCH” which was actually a Warn Zeon 10K Multi-Mount Winch system. Doing more digging and communicating with the seller I was able to retrieve the serial number and cross reference it with Warn Customer Service directly. Warn assured me this was a genuine Warn product, and would fully back the warranty should I ever need it. Additionally they recommended changing the line to synthetic and changing the fairlead. Feeling confident in the information I gathered I used the Best Offer feature on eBay and negotiated a price of $750 with free shipping. I knew I wouldn’t come across a deal like this anytime soon so I jumped on it. If my math is good I figure if I can replace the line to synthetic with genuine warn products at retail cost it would still be cheaper than if I purchased a Warn Zeon 10S. Since I don’t have a high clearance winch bumper yet I figured this one can be put on the “get to later pile” all in all I was pretty happy and proud of my purchase, and love my new “WARREN WINCH”

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14September2017

With our anniversary right around the corner, and my wife constantly making little remarks about my new truck, I dialed down on the little spending I was doing for the truck worked some numbers and added a 4runner to our driveway for our anniversary. She was a trooper and my main support system for many years. Her Honda Pilot was never really her first choice. She always wanted a 4runner, but with the growing kids some 10 years ago, the Pilot was more of a practical choice at the time. With the trade in value of the Pilot, and some cash down I think we did okay. Well now she got her 4Runner, and couldn’t be happier for her.



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Happy wife, Happy life brother. nice 4R!!!
 
22June2018

After stacking parts since March I finally had some time to upgrade my suspension. With the help of some awesome Taco guys who have become really good friends. We started early, in order for me to make a hit time with the alignment shop. All in all it was a good day.

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Around and about doin’ Army thangs. Reading @JerryTaco2.0 ’s old and new 4.88 threads, had me in the hunt for some Nitro 4.88’s. Came across a set with exactly 8,797 miles on them. Shout out to those cool guys out in Cali, for getting them out to me quick. Been sitting on them for a few weeks while Uncle Sam has me doing stuff, but got back and ran them through the hot wash to look for any flaws or any obvious damage. Looks like everything checked out. Waiting on the Marlin Crawler Ninja setup kit, so now more reading, research, and gotta find an installer out here in the middle of nowhere Missouri.


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Right on man! Gears are such a great mod. I've been beyond happy with mine. And thank you for your service!
 
Slow weekend, but warmed up enough here in the Midwest to wash my wife's truck, and tackle a few things on the Taco.

First up was quick interior lighting upgrade. Some "Meso Custom" off brand stuff, you probably never heard of.

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Last thing before the sun went down was the bed rack. I got rid of the KB Voodoo modular rack because "I like this one better". I got it off a short term Tacoma owner, who decided to trade in his Taco and go back to tuning Honda's or something to that effect. I dig the way this one mounts via the bed bolts. It was a custom job, welds are so-so, but fully powder coated. Dude said he had a bunch of cash into it, so I guess I made out.

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Keeping the build process in order just a few updates here and there. Took the 1.5 hour drive to the freight facility to pick up my Mobtown front plate bumper.

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Then dropped it off straight to get powder coated, which turned out great. I went with a wrinkled matte finish, and brought it home to stare at until I was ready to start working on the truck again.

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With the bumper project on hold until I got some heavier springs, crawling through the forums and internet, I came across an affordable switch system.

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System came via S-Tech out of Colorado who mainly do Jeep stuff, but had a universal system which I thought would be a good starting point since I don’t really have a real need at the moment for a bunch of auxiliary accessories.

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Fit was good with a custom 3D printed backing plate provided by S-Tech. This shit is a total gateway drug to more auxiliary accessories!


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Did I mention Made In The USA. Merica!
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Damn Discount Tires ran a promo of $100 of a $400 purchase. That said I went ahead and got some new tires. At the time they ran $215 a piece, so I ran two separate transactions with the promo for a total of $720 for both transactions with free shipping. I was pretty stoked since that was roughly $100 more than I paid for my first set of 265/75/16 KBro2’s.

This time I went with The Falken Wildpeak MT01’s in a slightly larger size.

315/75/16 really got shorted since the only measures out to 34.8”
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Just Because

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It was a challenge getting out of the parking lot from the installer’s lot, could definitely feel the weight of them. Rubbing like crazy, finally got home. More trimming to do, but pretty stoked with how she sits.

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