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  • Welcome to Tacoma3G.com, a free resource for 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma owners!

    This website is the passion-project of a USMC veteran/mechanic, @Tyler. I created Tacoma3G.com to share my knowledge of this subject with others and to provide like-minded folks with a comfortable space to ask questions and create 'build threads' within our Tacoma Forums. Now, if the format of this website is confusing to navigate for you, or if you're interested in my full mission and T3G's history, check out the Help and About pages.

Tyler's #VanLife on 37s Four Wheel Camper Build & Tacoma3G.com Shenanigans

Tyler said:
I don’t know how many times I’ve confidently told @Paige that I won’t be adding anything to the truck for the foreseeable future, only to have a new mod planned right after I say it.

In addition to the airbags that just came in, I have a few other big things coming:

-A @Victory4x4 roof rack. I wanted to be sure to install a rack before I get the camper because once the camper is on, I can’t. The plan is to have one Pelican case mounted to hold dirty equipment like recovery gear, wet suits for surfing, etc.

-Remmen Brakes upgraded brake kit. With how low my original brakes are and all this extra weight on the truck, this is much needed.

-The @DobinsonsUSA super heavy duty leaf packs (800-1000 lbs constant load). Again with the weight, these will help tremendously. I also hope they squeak less than the Dakars, lol.

It NEVER ends!
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Youll see the hear the squeak dissapear very quickly
 
New jewelry day. @Paige thinks I’m crazy. I am.

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Tyler said:
I don’t know how many times I’ve confidently told @Paige that I won’t be adding anything to the truck for the foreseeable future, only to have a new mod planned right after I say it.

In addition to the airbags that just came in, I have a few other big things coming:

-A @Victory4x4 roof rack. I wanted to be sure to install a rack before I get the camper because once the camper is on, I can’t. The plan is to have one Pelican case mounted to hold dirty equipment like recovery gear, wet suits for surfing, etc.

-Remmen Brakes upgraded brake kit. With how low my original brakes are and all this extra weight on the truck, this is much needed.

-The @DobinsonsUSA super heavy duty leaf packs (800-1000 lbs constant load). Again with the weight, these will help tremendously. I also hope they squeak less than the Dakars, lol.

It NEVER ends!
Click to expand...
Getting ready to install this stuff, so I packed up 1,000 lbs of my Harbor Freight crap to bring it to where I’m gonna work on my truck. It was still tricky with just me and @Paige. That toolbox is way over payload, lol.

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What's on the install list? Airbags?
 
VERY overdue maintenance day. After 40k miles of stopping this beast, my original brakes were almost running metal on metal. @Paige installed a new Remmen Brakes Rockies series heavy duty brake kit, which are designed for heavy payload and towing, on and off the road. It feels great to have a truck that stops again. Safety first!

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Tyler said:
VERY overdue maintenance day. After 40k miles of stopping this beast, my original brakes were almost running metal on metal. @Paige installed a new Remmen Brakes Rockies series heavy duty brake kit, which are designed for heavy payload and towing, on and off the road. It feels great to have a truck that stops again. Safety first!

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Click to expand...

Dude those things were toast!! Brakes are on my list as well. I'm at 46k and the dealer told me the other day that I am at 4mm remaining
 
Mr. Nobody said:
Dude those things were toast!! Brakes are on my list as well. I'm at 46k and the dealer told me the other day that I am at 4mm remaining
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They were so bad. My ABS light came on. These trucks don’t sense low brakes, do they?
 
I don’t know how to draw or anything, but we were bored one night and wanted to draw for some reason. I started an attempt at my truck, which to my surprise, came out proportional, except for the rear bumper. Maybe one day I’ll continue.

(Can’t remember if I already posted it.)

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Have you driven it after the rotor/pad/line upgrade? My brakes are in good shape, but they feel like ass with all the weight on the truck. May need to upgrade.
 
Victory4x4 said:
Have you driven it after the rotor/pad/line upgrade? My brakes are in good shape, but they feel like ass with all the weight on the truck. May need to upgrade.
Click to expand...
I have, and the truck stops fine. However, I prefer a sensitive brake pedal and strong brakes that are ready to screech your tires right away. That's how the military HMMWVs are. I think these new brakes are up for all the weight, but I need to look into tightening my brake pedal, if that's even a thing.
 
I am planning to shoot an install video of my @DobinsonsUSA leaf springs and Firestone airbags and cradles as my first ever video. I don’t know anything about cameras that aren’t an iPhone, or video editing, but I will learn as I go.

I grabbed the Rode VideoMicro microphone to ensure I have better quality audio when I film. For only $55 and how well reviewed it is, it seemed like a no-brainer.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015R0IQGW/?tag=tacoma3g-20

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After I bought the microphone, I also splurged a little more to prepare for the video I want to make.

I got the cheapest tripod I could find. I’m sure you get what you pay for with these, but at the same time, if it holds the camera for me, what more could I need?
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AmazonBasics 60-Inch Lightweight Tripod with Bag https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005KP473Q/?tag=tacoma3g-20

Then, despite already having plenty of SD cards somewhere, I can’t freakin’ find them, so I got another one that I think might be top of the line as far as speed goes.

Samsung 256GB 100MB/s (U3) MicroSDXC EVO Select Memory Card with Full-Size Adapter (MB-ME256GA/AM) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072HRDM55/?tag=tacoma3g-20

And to not lose the SD cards again:
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AmazonBasics Memory Card Carrying Case Holder 24 Slots for SD and Micro SD Cards https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K4PGMLX/?tag=tacoma3g-20

Also grabbed a cheap UV lens and polarizer combo pack.
 
I also started deeply researching camera backpacks. I usually research everything I buy, even if it’s something simple. I just enjoy doing it.

My criteria for a camera bag was, give or take:

- No more than $50.
- A backpack, not a bag, for use while hiking.
- Can also fit a 15” laptop.
- Not ugly as hell like most camera bags seem to be.
- Room for snacks, drone, GoPro, accessories, etc.
- Somewhat comfortable to use while hiking.

After looking at a million of them, I have settled on this Vanguard one:
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Vanguard Havana 48 Backpack for Sony, Nikon, Canon, Fujifilm Mirrorless, Compact System Camera (CSC), DSLR, Travel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K7JITGA/?tag=tacoma3g-20

I think it looks totally different for being a camera backpack. It was $100 on Amazon yesterday, but today it is $80 (lol), it is big enough for what I need to put in it, and it looks like it’ll work well while hiking.
 
Good stuff. I've heard those Rode mics are really nice. Can't remember which one I got but it's been alright.
 
Our first Long Island truck meet is in the books. There aren’t many people like us on the island, but the group we do have is definitely dedicated. We gladly froze our butts off to talk all things 4x4 (shorts not recommended). We were stoked to have plenty of interest about our transplanted California rig. Seen here, I’m giving a mini class on what it takes to fit 35s on these trucks.
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Dude you really don't mess around. Haha
 
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