So a few things I recently did include:
Bought 2 sets of chains....
1st set: Is a diamond pattern chain, unsure the brand, but they look pretty decent. Got them for 5 loonies, so can't really complain. They were never used.
2nd set: I bought these on a off-road club group buy for 125 bucks or so. They are a crazy heavy duty v-bar chain with tensioning cams. They weight about 3x as much as the diamond chains.
I'll run the diamonds on the front and the v bar on the rear. I still need to angle grind the excess chain on the v-bars and I want to get a few bungees for the chains as well, but I test fit them all and they look great.
Another thing I thought I would do is mount a fire extinguisher to the rig somehow. I looked up what others have done and wasn't impressed. Most mount it to the spare jack and tool compartment cover, but I feel this is unsafe as that cover isn't really held in there by much. I decided to mount it to the large plast panel just in front of that cover. I test mounted and marked where the 4 holes would be, then pilot drilled with a small bit. I then drilled with one size smaller than the bolts I would be using. Then I reached my hand in behind (very tight space and difficult to do), and fastened washers and nuts on all 4 bolts. honestly without the nuts it was still very tight in there and probably wouldn't have come out, but I wanted to do it right. I did however, lose a small washer that fell down in a crevice. So far it hasn't rattled around. If it does I will have to use a magnet on an extension to get it out.
Attachment 276849
I also bought 2 gear bags from amazon. They are awesome. One holds all my tools and some recovery gear. The other bag holds my chains and snow shovel and gloves. They fit nicely on either side of my crate back there. I may actually pick up 2 more to stack on top of each other.
Future plans at some points:
I want to do an oil change by Nov 10th or so to put in Amsoil sig series 0W30. I definitely am not even over 2000kms since my last oil change but the zero weight oil will be better for our very cold winter.
At some point I need to do my tie rod ends, CV axle, and LBJ's. None of it compromises safety but the grease boots all look like they're slightly torn (pass. CV outer boot, L LBJ boot, and both outer tie rod end boots.) Might wait until spring to do that stuff, but we'll see. I also have decided I want to go with CVJ axles with their heavy duty boots, and prob OEM for the TRE's, and not sure about the LBJ's. Toyota doesn't offer any so I'd have to replace the whole LCA. decisions....
My dream list for mods next year, or if some crazy sale comes on, is:
Roof rack, and RTT (prob won't happen for a long time)
Rear steel bumper and swing outs
Because of above, upgrading my springs in rear to HD
VHF radio
Front and transmission skid plates (prob RCI).
bolt on sliders.
kinetic snatch rope.