Minor updates, the last two vacations were without the rig. Spent a week in Maui, Hawaii and another in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. I have to say that Banff NP was probably the most incredible place I have ever been to and the top on my favorite national park list.

Maui
RJTP2816 by rjtakesphotos, on Flickr

Banff
RJTP3016 by rjtakesphotos, on Flickr


Car stuff has been slower lately, a lot of smaller changes, nothing post worthy. We did a short trail run to Lyttle Creek the other weekend which was a blast. While attempting to air down a friend, the MORR flate chuck would not seat properly on his valve stems. Turns out they have released an upgraded set, they also happened to be on sale so I snagged those and swapped them out!

Photo Nov 03 2022, 12 09 08 PM by rjtakesphotos, on Flickr

Soaking in the clouds on the trail.
Photo Oct 22 2022, 9 03 54 AM by rjtakesphotos, on Flickr

Swapped out the CB to a Midland GMRS. Much happier and much more usable with everyone.
Photo Nov 05 2022, 12 13 09 PM by rjtakesphotos, on Flickr

Photo Nov 05 2022, 1 28 35 PM by rjtakesphotos, on Flickr


Lastly, finally switched over to the Dr.KDSS sway bar clamps!
Photo Nov 13 2022, 3 01 49 PM by rjtakesphotos, on Flickr

Photo Nov 13 2022, 4 13 51 PM by rjtakesphotos, on Flickr

After wanting to mix it up for the last few weeks, finally pulled the trigger. Going a little bigger and getting new shoes for the new year! Decided that 35's were going to be just a bit more than I wanted for now. Opted for Yokohama M/T 34's as a upgrade to our current KM3's. A hair skinnier but a little taller. Wasn't planning on regearing, more cutting/trimming, and wanted less strain and less headaches. Ended up shaving a few pounds off with these compared to the KM3's, and might even help a bit on the mpg not that it matters at this point. Just waiting on the new wheels which should be here any day and then it's install day!

IMG_0963 by rjtakesphotos, on Flickr

you gonna love dem tires man...

Only warning is they are a true 34, so you might have to extend your front bump stops. I made my passenger fender bow outwards after G'ing out on a woop (w/o extended bump stops).

To this day, I have rubbing issues when I do full panic stops, but cant figure out where its rubbing.

I got one more question....I notice that you aren't running the tire carrier pin that should sit in the hole next to the spindle on your rear bumper. I'm wondering if shrockworks didn't send it to you or something?

Mine ended up sheering off anyways, the tension on the swingout bolt is enough to keep mine in place.

Yeah I have swapped out the front bumps to a slightly taller option, but not sure if it is enough. Will have to test once I get them mounted up.

Yup, Shrockworks never sent the pin and was impossible to get a hold of to get one or even buy one. Like mentioned above, it doesn't really move once its open and takes a decent amount of effort to actually swing it, even on inclines/declines.

Two days ago, got an update that the wheels were going to be delayed. I had planned on getting them mounted today but it was going to have to wait until next week. Suddenly 4/5 showed up at my door this morning surprisingly! Decided I would need to make two trips to bring the old wheels back since they won't fit inside in one trip, and went ahead and got 4 of them mounted this afternoon! Spare can wait, and I will have to go when that last wheel shows up.

Wheels may not be everyone's flavor, as always, but these have grown on me so quickly. If you asked me a year ago about getting silver/machined/polished wheels I would say absolutely not. Over the last few months I kept seeing more and more builds and it totally changed me and I fell in love with them. Had to stick with my Black Rhino's as always and when I found out about these I knew they were the ones. There was a clean 4th Gen build, cannot remember whom it was, but they were the ones that sold me on it. Anyways old wheels and tires are going up for sale if you are in SoCal!

Specs are: 17x9 -38

RJTP4224 by rjtakesphotos, on Flickr

RJTP4233 by rjtakesphotos, on Flickr



Also, received this washer "skid plate" from All Pro offroad. Hoping I won't have to relocate the tank, but we will see. Easy install, simply unbolt front body mount nut and slide it on and replace! Sprayed it with a nice silver since it was going to be visible might as well make it look decent. May have made it a bit too noticeable lol
RJTP4244 by rjtakesphotos, on Flickr
RJTP4245 by rjtakesphotos, on Flickr

polished AL wheels definitely making a comeback. If they made f5's in polished aluminum i'd be all over it...

I also bought a bunch of 2 inch padded hose clamps to finally get my butt to install a table on my shocks tire carrier, i'll let you know how that goes.

as always, Nice upgrades

Always loved the F5's. Not gonna lie I was pretty close to getting something somewhat similar to that if you want another option...

Weds Hase Spec II 17x8.5 -6 Offset 6x139 Mercury Silver - Showstoppers USA Showstoppers USA

Not quite the same, but I was really digging these for a while. Felt they were a bit too close to my old wheels and really wanted something different.

yeah buddy! polished/machined wheels are classy. I run machined racelines on my ford. whenever the toyota gets wheels they'll be machined or polished for sure.

Yup, those are dope

nice build

Thank you guys! The response has been great so far and actually surprised me. Definitely stoked and loving it. Can't wait to get the camera out for some real photos soon.

Finally got the spare wheel today, went and got it mounted and tossed it on the swingout. With the license plate lights and relocated rear camera it is an absolute pain lol The wheel design doesn't allow my rear camera and the light module to fit through the holes. Ended up having to disconnect it from under the drawers and run the wires through the outside of the wheels in. Thankfully when I first installed it, I left quick disconnects and in a fairly accessible place. Was toying with the idea of relocating both. Ideally the plate on the bottom of the swing out, but then I will lose clearance and it will rip out on any hit. Then the camera is too low to be useful. That is for another day though. I still can't get enough of the new wheels and tires, made me fall in love with the rig again.

Photo Nov 22 2022, 2 45 39 PM by rjtakesphotos, on Flickr

Photo Nov 22 2022, 1 43 17 PM by rjtakesphotos, on Flickr

i really am turning into an old man "those look nice and easy to keep clean"

you inspire my ass to get off the couch and put in work!!!!!

Remember i asked you a while back about your table mounting...well i figured out those padded stainless hose clamps (1.75 inch) will allow you to mount it on the tube, but you have to redrill some holes on the table, and then i put a bolt through the swing arm bump stop and bam....solid as a rock.... It clears the hatch by half a inch.

happy holidays

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