Recently after 2 years of driving my D-Cab through the deserts of Arizona, the heat and vibrations finally did my stocker battery in.

I had ample warning of my impending battery failure, which was a good thing considering it has an auto tranny, and it let go at my home.

I then went in search of,,,,,and decided upon the Optima Red Top, I found that the battery Terminals matched the stock terminal cables without adjustment. There was also some concern from fellow club members that the Optima was not a very secure fit in the stock location. So this is what I did.

www.members.cox.net/ktontacoma/optimamod.html

Oh My name is K-ton, I am fourbychef on the boards.
K-ton

 

welcome to yotatech k-ton. thats a good idea considering the guy who almost burned his truck down when his optima came lose.

i enjoy your site and like how you werent afraid to cut the ifs off a NEW truck.

 

Thanks Jake,
I have been trying to pay attention to so many people and to so much great information one can find on these boards, the priceless information is,,,well,,,,priceless.
And it is always better to learn from watching other peoples mistakes and mis-haps, it was from talking to that person on TTORA that inspired my modification.
Like Props to Bajataco and his sliding fridge/speaker/deck/ access panel/temp mod

Thanks for the welcome.

K-ton

 

welcome k-ton. Nice rig and great mods! That is one BIG taco!!

 

Thanks pal Hey it's good to see you here - thanks for sharing the rockin' Optima reinforcement mod.

OK, this guy needs a proper introduction...

Folks - I gotta tell ya, the Chef here is a stand-up guy. He does a lot for the 4wd sport and community here in Arizona. Not to mention, as the name implies - he knows how to make REALLY REALLY good food! A good example is when he made the most delicious, mouth-watering BBQ ribs for the entire camp at the last AZROCKS event. OK, now let's talk about his rig - it's just plain badass. Tacoma D-cab with a D44 front axle. It rides like a cadillac over the rocks I think it is the most comfortable trail rig I have ever ridden in.

Sorry K-ton, I don't mean to put you on the spot - but "enquiring minds want to know!"

 

So I should not have mounted my red top on its side? Is that what I am getting out of all this?

Sweet rig by the way. Its unfourtanate that we will never be traveling the same trails together!

 

Chef! What a pleasant suprise!

I can "second" what Chris said about Chef. I have not been the same since his AZRocks meal... food has tasted bland since then and I haven't had meal like that since

On top of that, he IS a stand up guy and I absolutely covet his truck...

 

dang where are all these ppl popping up in az coming from???

btw welcome!!

 

Come to think of it, I have seen his truck driving down the road, and boy is it an awesome sight. One of a kind (that I know of anyway).

There might be another double cab SAS running around somewhere too. I think he is the pres of TTORA for AZ...

 

yea I was just pokin around his site, I didn't know there was a rescue team for AZTorra!! That's sweet!!!! Man I'm missing out!

 

The AZ president is Ronn, "Yogi". He has an SAS XCab that used to be red, but is now some sort of odd tan color.

 

I just wanted to tell you - I have seen your truck around the web many times , and with out a doubt if I ever make a DD into a wheeler again I want a SAS Dcab. Your truck rocks, nice job.
Richard

 

I've seen your truck around here too.

I always keep an eye out for TOYOTA's and I do remember seeing yours a couple of times.

By the way, what in the world is TTORA??

TOYOTA TRUCK OFF-ROAD ADVENTURES??

 

TTORA = Toyota Tacoma Off Road Association.

Did anybody happen to check out the price list for the SAS? 6 grand!! I never figured it would cost that much!

 

Hehehe - actually, it's Tacoma Territory Off-Roader's Association

http://www.ttora.com

And the AZ Chapter site is

http://www.azttora.com/

By the way, for those who didn't know, WATRD is the president of the Washington chapter, at

http://www.wattora.com/

 

There goes my cover! ehhehehe

 

Hey Guys, thanks for all the props, I really appreciate it.

Baja and Rob, it is good to *see* both of you.

I want to get a welder, I am itching to start building stuff.

We are getting busy at work again, I may not see any one till next March,,,,

Unless we can do a Sunday Run sometime? Anybody? Any trail.

K-ton

 

Will either a 34 or 34R work easily in a Taco or is one prefered to the other? A lot of the 4Runner people seem to be using the 34R so I'm inclined to think that would be the better choice for the Taco as well but am not sure.

 

Wow! Talk about bringing back a thread from the past But that's what the search feature will do

The 34R is a perfect match for your Tacoma. It requires either an Optima spacer or a chunk of plywood to lift it because it is shorter than the stock battery, but otherwise it is a direct drop in. Sometimes the battery comes with the spacer, but even if it does not, your Optima dealer should be able to get one for you. I didn't bother and have a piece of plywood under mine

 

Thanks for the answer! Looks like I'll have to order one as no one seems to carry them in the stores around me pep boys or autozone, the 34R anyway.