Yes, we have a location and the like...

Email me and we can discuss whether you think you might be up for this one. We are trying to keep it pretty small, not an "official run" as such, since we don't know how things will perform, but I suspect we could fit one more in...

Some of the terrain we are going to be covering might be a bit of a stretch for your rig, but could be done with care. There's an interesting assortment of rigs coming along, but most of them have done these trails before.

watrd@watrd.com

 

That'd be IRS, wouldn't it?

ACK! Now *THAT* is scary on 2 points...

 

In your office huh? Somehow that doesn't suprise me one bit...
*shudder*

 

All parts must pass through the office as part of their initiation. That way they understand they need to be dependable and get me to work every day. hehehe

 

Well I am sorry to say that it appears I missed out on a exciting on-line experience!

Just wanted to say great job and the "TACOSAS" looks great! Wonderful job and even better keeping everyone eagerly tuned in.

Now if I can only wake my legs up after that 17 page thread I just read through!

Good job!

 

Thanks! It has been both fun and a challenge.

We are on the home stretch now. The rear third is back from getting geared and ChrisCo and I will install it and the new crossmember this weekend. Then Monday the front diff gets geared and all that is left is the front driveshaft and the fun

 

maybe I missed this somewhere in the last 17 pgs. But what gears are you putting in?

 

Who is doing your gear work?

I had my work done by this guy on the east side of Kent. You know if you are going east on SE 240th from East Hill, and the road curves and dips down into that valley area a few miles before you hit highway 18...this guy had a shop just after that little dip. I'm thinking it's near Wax Rd.

 

I don't know about your springs, but my ride height changed almost 3.5" after six months of useage- I'd see if K-Ton had a similar change w/ his rig.

I chose to run a few mild trails in 2x4 after the SAS was complete to allow the front springs to settle some prior to measuring for a High Angle Driveline front d'shaft. The 5" lift All Pro springs started out at about 8" of lift, so my initial measurement would have left me with no compression after it dropped. After one trip from Lake Pleasant to Crown King in 2x4, the truck came down about 2.5". That was fun- every one else was amazed that I came thru in 2x4- they looked under the truck to verify that I had no front d'shaft I was using about 8PSI in tires and crawler gears in 2x4....... that's cheatin'

later

 

I was torn between 4.88 and 4.56. I went with 4.56 gears. That will put my final ratio back within spitting distance of stock and since the truck is a daily driver and sees a pretty fair bit of freeway miles, that is important to me. 4.88 would have provided a bit more oomph off road, but would have resulted in higher RPM's at freeway speeds, so I went with 4.56 as the best compromise. I was not hurting with the 4.10's, 35's and auto tranny as anyone who has wheeled with me can attest, so I don't need to go crazy with low gears. I wanted to get it close to stock so that the auto tranny can perform more like what Toyota designed...

I am having my gears done by NWDifferential in Kirkland. They use Superior Gears, the price is right and they have plenty of experience. I asked around and around 80% of folks I asked recommended them. They certainly did a nice job on the rear third, even painted the housing while they had it apart

 

What's next on your list, ISR mod and helix power tower?

 

The rig is looking awesome!

I was no spring chicken when that movie came out, but I prefer EXPERIENCED or AGED (like fine wine) to old. You know you have gotten EXPERIENCED when college kids you are around call you sir because you remind them of their dad!

 

Not very damn likely I will keep my mods *functional*, if you don't mind...

 

Thanks!

 

So I've been waiting to hear how the testing went. This thread kinda died. Hows the SA working out for you Rob?

 

I'm sorry, but all I can say to that is - Heh-heh!

 

Hey UKMyers, certainly not to change the subject, but... are you still in Washington? I've been wanting to meet you (and thank you for your service) in person for quite some time.

 

He should be. He bought a house I think.

 

It would be cool to meet all of you Washington ppl...

Too bad there isnt another meet and greet at a dealership like I have seen posted in the past... with the weather the way it is with snow and not much offroading going on, it would make sense to just meet somewhere to show all the rigs off... I think if we all rolled in it would be good for business for the dealership lol... rob would have to hand out bibs with the drool pocket though...

 

Very well There has not been a lot of excitement to write about for the past week and a half or so, mostly driving it to exorcise the demons, then "fine tuning" during regular trips to the WATTORA garage. ChrisCo and I have been adjusting this and tweaking that in preparation for the inaugural run on the 20th.

We got the regeared rear third member put back in over the weekend and I have been slowly breaking the gears in with warm up/cool down cycles since... Today, the front diff got gears and a locker and during our fine tuning this evening, we fully extended and then fully compressed the front suspension to get measurements for the driveshaft I will order tomorrow. The driveshaft will require AT LEAST 8" of travel to keep up with the suspension, so it looks like I am going to be at or over my goal of 14" of travel per wheel. It should be one seriously flexing machine on the 20th... I am looking forward to getting some photos and seeing how it compares to some of the other rigs that will be along. If it comes away with a clean bill of health, I am back in the wheeling "business".