NorCal Offroading

Burgers are better!

 

Who else even has a FRAC to be installed other than me and Mark?

 

@16tunterd

 

First, thanks for the Nor Cal invite. I'm in the Bay Area, Danville specifically, for now. I'd love to join for a meet and greet or a camping trip or what have you, but real off road is restricted for now.

I've been following the great time you guys are having. I was telling my wife how I'd like to join you guys on some of these trips...unfortunately she was looking over my shoulder when I was watching the vids and reading your posts. She is literally a speed reader, so when I mentioned going her response was, " Yeahhh no." It seems that she is trying to claim the new truck as her own.

That's the problem with wives that like trucks and guns and stuff. They start to get INVOLVED. And she doesn't want the brand new truck scratched up, or dented, and she doesn't want it lifted (although I may do it stealthily). I believe in the saying, "Happy wife happy life." Besides, I already push the limits. She lets me get away with having dirt bikes, exotic guns, etc. So, I'm screwed until she gets tired of the truck and the newness wears off. I'm thinking of buying an old LC, or 4Runner, FJ Crusier, or older Tundra, etc. to turn into an off-road/overland vehicle. Problem is; I have two girls who have worked their asses off so they can go to good colleges starting next year and the year after. And that is going to slow me down. I currently have a 1st Gen Sequoia that my youngest decided is hers, so I don't know if she will let me mod it for off road.

Anyway, if you guys put something together for Nor-Cal Tundra owners (and wannabe off-roaders), I'll be happy to help out and attend.

Cheers

 

Yeah, unfortunately our off-roading seems to be getting rougher and rougher and more damage incurring every time. LOL And scratches are a given. Modding the Sequoia sounds like the way to go, tell your daughter it's going to look bad ass lifted with big tires. But definitely come out to the next meet.

 

Welcome @ScottsBad
I’m scared to get trail damage on a new truck. Maybe once it’s paid off might be a different story! I’ve totaled a brand new Tacoma off-road once so been scared ever since....we always have meet and greets. Make sure you subscribe to that thread.

 

Welcome Scott. I can relate to the college tuition situation. My oldest is bent on attending Stanford and doing the work to get there. And the younger one has her eyes on Berkeley. There goes the early retirement. lol

 

I have my FRAC harness installed to the HU but still need to run the video cable to the engine bay and install the front camera. I might be able to join the FRAC party.
When & where?

 

Yeah, the Toytec 3" complete BOSS package is relatively inexpensive for the Sequoia even if I add the UCAs. May go with it when the current tires need replacement. That way I can get buy some taller rubber at the same time. I'll keep the stock wheels if possible.

 

After it gets a little used its easier to add scratches. LOL, its the first one that hurts.

 

If it’s the same system as the tundra, mine is most likely going up for sale soon.

 

No, the 1st Gen Sequoia has coils in the back. Its close to a 1st gen Tundra in the front and the kit comes with a diff drop and new coils for the rear, But thanks for the offer.

 

What is the link? I try to look it up too.

 

Funny, my youngest is bent on Stanford or Harvard (doubt she'll make Harvard, has a shot at Stanford). Even though we live 20-25 minutes from Berkeley neither daughter is interested...they really dislike the politics and attitudes there. The other thing we've found is that the GPA requirements have been so inflated over the years that my oldest with a 3.8 and a 29 ACT (she messed up her freshman year because we went private school) is iffy for many of the schools and out of contention for many of the big name schools. My youngest, with a 4.4 is better positioned, but the schools are ridiculously hard to get in to, even with a lot of outside activities and leadership positions.

TIP: The easiest and cheapest way to get into a UC is to use the program they have that lets a student go to JC for two years and then transfer into Berkeley as a Junior. Even if you have amazing grades using the program that allows a student to go to JC first is a more assured way to get in and you still graduate from Berkeley. I couldn't get my kids interested in that.

BTW - My girls are both on Varsity sports teams (swimming and water polo). I recommend AGAINST sports unless your teen is good enough to be recruited by a college. Sports takes up too much time. The Universities don't take sports into account as a positive when deciding admission and it puts kids at a disadvantage when it comes to academics (less time to study).

Anyway, good luck.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/2017-norcal-meet-and-greets.11247/

 

@joonbug ,@dcsleeper408 , @GodlessPro Took the truck in for oil change and talked to my mechanic for a while. He kinda talked me out of a SC and told me he didn't think 4:88's were a good idea either, in terms of fuel consumption at least. I asked him about the Auburn LSD and that sounded a bit more promising. He said it'd be about 3 hrs labor. That's replacing axle seals too. Apparently the dif oil change is recommended at 30K.

I'm wondering what you guys think?

 

You should get an ARB instead. An LSD is useless when one tire has zero traction.

 

Thanks Mike!

 

But ARB isn't cheap haha... but so worth it if you wheel your rig. having a switchable locker is really night/day difference. Since you will need a compressor for the ARB, you can use it to air up your tires too

 

LSD has to be better than the electronic breaking thing we have now?

 

Yes until you put a tire in the air. that braking alsd is crap ... Toyota really needs to put an electronic locker like they do on the tacos and runners...

 

Yeah... get a locker.

 

But you cant really go wrong with an SC.. Thing is thats really pricey just for the unit not including an install. I don't see what's wrong with the 4.88's. Unless you tow and load a whole bunch is only where I can see it will really have some cons. I am not so sure on fuel consumption either because with the 4.88's i'd probably be more tempted to hit that throttle a little more than norm..
Auburn LSD is a more true LSD than what we have factory. The locker is going to only be as good as the person installing it. You got a good guy doing thing will probably last forever if used correctly as well..
There are Pros and cons to both setups Warren.
I would really make decision on what you plan to do. Personally a locker is great to have as I used it in the Tacoma and understood what its capabilities were. I really believe that saying, " It's good to have it when you need it than to not have it when you need it" or something like that. The LSD is still a great system, that doesn't need air..
Either way.. A True LSD or a Locker is a lot better than what we are equipped with from factory. Also if you do plan to gear it would be best time to do when you are doing all that.

 

I think the LSD will definitely help more on the streets as you won’t use your locker on the road. But off road, sounds like the locker will get you out of stuff an LSD can’t. Plus, you need an air compressor anyways, might as well get air on board.

On another note, told the wife about my upcoming new suspension. Surprisingly, didn’t get yelled at... no resistance whatsoever. It’s on now!

 

happy wife = happy life........can often be bought with purses

 

Great to hear she's onboard.
You read my mind Joon. CKMA 12 for $210 delivered.

 

Is that from the group buy? And nice transition to "onboard".

 

Ebay, cheaper.....sshhh.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ARB-LOCKER...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648

 

Nice, you going to mount it under the hood?