The reason why I'm posting this here, instead of in the suspension and/or drivetrain forums is because I have questions pertaining to products and their installation(s) then the function of the devices themselves.
To clarify a bit more I bought the TRD Off Road package because I wanted to have the flexibility to go off road, and have on-road manners. I also wasn't impressed with the posted mileage for the 4WD Tundras, and with my insurance company (Nationwide) you pay more with 4WD vehicles. I'm now down to a $232.54 quarterly payment and want to keep it there.
Well, I have company and relatives coming into town and some of the places I'd like to take them are off the beaten path. To help me and my truck out with this task, instead of renting a 4WD I'd like to take my truck places that some people would take a 4WD, within reason.
I'm not looking at doing anything extreme, just some mild off-roading that is assisted with 4WD (I've gone down the same trails before, with mild slipping). One experience I do not want to relive is almost getting stuck on a loose gravel hill, and having the truck slide backwards. With a like-new heavy-a$$ wood desk in the back getting sprayed with dust. That was not fun.
Now, the products I'm looking at to help me with my "off-roading" are a LSD, which my TRD Off Road doesn't have, and any other affordable products (or adjustments), that would help? One of the add-ons I'm considering is the LSD, but would that help with off-roading? I also, if possible, I would like things that be undone/readjusted easily before going back on-road. Besides trading in my 03 for an 05 with VSC and LSD & 4x4, is there anything recommended to help with low-traction situations such as ice or snow? I may have an opportunity to get a good paying job up in Colorado, and want to be prepared as much as one can be...
The LSD would be a big help, but you have not mentioned the most important thing you need. TIRES, I dont know what kind of grade or how loose the gravel was that you slipped on before, but alot of that may have been due to some poor traction on some cheap stock tires. the best investment for you IMO is some better sneakers then the BFG Rugged trails that come on most tundras, the LSD would be great but if your not going to be doing any slipping and sliding or climbing any hills, you might not really need it.
__________________ HAVE YOU DRIVEN OVER A FORD LATELY?
Team West SAWS (cranked up to 3.25")
Total Chaos UCA
ORS Manual hub kit
reese front receiver hitch
10,000 lb. winch on receiver hitch
Warn Quick connects front and rear
rear brake porportioning valve mod
3" perfomance products body lift
skyjacker AAL
wheelers urithane kit for front swaybar and steering rack
BFG AT's
Eagle101 wheels
CB radio W/ dual fiberglass 48" ant.
I have the BF Goodrich Rugged trails on my Tundra(they came with them). When they die and I need new ones I will get the BF Goodrich All Terrain like I had on my Tacoma, I love those tires!! The BF all Terrains will take you ANYWHERE, mud or snow. Check out BF's web site and compare the stats, the all terrains get a 9 in snow and mud.
I have the BF Goodrich Rugged trails on my Tundra(they came with them). When they die and I need new ones I will get the BF Goodrich All Terrain like I had on my Tacoma, I love those tires!! The BF all Terrains will take you ANYWHERE, mud or snow. Check out BF's web site and compare the stats, the all terrains get a 9 in snow and mud.
Why wait till they're dead? Replace them early and avoid the potentially dangerous situations that may arise with those crappy tires.
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2003 SR5 V8 4x4 Access Cab; SS Autochrome intake with AEM dryflow; Truxedo cover; Rhino lining; 255/85/16 Cooper Discoverer S/T's; 16x8 Black Steel Wheelers; Ram Air; breather extensions; Viair 380COBA; Donahoe coilovers; Deaver 3leaf AAL; homemade bed rack; 21 gallon water tank, front Hidden Hitch w/Superwinch...
The reason why I'm posting this here, instead of in the suspension and/or drivetrain forums is because I have questions pertaining to products and their installation(s) then the function of the devices themselves.
To clarify a bit more I bought the TRD Off Road package because I wanted to have the flexibility to go off road, and have on-road manners. I also wasn't impressed with the posted mileage for the 4WD Tundras, and with my insurance company (Nationwide) you pay more with 4WD vehicles. I'm now down to a $232.54 quarterly payment and want to keep it there.
Well, I have company and relatives coming into town and some of the places I'd like to take them are off the beaten path. To help me and my truck out with this task, instead of renting a 4WD I'd like to take my truck places that some people would take a 4WD, within reason.
I'm not looking at doing anything extreme, just some mild off-roading that is assisted with 4WD (I've gone down the same trails before, with mild slipping). One experience I do not want to relive is almost getting stuck on a loose gravel hill, and having the truck slide backwards. With a like-new heavy-a$$ wood desk in the back getting sprayed with dust. That was not fun.
Now, the products I'm looking at to help me with my "off-roading" are a LSD, which my TRD Off Road doesn't have, and any other affordable products (or adjustments), that would help? One of the add-ons I'm considering is the LSD, but would that help with off-roading? I also, if possible, I would like things that be undone/readjusted easily before going back on-road. Besides trading in my 03 for an 05 with VSC and LSD & 4x4, is there anything recommended to help with low-traction situations such as ice or snow? I may have an opportunity to get a good paying job up in Colorado, and want to be prepared as much as one can be...
You didnt come right out and say it but I assume you have a 2wd.
My advice to you is get either a locker or limited slip. Put some BFG AT\MTs on it the same size or a little larger.
That will help out traction wise alot. If your gonna run sand, air down.
As far as handling, some aftermarket 2.5" diameter coilovers and some type of rear shocks will help out.
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I definitely recommend the BF Goodrich All Terrain radials. I had them on my old '78 Bronco (great old beast, but a gas hog), and they were so geat on and off-road that I put them on my '88 Toyota 4x4 truck. Great traction in just about anything and much better than the BFG Rugged Trails -- in my opinion. Best place to get them? Is there a Costco near by? Without a doubt, Costco has the best price, has them in stock, and the mounting, ballance and new stems are included in the price.
Tire price is relative to size. 265-75R16 BFG AT/ko tires should be around $120 each, maybe less depending on the sale.
I would suggest a rear locker versus a LSD because if you hit a grove in the road and one side is in the air and LSD won't do a damn thing for ya. But if you lock the rear end you can go most places that a 4wd can go and maybe more. If you aren't running oversized and wide tires and you don't tow often you can use a powertrax no slip or you could go ARB.
A lift won't help you unless you plan on running larger tires. Coilovers will improve the off-road ride, but is a grand you can put toward your locker instead.
Thanks for the suggestion of a locker instead of the LSD. My concern with adding a critical non-Toyota part such as a locker is voiding my warranty. Even though with most Toyotas you don't need one, I like having one in case I do. There is a Toyota LSD that I could get installed by the dealership, or with some help from my brother and/or my friends that wouldn't void my warranty.
Even though I try real hard I'm not very "mechanically inclined." It took me two tries of installing my Bully tube steps before getting them balanced and looking right. I also had to stop with the back seat modification I tried because it was taking me an hour to two hours where it was taking others 20 minutes.
As for lifting my truck, I've decided I would not do anything like that. If I were to ever change the suspension on my truck it would be to level the front end and add a load-leveling spring/air bag setup to the rear. I like the current height and don't want to mess with it.
If Uncle Sam is good to me, and I don't have to pay Greedy Ol' AZ State a lot out of pocket, and I have a healthy refund I may use it to get new tires. Or, put the money towards my Hawaii/Pacific Coast vacation fund.
What is the lifespan of the AT/ko tires? 50,000 plus miles or less?
I don't know what kind of milage the BFG AT's get on a Tundra -- I still have the original tires on it at 42K, but I'll be replacing them by the end of Summer, '05. However, I easily got 50K on my Bronco, with plenty left. Also, I had 30K on my '88 Toyota 4x4, and those tires looked so new that the guy I sold them to didn't believe I had that many miles on them.
The BFG AT/ko will last a long time. They are basicly a street tire that's been working out at the gym.
You would have the warranty under the locker for the locker and Toyota would have to show that the locker was the cause for any other damage to the vehicle. I seriously doubt, just by reading your posts, that you are the kind of person that will be jumping your tundra or putting it through the rigors to possibly break an axle shaft.
The install for a locker or an LSD are very similar.
My ATs lasted me 30K on a FORD RANGER and they were toast (I was on my wear bars and a rock punctured the tread, had to get new ones, some remingtons this time) I think I got a bad set or something...
A TRD LSD will cost you $200 on ebay plus about $300 installed. Maybe more at a dealer. Buying it through the dealer with install might be as high as $900-1200 since they will jack up the price, just because they can. Id say get a locker too. Powertrax or something. Especially since you live where it probably wont snow and you wont be fishtailing in the winter.
Only $200 for the LSD? That isn't too bad, plus I'm on good terms with my dealership so I might be able to get the installation price down. Plus, I might be able to get them to include it with the installation of other parts I bring at the time I take it in for regular maintennance. It will probably take me a while now to get what I want done with my truck now that I've gotten all of the "cheap" stuff done I could.
As much as I love my Tundra, depending on what the new FJ offers, and at what price, I may trade my truck in later this year for an FJ. I just love the looks of that thing, but the thoughts of premium ($2.10 a gallon) gas because of the supercharger is not a promising thought.
Before buying the unit, I thought about waiting it out a bit becuase I knew the install was the one that was going to put a dent in my pocket (which would mean that the LSD would be collecting dust in my garage until I saved up the install $$$). BUT I really didn't want to sleep on the deal then find out that they don't have them anymore, so I bought one right away. Now I'm REALLY itching to put it in. Might bite the bullet and charge the install on my card.
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