Toyota Tacoma

[giant_mtb]

I can't compare to the older V6 Explorer that Rupert had, but the V6 equivalent of my Explorer was downright lethargic. I really tried to find it acceptable, but it wasn't. The V6 4Runner wasn't brilliant, but I would have been perfectly happy with it.

Yeah, my parents have had a 92, 98, 02, and 2010 Explorer...all V6s besides the 2010 which might be a 4-pot?  The 02 V6 that I was lucky enough to drive for a while was definitely lethargic. Those things need the V8.  That V6 would rev, but it was just sooooo strained with any sort of load, hill, etc.  It never sounded pleased when you asked it to do work, either.  I don't remember the 98 being a whole lot better, but it certainly wasn't worse.  For 92, the 4.0 was a good match. 10 model years later...not so much.

[giant_mtb]

Gave Tacoma a full (hour and a half) wash today.  Used my clay bar mitt to smooth out the paint and get rid of winter shit.  Took off the TRD Sport stickers from the rear fenders, buffed those spots out with some Diamond Cut (those stickers are impossible to remove without scratching the clear at least a little ), and then gave the whole truck a once over with Wizards Finish cut. Nice and shiny again. Didn't get a chance to snap any after pics before the sun was gone.  The whole truck could use a full buff starting with Diamond Cut and a wool pad, but it's super red (hides imperfections decently) and will be in the woods, so I'm not gonna go too crazy on it.  There's some fade difference where the stickers were and I haven't seen it out in direct sun yet, but I don't think it'll be noticeable to anyone not looking for it.

[Rupert]

I can't compare to the older V6 Explorer that Rupert had, but the V6 equivalent of my Explorer was downright lethargic. I really tried to find it acceptable, but it wasn't. The V6 4Runner wasn't brilliant, but I would have been perfectly happy with it.

I'm sure it helped that mine was a stick shift. My folks have an 06 V6, and it's got enough power, IMO. Much better than my 99.

[Rupert]

Yeah, my parents have had a 92, 98, 02, and 2010 Explorer...all V6s besides the 2010 which might be a 4-pot?  The 02 V6 that I was lucky enough to drive for a while was definitely lethargic. Those things need the V8.  That V6 would rev, but it was just sooooo strained with any sort of load, hill, etc.  It never sounded pleased when you asked it to do work, either.  I don't remember the 98 being a whole lot better, but it certainly wasn't worse.  For 92, the 4.0 was a good match. 10 model years later...not so much.

Worth noting that you don't need much power at all for off road kind of driving  if you have reasonable gearing.

[giant_mtb]

Worth noting that you don't need much power at all for off road kind of driving  if you have reasonable gearing.

For sure.

[AutobahnSHO]

Worth noting that you don't need much power at all for off road kind of driving  if you have reasonable gearing.

+1

1978 Subaru had like 80hp????  But 1st gear was so low you can't do more than about 10-15mph in it. Went up dirt/mud/snow hills like a champ.

http://jalopnik.com/5933797/1978-subaru-gl-wagon-the-jalopnik-classic-review

[CaminoRacer]

Model T is the best offroader ever.

http://www.hotrod.com/news/1604-watch-a-ford-model-t-shame-jeeps-with-its-suspension-flex/

[giant_mtb]

HERCUFENDERS are fading faster than I'd hoped (though pictures exaggerate it a bit).  May do a light coat of a durable black spray paint.  Or just keep dressing it all the time.  Bleh.

[giant_mtb]

Gonna take off the sway bars and see how it feels/wheels.  Discovered that I don't even have a rear one.  Whether it never had one, was removed by the PO, or was not re-installed during the frame swap, I do not know.

[MrH]

Those ebay taillights doe

[giant_mtb]

I know I know. I ignore them as much as I can, but wheels and tires are more important. I'm gonna need those by next winter. If I have another $100ish laying around after that I can order some stock tails.

[veeman]

Do you like the mud flaps?

[MrH]

No. Needs more Yosemite Sam.

[veeman]

No. Needs more Yosemite Sam.

Ha.  The red mustache/beard thing he has would go with the truck though.  I myself am partial to the busty hot chick silhouette.

Seriously, I'd get rid of the mudflaps.  Tacos, like Jeeps, should have dried mud on the side of the car behind the wheel wells.  The rest of the car can be shiny.

[CaminoRacer]

No. Needs more Yosemite Sam.

[Cookie Monster]

No. Needs more Yosemite Sam.

[AutobahnSHO]

HERCUFENDERS are fading faster than I'd hoped (though pictures exaggerate it a bit).  May do a light coat of a durable black spray paint.  Or just keep dressing it all the time.  Bleh.

I like it. But I'm used to old faded cars.

[AutobahnSHO]

BTW I'm seriously contemplating herculining front bumper of Odyssey. It's scratched/ cracked.   Plus Fade would match perfectly the faded black trim over fenders.

[giant_mtb]

Ha.  The red mustache/beard thing he has would go with the truck though.  I myself am partial to the busty hot chick silhouette.

Seriously, I'd get rid of the mudflaps.  Tacos, like Jeeps, should have dried mud on the side of the car behind the wheel wells.  The rest of the car can be shiny.

Mudflaps are imperative in the winter if I wanna keep the body as rust-free as possible. They're held on by 3 screws each and come off super easy.  I'm planning a muddy drive home from a customer's house today...we'll see how dirty she gets with the flaps on.

[MrH]

http://www.amazon.com/Yosemite-Sam-Back-Easy-Guard/dp/B0002NIJPI

[giant_mtb]

😂😂😂

[AutobahnSHO]

http://www.amazon.com/Yosemite-Sam-Back-Easy-Guard/dp/B0002NIJPI

DOOOOOOOOOOOOO IIIIIIT!!!!!!

"Nothing says, "Hey, I'm classy--but don't get too close!" like these traditional mud flaps. They're high quality, they're awesome, and they'll make your girlfriend/wife/dog embarrassed to be seen with you. Everybody wins. These are bigger than others I've seen for sale, so no one has to get too close just to be able to see the message. "

[BimmerM3]

I'm sure it helped that mine was a stick shift. My folks have an 06 V6, and it's got enough power, IMO. Much better than my 99.

Well, I guess you and I just have different tolerances lol. Plus you had your old Explorer and I4 work trucks to compare to, whereas I was DDing the S2000.

[CaminoRacer]

Well, I guess you and I just have different tolerances lol. Plus you had your old Explorer and I4 work trucks to compare to, whereas I was DDing the S2000.

The I4 trucks are probably faster than that gutless S2k.

[BimmerM3]

The I4 trucks are probably faster than that gutless S2k.

[MrH]

The I4 trucks are probably faster than that gutless S2k.

When are you home for the summer?  You'll have to experience the VTAK thrill.

[CaminoRacer]

When are you home for the summer?  You'll have to experience the VTAK thrill.

Some time next week.

You should bring it to an SCCA Solo event in Wilmington.

[Rupert]

Well, I guess you and I just have different tolerances lol. Plus you had your old Explorer and I4 work trucks to compare to, whereas I was DDing the S2000.

I also drive work trucks with almost 400 hp. You can get used to almost anything and be happy with it if you let yourself.

[giant_mtb]

Took the long way home from a detail job.  Was slightly painful scraping branches and stuff since I just buffed it, but whatever. It's a truck, dammit!

[veeman]

The mudflaps did their job!  Now mud on the side of the truck