Building a Toyota that fits Douglas

[DouglasVB]

Here's a reel from some of the clips from our dash cam in Death Valley


View: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVnGjxPk4Vz/


I ordered all of the fluids I need so I'll be able to get the truck's 30k service done next weekend. I also have a few attachments for my pressure washer on order so that I can finally clean off the last bits of playa mud that appear to be rapidly rusting bits of my truck's undercarriage I might hit those rusty spots with some rustoleum after I clean them up...

 

[DouglasVB]

I did all of the service except for the brake fluid flush last weekend. It all went well and I didn't encounter any problems other than trying to get the highest bolt on the clutch slave cylinder heat shield back into place. It was really hard because of the tight clearance from the hanger that attaches between the transmission and the driver's side catalytic converter.

The clutch fluid had stuff growing in the reservoir so it was definitely time to change it. It's original fluid from 2022 so it was four years and 30k miles old.

I picked up a power bleeder to make the brake fluid change go easier so I'll probably get that taken care of this weekend. I've never used a power bleeder so there'll be a bit of a learning curve but I have to imagine it'll be easier than using a little bottle and hose hanging off of the caliper while I keep adding fluid to the reservoir in the engine compartment and cycle the brake pedal... I have never bled an ABS equipped system though so I also need to study up on how to do that.


View: https://www.instagram.com/p/DWSkzdmFBqi/?img_index=1

 

[DouglasVB]

I'm back on my about trying to figure out what roof rack to get for my Tacoma. Basically I need somewhere to mount antennas. The other choice would be to flatbed the truck, put a box on that, and put the antennas on that. The roof rack would let me put some lights up high though which would be nice.

There are many different choices and it's confusing trying to make a decision when I can't see most of these in person.

I think the main features I'm looking for are:

- low wind noise
- low drag (not too big an impact on fuel economy)
- front light bar or light pod mounting
- side light provisions (holes in the sides of the rack where lights can be flush mounted
- lines up with existing roof mount holes (factory)
- good for mounting antennas
- not a problem to later add a snorkel

Of course the Gamiviti rack is a top choice for obvious reasons: https://www.gamiviti.com/tacoma-racks I think it would be about $1300 plus shipping... Somewhere in this thread about my truck I think a price was posted but I haven't flipped through the old entries enough to find it. These are old school round tube racks that are built like tanks.

These racks are about $1k and supposedly aren't too loud: https://prinsu.com/product/prinsu-pro-toyota-tacoma-roof-rack-2005-2023/

Another supposed quiet rack that's about $850: https://westcottdesigns.net/product/toyota-tacoma-3rd-gen-roof-rack/

This one is also quiet and has side cut-outs that I probably could put lights through ($1200): https://sherpaec.com/products/grand-teton

This one is a bit of a different design ($700): https://uptopoverland.com/collectio...nd-kilo-tacoma-double-cab-roof-rack-2005-2023

Oh my this rack would be perfect (because it looks cool) but with all the high end lights it's $4500: https://www.kchilites.com/fbundle-pl1-ak-92303.html

$850 for this one. It looks pretty basic: https://realtruck.com/p/front-runner-slimsport-rack-kit/

This rack is setup to take a variety of lights and is tube style ($1300): https://gobiracks.com/product/gobi-toyota-tacoma-stealth-rack-2/

The RCI rack is $680 and looks to be pretty standard/generic: https://rcimetalworks.com/product/roof-rack-05-present-tacoma/

This one appears to be the most low profile of any of the racks I've seen and is $850: https://sherpaec.com/products/grand-teton-sport

Another low profile roof rack for $850: https://caliraisedled.com/products/2005-2021-toyota-tacoma-premium-roof-rack

Another low profile rack for $750 plus another $150 for the wind deflector for the light bar: https://lfdoffroad.com/products/tacoma-low-profile-extrusion-rack https://lfdoffroad.com/products/lightbar-fairing-5th-gen-4r-gx460-full-rack-and-tacoma-rack

This one is $660 and is pretty low profile: https://www.victory4x4.com/product/VT23RK.html

I also keep thinking of making my own rack... but I really don't have the time to go into a big project. But also I disagree with some of the design choices I see on these racks.

 

[brettf]

FWIW I have an earlier version of the Prinsu rack - it's... fine. I think all of the Sherpa and Prinsu style designs are plenty strong. The new Prinsu rack design looks much stronger, and I'd guess heavier.

If you're really after an antenna and light mount, reconsider needing a rack to do those things? If you need one, so be it. But IMO it's a big penalty for MPG and weight (which is precious on these 3G tacomas).

As someone who put too much on my 3G, keeping it lighter and simpler is golden. I am putting my truck on a diet currently trying to find weight savings. It works on trails better than it should but I think it could be better.

Anyway, love your truck and all the thinking you put it into it! Go manual trans tacos!

 

[DouglasVB]

@brettf yeah... I'm not thrilled about the MPG hit, the added noise, or the extra weight.

The other thing I'm eventually planning is to put a flat bed on the back with a box. If I sped up that purchase and installation (which will also require heavier duty suspension), then I could throw all of the antennas in the box and keep a clean roofline.

I've thought about getting a rear bed mount but one of the antennas is a weBoost which looks pretty funny when mounted there

The other option would be to fashion a mount for the weBoost to put it directly behind the cab. I've got a tonneau cover that flips up so that makes it more complicated.

Hmm I should look at that last option more. I haven't seen anyone making a bracket for that case so I'll probably have to fabricate it myself.

 

[brettf]

Can't wait to see the flat bed!