This trip helped me learn a few things about the truck and what I want to do to it in the future.
1) IFS rocks. Despite the limited flex, IFS is the way I want to go for any street-legal rig
2) the little 2.7 is a great little motor. It's not a powerhouse, or even throaty like the 3.4, but it's a peppy little engine that got me everywhere I wanted to go. And it got 21 mpg, can't beat that.
3) I like the 5-speed in it. The 2.7 lugs plenty, and I was able to crawl pretty slow. Would I love a doubler? You bet! Is it needed or in the plans? Nope.
4) I need a lift, especially in the back. This truck is a '97 and came with the short rear leaf springs, but that's no biggie. The springs are at negative arch, and with the bed loaded, they're almost resting on the bumpstops. I had very little uptravel in the back.
5) I need a locker. For the type of wheeling I like to do, a locker makes things much smoother. And smooth means I'm not breaking stuff.
The truck has 3.55's in it right now. The most standard gear that tacos (and other yotas) came with is 4.10s. 3.55's with 31" tires is a bit high. So if I went with a tire any bigger than this, I'd have to regear. Since I'll be installing a locker, I might as well regear. If I regear, I might as well go with big meats.
Here's the goal:
- 35's (already purchased from Bart - treps)
- new wheels (17x8 or 17x9)
- OME front lift (1-2")
- rear lift (2-3", for heavy loads when camping). I'm not sure if I want to go with Dakar (OME), TG, AllPro, Alcan, or custom springs from that place in Springville
- rear selectable locker. I've got my eye on an elocker rear axle to throw in.
- regear to 4.56's or 4.88's (I still need to research this)
- specialty products UCAs
- AllPro rear bumper
- camper shell (the tall ones with a bump in it)
- rear frame brace plates
- tub front fenders/firewall
So this will be my project this month. If you have any of the parts I need for sale, hit me up.