Builds Big Red Toy (4 Viewers)

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I had some time today and decided to get the Tacoma ready as a spare coronapocalypse truck. I've been wanting to install the winch and bumper for a while, but can't lift it sufficiently high enough on my own. My friends are keeping their social distances until this virus blows over. This left me with my old friend the oak tree.

This oak tree has helped me split my rims, install my rear bumper by backing up into it and now, it has helped me install the front bumper on the Taco.

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I switched out the steel cable for a synthetic rope. That was a lat workout like no other.

Here's a life pro tip for you soon to be married guys or newly weds. Don't tell your wife that you will NOT be cutting into her car then two hours later ask where the multi tool or sawzall are.

Tomorrow will be the front cab mount chops and wiring of the lights and winch.

Gotta love teleworking from home.

And no, no word on Big Red yet.
 
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Took the Tacoma to Land Cruiser Specialist for the dreaded cab mount chop. Since I promised the wife I wouldn't be cutting anything, it was technically keeping my word.


All Toyota had to do was move the cab mount a hair back, or have the tires a hair forward and all of this would have been avoided.
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Here's Hunter, cutting it up.
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Thinking I could fit even bigger tires now.
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Saw this beauty at their shop. Don't know the owner.
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Here's the final look of the Tacoma. It's Zombie ready-ish.
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I finally have my baby back, But it's not without issues.
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Before I get into the issues, let me just say WOW. This compound set up is no joke, or maybe I got used to the sluggishness of the Tacoma that anything is an improvement.

Cruising at an easy 20psi, very responsive. When I floor it, jumps to 40 psi and seemed like it could go even more, but you EGTs and s***. Can do 90mph like it's nothing. I need to start thinking of better brakes now.

So for the issues. NO electrical what so ever. Batteries are dead, the alternator is not powering anything in the truck. It's like it got hit with an EMP. All the fuses are good, so i'm taking in the batteries tomorrow to see if I need them replaced or what.

Another issue is the oil leak. I need to tighten a fitting somewhere, but it's too dark right now.
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He did replace the fuel line to a larger diameter one and replaced the lift pump.

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So did the small turbo get changed out? Is it the super HX 30 you are running now?

For electrical did you throw a multimeter on the battery posts to get some readings? How about when it's running, showing any charge?
 
So did the small turbo get changed out? Is it the super HX 30 you are running now?

For electrical did you throw a multimeter on the battery posts to get some readings? How about when it's running, showing any charge?
Yes the Super is on there now. In the middle of replacing the batteries as I type. Had to tighten up a few fittings that were leaking. Will report back in a bit.
 
Just filled up for 63 dollars. I remember when I first filled the long-range tank it was roughly 89 bux.
 
It's running. Just 2 dead yellow top batteries.... should i worry or they just don't make them like they used to?
I went with X2 batteries. I don’t think Optima batteries are what they once were.
I chose the one with a 60 month free replacement warranty
 
I went with X2 batteries. I don’t think Optima batteries are what they once were.
I chose the one with a 60 month free replacement warranty
The batteries were less than a year old, so free replacement.
 
I just took this while tightening some fittings. The vibration isn't as bad without a harmonic balancer, at least for the inline pump 4BT.

 
Just drove for three hours. First impression is the engine is strong. Second impressions, I need to fix my AC.

I cruised between 77 and 84 effortlessly. The engine can easily go from 18 psi to 35psi. EGTs can jump from 900* to 1600* even faster, it's scary if you don't know to watch out for it.

Here's what it looks like at 79mph. The EGTs eventually level off at around 1000* while cruising.

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Got home and a thunderstorm hit.

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Couple of questions after seeing your results. 1600 egt is definitely no bueno.

Does the super 30 have a wastegate?
I see the total boost gauge, any chance you have a boost gauge reading boost just on the large (primary) turbo? That will help in tuning to see how the two are sharing the load.
 
Couple of questions after seeing your results. 1600 egt is definitely no bueno.

Does the super 30 have a wastegate?
I see the total boost gauge, any chance you have a boost gauge reading boost just on the large (primary) turbo? That will help in tuning to see how the two are sharing the load.
It does have a wastegate and I do have a secondary boost gauge on the larger turbo. There's generally a 10psi difference between the two give or take.

I will start documenting their readings as I drive it more.
 
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Good, a wastegate on the small turbo means there are adjustments that can be made. Ok, if you can get me some numbers let's see how the two turbos are working together. Perhaps a passenger can take some notes while you do the driving. I'd rather have specifics to get a better understanding on the load sharing. The potential is to keep the power you have but reduce the egts without touching the fueling. Doing the math will help give us an idea of if there is room for adjustment.

Total boost - large turbo boost
10 - ?
15 - ?
20 - ?
25 - ?
30 - ?
35 - ?
40 - ?
45 - ?
50 - ?
 
I know you just got your truck back so I'd expect this may take a little time to gather.
 
I know you just got your truck back so I'd expect this may take a little time to gather.
I appreciate the help. It's going to rain all wknd, but i plan on driving it a bit. I'll have my son write them down while i drive.
 
Mike what kind of voltage regulator are you running? Cummins can eat regulators. I have gone through four so far. Also I am switching to another batteries after my yellow tops are done. Only reason I replaced them with the same was my battery boxes were designed for them. I will be swapping them out for Odysseys when the time comes.
 
Mike what kind of voltage regulator are you running? Cummins can eat regulators. I have gone through four so far. Also I am switching to another batteries after my yellow tops are done. Only reason I replaced them with the same was my battery boxes were designed for them. I will be swapping them out for Odysseys when the time comes.
I think it's the same one that came with the engine, but not positive. I had the alternator rewrapped to give 200 Amp output, but assumed they kept everything else the same.
 
Probably have something like this. In 2nd gen Dodge trucks the alternator was regulated by the PCM. When that failed people switched back to the earlier external regulator. Cheap and available everywhere. Also if placed in a easy to get to area it an easy fix if carrying a spare.

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Probably have something like this. In 2nd gen Dodge trucks the alternator was regulated by the PCM. When that failed people switched back to the earlier external regulator. Cheap and available everywhere. Also if placed in a easy to get to area it an easy fix if carrying a spare.

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I'll have to check once the storm dies down. I don't think it looks like that.
 

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