BigMike's Big Journey: A 2016 Tacoma Build Thread

[BigMike]

I suppose I should also include this other boring video , in case you haven't seen it, which has some additional footage of my Tacoma

[THK Matt]

I believe you should trademark that taco box logo and engrave it on future tacoboxes as well as sell your tacobox customers a decal. i dig it.

[emsvitil]

25 forward speeds and 3 reverse.........

I thought it was 24 forward and 4 reverse

There's 1:1  ,  stock transfer ,  marlin transfer ,   marlin*stock   for 4 reduction options.

Then 6 forward * 4 = 24   and   1 reverse * 4 = 4

[BigMike]

25 forward speeds and 3 reverse.........

Nice catch and I am sorry you spent the time to calculate that. It was my mistake and I realized it later that day while in my tent at the Springs. That was my first camera interview and was definitely nervous. We took a few takes and also had to repeat some as traffic on the trail would pass us by ruining the shots. Spoiler alert: We had to run the trail twice in two days and were definitely exhausted. It was a lonnnnnnnnnng week. Full trip report to be posted soon. We pondered removing the display text from the video but just decided to leave it. We also have an editing mistake within the first few seconds that lists my 2016 as a 2017 The original portion of that edited sequence was overwritten with a future sequence which killed that incorrect text layer. Nathan would have to start all over to fix it so we just decided to leave it alone also. At least it shows we are covering both '16 and '17 models

I did however successfully attribute the 24-forward and 4-reverse gears in a recently released Podcast episode of which I was a guest for and recorded back in August -- my first Podcast appearance ever!
Listen here: http://toyotatrucksandtrails.com/episode-044/ or look it up in your favorite Podcast app under "Toyota Trucks & Trails". My introduction starts at the 61:45 min mark and my interview at 68:18. Warning: I am a mini-Marlin who loves to talk--It's a long interview Topics include Marlin's youth, how he got into cars and his path to Toyota trucks, the development of Marlin Crawler and the Rock Crawling industry, the history of our Round Up event, significance of clubs and community involvement, how this forum we are on came to be, and finally my vision for my Tacoma and Marlin Crawler's increasing influence in the newer truck and SUV Toyota markets.

Edit: I just skimmed through the 3-hour long MP3 file again and didn't find the reference but I'm gonna lol

Regards,
BigMike

[BigMike]

I believe you should trademark that taco box logo and engrave it on future tacoboxes as well as sell your tacobox customers a decal. i dig it.

Thanks for the comment on the brand new TacoBox logo! This logo was created within the last year from non other than the VERY SAME artist who created the Turtle Logo 20 yrs ago!! He says this is one of his most favorite logos he has ever made, stating how it is so simple yet contains many complex design elements at the same time. I love it and will be putting it to use in a very (precisely literal) big way this winter

Regards,
BigMike

[Shaw_j]

I've been checking in on this thread almost daily for months without an account. I literally joined the marlin board for the express purpose of seeing this unfold! I'm excited to see what these trucks are capable of!

[THK Matt]

whats new mike?!

[Crawlnow]

Can't wait to get rid of my tundra and get a tacoma to build.

[Hilux_Max]

Any updates Big Mike?

[BigMike]

Sorry guys! I've been enjoying this truck a lot!

When is the sas going to happen? Is that stage 3?

Never!

Mike,  why did you decide to clearance the lower ball joint brackets?   I would have thought if anything, running such large tyres, you'd want to limit full steering lock a little to help with clearance of tyre against inner fender/mount?

I actually just followed All Pro's directions and plan to grind away even more for improved steering radius, if possible. Regarding tire clearance while your point is appreciated I'd rather do inner fender wall modification than limit cornering, which is highly valuable for Rock Crawling and even more so considering how long this truck is.

Next time you get an opportunity to chat with All Pro, could you please ask the if those new arms would work on a 2016+ Hilux?

Will do

Mike, did I miss it, have you considered running glass fenders?  Would definitely help with clearance issues

Hey Nate! I heard someone was making 4" wider than stock for desert racers which is just too much for me. I'm sure eventually they will become more common but I'm planning to keep the body lines as narrow as I can.

I literally joined the marlin board for the express purpose of seeing this unfold!

Wow okay time to get this thread back on track!!

July 12, 2017: Stage 2 (continued)
The sad reality is that with only one day left there was no way I could get this done, plus without even having a shake down run... I sat the truck down with all four 40s installed and they couldn't even clear the rear fenders. The fenders were literally resting on the tops of the tires...
...So as you may have expected I moved to Backup Plan A which is to slap on Marlin's set of 37" x 12.50" x 17" BFG KRAWLER tires he had laying around

33s, 37s, 40s!



Fortunately All Pro had sent me a set of axles that I received this VERY LAST day before leaving for Rubicon. Holy crap, talk about cutting it close... In they went:

[BigMike]

July 12, 2017: Stage 2 (continued)

Got the truck outside for the first time in a week and also first time on 37s!



The front coils definitely need to be cranked up more.



The rear seems... "ok"



Love the look so far!



Probably could use some rear wheel spacers...

[BigMike]

July 12, 2017: Stage 2 (continued)

Next up was to flex it out to see how much trimming I'll need to do



Oooff. The rear is horrible. Lift side:



Body roll side:

[BigMike]

Front:





Suspension look'n good





So the front end will be lifted a bit more once I crank up the coils... But there is definitely going to be rubbing once on the trail.

[BigMike]

Definitely need to trim here...



Some different possible cuts...



Front as well. The dotted line is the location of many aftermarket bumpers I've seen online so as long as I stay beneath that I can cut out more later.



Regarding aftermarket front bumpers, I don't know if I discussed this yet or not but earlier in spring I attempted for THREE MONTHS to get a front bumper that I am quite fond of (and I hardly like any 3rd gen bumpers!). This bumper is featured on the front of a suspension company's Gray 2016 Double Cab Tacoma. I don't want to mention names, but I spoke directly with the bumper manufacture, confirmed it can be made out of aluminum and delivered in time for Rubithon, but then received no response from my many messages and voice mails leading up to July. Finally, realizing it wasn't going to get done in time, I had no choice but to cancel the order. Immediately after I sent the message to cancel, within FOUR minutes I got a reply simply saying sorry and best of luck.

Wow. Maybe we wronged this gentleman in the past? Maybe he didn't mean any ill feelings but the near instant reply to my cancellation after weeks of silence was very strange. In hindsight this was a really great thing because now I'll get to build my own bumper!

So moving on I'm not too concerned with these factory bumpers. They'll likely get beat up and that's fine with me; They will be replaced soon enough.

[BigMike]

July 12, 2017: Stage 2 (continued)

Back inside that night I began cutting. I cut the driver's side first and realized I could have done it better. So the passenger's side has a better looking profile and the two don't match. Oh well. It's temporary anyhow and I'm supposed to drive to and be on the Rubicon in less than 24 hrs so no time for OCD...



Back up in the air to get more lift out of the front coils...



Also did some quick work at a lazy, non-permanent way to remedy the rear fender clearance issue...



...by moving the rear axle forward about 3/4". (The Tacoma's reverse shackle design articulates the axle forward, not rearward as it does to our older pickups so a little here should go a long way.)



And that was it for the day before the event!

[BigMike]

July 13, 2017: Stage 2 (continued)

I was up till the wee hours and slept in Thursday morning. Our group caravan had already left town before I had even woke up. I still needed to get the truck cleaned, organize all my tools, start packing, get the truck aligned, take it for a test drive around town, pick up my co-pilot, et cetera, and make it 6 hours to Loon Lake in time to get sleep before leading the group through the Rubicon in a truck I've essentially never wheeled before with a bunch of mods not tested before!

On my way to get the truck aligned I stopped off at the shop to see how things were going. Check out the Tacoma Mall Crawling with 37s



Random picture after getting it aligned



Finally back home early afternoon and ready to start packing to hit the road! This is parked next to my 1981 also on 37s. Fitting in my garage, the Tacoma is about 1.5-inches shorter than the Hilux.........yet...............are you ready for this..........the distance from the ground to the frame beneath the B-pillar is NINE INCHES. Seriously, 9-inches less ground clearance yet with the same size tires and nearly the same overall vehicle height. THIS IS NUTS!



I'll take more comparison measurements later. Right now I gotta get packed and hit the road!

[Hilux_Max]

Mike.  Great update.

Your comment that you wantes to lift the front suspension to help clear the tyres, kind of works against what an IFS is.

Dont matter how high you crank the coilovers you still get the same clearance issues at full compression.   Unlike a solid axle where more lift "does" help clear tyres.

In an IFS, it just gives more clearance at static/ride height.

Better of chooping the fender open a couple inches all the way around both front and rear and keeping her as low as possible in order to utilize as much suspension droop as possible and avoiding lifting wheels offroad.

The 40s will make up the difference in ground clearance with a lower lift height.

Great work.

[BigMike]

July 13, 2017 (continued): TLCA's Annual Rubithon Event -- The Tacoma's first baby steps on the Rubicon!

With the limited visibility of the Tacoma I knew I'd want a Co-pilot so I invited our newest sales employee Trevor with me who had never been on the Rubicon nor in my Tacoma. So it was extra extra special for us all!

Here we are getting gas!



Getting more gas and a sunset!



Getting last minute supplies in Pollock Pines, CA



At 11pm we finally made it to Loon Lake and connected with our group who was fast asleep!

[BigMike]

July 14, 2017: TLCA's Annual Rubithon Event -- The Tacoma's first baby steps on the Rubicon!

Airing down next to the World Famous Crawler Truck about to hit the World Famous Rubicon Trail in my NEW and EXCITING DUAL CASE TACOMA!!!!!!



I will be leading a group of seven built and experienced Toyotas on our annual Marlin Crawler "Sweep Run", where our group is the last group to enter the Rubicon during each Toyota Land Cruiser Association's Rubithon event (http://rubithon.com) with the responsibility of repairing and helping any broken down or struggling rigs on the trail between Loon Lake and the main Springs Campground.

Helping others and giving back to the community has always been the Marlin Crawler way and we always look forward to this event. In fact, since the event started in 1988, we have only missed two. The unique and fun aspect about our Sweep Run is that we never know what to expect: We might come across 10+ broken rigs so it is my job as trail leader to maintain a brisk pace to complete the majority of the Rubicon trail in one shot & get everyone safely to camp that night.

First actual serious trail for the Tacoma: CHECK
First time as Trail Leader in the Tacoma: CHECK
Less than 24 hours on a new suspension system: CHECK
Less than 24 hours on new-to-me 37" tires: CHECK
Have a Marlin Crawler Dual Ultimate TacoBox: CHECK!!! Let's do this!

[toyyota]

I'm watching...Like the updates.

[Shaw_j]

Definitely worth the wait!

[zippo]

Sorry guys! I've been enjoying this truck a lot!
Never!

Well then, since you have a new love, i'll buy your first gen for a shinny new two dollar bill?!? I'll take good care of her!

[blackdiamond]

Well then, since you have a new love, i'll buy your first gen for a shinny new two dollar bill?!? I'll take good care of her!

He won't sell to an "auto broker" that will just resell it... 

[zippo]

He won't sell to an "auto broker" that will just resell it... 

Hurtful. Just hurtful.

[helipilot77]

He won't sell to an "auto broker" that will just resell it... 

Hurtful. Just hurtful.

I don't think he's going to forgive you for that one anytime soon John. 

[LittleSteve]

I don't think he's going to forgive you for that one anytime soon John. 

ill take it!

pull it apart and leave it for 18 months then decide what to do with it, or leave it for a mate to use...

[brettf]

I created an account months ago solely to subscribe and to follow this thread!  Just some feedback so that you know third gen Tacoma owners are not only interested, but are finding their way to this thread and are and watching this closely!

That said, keep the updates rolling!!  Rock.  On.

[BigMike]

Sorry for the lack of updates. It turns out I have 90-something good pictures from my first Rubicon trip that I'd like to share but posting them plus future events to this build thread doesn't make sense so I am compiling on a new, separate Trip Report thread and will get this updated once I get that thread started. (Which means I must go all the way back to my first Moab trip and so on to get caught up before I can post about this Rubicon trip).

I'm slowly compiling the new thread as I can and will update here once done.

Regards,
BigMike

[toyyota]

The pressure is on Mike, your friends would like to see what will be at the King of The Hammers this year.

[helipilot77]

The pressure is on Mike, your friends would like to see what will be at the King of The Hammers this year.

I'll be there looking for you Mike.