BigMike's Big Journey: A 2016 Tacoma Build Thread

[V-Man]

Who needs a winch? Put a big rope around the tire and let it spin.

Been done for years, it's called a "Bush Winch". If you have duals on the drive axle it's as simple as a bar between the rims and the cable wraps around rims.  If you think hydraulic winchs are powerful, imagine a winch powered by a 500hp motor with 1800ft/p of torque.

[BigMike]

Got an update on the front bumper! We are now collecting demand for our 3rd gen Front Tube Bumper!

Information on our site where you can sign up if interested to be notified of updates:
Marlin Crawler | 2016+ Tacoma Front Tube Bumper

And a thread in our Armor section I created:
Marlin Crawler's 3rd gen Front Tube Bumper is now in Pre-Production!

Please check out the product page on our website for full details and thank you for your interest in our new front bumper!

[KauriJ]

I love the bumper design! I opened the Marlin Crawler email about the two discounted bumpers 20 minutes after it was sent and was reaching for my credit card when I saw both had already been sold. Looking forward to the versions for older Toyotas becoming available!

It looks like the absolute perfect bumper for my mom's 1988 pickup; the design seems to be just what I was trying to find without really realizing what I was looking for. Please pardon my ignorance if this has been discussed before or if this is the wrong place to ask; I'm admittedly rather new to off-roading: I was wondering how these bumpers would hold up in the unfortunate event of a collision with a deer? We're trying to also protect the truck while it's on the road, but without a very heavy, "cloddy" plate-steel bumper.

[Hilux_Max]

Got an update on the front bumper! We are now collecting demand for our 3rd gen Front Tube Bumper!

Information on our site where you can sign up if interested to be notified of updates:
Marlin Crawler | 2016+ Tacoma Front Tube Bumper

And a thread in our Armor section I created:
Marlin Crawler's 3rd gen Front Tube Bumper is now in Pre-Production!

Please check out the product page on our website for full details and thank you for your interest in our new front bumper!

Wish we could run similar tube front bars here DownUnder.....such a bar would be deemed "illegal" by the fun police here.

[Rockcrawlintoy]

Wish we could run similar tube front bars here DownUnder.....such a bar would be deemed "illegal" by the fun police here.

what  makes it illegal?

[Hilux_Max]

what  makes it illegal?

1. Forward leaning center hoop...we cannot have that due to possible pedestrian risk.
2.  cannot have more than 2/3 of the tyre height exposed from the front (even thou many disregard this with other bars, but bit hard with a tube front bar design with small wings)
3. Must be airbag compliant, testing and engineered.

Don't get me wrong,  Mikes bar is awesome and I wish we could run similar on our Hilux's (here in Australia) due to lightweight, strength, clearance benefits.....but we are over legislated locally here in regards to such things...especially when there is a segment of government and community trying hard to legislate against front bars in general.

[300k]

1. Forward leaning center hoop...we cannot have that due to possible pedestrian risk.

Pedestrian risk? what's that?

[mcharfauros]

Definitely staying tuned to this thread!

[Reynolds]

Big Mike! I remember you showing me your reverse lights at MCR or Rubithon and I can't for the life of me remember what brand they were. I just remember they were bright as heck and now I want some

[Wainiha]

I want to know too.  I need brighter reverse lights.

[BigMike]

Whatttttttttttttttts up guys?! Happy Turkle Day!

Big Mike! I remember you showing me your reverse lights at MCR or Rubithon and I can't for the life of me remember what brand they were. I just remember they were bright as heck and now I want some

Heck yeah man they are very bright and I love them. I have plans to install a switch with relay to flip these on to light up camp at night.

I got them from here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CRGU91Y "JDM ASTAR Extremely Bright 2000 Lumens Error Free 921 912 3035 Chips LED Bulbs For Backup Reverse Lights, Xenon White", eggcellent use of 15 doll hairs.

I have some pretty awesome news coming soon and will resume posting updates here hopefully by mid December.

Until then, here come a couple pics from July with Marlin on Black Bear Pass, Colorado:









Oh, and I've also done Rubicon three times now on 40s and with zero steering issues



Should resume posting within a few weeks!

Regards,
BigMike

[emsvitil]

I like your Tailgate and Rear Window Memes

[BigMike]

I like your Tailgate and Rear Window Memes

Thanks buddy I'm thinking about adding a sort of Victory Mark for trails the truck has done but I really like the clean/simple look of the truck and am being careful to not over clutter it. I'm still also considering a vehicle wrap and could incorporate victory marks there.

My current, most simple idea would be something like this (see attached). The reason is that I talk to a lot of people in parking lots and they are always shocked that (A) such a new truck can do trails like Rubicon, and (B) that 40" tires can be highway driven... well... out of Fresno.

So I'd like people to know that the truck actually gets wheeled, but this will become a mess as I add more trails and the count gets higher, so I haven't done it yet....

[BigMike]

...another idea is to have social media links on the vehicle so people can find and learn more about the truck, such as a QR code that directs to this thread and (I should create an account for the truck...) Instagram account for the truck.

I think the best thing to do is to just continue creating good content and keep the content flowing. I've been working VERY hard on a huge project that started in July which is why this thread has gone cold for so long. Once a few more things are done to the truck I'll resume doing a lot more video marketing with it. I have pages and pages of notes of things we want to do on video to promote our products

We just posted our Round-Up Video Review to YouTube which includes a few clips of the Tacoma in action (8:33m):

Regards,
BigMike

[Hilux_Max]

Oh, and I've also done Rubicon three times now on 40s and with zero steering issues

This makes me moist. gonna need you to make me one of those Mar-Racks for the Hilux one day.

[emsvitil]

Victory Marks should go on the front fender (along with the road kill marks (turtles and snails as everything else can get out of the way)) like they do for aircraft.

[Wainiha]

Just ordered those reverse lights.  I need them bad.  I'll be interested in your relay setup for them

[BigMike]

I've finally created an Instagram account for my Tacoma!

Follow it at @SlowestTacoma -- https://www.instagram.com/slowesttacoma/

I'll be slowly posting old pictures to get it caught up to speed

[blackdiamond]

I just can't keep up anymore...

[300k]

I just can't keep up anymore...

That's what all the Jeep guys are saying about BigMike's Tacoma!

[BigMike]

For the first time since February 1st or 306 days ago, Page 1's opening post's Picture Thumbnail Thread Index is up to date.

Now I need to get my actual Build progress updated, which I must get done in no more than two weeks time.

You guys do realize...

...that I'm making a push

......to get this thread updated

.........which could only mean one thing

............something really, really big is coming

[emsvitil]

[rapier46]

Oh I love this Mike!

(I'm the guy that lives up in Calgary and wheels with the gear shop guys)

[BigMike]

Since the last week of June I've been working hard on something I've never done before. Went wheeling only once.. Have completely neglected my Tacoma.. Had wind taken outta my sails finishing up a particularly challenging project... It's been an incredible ride for sure.

An all-new, industry-first future awaits... #RCLT

[mudmaster]

 

[Lewis Hein]

I'm guessing this is a portal box that hooks into the IFS system

[V-Man]

I'm guessing this is a portal box that hooks into the IFS system

Be still my beating heart

[:)bestgen4runner]

[300k]

I like this. I like this a lot.


BigMike revolutionizing the Toyota offroad industry ----->       

[emsvitil]

Stronger front differential with e-locker or ARB internals