Toy4x4 Digest          Sun, 18 Jan 98 00:30:02 (HST)  Volume 1 : Issue 662
 Today's Topics:
 Amazing Brake Story!!
 Big Box/ Truetrac (3 msgs)
 Bio (3 msgs)
 CB antennas (2 msgs)
 reversing on wet pavement (2 msgs)
 Second battery
 tires
 Toy4x4 Digest V1 #660
 Toy shops in Kansas City
 V6 Mods - MSD Ignition
 V6 Mods - Throttle Body
 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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 Date: Sun, 18 Jan 1998 00:37:14 -0700
 From: Brian Rishaw  Subject: Amazing Brake Story!!
 To: Toyota 4x4 Digest-posting  DG RM125 wrote:>    I own a 1987 Toy 4X4 P-U (x-cab, 22re.) w/ 118,000 miles on it. I have> never done the rear shoes, but did have them checked. I recently went to lube> the bell-crank for the first time(it engages parking brake.) When I got under> the truck I was disapointed to see that the right side was swolen in place due> to my neglect to lube it before (?)  The left side was fine though. I decided> that since the right side was frozen in the engaged  position, I should check> to see if the shoes were worn. I removed the drum effortlessly. I looked at> the brake components and was AMAZED to see that everything was new (drum was> perfect, shoes still had the coating on the asbestos, and the only dust in the> drum was dirt.) I did not know what to think, so I checked the other side and> it was the same way. I don't know how I have put 118,000 miles on the truck> without realizing I had no back brakes.>    Anybody here of this? Could it be caused by the E-brake being seized from> the factory and never working enough to adjust the brakes (because the left> cable just stretched because the right side was frozen?) I do not know what to> do, should I call Toyota or does anyone have experience with this?
 I'm going to make a wild guess at this one, DG.  Sometime early in its
 life, was
 the truck lifted without lengthening the rear axle brake proportioning
 valve arm
 bracket???  If this bracket was not lengthened the same amount as the
 total lift,
 this would cause the proportioning valve to close completely, thus not
 letting
 any brake fluid to the rear brakes, unless you were carrying a VERY
 heavy load
 in the bed. Let me know if I was close!!
 Brian Rishaw
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sat, 17 Jan 1998 17:43:27 -0500
 From: Sheldon Gardner  Subject: Big Box/ Truetrac
 To: Toy4x4@tlca.org>>> Date: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 21:33:16 -0600> From: John Schultz > Subject: Big Box> To: Toy4x4@tlca.org>> John Schultz wrote:>>> I just got a BIG box from 4wpw today.  Monday is 4:56's and True-Tracs>> day.  I can't wait.>>>> John>> BTW I ordered that stuff on Monday.  It arrived today, California to> Missouri regular UPS.  All parts were new, unopened and the customer> service was great.
 Hey John I'm not really up to speed on Truetrac's, understand Detroit and Lockrights
 etc.. Is the Truetrac some sort of limited slip? What's the pros and cons? Reason I
 ask is a friend of mine is seeking advice from me on building up his 80 GMC I said
 slap a Detroit in the rear but perhaps the Trutrac might be better.
 Sheldon
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sat, 17 Jan 1998 19:14:34 -0500
 From: Darren Floen  Subject: Big Box/ Truetrac
 To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
 Sheldon,I really like the True-trac in the front of my 85.Lately,i've
 benn running it around in four wheal drive all over the place,and i only
 notice minor understeer.It's very tame for a front end.I would question
 your reasons for wanting one in the rearend(of a truck).Go with the
 detroit for the rear.I really don't have anything negative to say about
 my rear detroit,it's been quiet and really transparent.I live up in
 Northwestern Ontario where we get lots of snow and ice,and i have no
 trouble keeping it under control.I would have to say that the rear
 Detroit and front True-trac combo was the best mod i made to my truck.
 The True-trac is sorta like a limited slip,but better.I can really
 notice it when i'm snowplowing.Both front tires always spin on level
 ground,when i'm pushing a bank.In other situations it seems like the
 front tires take turns,one speeds up a little,the other slows down,but
 both always seem to pull.This is in snow and mud,on rocks it might be
 different.
 YMMV
 Darren
 Sheldon Gardner wrote:>>>>>>> Date: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 21:33:16 -0600>> From: John Schultz >> Subject: Big Box>> To: Toy4x4@tlca.org>>>> John Schultz wrote:>>>>> I just got a BIG box from 4wpw today.  Monday is 4:56's and True-Tracs>>> day.  I can't wait.>>>>>> John>>>> BTW I ordered that stuff on Monday.  It arrived today, California to>> Missouri regular UPS.  All parts were new, unopened and the customer>> service was great.>> Hey John I'm not really up to speed on Truetrac's, understand Detroit and Lockrights> etc.. Is the Truetrac some sort of limited slip? What's the pros and cons? Reason I> ask is a friend of mine is seeking advice from me on building up his 80 GMC I said> slap a Detroit in the rear but perhaps the Trutrac might be better.>> Sheldon
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sat, 17 Jan 1998 19:01:06 -0600
 From: John Schultz  Subject: Big Box/ Truetrac
 To: Toy4x4@tlca.org> Sheldon Gardner wrote:>>>>>> Hey John I'm not really up to speed on Truetrac's, understand Detroit and Lockrights>> etc.. Is the Truetrac some sort of limited slip? What's the pros and cons? Reason I>> ask is a friend of mine is seeking advice from me on building up his 80 GMC I said>> slap a Detroit in the rear but perhaps the Trutrac might be better.
 I have read what Darren and others have written and have taken all things into
 consideration.  When I chose a rear TAD I wanted something with very tame road manners.  I
 could not afford an ARB and didn't want to deal with the peculiarites of a Detroit or
 Lockright.  I commute over 1000 miles per week in my Toyota and it's PRIMARY purpose is to
 allow me to do that as safely as possible in a midwest (Kansas City Area) winter.  My wife
 occasionally drives this truck also and I did not want to have her dealing with an
 automatic locker in the rear either.  It is for the road manners that I chose the
 True-Trac.  I am not a heavy duty off-roader.  If I lived in the mountains or in Arizona,
 perhaps it would be a different story but, for the INTENDED PURPOSE of my truck a Detroit
 is unacceptable and an ARB is not worth the extra expense.  I feel it is important to
 realistically assess your needs and choose from there.
 John
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sat, 17 Jan 98 17:15:56 PST
 From: "MICHEL PRINCE"  Subject: Bio
 To: "Toy4x4"  - ---------->> Personal Bio Info>> POST TO THE LIST ONLY>> toy4x4@tlca.org> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++>> Name:Mike Prince>> City & State:Summerville, South Carolina 29483>> Country:Berkeley>> E-mail address:HammerHead1@worldnet.att.net>> Toyota (s) year & model:'85 4runner>> Are you a TLCA Member (Y/N/Number?):No>> Age:24>> Occupation:Retail Sales Manager>> Marital Status:Married>> Hobbies:Hunting, fishing, four wheeling, wake boarding>> How did you find out about the Toyota 4x4 Mailing List:> Just searching thriugh the internet> General info about your vehicle, self, etc.:> I now have a much tamer vehicle than I did before, but I still have a love for Toyotas. I had an '86 truck before with a Trailmaster 4" lift and a body lift. I ran 36" Buckshots with a 5.29 gear. I teamed up with a guy that built Toyota motors for the local circle track (Celicas) and we built a hell of a motor for the truck. We put over sized valves in a 20R head and shaved .060 off the head. We put that head on a 22R block that we bored .030 over( monster compression). Added a Crane cam and a killer 4 into 1 header from Black Jack Cyclone. It ran like a raped ape! But I did have alot of over heating problems. It also wouldn't barely run on less than 92 octane, it would start to spark  knock. I do have alot of Toyota knowledge that could be useful on this web page. Now I have a new project. My '85 4SKINRUNNER has 32" all terrains on it so far. I haven't even done the gear swap yet but it's comming soon. The only thing I've done to the truck so far is I did graph a '95 bumper!
 and grill onto it from a 2WD. I'm going to drop my fuel injection and go back to a carb. I also need to change the front springs, the add a leaf I put up front really tweaked my tired old springs. That's about it , ya'll be careful you crazy kids!
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sun, 18 Jan 1998 01:24:12 -0500
 From: "C. Michael Williams"  Subject: Bio
 To: Toy4x4  Name:  Michael Williams
 City & State:  Athens, Ohio
 Country:  United States
 E-mail address:  cmikewil@frognet.net
 Toyota (s) year & model:  94 4x4 4 cyl
 Are you a TLCA Member (Y/N/Number?): Not yet
 Age:  31
 Occupation:  Owner of marina
 Marital Status:  married
 Hobbies:  Photography, motorcycling, outdoor-related activities
 How did you find out about the Toyota 4x4 Mailing List: Alta Vista
 General info about your vehicle, self, etc.:  My truck has 85,000 on
 it.  I joined the list hoping that I can pick up some tips on taking car
 of it as well as modifying it.  I plan to keep it for quite a while.
 Looking forward to contact from the list members.
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sat, 17 Jan 1998 23:32:20 -0800
 From: Jerald Josephs  Subject: Bio
 To: Toy4x4  Name: Jerald Josephs
 City & State: Santa Clara, CA
 Country: U.S.A
 E-mail address: jerald.josephs@ipsilon.com
 jerald@ipsilon.com
 Toyota (s) year & model:  '93 V6 Regular Cab P/U
 '85 4Runner
 Are you a TLCA Member (Y/N/Number?): Not yet, but will be
 Age: 36
 Occupation(s): Customer Support Engineer
 Network Security Consultant
 UNIX System Administrator
 General Computer Hack
 Marital Status: Seriously, if not legally involved
 Hobbies: Wrenching the 4Runner, Audiophile, Photography, Dog
 training, horticulture, beer brewing
 How did you find out about the Toyota 4x4 Mailing List:
 I was searching the Web, looking for advice and tips regarding
 what I should do with the 4Runner, which I acquired today. I caught
 the wheeling bug only two years ago, so I am quite the novice,
 although I my second outing was Rubithon '96 in the V6. That truck
 impressed me, IFS and all.  Sure wish I had 33" tires on it though...> General info about your vehicle, self, etc.:
 Well, the V6 has a Procomp Explorer Stage II lift in front with
 Downey 3" springs in the back on top of 1" blocks.  There are Rancho
 9000 all around I am running BFG MT 31x1050. That's it. Needless
 to say, I have left my mark underneath, even seriously modifying
 the front lift kit. I went for it on the Rubicon and it bit back! I have
 never had so much fun being so scared before in my life!
 So I have been going back and forth since then trying to figure out if
 I should put more money into an IFS truck or try to get myself into
 a straight axle vehicle.   I told myself that I would buy the first
 FJ40,
 4Runner, or vintage Bronco that looked right.
 About 6 months ago, I was explaining to Deb, my girlfriend, that
 the white 4Runner we were looking at in a parking lot was exactly
 what I would fling my money at. I wanted to make sure she knew what
 I wanted because it was highly likely she would see it first.  Things
 just have a way of working out like that with her and me...  Just then,
 the owner of the 4Runner came out into the parking lot and I told him
 that he had a fine looking truck.  That's when he asked if I wanted to
 buy it.
 I told him enthusiastically, "Yes!", but I didn't have the dough until
 the first of this year.  He was in no hurry, so just last weekend, after
 I lost his phone number and gave up on my dream, he called me. That
 was the day after I realized I lost his number!  I sold my stock and
 bought the truck.  It is straight and clean. Never been wheeled.  The
 22R has been rebuilt, but the valves sound a little loose.  New exhaust
 and no interior panels or carpet.  Makes hosing it out a breeze!   Oh
 yeah, it has a full-length roll cage.
 So now, I am ready to turn this into a serious rock crawler and
 figure that if it no longer is good to drive on the highway, I'll just
 tow it up Ice House Road to the mouth the Rubicon!
 This is the dream (in this order)
 Lift it high enough to get about 11" of wheel travel
 Run 33x1250's and control it with Rancho 9000's all around
 (Yes, I *do* have to have the onboard controls)
 Lockers, front and back (Don't have a clue to the right combo yet)
 Change the gearing to at least 4.88, maybe even lower, into the 5's
 and some day...
 Stick a V8 into it.  But that will have to wait until the 22R
 begins
 to whine... Geez, that could be a long time!
 As for myself, I am a complete gadget freak and justify it all by
 believing I need an escape vehicle for when the big earthquake hits
 the West coast.  I have lived through 3 major quakes in Southern
 Cal, so that is not a fantasy. Building the perfect vehicle might be.
 But hey, some people just do it because it can be done. After all,
 it is only money and love of building it.
 I am no mechanical genious, but I used to do all of the work on
 my vintage Volvo's (1960's 122s and 220s) and I truly miss the
 hobby of wrenching on my car.  The V6 is stable and I leave it
 to professionals, but nobody touches the 4Runner without me
 looking over the shoulder.
 - --- jer
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sat, 17 Jan 1998 18:52:34 -0800
 From: Greg Sue  Subject: CB antennas
 To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
 For a dual setup, don't forget that the coax needs to be 75 ohm from
 each antenna to the common point, and 50 ohm from the common point to
 the radio.  I personally recommend a single, base-loaded antenna, which
 is easy to match and is more flexible than a fibreglass unit (tree
 branch considerations).  Good brands are Wilson, Larsen, Sinclair, and
 K-40.  The best place for mounting is the center of your roof (for an
 omni-directional ground-plane).  I have my Larsen mounted on the
 driver's side fender, with an L-bracket.  Try to keep your antenna as
 far as possible away from surrounding metal objects, such as a roof
 line; this is why mounting your antenna immediately behind your cab is
 not a good idea.
 Greg Sue
 gregsue@usa.net
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sat, 17 Jan 1998 22:24:20 -0500
 From: Charles Brooks  Subject: CB antennas
 To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
 Greg Sue wrote:>> For a dual setup, don't forget that the coax needs to be 75 ohm from> each antenna to the common point, and 50 ohm from the common point to> the radio.
 Why??? If you do that you not only have an impedance mismatch at the
 antenna but also at the common point.
 Charles Brooks
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sat, 17 Jan 1998 23:55:36 -0800 (PST)
 From: Michael Ken Chen  Subject: reversing on wet pavement
 To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
 i never know how shitty the extra cab was in reversing on wet
 pavement until this weekend.  it really sucks cuz it cost me a lot of
 money that was unneccessary.  anyhow, here is the story... i tried to make
 a turn into a steep - short driveway.  i realized i didn't have room 1/2
 way down (realize it was only like 6ft long.  anyhow... i tried to
 reverse, but my wheels kept on slipping.  i slid all the way down and
 rested my big bumper onto the stone column.  i had no choice but to get a
 tow truck cuz there was nothing i could do cuz i kept on spinning.  now,
 my question is... i forgot to try this, but i was wondering, is it
 possible to engage 4wd going in reverse?  cuz i could not go forward even
 a cm.  but i could spin back.  can you actually engage the front hubs
 going in reverse?
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sun, 18 Jan 1998 03:23:11 -0500
 From: Darren Floen  Subject: reversing on wet pavement
 To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
 What year is your truck?I know if it has manual hubs then theres no
 problem.ADD should also have no problem with this.Just don't snap the
 clutch until the hubs lock in,or the axle engages.If it has ADD just
 pulling the t-case lever into 4WD doesn't always mean that the front
 axle engages right away.Sometimes the front axle will have to rotate
 slightly to line up the splines.Pull the lever and start out gently,and
 you shouldn't have any problems.
 Darren
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sun, 18 Jan 1998 20:48:50 +1100
 From: The Manager  Subject: Second battery
 To: GERALD DE LOS SANTOS  Hi guys. I have an 83 2200 Diesel D/Cab hilux. I am trying to put a second
 battery (the biggest deep cycle I can fit) but cannot seem to find a
 suitable spot. I have thought about moving the air filter cannister on the
 passenger side of the motor and putting the battery behind the passenger
 headlight. The main battery is behind the drivers headlight. What other
 suggestions do you have?
 Thanks guys.
 **********************************
 Sale-Net
 Internet Advertising
 http://sale-net.conxion.com.au
 Home of Camera Capture
 Member of A.S.A.N
 http://asan.actcase.com/
 ***********************************
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sat, 17 Jan 1998 23:56:55 -0800 (PST)
 From: Michael Ken Chen  Subject: tires
 To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
 i read an earlier article in here...  someone had 31x13.5  i was
 wondering what is the widest you can go w/ 31's on a non lifted truck?
 and what is the required backspacing on it?  thanks for any responses
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sat, 17 Jan 1998 23:32:16 -0600
 From: Steve Harron & Jennifer Lippold  Subject: Toy4x4 Digest V1 #660
 To: Toy4x4@tlca.org> ------------------------------>> Date: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 19:18:12 -0800> From: Jason Redman > Subject: noises> To: Toy4x4@tlca.org>> I started my 96 tacoma up tonight and instantly heard some type of> grinding noise.  It's rpm related, definitely in the engine, but I> couldn't find anything.  Sounded maybe like something was rubbing on one> of the belts or belt wheels.  I decided to drive it around the block,> and as soon as I touched my steering wheel I got a new symphony of> sound.  Kind of a whale mating call, grinding sound when I turn the> steering wheel (not like gears grinding, though).  Obviously something> in the steering.  So two different new sounds, and I don't like either> one of them.  Anybody have an idea on a good place to look first?>>I had the same thing happen with my 95 4Runner.  The drive pully on the front of the power steering pump had come loose.  I don't know how or why it happened.  It was not loose enough to wiggle by hand but it was loose enough to let the vanes in the pump rub the pump housing under any kind of load.  I tried thread lock and it came loose about two weeks later.  A lock washer solved the problem.> ------------------------------
 Date: Sat, 17 Jan 1998 19:02:21 -0500
 From: Darren Floen  Subject: Toy shops in Kansas City
 To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
 Jeffrey Delzer wrote:
>> Can anyone who's familiar with this area tell me where to go or where> not to go?>> Thanks in advance,>> Jeff Delzer> '94 SR5 3.0L V6 XtraCab
 Jeff,i know where you can go,but that would be too off topic :-)
 Darren
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sun, 18 Jan 1998 01:27:13 -0700
 From: Brian Rishaw  Subject: V6 Mods - MSD Ignition
 To: Toyota 4x4 Digest-posting  Steve Harron & Jennifer Lippold,
 I got the MSD-6 Off Road Ignition from Northwest Off-Road last fall for
 around $275.  You'll need an EFI adapter from MSD for about $38. The EFI
 adapter that N/W sells didn't work with my tach - MSD sent me the
 correct adapter free. MSD has a great customer support dept.
 (915-855-7123), they answered all my questions. You can't use the MSD
 with platinum plugs or Split Fire plugs - it will melt the electrodes on
 these plugs - just use a good conventional copper core plug (I use
 Champion truck plugs).
 The first thing I noticed was that the engine fired up immediately
 during a cold start. I noticed better low end power also. The MSD
 triggers a full-power series of multiple sparks for each firing of a
 plug that lasts for 20 degrees of crankshaft rotation up to 3000 rpm.
 Above 3000 rpm there isn't enough time to fire the plug more than once,
 so there is only one powerful spark. I use mine with the MSD
 High-Vibration Blaster coil ($50) for maximum voltage. MSD has a great
 reputation for reliability and durability from every facet of the racing
 industry.
 Brian Rishaw
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sun, 18 Jan 1998 01:06:38 -0700
 From: Brian Rishaw  Subject: V6 Mods - Throttle Body
 To: Toyota 4x4 Digest-posting  Scott Wilson,
 Boring out the throttle body and installing a larger throttle plate is
 an easy and effective way to increase airflow 10-20% on the V6 EFI
 engines. It works together with your other air flow mods (headers,
 porting, larger exhaust, K&N Filtercharger) to increase throttle
 response and power.
 Both Downey and Performance Products market these, Downey's is a 3mm
 overbore for around $360 and Perf/Prod is a 4mm overbore for only $285.
 I went with Perf/Prod and am very happy with it.  They actually have you
 send it in to RC Engineering in Torrance, CA (four day turnaround time).
 So, those of you in the area might just call RC Eng. and cut out the
 middleman!!
 Brian Rishaw
 ------------------------------
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