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The ironic thing about sliders is that they actually reduce your ground clearance somewhat, making contact more likely. However, contacting a rock on the sheet-metal pinch weld is painful and painfully expensive. If you had a custom set made there's no reason you couldn't specify a set of...

I must disagree about automatic versus manual lockers. Even the best auto lockers produce some negative effects on tire wear and, depending on the product, handling and noise. As Ace mentioned, a locked diff on ice can be a distinct disadvantage. I much prefer having total control over when...

Since the interleaf friction on leaf springs produces a significant damping effect, there's no doubt that valving for a coil or air spring with the same rate would have to be different. But if you're just adding air bags to leaf springs to compensate for a heavier load I don't think any...

To my knowledge there is really no way to maintain consistent (i.e. level) ride height, handling, and comfort with and without a 1,000-pound load on the bed without an adjustable suspension system. The add-on systems mentioned only engage once the vehicle has begun to sag under a load, and...

NAFOD: that is awesome. My trial-and-error first experiments with winching included simply wrapping the cable around a boulder and hooking it to itself. Warn is correct regarding grounding to the frame—you should run a properly sized ground cable all the way back to the battery. Your friend's...

If you plan to remove the camper between trips, air bags are the way to go, preferably with adjustable shocks. It's the only way to ensure a decent ride and safe handling with and without weight.

This thread has resulted in a lot of good information and thoughts! To clear up some nomenclature: It’s generally accepted that a “wrap” refers to the line or cable completing one turn around the drum. A “layer” refers to one complete width of the drum covered in “wraps.” Thus manufacturers...

Here is an example of a winch bumper that provides virtually zero visual or manual access to the winch. Not a good design in my opinion, however stylish and well-built otherwise it may be. Additionally, many current bumpers employ this canted fairlead, which means that the line is almost always...

Craig, it depends on what you mean by "wear." Some fraying and fuzzing is perfectly normal and will minimally affect strength. A fellow I know who trains with his Superwinch Husky has a synthetic line so fuzzed you can hardly make out the braid, but it still functions. Current synthetic lines...

XJINTX, what I am referring to is adequate visual and manual access to the line on the drum, to ensure it is spooling in even and tight layers and rows when you have completed a recovery, and to allow you to get to the line to correct problems. The 8274 on my FJ40 has superb access: But a lot...

I would like to add a few thoughts, some of which are duplicates of those in previous posts. I also recommend staying away from receiver-mounted winches for the reason mentioned previously: Receiver mounts are designed for pulling a trailer, not winching. They might be adequately strong for a...

Foy, This article might help.

Tubel5000, I've written a number of article on this issue on Overland Tech and Travel. Search for JATAC and you'll find them. One looked at emergency handling, here. There's no doubt you'll be beyond the GVWR of a Tacoma with a Four Wheel Camper and all equipment, but there are steps you can...

Go with the narrower tires. Many benefits and few if any downsides. Even in soft sand they won't be a hindrance; the tire elongates when you air down and this is where the flotation comes from.

We've had nothing but excellent service from Discount, both when we buy tires from them and when we bring in tires we've been comped by sponsors or are testing. Same courteous reception.

Josh, I'll add my own warnings to those above. That camper will severely compromise the handling and ride of your Tacoma, no matter what modifications you make to the suspension.

We've never had a problem with the stock U-joints. And I think the stock front coils are too stiff to begin with. I left them in place, and we have an ARB bumper and winch. I did replace the front shocks though.

Welcome Amy, You have an excellent combination, and it will do just fine on 4WD trails. We put 150,000 miles on our first Tacoma/FWC combination, and are on our second now. (We also do extensive work in the desert.) I'm not a big fan of add-on helper springs such as the Hellwig; however, if...

Airing down is much, much easier and faster—and thus more likely to actually happen—if you have a good deflator or a set of them. I did a review of the most common ones here. Thanks Advmoto 18 for the earlier link to the article on the ARB Twin compressor; it's expensive but superb.

You can accomplish the same effect as the Truckclaws with a couple of short lengths of 2x4 (or branches or . . .) and ratchet straps. MaxTrax are more versatile and quicker to deploy. And the first thing to do when stuck in sand is AIR DOWN. I still am astonished at how resistant people are to...

I have a theory, half-baked or otherwise, that the rust issue in those boxed frames is why Toyota switched to an inferior open-channel frame in its latest U.S. truck models. If that's the case, it was a facile solution and the wrong approach. Plenty of companies build boxed frames and have no...

I'm going to add a few more (highly opinionated) basic suggestions, since it's actually difficult to search for clear installation tips, as Bseek mentioned. If you plan to leave the camper installed all the time, I believe the ideal suspension setup would be custom rear leaf springs, specced to...

Tom introduced us to the fellow who is buying the company at Overland Expo East. He seems like a really nice guy. I wouldn't be too worried by the corporate name, but of course time will tell. I don't think Tom would have let it go to a faceless entity solely determined to milk the brand for...

I'm going to echo what several have said, and add a bit. I definitely don't think simply switching to more expensive batteries is going to solve your problem. If they're not getting charged it won't matter if they cost $200 each or $900. Your Ford's stock alternator should be able to...

No - plenty of room for chains with that tire size.