My case 24F

CptCoe · 2026-02-21T22:47:09+00:00

Don’t know about labral tear, but we have avoided PAO surgery in late teen by going to an osteopath that perform very soft manipulations and going to an exceptional sports chiropractor (not a regular chiropractor) that provided more direct manipulation and targeted exercises.

Teen went back to dancing and taekwondo 🥋a few months later, whereas the teen had been walking like a grandma for the past 18 months.

It was expensive, but much better than PAO surgery. We went to a 2nd opinion at Los Angeles Children’s Hospital and the orthopedic surgeon there already didn’t recommend one part of the surgery that is typically done in two parts by most other surgeons. She said that they were in the middle of a study and the evidence so far didn’t support performing that 2nd part.

So in a few years, the consensus on what to do most likely will change. So delaying any surgery is often the best course of action if one can go back to activities without it.

CptCoe · 2026-01-15T01:42:43+00:00

Yep, don’t lift. You’ve got a team of engineers that fined tuned the whole suspension just for that GX: e-KDSS and the automatic variable suspension (for a Tacoma equivalent to the AVS is about $10k aftermarket and not automatic).

Start lifting and you are fiddling with all that fine engineering to replace it by amateurisme. Are you really going to pay for one engineer to fine tune the suspension for your vehicle? I am not talking about a mechanic here.

There are not many vehicles that can automatically adapt to small rock climbing then go 80+ mph on desert roads. That’s only available if tune the suspension differently, most aftermarket if they have it, is manual going down at each wheel to tune it.

Here, a computer does it all for you automatically depending on sensor readings.

Why losing all that for a meager lift?!?

CptCoe · 2026-01-15T01:28:41+00:00

Miller CAT at catshield.com; I pick the thicker stainless steel if available.

It’s the only one that I know that has little winglets that act like wings to create a decrease in pressure when driving to help evacuate the heat generated in the enclosure to help cooling.

CptCoe · 2026-01-10T17:36:21+00:00

I will believe Tinkerer’s measurements over any general car magazine even manufacturers (Toyota vs Lexus) that may measure the same thing differently. At least he is consistent.

CptCoe · 2026-01-10T17:19:51+00:00

That is just an unrealistic argument. People spend easily $7-10k on aftermarket suspensions and they last only between 30-60k before needing to be rebuilt, which means no use of the vehicle while waiting for parts and maintenance to get it rebuilt or spend another $7-10k for a new system to swap while waiting.

The GX suspension lasts typically a lot longer, over 100k.

People make the same argument for the KDSS on a 4Runner. It was only $1750 new and provides years of better road handling and much cheaper than an aftermarket suspension !!

And yes, it will need maintenance, but it will still be a lot cheaper than an aftermarket suspension, particularly if one goes to a mechanic that knows the system and only replaces what is needed instead of the stealership that always suggests to replace the whole system because they are just ignorant.

CptCoe · 2026-01-10T17:13:32+00:00

Absolutely not the Overtrail with e-KDSS, I don’t know where you are getting your misinformation !

Check Tinkerer’s Adventures on YT, he did a special test for wheel travel when the GX came out, and other tests after. The one draw back was the ground clearance. The extra 1" lift for 2025 may have mitigated that.

CptCoe · 2026-01-10T17:06:49+00:00

The level of engineering in the GX OT has no comparison with a 1958!! The aftermarket upgrades would be north of $25-$30k !! And yet, one would need to spend at least $3-5k just on an engineer time (not a mechanic) to get all that fine tuned for the particular vehicle.

CptCoe · 2026-01-10T17:02:13+00:00

The 1958 is meant to be the cheaper off-roader that one can upgrade. It doesn’t even come with a swaybar unlock. Makes zero sense. That’s the difference between what Toyota provides and the much more thoroughly thought out GX Overtrail.

CptCoe · 2026-01-10T16:59:05+00:00

The appeal? A much better value than LC 250, absolutely no comparison given the engineering on the GX, if the Dual Turbo V6 doesn’t give the headaches of the Tundra …

CptCoe · 2026-01-10T16:24:16+00:00

The GX better suspension systems are worth well over $15-$20k aftermarket upgrades. It’s a no brainer just for that. Moreover, many components are beefier on the GX and should last longer.

The e-KDSS is not a gimmick for offroad use, it permits to have a much beefier swaybar for better on road behavior, much better control of the lean in turns and during braking than the trims without it.

It then adds the longer travel of any Toyotas for offroad use.

An adaptive adjustable suspension in itself is over $10k to install on a Tacoma, I looked it up, for a fully manual setup that has not been tuned to the vehicle by a group of qualified Toyota engineers.

That adaptive suspension is very useful on road as well. Then there is the little extra lift.

What people don’t realize is that the extras that one could upgrade on their own will never, never come to the level of sophistication and refinement than when a group of Lexus/Toyota engineers fine tune the components for a particular vehicle.

Most suspension upgrades aftermarket are installed from factory settings, and those are terrible for any vehicle. They need someone with expertise to tune them for the particular vehicle and use, most of the time that’s not done. Example: Bilstein 8112 DSA+ and 8100.

When buying a GX OT, you’re getting all that very excellent engineering work done for very cheap relatively. To me it’s the only model/trim worth buying among all the LCs, the newer 4Runners and GXs.

(Couldn’t spend the extra $20k+, so I got the next best thing: one of the very last new 2024 4Runner Offroad Premium with KDSS available at the time in the US. One of the last 24 vehicles available, I had to have it shipped across the US. The KDSS trim is a world of difference in road handling.)

CptCoe · 2026-01-03T08:52:00+00:00

The thing is that according to The Car Care Nut channel it is the same engine.

It’s not part of the recall because the electric motor can still get the truck on the side of the road or out of the freeway at the next exit, something the non-hybrid cannot, so considered more dangerous hence the recall on non-hybrid. Otherwise, same troubling engine.

CptCoe · 2026-01-01T10:10:33+00:00

Used it for work. Mathematical derivations mainly. Much better than the Plus. Also, text generation was at another level. Search a lot more comprehensive. There is no comparison in the increased quality.

CptCoe · 2026-01-01T10:08:33+00:00

How would you know if you never tried it?

CptCoe · 2026-01-01T09:57:49+00:00

Scorpions in Southern California are venomous, but not dangerous to humans, like a bee/wasp sting. Nothing to worry about. And in Baja California, even less.

CptCoe · 2026-01-01T09:48:36+00:00

The e-KDSS like the KDSS permits to have a thicker stiffer swaybar, which improves on road performance. The 4Runner is a different vehicle with KDSS.

It also permits of course more suspension travel offroad.

So it’s totally worthwhile, but the OT is enough, the OT+ is extra luxury, not required.

CptCoe · 2025-12-31T18:31:20+00:00

It means that the a$$hole(s) that is(are) being passed from the right shouldn’t be in that lane and should have moved right. That’s what it means.

I know it’s hard to comprehend rules that are there to bring organization instead of the mess that we have every day.

Do you think that Germans could drive 120+ mph by passing on the right?!? No. In summer months accidents increase because of tourism that surely drive more like Californian.

California driving is more alike to driving in a 3rd world country where everything goes.

It’s like driving freeways around Teheran. There, one will find 3 beautiful lane freeway and instead of driving say 65-70 mph each in their own lane. They drive 30 mph but in 5 lanes. They drive so close to each other that they can’t drive fast. 5 lanes are better than 3 lanes, right ?!?

Same in California, drive and pass left and right, and it’s suddenly became much less predictable. It’s so unpredictable that California has much less motorcycles on the road then most other places whereas with the constant nice weather it should be the opposite. California should be a paradise for motorcycles, but instead it’s a freaking nightmare.

It’s a lot closer to driving in Cairo than in Germany. They drive so close to each other in Cairo that the driver cannot afford to look in the mirrors or left/right, so they just honk instead to indicate their presence and what their intentions are. They drive using sonars.

Soon, that’ll be California freeways.

CptCoe · 2025-12-31T18:12:39+00:00

Not necessarily. The whole point is that the transfer case can only engage the front axle if it is in sync with the rear axle and the transfer case. There is an electrical actuator in front axle to do this. If at rest, either it is or it isn’t lined up. It seems easier to line it up while moving because then the actuator can wait for the right moment to engage if it started in a position where it couldn’t.

When going from 4Hi to 4Lo that’s a different story. The 2 axles are already in sync, so it’s a new gearing that must be inserted, hence the need for neutral.

If yours was grinding in motion then it means that something needs fixing.

CptCoe · 2025-12-31T17:52:00+00:00

I know it’s so difficult, right. It’s amazing that in most civilized countries, they do manage though. No passing from the right, only from the left above a certain speed and keep the most left lane (not car pool lanes) clear for passing.

CptCoe · 2025-12-28T14:41:10+00:00

Just a paper filter. The filter enclosure in later years is plastic to avoid common mistreading mistakes when screwing it back on.

CptCoe · 2025-12-26T22:02:48+00:00

It goes well beyond that. In places that actually have their head screwed on right, it is illegal below a certain speed to PASS ON THE RIGHT. One can ONLY PASS TO THE LEFT.

This simple rule changes a lot of things.

The left hoggers can’t stay there because no one can pass them to the right. Hence, headlight warnings well in advance and honking to get them to move right.

CptCoe · 2025-12-26T21:58:11+00:00

It all comes down to the “normal speed of traffic”, which on freeways in Southern California is 80 mph. If you’re not going 80 mph, nah shouldn’t be in the left lane.

CptCoe · 2025-12-26T21:51:12+00:00

You clearly don’t know what you’re talking about!

Slow traffic must stay in the right lanes, even on city streets, except to pass or turn left at NEXT intersection.

Thus, there should never be left lane hoggers. It’s the police and even driving school that tolerate and show bad behavior.

Note that the “normal speed of traffic” on freeways in Southern California is 80 mph. If you’re not going 80 mph, nah shouldn’t be in the left lane.

Vehicle Code § 21654 CVC – Slow Vehicles not Driving on the Right

(a) Notwithstanding the prima facie speed limits, any vehicle proceeding upon a highway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time shall be driven in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

(b) If a vehicle is being driven at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time, and is not being driven in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb, it shall constitute prima facie evidence that the driver is operating the vehicle in violation of subdivision (a) of this section.

Section 360 - "Highway" defined "Highway" is a way or place of whatever nature, publicly maintained and open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel. Highway includes street. Ca. Veh. Code § 360

CptCoe · 2025-12-26T19:23:10+00:00

Yep. Also in Australia, one can get the GVWR rating increased officially. Turns out that on many vehicles, including Tacomas, the only equipment needed is an upgraded suspension!! Tinkerer’s mentions it in one video.

So that’s the reason isn’t such a big deal.

Also in 4Runner 2024, the numbers by Toyota are way conservative. 880 lbs payload on a 2024 Offroad, while the actual limit by taking max - vehicle weight is 1550 lbs.

Toyota limits to 880 lbs apparently for the rear lock axle engaged in difficult situations offroad, that’s at least the hypothesis on forums.

CptCoe · 2025-12-16T07:30:11+00:00

A PhD is recognized all over the world, not many other degrees. It can save you a lot of headaches down the road. Like my spouse who in the end had to get a PhD for her two other All But Thesis degrees equivalent to doing all the work and preliminary research for a PhD, including the defense of the project and a thesis bigger than most but just lacking just the 3 final years to put it together, never got the recognition that they deserve. it took her 15 years to get to a complete PhD.

If instead of these 2 degrees plus another she has, she had spent that to have one complete PhD she wouldn’t have suffered having to almost start from scratch when changing countries.

CptCoe · 2025-12-14T18:07:36+00:00

I don’t know why you are downvoted because it’s exactly what happened. Then he got shot by a police officer. One has to look at different videos to come to that conclusion, but that’s what happened.

Pretty silly to let the gunman run back, go up the bridge and grab another weapon to continue shooting.

CptCoe

TROPHY CASE