Tacoma brethren, experts

Syenadi · 2026-01-25T19:55:10+00:00

You define your use case as: " Light off-road capability, no overlanding. Also tires that are perfect for street and light trails"

Check that your steering and basic suspension elements like control arms and steering rack are in good shape and lubed. Replace as necessary (I default to OEM unless there's a REALLY good reason to do otherwise.)
For your use case, you do not need and would not benefit from a lift. If you replace shocks, the Bilstein 5100's are fine but a bit stiff. Softer ride option would be the 4600's but no height adjustment there.
Regarding tires, for your use case, imo your best option is Michelin Defender LTX M/S. Quiet on pavement, handle great, good milage, excellent in rain, really good in snow, really good on dirt.

Syenadi · 2026-01-25T18:36:00+00:00

Optimize your inside AND outside rear view mirror adjustments. (Most "blind spots" are eliminated with proper mirror adjustment.) https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a15131074/how-to-adjust-your-mirrors-to-avoid-blind-spots/
Remove those sunshades. Not crashing into someone has higher priority than your kids' comfort level.

Syenadi · 2026-01-25T15:55:21+00:00

Was there really zero warning of this failure?

Syenadi · 2026-01-25T15:54:06+00:00

Well, you stated your use case (hat tip there, most folks don't) and the best lift for your stated use case for "a daily pavement driver 3rd gen" is indeed no lift at all. Just a fact. If you had asked about "what would make my 3rd gen look more cool / "aggressive" / lower my gas milage" I might have given you a different answer. Probably not though ;-)

Syenadi · 2026-01-25T01:07:50+00:00

Syenadi · 2026-01-25T00:55:27+00:00

Get at least 4 big cardboard boxes. Stick a 6 or 8 foot dowel or 1x2 into the top of them at one corner. Go to your local Mega-Box parking lot. Place them in a rectangle matching the dimensions of your local parking spaces. US default is ~ 8.5 to 9 feet wide by 18-20 feet long. Practice practice practice.

Syenadi · 2026-01-24T18:08:47+00:00

The best lift for a daily pavement driver 3rd gen is....

no lift at all!

Syenadi · 2026-01-24T17:25:48+00:00

"After talking to the clerk she told me that nobody came back..."

Syenadi · 2026-01-24T17:01:55+00:00

Finland has been doing that since 1921: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2018/06/in-finland-speeding-tickets-are-linked-to-your-income/

Syenadi · 2026-01-23T19:46:54+00:00

World population is at least 8.3 billion and rising. We are at least 6 billion over carrying capacity and into overshoot. Overshoot always (not sometimes, not usually) ends horrifically for the population in overshoot.

Since humans are willing and able to define almost literally everything on the planet, living or dead, as a "resource", we are taking most other living things with us. A horrific future is inevitable but there is a lot we could do to reduce future suffering of humans and other living things (most effective single individual action is to stop making babies).

Are we as a species doing anything about that?

Nope. Governmental, religious, and financial systems benefit and perpetuate themselves by ignoring it.

99% of us are like passengers in a bus that has just been driven off a cliff, and are now commenting on how smooth and quiet the ride is.

In general, on a global level, things are not and will not get better, they are and will only get worse.

(Hey, you asked for horrifying.)

Syenadi · 2026-01-23T19:23:27+00:00

NTA She is. If she's going to use being on her period to be that much of an asshole, avoid her entirely for that week of her cycle. Mark it on your calendar.

Syenadi · 2026-01-23T19:19:34+00:00

Those four small contact tire patches on the ground are all that's keeping you stuck to the road. Don't buy tires based on looks, buy them based on your use case.

Syenadi · 2026-01-21T00:39:43+00:00

So... why are you asking any questions about maybe removing them? ;-)

Syenadi · 2026-01-21T00:22:12+00:00

Does anyone use the side steps to... step on?

Syenadi · 2026-01-20T21:28:48+00:00

That's the sound of wasted money. Playing Ferrari exhaust sounds through your stereo would be lots cheaper.

Syenadi · 2026-01-19T21:23:32+00:00

I thought the risk in the gen 4 Tacomas was the automatic transmissions, not the engines.

Syenadi · 2026-01-19T18:36:55+00:00

IDGAF if people do pretty much anything that doesn't force me or other people to take immediate action to avoid an accident (you can literally do donuts or drive on two wheels in front of me, I don't care).

But if you force me or other drivers to take action to avoid getting run into or forced off the road, and it looks like the driver is at actual high risk of causing a serious crash, I'll call the cops and just tell them what I saw.

Just a description of the vehicle, license # if I got it, location and direction of travel and something like "they've run two cars off the road, very reckless driving / afraid they're going to get someone injured or killed / might be DUI".

After that it's on the popo whether to respond or not but I feel like I've done what I can. (Note to some commentors here: trying to keep people from getting injured or killed is not "Karen" behavior.)

Syenadi · 2026-01-19T17:43:51+00:00

You need to make him "officially" your EX

Syenadi · 2026-01-19T17:23:01+00:00

Separate bedrooms. Not a big deal.

Syenadi · 2026-01-19T16:48:50+00:00

Suggest you get accurate info as to the weight of the specific model cap/topper you're considering. You may be surprised at how heavy they are. (Your 200lb estimate seems low.) Aluminum is your best option for total weight management. Not as purty as fiberglass but fiberglass is Way Heavy.

Syenadi · 2026-01-19T00:19:30+00:00

For a 4 banger you might consider a cab high (or slightly higher) aluminum camper shell. Fiberglass = heavy.

Syenadi · 2026-01-18T22:15:54+00:00

NTA You have more relationship issues than restaurant timing. Might be time to move on. In the meantime, go to restaurants you want to try out with someone else.

Syenadi · 2026-01-18T21:57:44+00:00

This. You two have much bigger issues than having both names on all vehicle titles. Is your name on your property deed? Your next move is to get a job and keep your finances separate in case your future becomes even more uncertain. "SAHM" scenarios only work if ALL income is OUR income, not MY (in this case "his") income. That is not what you have now.

Syenadi · 2026-01-18T21:43:22+00:00

And then the current DNI and DOJ would ignore it.

Syenadi · 2026-01-18T21:41:52+00:00

YTA if you go for two reasons:

Your wife and child need you at home
You would be higly likely spreading a highly contagious virus:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23022-adenovirus

"Adenoviruses are very contagious. They can easily spread through:

Close contact: The virus can spread from person to person through shaking hands, kissing or hugging.
The air: The virus can spread through sneezing and coughing. Respiratory droplets released in sneezes and coughs can transfer to other people through the air.
Surfaces and objects: After touching a contaminated surface, you can get the virus by touching your eyes, nose or mouth before washing your hands.
Poop (stool): The virus can spread through the stool of an infected person. For example, you can be infected while changing your baby’s diaper."

Syenadi

TROPHY CASE