Harry needs a new truck - bad ideas welcome

[Harry Johnson]

What's up guys. The wife and I have a tundra we love that pulled quadruple duty as a kid hauler, tow rig, dirt bike and bike hauler, and sometimes wheeler/desert ripper. We're gonna sell it.


We bought a new soccer mom SUV/tow rig. So that leaves us with a need for a dirt bike hauler, bike hauler, and sometimes wheeler/desert ripper. Also needs to be 4 door, street legal, 4x4, and it would be really really cool if I could flat tow it with our motorhome. Oh yeah, this will probably also be my DD.

My first impulse was a 2019+ ranger. It can be flat towed, the fx4 version gets a rear locker, and there are some aftermarket suspension kits available. Even the used ones are fairly expensive right now however.



So what are some other decent options? I kinda sorta was eyeballing a first gen explorer sport trac. Seems like all the ranger stuff from that era will bolt up suspension-wise, they're cheap, and it looks like I should be able to flat tow them?


My wife would hate another project.... until it's done anyway. Toss some other bad ideas my way.

 

[dwphoto]

Looks like BLGT Classifieds have what you need.

You should buy this! Comes with a free case of Beverages too

Sold - 1997 Ford Expedition 4x4 Prerunner Bend, OR

Up for grabs is a truly exceptional 1997 Ford Expedition that's not just an off-road beast but also a smooth operator on the road. It's time to let someone else experience the thrill of this amazing off-road toy, as I'm transitioning to a pickup truck for my evolving needs and hobbies. Willing...

forum.badlinesgoodtimes.com

not enough doors but

For Sale - 1990 garage built bronco

You guys have seen I've been building this thing up and have made sure to do it right as it was supposed to be a family rig. Times have changed and the wife's no longer working. She needed a different car so the bronco is for sale. This bronco,since I've owned it, has seen nothing but love...

forum.badlinesgoodtimes.com

 

[Harry Johnson]

Looks like BLGT Classifieds have what you need.

You should buy this! Comes with a free case of Beverages too

Sold - 1997 Ford Expedition 4x4 Prerunner Bend, OR

Up for grabs is a truly exceptional 1997 Ford Expedition that's not just an off-road beast but also a smooth operator on the road. It's time to let someone else experience the thrill of this amazing off-road toy, as I'm transitioning to a pickup truck for my evolving needs and hobbies. Willing...

forum.badlinesgoodtimes.com

not enough doors but

For Sale - 1990 garage built bronco

You guys have seen I've been building this thing up and have made sure to do it right as it was supposed to be a family rig. Times have changed and the wife's no longer working. She needed a different car so the bronco is for sale. This bronco,since I've owned it, has seen nothing but love...

forum.badlinesgoodtimes.com

Ooh, both are interesting. From a flat towing standpoint, they would both be more of a handful than a smaller truck. I'm digging the cage in the expedition however.

 

[Motiracer38]

Details on Tundra?

 

[Harry Johnson]

Details on Tundra?

Nothing too exciting. 2013 Rock Warrior, MCM Fab uppers and ADS coilovers up front, 1" shackle and some ads 2.5 piggy back shocks out back. 35x12.50 r17 on the stock rock warrior wheels. Small bit of trimming of the skid plate up front to prevent major rubbing at full lock. That reminds me- I need to put sway bar back on before I put it up for sale.

But yeah, hoping to buy/build something similar-ish in capability but smaller to make it a better tow rig. Extra plus if it gets better gas milage since it'll probably be my DD.

 

[dwphoto]

Details on Tundra?

beat me to it haha

you wanna trade for a sweet double cab stockish tacoma overlander

 

[Harry Johnson]

beat me to it haha

you wanna trade for a sweet double cab stockish tacoma overlander

If I could figure out how to flat tow those things without some major BS every time, I'd probably take you up on that.

 

[dwphoto]

If I could figure out how to flat tow those things without some major BS every time, I'd probably take you up on that.

pull the drive shaft and goooo to quote my boy @vcyota92 "it's only 4 bolts"

 

[Harry Johnson]

pull the drive shaft and goooo to quote my boy @vcyota92 "it's only 4 bolts"

*edit* I guess unless my zip tie skills are on point

 

[dwphoto]

View attachment 15242

you only have to pull the diff side.

Toyotally Awesome 2012 4x4 DBL Cab

copied of Tacoma world As she sits. 08/2018 Welp. picked up this warlock last Sunday. 2012 4x4 TRD sport 59k on the clock. For now not going to go too crazy on it, as I will be DDing it. Eventually will be come more of a camping/offroad dedicated rig. For now still have this little...

forum.badlinesgoodtimes.com

 

[dwphoto]

BIGGGGG Flat tow Guy

 

[Harry Johnson]

you only have to pull the diff side.

Toyotally Awesome 2012 4x4 DBL Cab

copied of Tacoma world As she sits. 08/2018 Welp. picked up this warlock last Sunday. 2012 4x4 TRD sport 59k on the clock. For now not going to go too crazy on it, as I will be DDing it. Eventually will be come more of a camping/offroad dedicated rig. For now still have this little...

forum.badlinesgoodtimes.com

Well.... I'm not sayin no. I will discuss with my better half tonight

 

[96f-u250]

Yep, 4 bolts and bungee cord the driveshaft up to the frame. Then leave the key in the on position so the steering wheel doesnt lock up.

 

[blue oval]

What's up guys. The wife and I have a tundra we love that pulled quadruple duty as a kid hauler, tow rig, dirt bike and bike hauler, and sometimes wheeler/desert ripper. We're gonna sell it.
View attachment 15239

We bought a new soccer mom SUV/tow rig. So that leaves us with a need for a dirt bike hauler, bike hauler, and sometimes wheeler/desert ripper. Also needs to be 4 door, street legal, 4x4, and it would be really really cool if I could flat tow it with our motorhome. Oh yeah, this will probably also be my DD.

My first impulse was a 2019+ ranger. It can be flat towed, the fx4 version gets a rear locker, and there are some aftermarket suspension kits available. Even the used ones are fairly expensive right now however.

View attachment 15241

So what are some other decent options? I kinda sorta was eyeballing a first gen explorer sport trac. Seems like all the ranger stuff from that era will bolt up suspension-wise, they're cheap, and it looks like I should be able to flat tow them?
View attachment 15240

My wife would hate another project.... until it's done anyway. Toss some other bad ideas my way.

Sport trac with TTB conversion with cantilever rear to maintain the tiny bed.

 

[Harry Johnson]

Sport trac with TTB conversion with cantilever rear to maintain the tiny bed.

I like this. Been eyeballing a few for sale around here, and it's hard to find one that has a non-chitty interior these days. Also I guess I only want 2005 and below, yes? Seems like the newer versions had something different going on suspension-wise that didn't get much aftermarket support

 

[blue oval]

Yes, 2001 to 2005 has the same torsion bar, a-arm suspension as the ranger edge and 95-01 explorer. The newer models are a different front suspension and independent rear suspension. A lot of them just have the driver seat worn out, which wouldn't be the end of the world to fix. Keep your eye out for the trim levels with the rear AC.

 

[Harry Johnson]

Lets keep the bad ideas flowing. Whatever vehicle I end up with(and it's currently looking like a certain 2012 tacoma), I want to flat tow it in the same manner we currently flat tow our TJ. (you can see why I want a truck)



Only problem is- aftermarket tow bars for most trucks hang down waaaaaay to far for my liking. Currie... er I guess Rock Jock now? Makes this trick little setup for jeeps that we're using on my TJ, and it would be cool if I could swap tow bars between the two. These little blocks bolt straight up through the frame rails




I'm considering either somehow welding or drilling/bolting these little jeep specific tabs to the frame horns of whatever I get. Has anyone rigged up anything similar? Pics welcome of whatever you might have. Bonus points if anyone knows of any aftermarket bumpers I could bolt on instead.

 

[dwphoto]

so my set up on pick up and

ended up modifying things a bit on the tow bar itself

Tried this first... tweaked the mounts a little bit

4 runner's set up

This is the bar used for both... this is mounted to 4 runner. the other holes are for Mouse ( pickup )

As for this possible Mystery 2012 Tacoma. I'd say try to score a used solid aftermarket bumper and then weld some beefy tabs onto that.

Something like this would be pretty money

2012-2015 Toyota Tacoma Front Bumper – At The Helm Fabrication

athfab.com

Here is a thread on TW that talks about flat towing...

Flat or Dinghy Tow a Tacoma - why not?

All you mechanics out there I need your assistance with why I cannot flat tow a MANUAL Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road. The Owner's manual is very brief...

www.tacomaworld.com

 

[Harry Johnson]

Well, phase 1 of the operation is complete. I am now in possession of @dwphoto's Tacoma and am eyeballing his bumper recommendations. Who knew all I had to do was ask and someone would pop up with a truck? So far we've only really tested the kid and Christmas tree hauling capacity and found it satisfactory.



I'll update as I attempt to make this tow-able.

 

[dwphoto]

Dude stoked this all ended up working out perfectly.

This should be a joint build thread for Tundra and Tacoma. like @theycallmeWALLY and my IG page (@badlinesgoodtimes)

Already putting Tundra through the paces. Miles approves.

Can migrate this to a build thread or you are welcome to commandeer. The build thread already rolling haha. It's going to need it when you LT, Supercharge.

E