Soviet EV and taco chronicles + future ponderings about Fendie

Strut your greasy stuff!
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:megusta:
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max225
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My long ass road trip came to an end yesterday. 2500 miles covered in 3 different states. Some interesting take aways as well...

What was good ?

Comfort:
This :truck: is the most comfortable road trip vehicle I have ever had.
Fox Shocks are amazing.
87 requirement makes life easy, with donkey piss on tap everywhere. (Also I saw no 93 in NV+AZ)

Size:

Anything bigger than the Taco would be impossible in quite a few spots. Even the current taco is a bit on the longer side.

Reliability:

Nothing broke and I spent tripple digit miles off road... and these tires performed just fine. Even on a road that recommended 2 spares... But I certainly had my butt puckered because no cell phone + a woman in the passenger seat + desert is scary AF.

What was bad?

MPG:
I averaged 17.5-18mpg over the 2500 miles which is shit frankly. This was mainly freeway miles, although at higher speeds... 75-85mph. 270mile fill ups :triggered: me. Similar to the man from Detroit.. I didn't used factory toyota oil but I did use the 0w20 M1. Perhaps that's part of the issue... :notsure: yet.

Engine power/Trans sluggishness:

The throttle needs to be constantly pushed in @ 30-50% to keep up with hills and traffic. Passing is at 100% throttle... and you need to plan 3-5 seconds ahead.. or shift the trans... because it needs to go from 6th to 3rd.. but it'll first shift to 5th... then 4th then 3rd... and that takes foreveeeer unless you completely mash the throttle which is less than smooth.

The engine does NOT have enough power from 1500-3000rpm. It really comes to life at 4000... but it is loud AF at that point... A very unrefined experience IMO. Overall the reliability offsets the sluggishness in my book, but that would be my #1 complaint with this truck. Power in the lower end of the RPM is just not there.e

This thing really needs a 3 liter TT. Or a 4.X V8 with low end torque. It also needs a bigger gas tank ~26-28gallons.
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max225
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max225 wrote: Thu May 13, 2021 12:53 pm Finally made it to Teakettle junction. 15 years in the making... never had a vehicle that was truly capable to get there.
Image

This was the "racetrack" at Death Valley. Frankly I was a bit underwhelmed.
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Flexing on the life guards.
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There is always a bigger fish!
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How will I ever get the dust from behind the tail lights off.?!
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Let me know if y’all want some trip deets also
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D Griff
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Nice shots man, looks like a fun trip!
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D Griff
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How hot was Death Valley this time of year? It was close to 80 in December when we visited!
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D Griff wrote: Thu May 13, 2021 2:16 pm How hot was Death Valley this time of year? It was close to 80 in December when we visited!
It was mid-90's in early April.
Desertbreh wrote: Tue Oct 10, 2017 6:40 pm My guess would be that Chris took some time off because he has read the dialogue on this page 1,345 times and decided to spend some of his free time doing something besides beating a horse to death.
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max225 wrote: Thu May 13, 2021 1:27 pm My long ass road trip came to an end yesterday. 2500 miles covered in 3 different states. Some interesting take aways as well...

What was good ?

Comfort:
This :truck: is the most comfortable road trip vehicle I have ever had.
Fox Shocks are amazing.
87 requirement makes life easy, with donkey piss on tap everywhere. (Also I saw no 93 in NV+AZ)

Size:

Anything bigger than the Taco would be impossible in quite a few spots. Even the current taco is a bit on the longer side.

Reliability:

Nothing broke and I spent tripple digit miles off road... and these tires performed just fine. Even on a road that recommended 2 spares... But I certainly had my butt puckered because no cell phone + a woman in the passenger seat + desert is scary AF.

What was bad?

MPG:
I averaged 17.5-18mpg over the 2500 miles which is shit frankly. This was mainly freeway miles, although at higher speeds... 75-85mph. 270mile fill ups :triggered: me. Similar to the man from Detroit.. I didn't used factory toyota oil but I did use the 0w20 M1. Perhaps that's part of the issue... :notsure: yet.

Engine power/Trans sluggishness:

The throttle needs to be constantly pushed in @ 30-50% to keep up with hills and traffic. Passing is at 100% throttle... and you need to plan 3-5 seconds ahead.. or shift the trans... because it needs to go from 6th to 3rd.. but it'll first shift to 5th... then 4th then 3rd... and that takes foreveeeer unless you completely mash the throttle which is less than smooth.

The engine does NOT have enough power from 1500-3000rpm. It really comes to life at 4000... but it is loud AF at that point... A very unrefined experience IMO. Overall the reliability offsets the sluggishness in my book, but that would be my #1 complaint with this truck. Power in the lower end of the RPM is just not there.e

This thing really needs a 3 liter TT. Or a 4.X V8 with low end torque. It also needs a bigger gas tank ~26-28gallons.
Dang, your MPG was only slightly better than mine in the CT. :impressive: bad, and I HATE short range, I hear you on that. Same with the powertrain.
Desertbreh wrote: Tue Oct 10, 2017 6:40 pm My guess would be that Chris took some time off because he has read the dialogue on this page 1,345 times and decided to spend some of his free time doing something besides beating a horse to death.
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Nice pics buddy!

At least you're burning 87, I looked up the LS460 today and found out that the massive V8 runs premium (91), which is NFG at $4/gal. I'm out when it comes to that noise.

The :taco: is beautiful, and considering your lifestyle should be a no ragretz purchase.
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D Griff wrote: Thu May 13, 2021 2:16 pm How hot was Death Valley this time of year? It was close to 80 in December when we visited!
Depends on where in Death Valley. 95-101 in the lower areas but it doesn’t feel that hot because 0% humidity
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max225
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Detroit wrote: Thu May 13, 2021 2:40 pm
max225 wrote: Thu May 13, 2021 1:27 pm My long ass road trip came to an end yesterday. 2500 miles covered in 3 different states. Some interesting take aways as well...

What was good ?

Comfort:
This :truck: is the most comfortable road trip vehicle I have ever had.
Fox Shocks are amazing.
87 requirement makes life easy, with donkey piss on tap everywhere. (Also I saw no 93 in NV+AZ)

Size:

Anything bigger than the Taco would be impossible in quite a few spots. Even the current taco is a bit on the longer side.

Reliability:

Nothing broke and I spent tripple digit miles off road... and these tires performed just fine. Even on a road that recommended 2 spares... But I certainly had my butt puckered because no cell phone + a woman in the passenger seat + desert is scary AF.

What was bad?

MPG:
I averaged 17.5-18mpg over the 2500 miles which is shit frankly. This was mainly freeway miles, although at higher speeds... 75-85mph. 270mile fill ups :triggered: me. Similar to the man from Detroit.. I didn't used factory toyota oil but I did use the 0w20 M1. Perhaps that's part of the issue... :notsure: yet.

Engine power/Trans sluggishness:

The throttle needs to be constantly pushed in @ 30-50% to keep up with hills and traffic. Passing is at 100% throttle... and you need to plan 3-5 seconds ahead.. or shift the trans... because it needs to go from 6th to 3rd.. but it'll first shift to 5th... then 4th then 3rd... and that takes foreveeeer unless you completely mash the throttle which is less than smooth.

The engine does NOT have enough power from 1500-3000rpm. It really comes to life at 4000... but it is loud AF at that point... A very unrefined experience IMO. Overall the reliability offsets the sluggishness in my book, but that would be my #1 complaint with this truck. Power in the lower end of the RPM is just not there.e

This thing really needs a 3 liter TT. Or a 4.X V8 with low end torque. It also needs a bigger gas tank ~26-28gallons.
Dang, your MPG was only slightly better than mine in the CT. :impressive: bad, and I HATE short range, I hear you on that. Same with the powertrain.
Well why would it be any different? same shitty tiny motor... :lol: higher speeds/temps offset by smaller surface area.

I am legit curious about the oil correlation :doe: I was easily able to crack 20 prior. But now I can only do it if I go 65-70mph on a flatish surface.

the range is "ok" for me that's 4-5hrs of driving between "fill ups" which seems like a reasonable "stretch your legs" scenario. But I would rather just do a $200 fill up and call it a day as opposed to $60-75 crap.
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Looks awesome Max!
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SAWCE wrote: Thu May 13, 2021 5:04 pm Looks awesome Max!
Ty. Sorry didn’t ping you but you had that incident with Stuart’s wife + we’ve been sort of beat with all the driving and ended up staying in the hotels a bit more.
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max225 wrote: Thu May 13, 2021 5:11 pm
SAWCE wrote: Thu May 13, 2021 5:04 pm Looks awesome Max!
Ty. Sorry didn’t ping you but you had that incident with Stuart’s wife + we’ve been sort of beat with all the driving and ended up staying in the hotels a bit more.
:lolol:
:zing:
:wap: Where are these mangos?
Detroit wrote: Fri Apr 16, 2021 1:19 pm I don't understand anything anymore.
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max225
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Some final thoughts....

Woman and I are seriously considering an "upgrade" at some point... RR is the obvious choice but I have no idea if the 2.slow is going to be worthwhile.

I am semi toying with the idea of a TT 2.7 Bronco as it fixes all the "shortcomings" of the taco. If it was to ever get launched.
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max225 wrote: Thu May 13, 2021 6:02 pm Some final thoughts....

Woman and I are seriously considering an "upgrade" at some point... RR is the obvious choice but I have no idea if the 2.slow is going to be worthwhile.

I am semi toying with the idea of a TT 2.7 Bronco as it fixes all the "shortcomings" of the taco. If it was to ever get launched.
5 liter Defender or :gtfo:
Detroit wrote:Buy 911s instead of diamonds.
Johnny_P wrote: Thu Feb 09, 2023 3:21 pm Earn it and burn it, Val.
max225 wrote: Mon May 01, 2023 5:35 pm Yes it's a cool car. But prepare the lube/sawdust.
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max225 wrote: Thu May 13, 2021 6:02 pm Some final thoughts....

Woman and I are seriously considering an "upgrade" at some point... RR is the obvious choice but I have no idea if the 2.slow is going to be worthwhile.

I am semi toying with the idea of a TT 2.7 Bronco as it fixes all the "shortcomings" of the taco. If it was to ever get launched.
Defender would get a serious look from me.
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max225 wrote: Thu May 13, 2021 5:11 pm
SAWCE wrote: Thu May 13, 2021 5:04 pm Looks awesome Max!
Ty. Sorry didn’t ping you but you had that incident with Stuart’s wife + we’ve been sort of beat with all the driving and ended up staying in the hotels a bit more.
No worries dude! We’ll make it happen one day :dock:
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max225 wrote: Thu May 13, 2021 1:36 pm

Let me know if y’all want some trip deets also
:yesth:

Did you get married?
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Irish wrote: Thu May 13, 2021 11:32 pm
max225 wrote: Thu May 13, 2021 1:36 pm

Let me know if y’all want some trip deets also
:yesth:

Did you get married?
:yesth: cucktopia engaged
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max225 wrote: Fri May 14, 2021 8:19 am
Irish wrote: Thu May 13, 2021 11:32 pm

:yesth:

Did you get married?
:yesth: cucktopia engaged
Congrats mang!

:whalecum: to the club

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:trollface:
Last edited by Irish on Fri May 14, 2021 10:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Irish
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Doublepost
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max225
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Irish wrote: Fri May 14, 2021 9:54 am
max225 wrote: Fri May 14, 2021 8:19 am

:yesth: cucktopia engaged
Congrats mang!

:whalecum: to the club

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:trollface:
Ty !
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Irish wrote: Thu May 13, 2021 11:32 pm
max225 wrote: Thu May 13, 2021 1:36 pm

Let me know if y’all want some trip deets also
:yesth:

Did you get married?
:ohdang:
Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Zhukov!
:wap: Where are these mangos?
Detroit wrote: Fri Apr 16, 2021 1:19 pm I don't understand anything anymore.
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Ole Maximillion was dropping hints but was playing them real close to the vest.....
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max225
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Irish wrote: Fri May 14, 2021 1:13 pm Ole Maximillion was dropping hints but was playing them real close to the vest.....
We’re pretty private people. So it was fairly on the DL.
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