mmiles2012's R1T Build Journal / First Photos

[mmiles2012]

I feel a little excited as this is really the first car since my first car where I felt like I've done enough to warrant a build journal online with some photos of the progress so far.

I've had the car for a little over 3 weeks now, it's an absolute blast. People ask me how it is to drive and I have trouble putting it in words. Those electro-hydraulic suspension engineers did very well for themselves, this thing does not feel truck-like at all. And everyone seems impressed when I note it'll go 300 miles on a full charge - no reason to suspect any less than that yet but we'll see as we adjust the tire setups.

So, what's been done so far, and some photos:
R1T "Shop" Pick: Launch Edition, Launch Green, 20" ATs, RUS
Full STEK DynoMATTE PPF (kudos to Tanner at TRC Detailing here in middle TN, we have a few little things to work out as the film stretched/relaxed but no major concerns) with gloss PPF on trim elements
20% Ceramic tint on front windows, rear 70% ceramic for heat/IR rejection
Swapped Pirelli OE tires for Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 3, LT275/65/20

Tire impressions so far: I think the stiffer sidewall of an LT tire makes the air springs a little more responsive to single-wheel bump/articulation scenarios relative to the whiz-bang roll control setup. My operating theory is that the softer sidewall'd Pirellis react a little more progressively, which sometimes tricks the suspension controllers into thinking the vehicle is about to roll rather than hit a bump, so the relatively higher spring rate in the tire means the suspension reacts first to the shock load, appropriately damping it as needed with the air spring. OR: I could be running pressures way too low for street applications (I'm seeing more and more LT folks go north of 55 PSI, I'm at 48 all around right now per that chart someone posted a few weeks ago.

And now, the pics!

(Please forgive the massive bird dropping in the last one - didn't have QD on me when I went out to take the photo tonight!

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[moosetags]

Great journal. Please continue as you add features.

Brian

 

[Riviot]

Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 3, LT275/65/20

<Insert obligatory range and NVH question here>

 

[mmiles2012]

<Insert obligatory range and NVH question here>

I have not done any "long-distance" range testing as most of my day-to-day driving is around town in Nashville, TN. To that end I've not seen anything glaringly bad about range estimation from the truck (e.g., I travel 10 miles and lose 12 miles of range), but the efficiency meter on the display seems to be "a little less efficient" than prior to the swap. I'm chalking this up to me running what seems to be much lower pressure than everyone else who's done the AT swap as detailed. I noticed the side profile seems to show I might be a little underinflated, as well. Last night I bumped things up from 48 to 58 psi, will see how that changes things.

NVH is, frankly, fantastic. I have not noticed any highway drone or similar increase in tire noise. And as noted, the stiffer sidewalls seem to make the air springs work a little more effectively in single-wheel articulation/impact loads like pot holes, speed bumps, etc.

 

[Riviot]

I have not noticed any highway drone or similar increase in tire noise.

I continue to credit my RUS hypothesis. Stock Pirelli ATs were noticably louder on the same roads with a RUS-less loaner. I think those of us with RUS will get away with some tire options that may be louder without it.

 

[mmiles2012]

I continue to credit my RUS hypothesis. Stock Pirelli ATs were noticably louder on the same roads wish a RUS-less loaner. I think those of us with RUS will get away with some tire options that may be louder without it.

Valid. I also have the RUS.

 

[RivianRiverRat]

Checking back in to see how you are liking the Revo 3’s
Thinking about a set for my R1T with 34,000 miles on the original scorpions

 

[mmiles2012]

They've been great (I've got a little less than 10k on them). Recently had a buddy who's on his 3rd Tacoma for a ride, and he commented on how "not truck-like" the ride is.

I credit firmer sidewalls (of an LT-rated tire) and increased pressure (I bumped up to ~65psi) with, as I think I stated previously, making the air springs do the work rather than the tire deflecting. We have some bombed out intersections in Nash lately and I usually barely slow down for them these days .

On an efficiency front, I've noticed it's a little better this spring than last year. Can't isolate to a single factor as I've also changed my commute, but my efficiency has been closer to 2.3-2.4 in around-town driving, which I'd say is pretty good.

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