Josh's Build

Ok, so I was looking forward to making one of these threads once I redeployed. I have been steady shipping parts home since the beginning of the deployment and apparently my folks got tired of the parts being in the garage and had them installed. Nice move by the folks but was deffintly looking forward to the build. I am still deployed and dont have pics of the truck stock until I get home but here is the list of current mods and some pics

Installed
All Pro Plate Bumper
Warn 8000 winch with synthetic line
Leer Topper
Piaa Driving lights
DO Bolt on sliders
Grill Craft Grill
2 sets of Yakima roof racks with kayak and snowboard attachments
Double Din Nav System
Black Out behind grill and get rid of chrome
ToyTec Ultimate Lift Kit
TC UCAs
Snorkel
fog light anytime mod
disable antilock brake mod

To Be Installed

new piaa 5100
repaint the grill


Yet to be purchased Mods

Armor Tec rear bumber
Sound system
E Locker
light force spot lights
And whatever other money wasting ideas I get from this site



Tell me what you think. I am unsure if I like the topper or not, I do know I will get ALOT of use out of it in the winter, for the dogs and while kayaking so the usefulness is worth it. Before it is asked there is no lift installed because my folks have to drive the truck 1200 miles in a few months and I dont want it driven on a cherry suspension.

 

Looks good, Keep it up and thanks for your service. Fixed the pics so they are easier to see.

 

Any opions on the topper??

 

You have a nice setup. About the topper? It's my first time to see in a tacoma. Honestly, I like the ones that blend smoothly with the cab but that's just me.

 

bump for easy to see pics

 

good start, man! Once the lift is on and some wheels and bigger/more aggressive tires are on itll be sittin pretty sweet. I think that color matching the grille surround and putting some driving lights on the bumper would be sweet additions as well.

 

Looks great

 

thanks guys, I have ideas but love to hear what others think. I agree about the topper, ones that ride flush with the cab look better. I sleep alot in the truck in really shitty weather so I think function will have to trump looks.

 

Nice build!

 

Didn't I tell you to get weld on sliders with gussets at the frame Oh well, It's Lookin good!
Looks like you're building it to fit your lifestyle...I like it!

 

yea i know but the price of these sliders couldnt be beat. Still alot of work to be done on it.

 

Looking good man. keep up the good work.

 

looks good dude... i think once the lift is on and tires and stuff the topper will look good... it wont look as low to the ground you know?

 

Looks good man. Its gonna look completely different when you get the lift and tires on there. I'm not a big fan of toppers, but I kinda like this one. I think the whole truck is gonna look different when its lifted.

 

so just got home on leave. Planning on getting a few mods done. Threw in the mag light mod




getting a new head unit installed wednesday and color matching the truck more pics to come

 

Looks great man. Cant wait to see it with lift tires and snorkel.

 

Lookin good man. Not a huge fan of the topper (agree with guys above about one that blends better). Waiting on lift and wheel/tire pics.

 

sooo, here are some additional mods the I have completed in the last few days.

First I color matched the grill surround. It was time consuming but turned out alright, alot better than the chrome anyway. To do this I took off the grill surround painted behind it, then started to sand. I sanded all the chrome off the painted a single layer of 3m color match plastic paint. Then sanded it down again. I repeated this process 3 times till I had a good flush layer of paint. After that I put about 6 thin coats of paint and 2 of clear coat to finish it up. It turned out pretty good but wish it was a little smoother and glossier. That being said doesnt matter because once I had the grill off I starting the grill surround and thinking shatosi. thanks TW my truck will never be done now. Below are pics of the process and the color match.











With that being done I had a pioneer head unit and back up camea with night vision intalled. That should be it for a while. Any more ideas of what to do besides lift wheel and tires??

 

Liking the rear view camera. Where did you get it?

 

got it at a store called sound on wheels but here is a link to the product http://www.sonicelectronix.com/cat_i249_rearview-backup-cameras.html

it has a really good night vision on it.