Eric's 2003 Tacoma PreRunner Build

Current Snapshot... (Feb 2015)

• 2003 Tacoma PreRunner Limited w/ ~121,000 miles
• OME 3in lift (new front struts w/ 881 coils, Dakar leafs w/ new shocks, shackles, etc)
• Dakar add-a-leaf added to rear pack
• Front swaybar removed
• 16in Black TRD Beadlock "style" wheels with 265/75/16 BFG AT KOs
• Spidertrax 1.25in wheel spacers on all 4 wheels.
• Deck plate mod
• Curt Front Receiver
• Rigid D2 Driving Lights
• $90 Midland 75-822 40 Channel CB-Way Radio
  Midland 75-822 CB Radio with 3' Firestik antenna
• Roof rack w/ cargo basket
• Snugtop Super Sport Topper
• LED Tail lights
• Double din stereo w/ bluetooth (love this)
• Tacoma seat covers
• Window rain guards and hood bug guard

As purchased... (Jun 2014)

• 2003 Tacoma PreRunner Limited w/ 116,000 miles
• 18in 4Runner Limited Wheels
• Westin Bullbar
• Mesh grill insert
• Toolbox
• Roof rack
• Brembo brake covers
• Clear turn signal bulbs
• LED Tail lights
• Double din stereo w/ bluetooth (love this)
• Tacoma seat covers

Coming (not so) soon...

• Tacoma Brake Upgrade (w/ SS braided lines)
• Some kind of spare tire holder (tiregate HT?)
• New bullbar lights w/ updated wiring and switches
• Bed lighting

My goal for this truck is something that can handle camping w/ the family, fishing, and mild Florida trails. It's my daily driver so I don't plan on an extreme build, just minor upgrades

 

The first thing I did when I got the truck was to remove the Brembo brake covers, just not my style

 

Next up was adjusting the front bumper a bit as the gap between it and the body seemed a bit excessive

Before...


After...

 

The AC drain was leaking right onto the frame and over time caused one of the swaybar bolts to rust. I replaced the bolt and then attached a hose to extend the drain tube past the frame.

 

Deck plate mod installed

 

Rain guards installed. I went with the stick on type as I had heard mixed reviews about the "in channel" ones messing up window tint and making a not so nice grinding sound as the window closes the last little bit.

 

I removed the front mesh grill, I prefer the stock look much more. This grill also came with an extended handle to allow you to pop the hood (as with the mesh grill in place you could no longer reach the release). I took all the handle hardware and brackets out as well from behind the stock grill.

Before...


After...


I also found that my oil filter was on pretty loose and was leaking oil, I was able to tighten by hand, not good.



I also found my driver's side corner light was missing one of its clips (white clip in picture below) used to hold it in place, that has since been ordered and installed (it's the little things!)

 

New wheels and tires! These are the black TRD wheels from the FJ Cruiser with 265/75/16 BFG AT KOs mounted on them. I got a really good deal on 5 wheels and tires, now I just need someway to mount the 5th spare as it doesn't fit under the truck (and looks to nice to be kept there anyway).

 

Latest additions are a Curt cargo basket and a homemade PVC bike rack for the bed...

 

The kids like it...

 

No new work yet on the truck but I took it out to Ocala National Forest and tried out a few roads out there.

 

Got a heck of a deal on a Snugtop Topper today. Drove for 1 hour, paid $130 and came home with....





I had to trim the top of my bed liner off at the front of the bed as it was making the topper sit uneven. It has a few nicks in the fiber glass and needs some paint work, but I washed it down and it had no leaks!

 

Beautiful truck. It really makes me miss my 03.

 

Thank you sir, I love it!

 

Wired up the 3rd brake light on the topper today, only to find it doesn't work A new one, which is red instead of clear, was ordered online and should be here next week. I also lubed and adjusted the hatch so that it closes easier and more snug.

Also seen in the photo below is a test fit for the spare inside the topper. It might actually work, but it's a tight fit!



I am also working on removing the Walmart special lights that were on the bull bar and replacing them with some Rigid D2s. I plan to clean up the POs wiring and eventually get some nice switches in the cabin.

 

Today I finished up the wiring on the D2s using the existing switch that was put in by the PO (that will get changed out one day).



I also went to my local Ace Hardware and got some stainless steel hardware to replace some rusty bolts on the Snugtop, much better!

 

Did some work on the topper tonight. I got my new brake light installed.

Old... (clear, yuck, and only 4 LEDs even came close to working)



New...


Also testing out my painting skills by working on some of the worst spots on on the topper that needed touching up, above the FOR SALE sign some of the clear coat has come off.



Sanded down...


First coat...

 

Everything looks great man keep it up!
Should've sold me the mesh grille though...would've traded ya

 

Thanks BTW, mesh grill is still for sale


http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1s...39955-fs-2001-2004-mesh-grill-orlando-fl.html

 

Did more paint work on the topper, I am not overly impressed with the results but I think it will be fine until the day I decided to shell out the funds to get it painted properly.

Prep