MOE'S BUILD

Decided I want to start keeping track of what I do to my tacoma. Bought it March 15, 2013 and have loved everything about it. I've been wanting one for the past 3-4 years and finally found one I could afford and in very good shape.

My Truck:
2001 double cab
SR5
TRD

MODS SO FAR

SOUND SYSTEM:
-Pioneer 4 ways for the rear
-Pioneer 3 ways for the front (stock tweeters sound fine)
-Stock head unit. Better speakers is all I need

SUSPENSION:
-Bilstein 5100 adjustable w/ Eibach 620lb coils up front
-Driver side 1/4" top plate spacer (driver side lean)
-Bilstein 5125's rear shocks
-OME/ DAKAR 7 pack leaf springs (2 overloads)
-Adjustable lift shackles (@ 1.5" setting)
-Front setup gave me just about 3" in height
-Rear setup gave me closer to 3.5" in height
-B.A.M.F 5.5" BPV bracket

TIRES & WHEELS:
-33x10.5x15 BFG KM2's
-15x8.5, 4"BS and +6mm OS

ARMOR:
-Trail Gear rock sliders (bolt on didn't work, so weld it is)
-Softopper for some badly needed bed armor/ protection/ camping bed.
-Relentless DIY plate bumper w/ light hoops

LIGHTING:
-Morimoto mini retro fit. (Utilized stock housings w/ clear aftermarket lenses)
-Angel Eyes Halos (outer edge of shrouds)
-Interior LED's (Jumpers LED's. 2 maps and a dome)

COSMETIC / EXTRAS:
-Tint (20% front, Limo dark for rear)
-Plasti Dip emblems
-Plasti dipped rear bumper (chrome parts only)
-Rattle Canned the chrome grill to BLACK
-Painted wheels using Rustoleum Gloss black & clear coat.
-Window rain guards
-ULTRA GUAGE

MODS VERY SOON
-2 new OEM cats w/ New Magnaflow muffler
-Relentless bed bar mount
-High lift bed mount

MODS WANTED (no particular order)
-CBI OUTBACK rear bumper or similar
-Nitro 4.88's gears or 4.56's (still haven't decided which would suit my needs best)
-Bed Rack
-LR UCA's
-Spare tire swing out

PROBABLY WONT GET ALL THIS DONE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, BUT I CAN HOPE. FIRST I HAVE TO WIN THE LOTTERY!!!

I guess its not a MOD but a nice little chunk of my "Truck Extras" budget went to timing belt kit and Labor. All in all about $600!!
I'm somewhat mechanically inclined but didnot want to tackle this project. It had to be done though, since it had never been done in its 160K mile lifetime.

As she sits as of 01/19/2014



As she sits as of 09/07/13

New lights, Morimoto mini retro's

W/ Angel Eyes Halo's

Jumpers LED's (done and maps)

 

Here's how it sat after my brother and I installed the rear shocks and leaf springs. It took us about 5 hours to do the rear only. Here is a pic

so much RAKE!!!

 

Here is how it currently looks...

Wheels and tires comming next!

Already have the "Gulf States Wheels" now just need to pull the trigger on some BFG 255/85/16 KM2's

 

I'm looking forward to see where this build goes! It looks like you are already off to a great start!

 

I see you have a camper! For whatever reason I used to not like the look. After being on TW for the past couple months they are starting to grow on me. I like the look, it adds a little "beef" to trucks look I think. I bet they are awesome to have if carrying crap in the bed when its reaining out. Im trying to make my decision on either a Camper or Rolling bed cover. Which would you recomend?

I checked out some of your build page. Looking good! Im thinking about Sliders in the future, do u like yours? Do they work as a "Step up"? I have 2 young daughters that need help getting in and out of the truck. Thats my reason for keeping my stock tube running boards. They look OK but id rather take them out, plus when the wife and I go trailing the sliders will keep my doors off the rocks.

 

I felt the same way the day I purchased my taco I didn't like the look of the camper shell at first but having moved from a 3rd gen 4Runner to a taco and seeing some nice expo rigs out there utilizing a camper shell, it all started to grow on me. I did at one point want to get a soft topper but I'm in a neighborhood where people will steal anything.

I think it all depends... in my case, I have a dog with white fur that sheds like a mofo so tossing her in the back is a godsend. I'm also able to avoid requests from relatives and friends who think it's my duty to let them borrow my truck to haul large crap. Best of all, I love storing all kinds of crap in there securely and away from the elements, great for doing garage sale treasure hunts, it's like a car trunk on steroids.

Thanks man! I love my sliders! I have a 6 year old that uses it to get in and out of the cab. He loves it! I also use the sliders to wash the roof of my taco, grab it when I slide myself under and back out of the taco, and plan to get a hi-lift and use it on the sliders to rotate my tires. I think they will also help protect my truck from getting door dings from other vehicles parked close as soon as I get my full lift done.

 

Wow! They must be very strong, especially to support the weight of the truck when changing tires. I'm glad to hear they are very useful. Makes me want them more!

Also, I have been leaning more toward a Camper as of late. I actually haven't priced them out yet. What style/ brand is yours? I like the ones that blend in with the shape of the truck, as your does. The style I DO NOT want is this...
Not my style

 

Mine already came with an A.R.E. shell when I purchased the truck. I think they are one of the few that produce the top end high quality shells. They are not cheap by any means.

I don't think they offer my style anymore. I checked the ARE website and the closest looks like the Z series See Here. Mine is labeled as the FX or CX series . It came with factory matching paint and extra interior gray lining, center locking handle and top brake light and nice yakima rail tracks.

Here's the metal plate stamped on the inner shell:


Gray interior lining:


Interior handle:


Lift support:


Center locking handle:


ARE side logo:

 

Ordered the TG rock sliders from addicted off road. I got them because the price was right. Does anyone have any experience with the trail gear rock sliders? They are bolt on. I'm not looking for too much beefiness because I will not be doing much hardcore off roading. Mainly hitting the trails.


Either way I'm pumped to add a little armor! It's the first of many.

 

More pics of how she currently looks. Finally figured out how to add pics without having to add a new post for every pic.
Like it when tacomas park next to each other.
Here's another random...

Had the tires and rims photoshopped on. I have the rims but wanted to see how they look on my truck. Not to bad... I think I'm gonna rattle can my current stock rims a metallic black or some other cool dark color. Want the option of dark or aluminum wheels

 

What makes you think the TG sliders aren't beefy enough for hardcore rockcrawling? I've got TG rock sliders on my Tacoma and my Land Cruiser and I beat the piss out of them. Mine are welded on, but that shouldn't make too much difference.

Sounds like they will be complete overkill for what you have planned. No reason to worry about them not being beefy enough.

 

The only reason I thought they weren't beefy was because of a couple reviews I read. After I saw them when they were delivered on Wednesday
I knew they would be way more than I need, which is fine with me. People have said the trail gear sliders aren't "beefy" but they are wrong. These sliders are SOLID!

I plan on bolting on this weekend, I'm pumped to get them on.

Debating how to coat them... Plasti dip, flat black spray paint, spray bed liner, or just some undercoating? Still deciding, plus would like to do it my self and for as little amount of $ as possible.

 

I would not use plasti-dip or bed liner or undercoating on them. I've had good luck with just good ole Rustoleum. I prefer the Satin Black over Flat black. But I suggest just cleaning them off good with brake cleaner or some other degreaser. Then spray a couple coats of Rustoleum Red Primer followed by a few coats of Rustoleum Satin or Flat black (whichever you prefer). It should hold up really well and look great.

 

Awesome, thanks for the suggestion. Since I already have the primer and a couple cans of satin rustoleum, I'll take your advice, plus I know it's worked for you so hopefully it works for me. I'll clean them with some purple power degreaser then hit'em with the primer and paint. I'll post a pic or two when done

 

Do you recommend extended brake lines at 3.75" rear lift? I'm at 2.25" currently and didn't extend the rear brake line then. Trying to figure out if its necessary or if I can get away without doing it?

 

Yes. do the longer brakelines

 

Couple pics of my Trail Gear rock sliders all painted. Prob gonna do a couple more coats before I get them welded on. I'm pumped

 

Did you have to request them without the TG "tags" on them?

 

No, I actually ordered from addicted off road. They were like $30 cheaper than TG. But they are the actual trail gear rock slider, just sold through Adicted OR. The TG tags are an option but I didn't want them so I didn't add them to the order. Did yours come with the tags? If I would have ordered directly from TG I don't think they would have come with tags either. TG sells the tags separately as well (I think).

 

Looks good, Gold tacomas FTW