Chux's 2013 Beach Buggy Build

Chux · Apr 8, 2018

I wanted to start a build mainly to log my truck through all its transformations. I got my 2013 Tacoma TRD Off Road May 31, 2013 with 4 miles on it. I had some photos from when I first got it that I have now lost or erased never planning on coming across this thing called "Tacoma World"

The day after I bought my truck I got an Island Beach State Park Beach Buggy Pass.

Quick trip to Barnegat Inlet

First few mods was to put on my fishing rack, also picked up some plasti dip for the rack, grill, emblems, and rear bumper. Not a fan of chrome.

Heres a trip to IBSP

Next was a bed cap and bolted my old Thule racks to the cap.

Then got some black TRD stickers on Ebay

Before:

After:

I thought she looked pretty sweet at this point!

Sunset with Atlantic City in the back round

First snow fall on the beach

Then I started really digging through TW.

After looking at all kinds of grills, I settled on a website that offered a DIY grill kit. I'm still happy with it today.

My first big mod was a Toytec Ultimate 3" kit with AAL. Unfortunately it sat in my garage for 3 months with lack of funds to install.

Fortunately came across a local thread on TW that had some guys willing to help me install in exchange for some beverages Cant thank these DBs enough!

Still getting on the beach in dead winter

Surf was firing that day. Living blocks from the beach access road has its advantages for surf checks

Next was the diff breather and trailer plug relocate mods

And finally decided to remove the sway bar

And of course some wheeling pics

She does clean up well

I try to wash the under carriage more so than the truck itself to get all the salt and sand or mud off the frame

And some beach wheeling

On the coldest day of the year the sand was frozen solid and the ocean was steaming. I was even able to drive out on the sand bar in two wheel drive.

Then the goodies started rolling in!!

DSM UCAs

Thanx again to the NJ DBs for help with the insatall

Test fit some 255s that day

And drank some brews that night

30' tow strap, cb antenna spring, and D ring shackle. Thank you Amazon

More shackles with a integrated receiver hitch

WeatherTechs from a GB

All Pro U-bolt flip

Installed, Thanx to some local DBs

CB and 3' Fire Stik

Cb install. Very happy with it! It was a super tight fit but that made it super clean.

Along the way I picked up two LED light pods from a GB. I wanted more light for beach fishing off the rear of the truck, so I extended the bolts that went through my bed cap from the rear Thule rack and bolted them facing out.

Off

On

On Board Air and a Blue Sea showed up

Blue Sea install. Made a mounting bracket out of thick plate aluminium and an aluminium 90

Got a set of Hellas converted to HID from member. Later on I plast dipped the rock shields, gives it a stealth look I really like.

Picked up a BAMF light bar bracket to mount them on

Dremeled out the two blank spots to fit the switches for the Hellas and OBA

Checking out sunsets over the bay with the girlfriend

Had another mod day at my house

A member came to part out his truck

I ended up with 255/70/17 Hankook MTs on Sport wheels for stock wheels and tires, and a black headlight mod swap for stock

After 2 days commuting up and down the parkway, realized I need ATs not MTs so I took off the Hankooks and borrowed a buddies wheel and tire combo

A shot from a co worker

Next I decided to upgrade my fishing pole rack. I wanted the rack with fold down cooler and they make a nice hitch bracket for it so when I had a chance to buy a hidden hitch from another member I jumped on it

Quickly painted the rack from chrome to black.

I came across some armor for sale from another member "lightly used"

Ive got the IFS skid on now but waiting for y pipe reroute for the rest

I ordered a bunch of square track nuts from 4x innovation for bed accessories

High lift showed up, 54" Smitty Built from Amazon

And some Quick fists

When I swapped out my OEM wheels I needed to come up with a new option. The choice was easy

SCS Stealth 6 Bronze 17" wheels

Then came one of the best days short of buying the truck!
New Tires!! Cooper Maxx 255/80/17

After talking to Vin at SCS I think I may be the first one to put 255 skinnys on the Stealth 6s. I love this combo!

In case you guys are wondering about how much side wall protection there is with the 255s on 8.5" wheels

These tires are Epic!

Cooper Maxx are great in the sand

And the Cooper Maxxs are great off road

Shout out to the NJDBs

Made some brackets for the high lift and full size spare. Also put the fist grips to use with ax and shovel brackets.

Got a Trasharoo, installed on the spare in the bed until I get a rear bumper tire carrier

Along the way chopped the exhaust

Got a Smitybilt trail shade, really dig it

Thanx to BeeRadd got some hood lights

Due to some rubbing I got another alighnment

Picked up a 50" LED light bar from a guy at work. Mocked up then decided it would be ideal to integrate it with a roof rack

My Tacoma > Buddy's Jeep

This idea came to me one day about a cargo net in the bed of my truck for extra storage space. I decided to use the bolts securing my Thule racks, I replaced 4 of them with eye hook bolts. Till I find the right cargo net, I put up some bungees. While doing this I also decided to paint the interior of my bed cap. Very happy how it turned out.

Recently picked up some tail light protection

Switches coming out

Switches going in

Ordered a set of Dakar leaf springs with AAL a fellow NJDB picked up for me.

Awaiting bigger mods I tend to grab the smaller ones that go with it.
Pelican rifle case will be going on roof racks as a storage container for my off road/beach safety and recovery gear.

Working on a mounting bracket for the ARB OBA. My metal fab consist of a hammer and table vise haha. Blacksmith status

Still have mods in the garage to get in the truck, more mods ordering soon and always more mods on the want list. Never done