New guy to the tacoma world - ExPo build

Just wanted to stop in and introduce myself. Used to drive this guy and was a member over at NAXJA.


It was just getting to jam packed with the dogs and I wanted to start my expo build. So the xj had to go


My name is Ben, live in south Denver. I just bought my new to me 05' DCSB off road a few weeks ago w/90k on the clock. It had an OME lift (Dakar leafs and OME shocks) on it installed by HCP4x4 about 18-20 months ago but had never seen the dirt.

Day I brought it home


Found a top for the dogs


Went for the first camping trip





The ride was very disappointing off-road, and I was getting disappointed with my decision. I knew IFS wasn't great for off-road but I didn't think it would be a harsher ride then my solid axle jeep on the small stuff. So I started researching why this was happening and how to improve it... Well, after a lot of reading and looking at my truck I discovered my front shock/coil combo from OME were in the 886 flavor, but I didn't have a plate bumper, winch, or aftermarket skids. Thus, jacking the front end up 3-3.5" and had no compression.

Shortly after this I looked for new coil overs and with the severe angles and harsh ride I knew the BJ was junk so of course new arms. So I bought/installed these



Fox 2.5's and TC uppers.

Went for a drive to RMNP with the wife and dogs afterwards and wow!


The ride was great on and off-road. There was a smile on my face the whole drive, because this was what I was expecting! Not to mention I was averaging around 22-24 MPG the whole trip which is almost unheard of in a jeep.

 

Nice rigs, welcome bud.

 

Look forward to hitting some trails and getting to meet you guys. I have known jeeps and jeeps alone for the past 10 years so I'm sorry that I'm a newb concerning tacoma tech but am learning... Try to not put my foot in my mouth to many times as I document my build.

 

It's all good. We have all been there.

 

Good to hear! Thanks for the compliment, I miss the jeep but I have always wanted a tacoma and looking forward to more expedition travels vs. crawling and bigger challenges.

 

I've wheeled with a lot of Jeeps, they are definitely capable and a properly build taco would be just as capable.

 

I agree, but I am kind of over the big rocks. I have had a full width YJ, to a bit milder locked and geared xj, and now a taco.

The YJ was for penrose, carnage boulder, spring creek, 21 road, etc... Was fun but parted it out.

The xj was for spring creek, chinamans gulch, grizzly lake, black bear etc.. Was a blast but wanted more comfort

The tacoma will be canyon lands, Grand Canyon, engineer pass, Moab, Yosemite, etc. I can deal with a little bit of Rocky Mountain pin striping but no body damage or dragging it over the rocks.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Thank ya

 

my fox coil overs ride way better than my ome stuff did also. hate to say it but your mpg calculations are likely not quite right.. good luck getting 20mpg ever, especially leaving the pavement and being in mountains.

 

Welcome from a fellow CO member.... keep an eye on the b.s. thread and upcoming events thread.

 

Welcome! I was on the market for an XJ a while back, a buddy of mine had one and i had always liked that body style. Found my Taco and have been a happy camper ever since. I think you made a great call on suspension upgrades. I have OME shocks and coils which need quite a bit more weight on them to make the ride better, they are some harsh riding SOB's.

 

Youre right, I was figuring off what I thought I read (16) but now I know I was wrong (21). Tho, 250 miles on a half a tank isn't bad.

Loved my XJ but I have always coveted a nice looking taco very happy with my decision!

 

Installed a die hard platinum battery this afternoon. No huge improvements but definitely piece of mind in the hills.

 

Welcome to the forum

 

Some photos from the trip down to crested butte. No photos of the shelf road as there was a lot of traffic coming up because of the mile hi jeep club and things were a bit tight.. Great time tho



















Pablo enjoying the ride in the taco

 

To add, just got confirmation my rear fox resi 2.0's have shipped from DSM this afternoon to replace my OME shocks. Looking forward to the custom valved shocks in the rear. I might also pull a leaf out of the dakar packs while I'm in there, I'm still torn on that... As an additional bonus they should be here just in time to give me an excuse to drink some beers and work on the truck while my mother in-law is in town...

 

New shocks arrived! Throw these in this weekend and start prepping my frame for some DMZ gussets that should arrive mid next week.
Looking forward to doing some camping/wheeling Labor Day weekend.

 

Welcome!