Ikarus' 2013 Lightweight 2.7 Overland Build

Hey what's up my Tacoma people -

I've had my Tacoma for about 8 months now, but I'm just getting around to documenting things.

Current state:



Lift: OME 884 + Dakars
Wheels: SCS F5 Gloss Jet Black 16x8 4.5” BS
Tires: Cooper ST Maxx 255/85r16
Wilco Offroad Tiregate VT
ARB air lockers, front and rear
ARB Compressor
4.88 Nitro gears
Safari Snorkel

I was driving a BRZ, which was super fun – but I really missed the wilderness. Being stuck in the city was starting to wear on me. Plus, you can only fit so many cameras/equipment in a BRZ.



I found a great deal on a Tacoma and a dealer who thought my BRZ was worth more than I could get out of a sale – so.....



I immediately threw on some Cooper ST Maxx in 235/85r16. They're awesome tires, and got me through a Utah winter, sand, mud and rocks with no problems. Next up was a lift from Cruiser Outfitters, OME 884 Coils with Dakars in the rear.



My job takes me all over Utah, and I usually have to haul a few pelican cases. The Tacoma's done great.





The 235/85r16s were great, but they just looked a bit too small under there. Made it down Chicken Corners to Lockhart Basin just fine.







I'm keeping the build lightweight, so I'll be using aluminum as much as I can and avoiding unnecessary metal.

My truck looks so tiny next to my buddy Sean's (you might know him as Defconbrix.)



I doubt that anyone cares, but if you're interested, here's my FAQ section:



Q: Why a base model access cab?

A: I actually really like the color scheme on the base model, with the black flares (got that Bushwacker look on a budget haha) and the blacked out grill (No need for a plasti dip budget... just kidding, I would have used paint.) No chrome anywhere. A friend of mine got a super nice TRD Tacoma for somewhere between $35-40K, installed a new suspension, got rid of the tires and has never used the locker. I found mine for under $24K nearly brand new, threw on an OME lift, 33” tires and got an ARB locker – now all I'm missing is ATRAC. I'm happy about it.



Q: Why a 4 cylinder?

A: I thought about this for a while, and it came down to price. Here in Utah, with my budget I could either afford a 5-10 year old used V6 Tacoma with 60-150K miles, or I could buy a brand new base model. As I never tow anything, the bulletproof 4 cylinder won me over. A manual would be nice, but I got an automatic because I often film out of the back of my truck, and you never know if the production assistants can drive manual, or even drive smoothly – but that's another story.

 

I got my SCS wheels mounted with the new tires:



Wheels are SCS F5, BS 4.5” in Gloss Jet Black, tires are Cooper ST Maxx in 255/85r16.



Stoked on the new setup! Not only do the F5s look great, I was able to cut my wheel weight in half. The F5s with 33s weigh less than steelies with 31s. I think the 255s have the perfect proportions with the 4.5” BS.





Also stopped by Cruiser Outfitters – picked up a few things. The 10mm trim packers will raise the front a bit.



I'm figuring out the compressor at the moment. Looks like it'll mount real easy just in front of the driver's side on the inner fender – anyone done this on a 2.7?







I'll also be throwing on a Pelfreybilt skid plate, after banging mine up pretty good in Moab. I'm taking it into the paint booth at work tomorrow to get a couple coats on it.

 

Didn't recognize your truck with the F5s. Truck looks Awesome, what camera you typically shoot with?

 

Great looking truck so far man

 

Thanks. For personal stuff, usually a Sony a7s, or a Canon 5D mkIII. For work, C500, FS700, 5D/7D, and sometimes Leica M or Canon 1DX.

Thanks man! Yours looks awesome. What part of LA are you at? I used to live in Mandeville, and I was just in West Monroe for work a few weeks ago.

 

Lookin good bro,

Love the base models myself also.

 

Sweet another base ac 4cyl lookin good I've been debating the f5 wheels in bronze myself like the look

 

Yeah man, bronze would look rad on a truck like yours. I love em, they're super light and minimal.

 

No shit, I'm from Mandeville. Grew up right on the lakefront. How long ago did you live there?

 

Crazy. I was there from like 2000-2005. Left a month before Katrina. I lived just a couple miles north of the lakefront in a subdivision called Lakewood Heights

 

That's awesome. Did you go to school there at all?

 

Yeah man. Mandeville middle, Mandeville Junior High, and Mandeville High. You?

 

I went to Tchefuncta middle school, mandeville junior high then mandeville high. What year did you graduate?

 

07 - but I moved to Idaho for my junior and senior year.

 

Ahh ok I graduated in 07

 

Really enjoying the way this build is going. Love the simplicity of the base models.

Fellow LA guy as well. Baton Rouge/Nola

 

Oh just kidding, I mistyped - I was 07 as well. Weird, I wonder if we knew each other. I was always stuck in those "gifted" classes, so only had classes with like 30 other kids.

 

That's crazy man. At MJH I played football as well as freshman year at MHS.

 

I wonder if we need a "Special" Base model build thread....hahaha

I would love it,

Makes me wish I had more funds to contribute in and on my own truck...

 

the pics in the desert, are those the 235s? really debating between the 235 and 255