TacomaRaider's 2002 3.4L ext. cab Build

As my truck sits now....
So I started out with a 98 3.4 in 2004, bought it built already with a aal in the rear and a unknown 2" body lift, arb plate bumper in the front which possibly saved my life. It had 33x12.50 BFG mud terrain(the original ones) and steelies. Drove it as daily driver and also through some trails that my truck amazed me it made it through also white out blizzards, storm chasing to get fresh powder in the sierras. This truck was a beast and never let me down. Drove it until 276,000 miles until a drunk driver ran a red light when I was turning from the left turn lane. Hit my front right side as I was starting a u-turn and totaled the truck. He was driving a Camry and tuna canned his car. He had unknow back injuries but was able to walk. He hit me at 50mph almost head on. As for bumper may have saved my life because the only damage I had was a bent rim flat tire and bent frame. The gap between bed and cab was closed on driver side and 4" gap on passenger. Thank god my girlfriend and I were ok. Police officer even said I was lucky I had the bumper. So I paid 10k for the truck originally and insurance gave me $8200 ten years later so I bought a mint condition 2002 3.4 in 2014 from concord Toyota with 124k miles. I had to. My old truck was a tank and I won't go on in life without a Tacoma. The truck had a 1.5" spacer in the front and unknown aal in the rear. It was a trade in that needed new shocks. So I bought 5100s and drove it for a year before I got OME 882 and Dakar. Then American racing ar172 and BFG km2. Absolutely love this new truck. A upgrade from the already satisfaction guaranteed 98. So I learned a lot from Tacoma world and Dan from wheelersoffroad.com and have decided to start a build. Here are some pictures from after the 5100s installed and front spacers removed and the changes I've made so far.

 

Here is what I've done so far.

Suspension

-OME 882
-OME Dakar
-1/4" driver side spacer for taco lean
-Bilstein 5100 front and rear
-ext. rear brake line
-Longer U-bolts
-3 degree axle shims

Rims and Tires


-American Racing Baja AR172 15x8 3.75" back spacing and 19mm offset, satin black
-BFG KM2 Mud-Terrain 33x12.50






Stock springs on top 5100 setting next to OME 882 on bottom setting

Dakar installed in rear with 5100 at top setting and stock coil in front. Called her the grass hopper for a day.

Dakar installed, brake relocate installed and exhaust chopped

Front and rear installed with 265/75r16 BFG all-terrain

Fresh back from Americas tires. Installing the 15x8 American racing ar172 3.75" backspacing, 19mm offset and BFG KM2 33x12.50
I drove her around and had to do the pinch weld persuasion right away. Beat it back with a hammer and razor bladed some inner wheel well plastic near the pinch weld. Not much at All. And will carry a razor blade when wheeling to cut of what's needed when wheel is stuffed. No rubbing the frame at full lock



Had to get alignment. Now she drives great. A little stiff at first but after a couple trails and a 250 mile drive it is 10x better than stock on and off-road. Handles the bumps great on and off-road and handles turns more like I lowered it than lifted. Much better than stock coils and 5100s. The more I drove the better the ride got. As of now I highly recommend this lift/tire combo to anyone looking for more than stock off-road and still using as a daily driver.



Will get some better pics soon. Adding a CB radio next. Thank you to Dan from wheelersoffroad and all the many people that answered my many probably annoying questions. Thank you all very much. You know who you are!

 

Truck looks great man. Can't wait to see where this build goes

 

Thanks. I plan on getting the uniden520xl I have mounted in the ashtray then get sliders, front and rear bumpers. Haven't made up my mind if I want tube or plate bumpers yet

 

Hey I'm going with your wheel/tire setup but can only find white letters. Can you link me to the blackwalled bfg km2 33x12.50r15?

 

You turn white letters in

 

So you put them on backward? I was thinking of doing that but I heard that people had problems. You can do that and it'll be fine?

 

All I've ever done was put the white letter inside. Never a problem

 

Alright cool. Thanks. I found em for 204 each!

 

If I pop the tailgate he jumps right in and doesn't want to get out. He apparently loves taco as as much as me!

 

Did you add any supports after you cut your exhaust? Looking to do mine this weekend.

 

No I cut it at the down turn and it doesn't shake at all, seems supported really well at the muffler..From what I've read, nobody supports it after they cut it.

 

Thanks for the quick response, man! Your truck looks awesome, by the way.

 

Thanks! I had a 98 before this one. 3.4 drove it until 276,000 miles before it was totaled by a drunk driver. It was a tank. This one is a for sure upgrade but I sure miss my 98. It was the most reliable vehicle out of anyone's car or truck I know. I hope to get the same out of this truck.

 

Just found and purchased these from Jegs on eBay. 78" extended or double cab sliders. They started selling their products on eBay for cheaper than on their website. Figured I had to share this. Great deal. Cheapest I could find. I will post pictures of the install when I receive them and find time to weld them up!

 

How do you like the ome shocks w/ 882's with no extra weight up front?

 

I love them. They were a little stiff at first as everyone says on here, but once I broke them in they are perfect. If I added weight up front I still think they would be good. I would probably add a 10mm trim packer if they didn't hold up. I think that would be good enough to make up for the sag

 

They are bilstein5100 and 882's

 

Getting ready to weld these together and mount them on

 

Ready for install pics. Debating if I want some