Denver2890's Weekend Warrior Build

This build will be based on my weekend warrior lifestyle of whitewater kayaking and Dirtbike riding. I plan on making it into a camping/exo rig that I can live out of on long trips while carrying all my toys and gear while being able to get to and from anything from river put-in spots, campsites, and riding spots. And of course she will be used for OFF-ROADIN!

As she sits now:









Current mods:

Lift: -Icon stage 3 with tubular upper control arms:
-2.5" extended travel cool over shocks.
-Uniball tubular upper control arms with cover caps.
-Progressive add a leaf pack.
-2.0 aluminum series rear shocks.
-Sway bar relocation brackets.

Wheels and tires:
-TRD Pro rims 17x7 flat black
-BFG KO2's 285/70r/17

Armor:
-Pelfrey IFS Skid
-Pelfrey Mid Skid
-Pelfrey Trans skid
-Pelfrey Tank skid

Topper camper set up:
-A.R.E. V-series topper (loaded)
-A.R.E. Topper EZ lift
-A.R.E. Ez lift camper package

Rack set up:
-Front:
-OEM Toyota rack

-Rear:
-Thule podium rack system.
-Thule 78 inch square bars
-Thule kayak stackers
-Thule paddle holder

Interior mods:
-Led dome light
-Led map lights
-Led vanity mirror lights
-Husky weather beater floor liners
-Escort max radar (hard mounted and wired)

DIY mods:
-Painted emblems flat black
-Plasti-derped grill black
-Exhaust reroute to clear skids
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On October 30th, 2015 my girlfriend and I boarded a plane from Lexington, Ky to San Fransisco, California to pick up my new 2016 TRD OR in quicksand!



After walking out of the dealership with keys, our adventure home, across the country, began. We checked out San Fran for a day before we started heading east.

We made stops in the Moab area, Denver, and then Colorado Springs to play and visit some friends before heading back home to Kentucky.





First thing we did when we got back to Lexington was drop my truck off to be tinted, we then ran next door and ate some tacos and drank a few margaritas after our 18 hour straight drive from Colorado.

Got home from the tint shop and began ripping off the grill and emblems (everyday on our trip home looking at all that chrome was killing me deeply within) to be prepared for paint and plasti-derp. I decided to paint the emblems with flat black krylon fusion for plastic for longevity while I just plastiderped the grill because I plan on replacing it as soon as I find one I like.

Here are some finished and installed pictures of the emblems:




Then the grill:


Next step was to remove the side tube steps and the mudflaps that came on it. I also installed a OEM Toyota roof rack.

After that I had to play the waiting game until my lift, wheels, and tires arrived.












Had the help of a local shop with the lift install. Had to trim a tiny corner of plastic off in the front wheel wells by the cab mounts.

The same day I got my new lift and shoes on I received my rear tail gate decals, hard wiring kit and mount for my radar detector, and led lights from VLED. Of course I had to install them as soon as I got home.




Detector:


Didn't snap any photos of the LED's but I replaced the map lights, dome light, mirror lights, and lisence plate lights.

 

I then got the call from my local A.R.E. Dealer that my order I placed in September was finally in!!!

-A.R.E. V-series Topper
-A.R.E. Topper Ez lift
-A.R.E. Ez lift camper package

I dropped her off and got her back the next day like this:


Just got done rewiring everything and attaching the tent to my bed differently. Their job wasn't the cleanest. Pics to come soon!

I also installed my new Thule roof rack:

 

That is a badass topper. How much did that run if you don't mind me asking?

 

Subbed

 

That's a bad ass camper shell

 

V-series topper from them completely loaded minus the roof rack(rack rails installed though) was a hair under 2k.

The lift and tent were around 1200 each, he gave me a decent discount on everything together with free install

 

Amazing truck man and +1 for the quicksand. That's what I'm rocking.

I noticed you have an add a leaf. Do you think it will perform adequately given the amount of weight you will have in the back? I opted for the add a leaf as opposed to the leaf pack as well, that's why I am asking.

Also, you mentioned dirt biking. Will you be taking the tent and topper off when you throw your bikes in the back or will you be towing those? I love the idea of that tent in the bed. I'm just curious how easy it is to remove and reinstall the tent and topper.

Great looking rig!

 

Thanks man! This is actually my first add a leaf because I've always had older trucks and thought might as well replace them all. With this truck being so new I thought I would give this option a go being so much cheaper and if it doesn't perform as needed I will replace with the full pack.

For the motorcycle I have one of these



http://www.ultimatemxhauler.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=9

Coolest hauler made. You have bolts that go through each foot peg then use the attached bottle jack to pump it up high enough to clear anything then put in a safety pin.

Topper and lift legs can be removed by 8 bolts in the bed and loosening a few others.

I've also seen pictures of people raising the topper up, strapping the bike in the back and lowering it back down but that was with a taller topper.

 

Nice rig!

 

That was my thought process on the add a leaf as well. Give it a go and replace as necessary.

Thanks for all the info regarding the hauler and the topper. Keep the pictures coming as I know we all can't get enough of the taco pron.

 

Bad ass truck, man. Mine new Tacoma will be a slow build, but hope it ends up similar to yours. Did you get a 5th 285/70R17 tire and does it fit underneath? Also, I'm looking at the same topper but I'm being told by my dealer that I should get the A.R.E. HD series because I want to put a RTT on it. Do you have any experience or do you know if it would be necessary for me to spend the extra cash on the HD series to handle the weight of the RTT? I'm new to the Tacoma world and appreciate the help. Thanks...

 

Thanks man! I did not get the fifth wheel yet, I wanted to wait and see if someone else has luck fitting one underneath/ I will be putting on a rear bumper that will hold my spare as soon as Pelfrey makes one!

As for the topper, I would guess that it would work fine if you got a rack to support the tent properly. I'm not sure how much those things weigh but I'm sure they can vary greatly. I've not loaded this topper down yet, but on other similar toppers I've owned before I've had 7-8 kayaks on the racks for long commutes with no signs of stress fractures or anything in the fiberglass.

 

sick truck man, that topper is sweet!

 

Niccce!

 

Sweet 3rd gen.Denver!

 

Dude. You win. Sickest 3rd gen I've seen.

 

"Got home from the tint shop and began ripping off the grill and emblems (everyday on our trip home looking at all that chrome was killing me deeply within) to be prepared for paint and plasti-derp. I decided to paint the emblems with flat black krylon fusion for plastic for longevity while I just plastiderped the grill because I plan on replacing it as soon as I find one I like."

would this paint work for a chrome bumper???

 

yeah. you'd probably want to prep it by abrading the bumper first. krylon makes more metal-specific sprays though.

 

What's a good for abrading???